Anyone owned a ZX7R?
 

I've been on the look out for an upgrade from the SV (keep changing my mind all the time on what to get so far its gone from Aprilia Falco or Mille, GSXR 600/750 K4 on).

I've always wanted a ZX7R since my younger days of watching WSB and BSB and i've seen a few a reasonable prices(being sensible). I would probably exceed my budget buying any of the above although falco's are pretty cheap but the insurance would be quite high.

Anyone owned one, got any advice on what to look out for when buying etc.

Any advice would be appreciated

Cheers
Mike

Never owned one but I rode one and was an absolute peach.Great handling bike and more than adequate squirt.Too "focused" riding position for me though.
The best looking ZX as well IMHO.
They barely changed in their ?seven year production so condition is much more important than age,and they are a bit of a "cult" bike so not very fashionable.Too heavy for the fashion police :lol: That means you should get one really cheap.Sounds good to me.

I think you'll find that Coombest (Tim) currently owns one.

PB just did a project bike with one, and it turned out rather nice... A bit silly, but overall it came together nicely. I realyl don't like the look, big fat face and cheeks, but that's a matter of taste.

By a ZX6 B1H instead. Go on you know you wanna... :lol:

re
 

Cracking bikes , the weight is not an issue on the road & you can pick them up cheap.
I had the zxr750 ( previous model) & I actually perferred this one
, however you've got a better chance of getting a clean zx7r as they are newer.
They are fairly committed for commuting use & they can wipe out your licence quickly as compared with a sv650 they are very fast .

Take one out for a test ride & you will love it , you can get a cleanish one for 2 - 2.5 k if you shop around.

A pic of my old zxr750


http://www.sgrazier.plus.com/zxr.jpg

cheers Steve

Hi mate,

I've owned two of these beauties and will more than likely get another at some point. I first had a 1999 P3 and a 1996 P1. Both bikes were absolutely stonking. I learnt to get my kneedown on teh ZX7R as the front end is so stable. These bikes are gorgeous and the twin air unduction sounds awesome. As already said the desing never changed on this bike, they got it spot on first time round. These bikes can still go for 4k plus for a low mileage late model but to be honest my 1996 was a nine year old bike and felt just as good as the 99 one I had. Yes they are a little heavy compared to modern bikes but they have the midrange grunt that a lot of newer 600's don't. Let me tell you, I have done many a traffic light grand prix and this bikes can still whip newer, lighter 600's despite what their owners might say. The ride height is very low which makes the bike feel much lighter than it is. It is also very comfy after about a week of getting used to it. I used to commute to London everyday (70 mile round trip) and found it MUCH more comfy than my new SV650. I would spend in the region of 2'500 - 3k and you should get a decent one. Mileage is not such an issue provided history is provided. Those engines are bullet-proof. When you goto look at one make sure you hear it running but don't be put off by a slight rattling noise, Kawasaki engines are very noisey. Also check the engine block for leaks, my mate reckons a weak point of the bike is that he had a gasket blow and it cost him the thick end of £800 to fix. I never experienced this though. Also when it's running make sure it doesn't sound 'fluffy'. This can be due to old HT leads (on the P1's at least). I would have another one of these anytime. Insurance is not much different from the SV if you have a clean licence and some no claims. TPFT for me was £700 after having my licence for 1 year and 0 ncb.

Good luck.

Dan

I agree and not through any bias. No point messing around with an old bike like that. It would be nothing but trouble. A 636 is a faster bike and will do the quarter quicker, not sure about the torque spread but the ZX6R pulls plenty quick enough. Plus better brakes and handling etc.

Yes but sometimes it not all about speed and stats etc etc. IMHO a 7R is one of those classic bikes that doesnt matter how old or whatever it is some people have a soft spot for.

As for it "being nothing but trouble" again I dont necessarily agree. It might have been owned by somebody who loved it and cherished it and its had plenty of TLC and been looked after properly.

Pesonally if you want one go and test ride if you like it buy it 8)

Lovely bikes, always wanted one but its getting harder and harder to find a nice one now

Yeah to me they are like the first Fireblades in a way.

Modern classics but it is virtually impossible to find a tidy one and if you do its going to cost far more than it is realistically worth.

I agree,I had a zxr 750 L1 only because I could not afford one!First bike I got my knee down on.Still think they are one of the best lookin bikes EVER.Swop my curvy for one??? you betcha 8)

As Mr. BillyC correctly observed, I do currently own one of these!

A 1999 ZX7R-P4 to be precise!

I test rode this and a 1997 GSXR750-SRAD on the same day and I loved the 7R to pieces! It pulls from insanely low down for an IL4 - about 2000rpm (of the 12000rpm red line!) and has a pretty much linear power curve all the way to the red line. Just a bit of a bulge at 7000rpm-odd, which when combined with a bit more of the right wrist, will get the front end decidedly light in any gear! :shock:
The weight isn't an issue when it's moving but be aware it is a 210kg-odd bike! The steering lock is also rather pathetic... You quite easily trap knuckles and thumbs on the screen & tank when moving the bike around to park, etc.
I've only just really got to know the bike as it had an issue with a blown/dodgy brake seal which has just been finally resolved and I've been away most weekends marshalling at BSB meets, so haven't ridden it much. I was using my T595 instead... Until that's blown up (again!!!) and I'm left with the Kwak as my only bike.
I find the 7R comfortable enough - I'm tall and lanky at just over 6' tall with a 35" inside leg and I fit completely inside the fairing which is a rarity on most bikes and impossible on new sports bikes! I might even go as far as to say it's more comfy than the Daytona once you're used to sitting on it! :shock:
As mentioned before, the front end is legendary! :D You just can't upset it! The whole bike as a package seems really balanced and an utter hooligan's tool! I've been enjoying the warm, dry weather the past week or so and have pretty much removed the chicken strips on the 190-section rear tyre although there's still 1/2" either side of the front tyre! (Must change my cornering style to see what happens, methinks!!)

As you can probably tell - I love this bike... It looks beautiful (really mean & evil!), goes superbly, handles brilliantly and women seem to love it too!

There are a few points to look at when buying one...

The bolts and fixings do start to corrode easily but this is nothing that some TLC and/or a bolt kit wouldn't cure.

The 6-pot Tokico brakes work well but do need looking after. As already mentioned, I had an issue with mine - a couple of pistons were siezed and a couple of seals were blown, so the dealer replaced these for me but there was a leak from one of the seals. He eventualy replaced the whole caliper for me and the brakes are now incredible! If they don't feel like you could throw yourself over the handlebars at 10mph, there's something wrong and you'll need to strip down, clean & rebuild them.

The standard exhaust collector pipes are big, black and heavy and rust easily. A new OEM set are apparently very expensive so you'll be beter off looking at getting some made or finding an after-market full system (see next point!) if necessary.

There are less and less performance parts being produced for them which really surprised me at the Ally Pally this year! Even the likes of Harris Performance don't have anything available for it... Odd as they were still raced (competitively) in BSB until the end of the 2003 season!!!


I got mine in pretty much immaculate condition, with (very!) full service history, 12 months tax & MoT, with just less than 30,000 miles on the clock, with a Leo Vince can, DynoJet kit and double bubble screen, from a local independent dealer for £2,300 (after a bit of haggling!).
It's only group 15 insurance and added £50 to my insurance policy along with the Daytona! :D

All I can really say is try one!

Ian (chutz) rode mine and stepped off it with a huge cheshire cat grin on his face, exclaiming that "Cooool!! That bike MAKES you wanna ride like a c***!" He also said that it's a bike that he thought could live with as an only bike, for any use... Something that I now completely agree with!

and if you ever wanna sell it you know where to come first ok Tim :wink: