Kawasaki Ninja - Any thoughts Please

[northwind]

All the modern 600cc race reps are pretty incredible to be honest, they're all a wee bit different so you can just try them (if possible) and find the one that you fit best and that does the 600 thing the way you like best. It's so subjective that there's no one "best" foe everyone, frinstance, I'd have a CBR600F or FS, they give away so little to the more focussed bikes but they're just so much more practical and (for me) comfortable). Same goes for the slightly older Ninjas, which are IMO better road bikes than any Ninja since. Perhaps I'm getting old. But other people would go straight for one of the others for other perfectly good reasons.

Frinstance, lots of people loved the B1 636 because of its inferior handling, because defects add character- the 636 feels faster and more exciting to ride because of the rear shock, even though most people would be faster on an CBR600RR which feels comparatively slow and dull. Bke buying isn't all that rational

Personally, I'm keeping my eye open for a decent deal on a 03 onwards ZX. Not that much goes wrong with them (google around a bit, not an awful lot comes up). Just make sure it's been looked after sensibly and you're laughing.

Rough price? I'd expect around £3k for a 3-4year old in almost mint condition.

Originally Posted by andyb

My brother has just bought a 2003 one. I rode it part way home for him and loved it. Cornering is so easy, although the shock is bloody hard (so much so that hes going to do something about it).

Just do it, I doubt you'll regret it

+1. I went to view that bike with andy & his brother, and had a little jolly down the street & back on it. Very nice bike.

My only niggle, it's a tad revvy - but then, it's an IL4, so what do you expect?

Originally Posted by Baph

Personally, I'm keeping my eye open for a decent deal on a 03 onwards ZX. Not that much goes wrong with them (google around a bit, not an awful lot comes up). Just make sure it's been looked after sensibly and you're laughing.

Rough price? I'd expect around £3k for a 3-4year old in almost mint condition.



+1. I went to view that bike with andy & his brother, and had a little jolly down the street & back on it. Very nice bike.

My only niggle, it's a tad revvy - but then, it's an IL4, so what do you expect?

He loves it but is already considering changing the rear shock as it's so hard! Other that that you can't get him off it, he went for a 5 hour ride the other day just for the fun of it!!!

[northwind]

I'd budget for a new shock on the 03-04 model, they wren't very good new. But the bike's rock solid, I've spent a bit of time working on Scooby Drew's, which has abouit 40000 miles on it with precious little lovin', a fair bit of abuse, and a couple of decent sized crashes. It looks pretty rotten- and that's not all down to abuse, the build quality's very variable- but beneath the crust it's still in good shape. Stick a new shock in it, and it'd be better than new, I think.

Originally Posted by northwind

I'd budget for a new shock on the 03-04 model, they wren't very good new. But the bike's rock solid, I've spent a bit of time working on Scooby Drew's, which has abouit 40000 miles on it with precious little lovin', a fair bit of abuse, and a couple of decent sized crashes. It looks pretty rotten- and that's not all down to abuse, the build quality's very variable- but beneath the crust it's still in good shape. Stick a new shock in it, and it'd be better than new, I think.

Any advice? He's thinking about getting the current one re-sprung but I'm not sure it's a good idea but he doesn't want to spend loads on it...

Originally Posted by Baph

Personally, I'm keeping my eye open for a decent deal on a 03 onwards ZX. Not that much goes wrong with them (google around a bit, not an awful lot comes up). Just make sure it's been looked after sensibly and you're laughing.

Rough price? I'd expect around £3k for a 3-4year old in almost mint condition.



+1. I went to view that bike with andy & his brother, and had a little jolly down the street & back on it. Very nice bike.

My only niggle, it's a tad revvy - but then, it's an IL4, so what do you expect?

I'm selling mine soon... shame I live a fair way away.

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I'm selling mine soon... shame I live a fair way away.

How much are you looking for it??? (The bike that is)

[northwind]

Originally Posted by andyb

Any advice? He's thinking about getting the current one re-sprung but I'm not sure it's a good idea but he doesn't want to spend loads on it...

Nah, don't know what works for the Kwak, not all that interested to be honest except where it touches the SV swaps. The usual suspects for aftermarket, anyway. I don't think many people rebuild the standard shock, it's not just badly specced- though it is definately badly specced- it's also not a great item, I reckon roughly halfway inbetween the rubbish you get in SVs, etc, and the Showas you get in GSXRs or the newer 636.

We've very nearly squeezed an 05 636 shock into this one, we're still messing about with it. I have no idea how well it'll work once we get it to fit, but I don't think it's likely to be worse At the very least, it's a much higher quality part. But there's some fitting issues to overcome, the bottom mount is 2mm narrower on the Showa than on the KYB one. So he's got an 05 linkage, which might fit, then again might not. Alternatively I might machine down the old linkage and fit an 05 model bearing and spacer, if it's still proving awkward. I don't know of anyone else who's done it, though I assume some people have.

I like the 636 because it's got unrealised potential, monkeys like me can't easily upgrade a CBR600RR since it's so finely honed, but the 636 is a blunt instrument.

I've been thinking of upgrading for a while now. Had a go on bro's 636 but I'm not 100% convinced. May just keep the SV and nick his when I want a blast in the summer...best of both worlds then

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

I'm selling mine soon... shame I live a fair way away.

Distance aint a problem for the right deal. When you're selling, stick a post up on the site with pictures & details etc, then you might get more than me interested.