I am selling my 04 Yamaha FZ6 and want to purchase a Ninja 636. I want to purchase an 05 model, but the prices for 03's are more within my budget. I can get a slightly used 05 for around $7000 or a 03' for around $5000.

I understand the 05 has a new exhaust, brakes, suspension and frame. I have read many reviews on both the 03',04', & 05' and they are all great machines.

Can someone tell me if there is a noticable difference between a 03-04 and an 05 model worth $2k difference? Will my insurance be the same on both models?

 

You might want to check out this thread https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_1345/tm.htm

It might give you some info!

 

even the looking at the 04 636, is like night and day with the 05 636. your better off with the 05 636. thats what i have. and it's a excellent bike.

 

03-04s have a stiffer suspension. the 05s stock suspension is way better. but other than that, the exhaust and the body changes, and a couple of ponies the only thing you should think about is which one looks better to you, which one can you afford, and other realistic things like that. cause there both good bikes. just the 05 is better of course cause its newer. and if you get an 03/04 not only will you save that 2 gs but most likely the 03/04 will come with mods already on it, whereas the 05 will be stock most likely (not like stock is bad though) just comes down to you man both bikes will do what there supposed to. i personaly like the 03/04s better. the 05 has a fat *** and i like the side exhaust better but thats me. hope any of this helped

 

I would say go with the styling that you like better. If it is the 03 model get it. Unless you are planning on racing or you are a serious track **** you should be fine with the stock suspension.
Also if you decide that you want more from it you can always change the springs and valves and get a trick set up for about 900 bucks.

Of course JMO.

 

BUT remember when it comes to buying a used bike, u dont know EXACTLY what your getting. Interest rate is usually higher on a used bike, well, kawi dealer gave me a good interest rate, i wanna say 2.9%. with the new one, your buying it with NO miles, so you know everything thats wrong with it. and u got a one year warranty!! dude, all my fingers point towards the new one.