Hi all, I'm new to the forum and new to Kawasakis except what I see the Hayden boys doing each weekend. I'm also new to motorcycling--solo. I'm a seasoned co-rider. I'm taking the MSF course on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week and I'm so excited!! Anyway, I'm shopping around for a motorcycle to love and this ZZR600 has caught my eye. I really want to know what is to dislike about it? I know you guys can talk all day long about what you love, but I want to know what you wish was different so that I can be an informed buyer. You know how dealerships take advantage of us women-folk. I don't want to get put on a motorcycle that's too much motorcycle.

Also, has anybody done some aftermarket tailpipe mods that give it a more tucked look? Either tucked or a shorty like the new Ninja would make me happy.

Thanks so much for your time and input! Maybe I'll be a new rider soon.

 

Just wanted to welcome you to KF! Have fun on your course! Its a very exciting time, and I wish I was in your shoes! Took my course last year and had a blast.

I can't comment on the bike you are looking at as I don't have one. The only thing I can say for sure is that I really like the look of them.

Keep us posted on how you make out with the course and what you get for a bike! [sm=signs003.gif]

 

Yea, its not a Yamaha!

JK I can not give you a qualifide answer but hang in there someone here will for sure.

Oh yea welcome and enjoy your stay.

 

Hey there...

I'm assuming you mean the new ZZR600's (05 and 06). I've got an '05 and love it. I don't really have any "complaints", but there are some things that would be nice to improve:
[ul][*]The stock can is rather large... But it doesn't bother me enough to have it changed yet. There are a TON of aftermarket cans for these things, since it's essentially the same bike as the 00-02 ZX6R's.
[*]It's a carb'd bike, which is unusual in this fuel-injected age. It means that it might be a bit harder to start on cold mornings, and is supposed to be affected more than FI bikes by large changes in altitude. I haven't noticed either of these, and it doesn't bother me in the least. The feel of the throttle is also a bit different than on a FI bike, I like the feel of my ZZR.
[*]It doesn't have a fuel guage or light... Instead it has a fuel valve on one side that you can set to ON/OFF/RES. You leave it ON till you run out of gas, then switch it to REServe. People today seem to like a low fuel light. If you don't have one, just use your trip meter. Reset it when you fill your tank, and take note of how many miles you get until you run out of gas (for me about 140-150). Then you always know exactly how many miles you have left and don't need to worry about running out of gas... and if you do, you can switch to RES and you'll have enough to get to a station. It's only a problem if you're not familiar with it. I thought it'd bug me, but I don't care now, in fact, it's nice knowing I have RES if I need it..
[*]It doesn't say ZX6R on the bike, and it's classified as a "Sport Touring" bike, so you will get people thinking it's inferior... including your insurance company... which is actually a good thing. I pay a lot less for insurance than someone with an 02 ZX6R, and my bike was NEW. Okay, so this is a good thing...
[*]I don't particularly like how the undertail looks on the bike. But of course you can change that... Be aware it's hard to color-match the 05 ZZR "Metallic Ocean Blue" for aftermarket parts. I hear the "Galaxy Silver" for the 06 ZZR's is easier.
[*]The blikers (front and back) are HUGE... like golf clubs sticking out the sides. Very visible, but not astheticly pleasing to me. I'm planning on fixing that.
[*]If you're a woman, you're likely shorter than me (6'2"). Some women don't like the seat height, though you'll probably have that problem with any bike. You can solve it a few ways. 1) Shave the seat or get a custom seat that's lower. This is usually the best way, as it doesn't affect the handling or ground clearance of the bike. 2) Lower the bike with some lowering links. This can help give you that inch that makes it comfortable for you at a stop, but will cost some cornering clearance and eat up some of your suspension travel. 3) Other... or just get used to it
[*]Analog Tach & Speedo. Personally I _LOVE_ the analog Tach. It's a hell of a lot easier to read than the 636's... (sorry guys) The analog speedo is a bit dated though, and it'd be nice to have a digital one...
[/ul]
Hmm, I think that's it... Again, it's a GREAT bike, and nearly all the things mentioned above can be fixed with aftermarket parts if it does in fact bother you. I've been riding it stock for the last 3000 miles, and have fallen in love. It's my first bike as well, so if you've got your head on straight, and can be calm and take it easy on the bike, you should be able to handle it. You will learn slower than you would on something smaller (especially if you're having trouble reaching the ground), but I'm still glad I bought this bike...

Good Luck, and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask! We've got a great family here...

Oh yeah... Have fun at the MSF course! Welcome to the addiction...

 

Thanks to everyone for the enouragement in the MSF course. I just hope I don't screw up, that's all. Or scare myself silly so that I never want to get off the back of our '04 VFR.

Gerg, thank you so much for your input. I've been reading around on this forum and I notice that you're sort of the Yoda. I'm glad to see that there are lots of aftermarket options since this bike is a rebirth of a previous bike. The different name making the bike a new class as far as insurance companies are concerned feels like you're getting away with something...love it love it.

I don't have a problem with height. I'm 5'11 plus an inch or so with the boots I wear. And, my husband says I have freakishly long legs, though I say a 34 is pretty normal. I'd probably end up getting a Corbin seat. We have one on the VFR and I haven't had any complaints yet.

Question, though--what sort of bags are available for the ZZR600? We like to travel about and I'd need some luggage gear. Also, how does the bike do on 800 mile treks?

 

Eh Eh she said Yoda eh eh.

He looks like yoda too.

JK bor, I read your response and it was A1.

Licorne, greg is one of the reasons and many others here that make this place so good.

 

Right on..

Just remember to relax and have fun at the MSF course and it'll all come easy. You're there to learn, so you're meant to screw up... then they'll show you how not to do it again. You're tall enough that I don't think you'll have any problems keeping it rubber side down. 34 inch legs!? Damn girl! That's what I've got, and I'm 6'2! You do have freakishly long legs... and one lucky husband. You'll have no problems going flat footed on the ZZR... My Corbin seat is on order, and I'll be sure to post up results when I get it... The stock seat is OK, but I do want to try some even longer rides... Maybe down to SoCal to ride w/some of the other guys on here... but that's over 800 miles...

There are tons of bags that'll fit our bike... Right now I've got a relatively small magnetic tank bag. Just enough to carry the little things on a day trip, and I love it. You can also get a tail bag and some side saddles for the back, so you can fit a whole lot if you need to. A friend at work just convinced me to get a Marsee bag... nice and small but can go super-expando and hold as much or as little as you need, and I hear the quality is simply amazing.

As for the longer treks, most I've done so far is about 350 miles in a day, but I know I could've done more. Seems I can ride all day in the twisties because I move around a lot, but the highway straights just kill me. Still finding more and more comfy positions on the bike, and have a new windscreen on order to help out. Ear plugs help a lot with the fatigue (thanks to guys on this forum for convincing me to try 'em), as well as learning to just relax your grip/arms/shoulders. Like I said before, this is still a sportbike, but I'm told it's likely one of the most comfy sportbikes ever made. It's definately the most comfy sportbike I've ever sat on.

As for the Yoda comment... I'll forgive you... There is some resembelance, but I'm still a lot taller than he is, even if he is better looking... [&:]

 

I'm really suprised at how hard it is to find one of these puppies!! You get all set on a bike and then it's as rare as hens' teeth to get. I found one dealership that says they can get it from another one and he even quoted a price over the phone for it. Another dealership said they'd be willing to do some leg work and find one. I think I'll have to call them for sure today. I've been reading some good writeups on the '05 and it looks like the only complaint is the fuel gauge thing. That won't bother me. It just means I have to pay attention, which I must do already cause I know how many miles my car will take and how many miles my hubby's truck will take. Now it's just getting the course out of the way. I already did the written with the DMV and only missed two.

Don't be downhearted about Yoda. Yoda is awesome. [sm=devilangel.gif]

 

I didn't realize you were green Gerg - didn't look that way to me!

You'll do fine in the MSF Licorne - its a lot of fun!

 

Green with envy... Yoda gets all the ladies... hehe