Buying a ZX9R, what to look for?

Nutbusta · 21 Aug 2011 at 10:25

I've found a ZX9R that I like and is in my meagre budget.

Its a 2000 E model with 81000 miles
Has been raced but current owner has had it for 5 years since
Plastics/exhausts in very good condition
Engine has some white alloy corrosion.
Brakes/hoses look good

I know I should b=probably avoid a raced bike but he's had it for 5 years since then so any major mechanicals would have shown up since?

It's been a long time since I bought an older bike and haven't a clue about what to check for. Any help would be appreciated?

thepeteh · 21 Aug 2011 at 10:47

81000?

Snaggle · 21 Aug 2011 at 11:11

unless its mega cheap i would avoid .. Not as if zx9 are expensive

Nutbusta · 21 Aug 2011 at 12:00

My mate bought one with 130k on it, has done him proud for years.

Mega cheap, it's £950, so I guess yeah. It also has a whole years MOT

Any pointers on what to look for?

Sagalout · 21 Aug 2011 at 13:29

Engines are very strong, but gearbox selector can have problems. Click it through the box at a variety of revs. Other than that, I cant think of any particular weaknesses, but just do the normal checks for a bike of that mileage (suspension, brake discs aren't warped, chain, tyres etc)

They are great bikes, and £950 is cheap (well, reflects the mileage anyway)

Head over to zx-9r.net - awesome forum

Nutbusta · 21 Aug 2011 at 15:54

Thats great I'll give the gearbox a bloody good check. Any pointers on the more basic stuff?

helpimcrap · 21 Aug 2011 at 18:05

depends how its been used. forks and shock check when last serviced/rebuilt. brake pads too although they should have been picked up on mot.

watch out for squared off tyres - that amount of miles it WILL have sqared off tyres and 99% of that will be motorway unless he drives up and down the same road for hours on end.

engines are bulletproo however cars are revved to 2 or 3000 rpm and do 100,000 miles... bikes can be revved to 12000+ so obviously that brings reliability quite a lot shorter...

check for regular oil changes as my race bike on a stock engine - oil was fully synthetic and kaputt after 2 days use!

also - check head bearings and wheel bearings!

the headstock might have a bit of rot as it will have been used loads in the rain so bear all this in mind - look for areas he wouldn't have cleaned.

Nutbusta · 21 Aug 2011 at 20:46

Well I'm not expecting much of a service history with that kind of mileage.

Front tyre was knackered and looks like it hasn't been changed since its racing days. Apart from the head everything looks corrosion free.

I know how to check for shot forks/damper.

Don't know how to check head or wheel bearings?

I'll probably flush the oil and brake fluid as soon as the weather draws on.

The help is much appreciated folks.

helpimcrap · 23 Aug 2011 at 07:03

Nutbusta said:
Well I'm not expecting much of a service history with that kind of mileage.

Front tyre was knackered and looks like it hasn't been changed since its racing days. Apart from the head everything looks corrosion free.

I know how to check for shot forks/damper.

Don't know how to check head or wheel bearings?

I'll probably flush the oil and brake fluid as soon as the weather draws on.

The help is much appreciated folks.

wheel bearing - wheel in air and move it top to bottom like when checking a car wheel bearing. should be zero play. also spin wheel as will tell you if seals busted (sealed bearing).

headbearing - front wheel in air and move to and fro. should be zero movement or as good as. can adjust it at top of headstock underneath top yoke.

there will be a little play in them both BUT it should be virtually zero and if there is any a mm or 2. otherwise they're shot.

St0rmer66 · 23 Aug 2011 at 14:01

My dad's had his for years now, kept looking at other bikes but now has decided to keep it as he can't find any other bike that would suit his needs better! He just bought a zx12r rear shock on ebay, £35 including delivery, it fits straight in with no mods and raises the rear a bit and gives more adjustment.

Dogbreath · 23 Aug 2011 at 14:04

At that kind of mileage I would be expecting the rear suspension linkages to either have been replaced already or to be in a poor state. The rear shock will be extremely tired if it's the original, likewise fork seals and bushes.

I would personally avoid it unless it's been owned by someone with OCD that has spent a fortune keeping it mint - the potential for quite a bit of expense is high otherwise.