My new smile machine - Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja

Linkex

Linkex

Linkex

Associate
Joined
4 May 2011
Posts
1,065
Having passed my test on Monday, I was unsurprisingly keen to upgrade the YBR 125 to a 600 type machine. I was looking for a naked style bike, so spent yesterday looking around various dealers, with no real luck. Having looked at a few dealers and not really finding anything of any interest, I'm about to give up and call it a day, when I decide to swing by my local dealer on the way home, in case they had any new bikes since I was last in the day before and I'm glad I did.

Sat on the floor was a mint condition ZX-R6, with 18k on the clocks. Its a P reg, so clearly a fair weather bike doing only a thousand or so a year, and to look at it, I don't think its ever seen the rain. I had kind of discounted sports bikes as I'm a fairly big guy, but it was so pretty, I decided to have a test ride anyway, and found it was actually very comfortable. Got back, agreed on £1700 and picked it up the same day.

Took it out for its first proper ride today, and 90 (Very careful) miles later, I was tired but smiling like an idiot. Surprised how comfortable the riding position is, even after a few hours riding over the course of the day. Took a couple of pics while we were out.

What do you guys think?

20121103_112532.jpg

20121103_112516.jpg
 
And that would be me in the background with my dopey looking ZRX1100.....

Think i may have to go test ride a few sports 600's. VoG... Best out of 3?..... :D

It was fun today just so cold!
 
There great bikes,I have the next model up the g1 zx6r,looks brand new and 18k is nothing,I've done 60k on mine without issue
 
Thanks guys - still feeling very pleased :)

.one. said:
Which layby is the above ? think we have stopped for a ciggy in the past on the way to a rally.
Click to expand...

Its not actually a layby, its a side road just off the A3010 in Basingstoke

Next question - can anyone point me at a good resource for maintaining a bike - what I should be doing weekly/monthly or xx miles type thing? Given its condition, I want to make sure I take great care of it. Considering its going to be a daily rider, I need to make sure I don't miss anything or it could go downhill rapidly.
 
Great bike. That was my first bike as well. I passed my DAS test in 1998 and bought a 96 model before I passed to spur me on. Kept it for 4 years. Awesome bike. Mine had flat side carbs and a full yoshi system, had it dyno'd at 103 bhp and the back wheel which wasn't bad back then.

Maintenance on them, hmm where to start...

They don't like the British weather. Wash after long ride if you can. The metal on these bikes turns to mush with salt.

The brakes need so much looking after. Get into the routine of stripping and cleaning your calipers. Back in my day a nice upgrade was the master cylinder off a ZX7r

Make sure you grease nuts and bolts regularly. Exhaust header bolts, swingarm pivot bolts are particular weak points.

Suspension. It will be very tired now. New oil and springs in the forks will transform them. There's also plenty of places that will refurb the red shock for a few quid.

Look after it and it will serve you well.
 
i cantsee that black painted downpipe lasting many winters,im suprised its not hard chrome plated,brakes tend to suffer also with sticking on over time,im talking years though,just keep everything lubricated and use wd40 ect,ive only had the steering head bearings and a fuel pump fail in all the time ive owned mine,they are a very tough machine
 
Nice bikes, think I mentioned it on another thread (that turned out to be about a honda) but get the valve clearances checked. Won't go into all the details again but have done the clearances on a G1 version of this bike with similar miles and the whole lot were out. Depends what sort of life it's had, but best for peace of mind, and less hassle than putting another engine in. Might cost about the same for the job doing as a 2nd hand engine if you go to a stealer though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom