ZZR 600

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:20 pm

Just picked my Kawasaki ZZR 600 (2000 Plate) up today. First impressions bit slugish on take off(could be because is my 1st big bike), but once get going just wants to keep pulling. I will admit I was kacking it when pulling out of show room. Front brake seems a bit of pressure to start braking but is stopping, braided lines prob sort this out I think. Generally very enjoyable to ride and loves to keep running through the gears and just wants more. 1 or 2 mistakes such as turning reserve switch to off instead of on( 3 points on switch as follows reserve-off-on) Feeling bit unconfident and shakey for 1st few hours but started to relax to it just as I got home. It hasnt been past 40 mph as was only town driving but going out of town tomorrow so see how it goes. Think the bike is up to the job I just need to push and get my confidence up. All in all good bike around town and reasonably easy to handle. If any one has any views and opinions feel free to mention

meepmeep · Post by **meepmeep** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:44 pm

Excellent choice for your first 'big' bike. Reliable, forgiving throttle and very planted.

Suspension is the key for this bike, get it cranked hard at the back, mine seemed to prefer that and handled with less diving/wallowing.

If it has the double cans, look at getting an aftermarket setup with just one, saves lots of weight although you may have to lose the centre stand(no big deal).

As with any bike, get decent tyres!

Enjoy.

airwave · Post by **airwave** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:07 pm

1st pice of advice, take yer time, there is loads of keich on the roads.
2nd, get some further training as and when funds allow.

Post by **Zathos** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:17 pm

Hagon used to do a replacement rear shock which helps handling on older ZZRs. But check what is fitted first. Would be surprosed if the rear shock hasn't already been replaced.

A good first bike, slow handling makes for stable riding

If memory serves the ZZR like most kwaks had a big power band at circa 7k rpm and that's where the big grins are. However in the current weather / road conditions, wouldn't recommend playing in the powerband. The bike definately isn't a slouch.

Last point, the carbs on ZZRs need to be balanced regularly to keep it runing sweet, check the last time it was done.

Miles and experience will help confidence. When you feel confident go for additional training before confidence exceeds ability

Newbus · Post by **Newbus** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:25 pm

Mate has a 04 plate zzr600 and it can go like S**t .watch when cornering at speed as back suspension as said can be sloppy and allows the centre stand to belly out.
Take care and as said now may be the time for advanced training .
Very capable bike and good choice for first bike.

Post by **Gazza** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:05 am

meepmeep wrote: you may have to lose the centre stand(no big deal).

Considering it's ability to ground out, probably an advantage to take it off.

Post by al » Thu Nov 24, 2011 7:26 am

Gazza wrote:
meepmeep wrote: you may have to lose the centre stand(no big deal).

Considering it's ability to ground out, probably an advantage to take it off.

Might be easier said than done given the bikes age though. I'd be tempted to leave it well alone for now and see how you get on. Unless the rear shock is really saggy then it will be a while before you will be corenering hard enough for it to be a real issue.

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).

meepmeep · Post by **meepmeep** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:43 am

Gazza wrote:
meepmeep wrote: you may have to lose the centre stand(no big deal).

Considering it's ability to ground out, probably an advantage to take it off.

Defo, on uneven surfaces at speed, like the SDR, it can be very dangerous.

Post by al » Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:12 pm

meepmeep wrote:
Gazza wrote:
meepmeep wrote: you may have to lose the centre stand(no big deal).

Considering it's ability to ground out, probably an advantage to take it off.
Defo, on uneven surfaces at speed, like the SDR, it can be very dangerous.

I guess it depends on how "portly" the rider is.

Post by **Zathos** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:39 pm

Removing the centre stand will be a grinder job on a bike that old and you will then need a paddock stand to undertake future chain adjustement.

Not heard of problems with the ZZR bottoming out before and that includes some 'portly' riders. However it uses the same rear suspension as the GPZ500 but is a good deal heavier. Hence the reported 'issues'.
Matt will sort you out and ensure the suspension is ok.

It is soft compared to supersports 600, but I always thought of it as a 600 tourer rather than a supersport.
Long wheelbase makes it slow to turn, good for stability, bad for quick direction changes.
NOTE: that isn't a bad thing.

MissuzZ · Post by **MissuzZ** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:15 pm

In spite of being of the 'portly' variety I never managed to bottom out my ZZR 600 ... the CBF was a different story however

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:52 pm

IMG-20111124-00024.jpg

Zathos wrote:Hagon used to do a replacement rear shock which helps handling on older ZZRs. But check what is fitted first. Would be surprosed if the rear shock hasn't already been replaced.

A good first bike, slow handling makes for stable riding

If memory serves the ZZR like most kwaks had a big power band at circa 7k rpm and that's where the big grins are. However in the current weather / road conditions, wouldn't recommend playing in the powerband. The bike definately isn't a slouch.

Last point, the carbs on ZZRs need to be balanced regularly to keep it runing sweet, check the last time it was done.

Miles and experience will help confidence. When you feel confident go for additional training before confidence exceeds ability

Thanks Zathos this could be an option, the rear shock looks like it could be the original shock (Prob needs swaped out at some point), no reciepts for it being changed(there is alot of reciepts-manage to find that it is data tagged in process).

Post by **The Rossi Kid** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:18 pm

stitch82 wrote:
IMG-20111124-00024.jpg

Ok, so I'll be doing some cleaning too!!!

Post by **Zathos** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:28 pm

The Rossi Kid wrote:
stitch82 wrote:
IMG-20111124-00024.jpg
Ok, so I'll be doing some cleaning too!!!

Check the rear linkages as well, had a tendency to sieze up.

Post by **RK6** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 3:54 pm

The Rossi Kid wrote:
stitch82 wrote:
IMG-20111124-00024.jpg
Ok, so I'll be doing some cleaning too!!!

Slight understatement!

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 7:39 pm

Quick jet wash? yeah took a back lane by mistake when dropping cash for my instructor that I owed him, might go do that the night as long as keep away from chain I would persume? Sorry Rossi Kid make sure that clean before I come round

Post by **The Rossi Kid** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 8:14 pm

stitch82 wrote:Quick jet wash? yeah took a back lane by mistake when dropping cash for my instructor that I owed him, might go do that the night as long as keep away from chain I would persume? Sorry Rossi Kid make sure that clean before I come round

Not meaning to be cheeky but don't bother. That thing needs a de-grease, anti seize and a fair squirt of 3n1 before we start doing any work on it. I've got everything we need so don't stress. If i'm gonna do it, i'm gonna do it properly!!
Just thinking, any chance i could get it earlier in the day and i can get on with giving it a good going over in the morning, save the afternoon for suspension set up???

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:08 pm

Right! Bike de-greased as much as possible, chain de-greased/oiled & lubed, battery out and on trickle charge, sprayed down with protector stuff (can`t remember name

), body polished, fuel switch turned to off, cans sprayed inside with wd40 and bagged. Kissed godnight

Now where did I put that beer

Big Little Dave · Post by **Big Little Dave** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:56 pm

stitch82 wrote:sprayed down with protector stuff (can`t remember name )

Scottoiler FS365 perhaps, thats whats on my bike. And just realised I haven't given it the end of the year wash

Coddy · Post by **Coddy** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 7:58 pm

Hopefully no de-greaser on the tyres.

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:54 pm

Big Little Dave wrote:
stitch82 wrote:sprayed down with protector stuff (can`t remember name )
Scottoiler FS365 perhaps, thats whats on my bike. And just realised I haven't given it the end of the year wash

Thats it

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:55 pm

Coddy wrote:Hopefully no de-greaser on the tyres.

Nope washed/wiped off

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:32 pm

Just had fitted a new shock(hagon) and seconed hand linkage by breaking point, what a difference it made riding back home, although will need to set to my weight and height as still on standard setting (can`t remeber how to

). Like to say thanks to everyone for there advise

, hope to get out with you all in the decent weather

Next will be new tyres all though don`t need replacing as such but has 1 flat spot on rear slightly and different tred makes, then braided lines and a stainless steel system/cans. Oh and get the carbs balanced like Zathos said. After that the bike(Sharlene

) will be set up to the way I want it- suttle yet apealing :

stitch82 · Post by **stitch82** » Mon May 21, 2012 4:10 pm

Just an update on how the bike is doing. Had a good few runs out recently and is going great. Passed my mot nay probs and changed brake lines to braided. My confidence has fairly grown and every time i`m out on a run learning and growing more confident every time- I have mastered counter steering (Thanks Rossi kid, Swampy and others been out with recently) and slowly building speed up on bends( Abrdeen - Alford road is good for that). Done some night riding but not confident to go at speed yet in dark

.

Roll on the lighter nights and evening runs

AberdeenBikers

ZZR 600

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