ZX What?!

[mrmina]

i'd go the 7 .... not biased or anything

[ty]

... however the 6 isn't as aggressively styled and has a reputation for being more of a tourer.

Now where did you hear that?
I've never heard the zx6r being described as a tourer - unless you heard that in a US report and they were actually referring to a zzr600, which they call a zx6 (note no 'r').

I'd start off on the 6 or 7 - whichever suits your budget
ty

[NovaCoder]

You can't really walk past a 6, I'd go for a J1 model if you can stretch to it

[L3raven]

the earlier ZXR750 models r gud becase if you trash it the parts r both cheap n easy 2 find i own a ZXR 750L3 n i find it very gud on power hadling n looks, also very easy 2 learn n play with... oh and can also take a crash..

[Gosling1]

I reckon the 6. Start a little smaller and go to the 9 after a year or two.

this is very good advice. Any of the 6/7/9 will give you heaps more mumbo than what you have been accustomed to, but the 6 is probably a better step up to 'big bike' territory. See if you can score a test fang on both the 6 and 7 if at all possible, it will sure help.

Good luck, you will know when you have found the right bike

cheers
TopOfTheFoodChainZX12-RDave

[Nanna10r]

Yeah definately go for the ZX6/7/9R. I've riden a couple & i had no complaints.
Cheers Brett

Hey brett where`s the 12?

Good point Stu, As for the little 12r, riden a coupla them too, main complaint was getting the "Barstages" back down onto the sidestand without tearing the ligaments in me Left knee

My usual advice for a step from a 250, is the 02zx6r (in red) ride height adjustable, lots of mumbo, nearly bulletproof, tourable, fully adjustable suspension & the best looking 6r till the 05. But not too easy to find one, yet alone one for less then 9 large.
hth.
Cheers Brett

[JamesLaugesen]

I ride a ZXR 750 L2 and have no trouble staying with comparible riders, they're great bikes and with a little effort (Greenman anyone? WOW!! haha) they're sweet as.
It's not that the rear shock of the older ZXR's is crap... it's just very, very hard, not much fun on the road.
I really like the rough feeling and don't get uncomfortable at all, I'm doing a trip to Darwin once she's running again. But, I did buy it off a friend who had it for a few weeks and couldn't handle the ride, even with raised bars.

I say try to score a ride on as many bikes as you can.
I'm sure jpbikeboy will let you take his ZXR for a spin *laugh*.

[outtalive]

Thanks for the HUGE lot of advice guys. It's still a tough decision 'cos obviously the ZX - series are a much beloved set of bikes. I like the idea of maybe going for one of the newer gen ZX6s (99 or 2000) al la NovaCoder's sig - the red "rising-sun" paint and graphics look shithot!

Alternately i could go budget with a ZXR until upgrading to a newer model 9 down the track. I think either course of action would be good if the price is right.

[greenman43]

Go the ZXR, preferrably an L (93-95) ; pretty much bulletproof, handle as well as any of the other bikes, and the cheaper price leaves you more $ to modify it !

Cheers,
Brian

[outtalive]

In terms of modifying the ZXR can better rear shocks be put on it? And if so what's a ball-park price for that? Another mod that'd be cool is a different headlight fairing, anyone done that?

[Lucas]

I think the zx6 but its your choice
off the subjuct sort of
Mate told me yesterday that last week or the week before
young guy on a 250 rocked up to Cosway kawasaki and wanted to Test ride the zx12
they said no ...... then he pulled a grand out of his pocket and said here's a deposit

Jumped on it ..... took off to quick ( as you would on a 12) and hit a TRAM
guess he didnt see it
he came back a couple of hours later and paid for the 12 and took it home

[mike-s]

Hah, that is just being unobservant & silly.

[Gosling1]

Jumped on it ..... took off to quick ( as you would on a 12) and hit a TRAM
guess he didnt see it
he came back a couple of hours later and paid for the 12 and took it home

a good reason for stepping up s-l-o-w-l-y ( at least ride a 6/7 for min. 12 months, get used to the power. Its a hell of a lot more than any 4-st 250)

[greenman43]

In terms of modifying the ZXR can better rear shocks be put on it? And if so what's a ball-park price for that?

Um, that's a single shock, so you've saved money already !!!

The world is full of used Ohlin shocks which can be rebuilt cheaply if needed, and tailored to your own riding. There's nothing wrong with OEM, but by now an original shock will beshagged. Expect to pay around $500 for an older Ohlins, and note that shocks to fit other Kawasakis will likely also fit (eg ZX7R/RR, early ZX6R).

Cheers,
Brian

[momomags]

Ive only tried the 6 once and it seemed a little more refined.. (easier to ride too..) but thats the fun of the 7 isnt it??