Underrated, capable all rounder (Kawasaki ZZ-R600)

Member Name: dp_75

Product:	Kawasaki ZZ-R600
Date:	04/11/03 (1554 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 600 supersports performance, Sounds gorgeous, Reliable

Disadvantages: Needs TLC as it ages, Standard suspension is awful

Bought my '94 E2 as a first bike a year ago and enjoyed every one of the 5,000 miles I've done on it.

If you're looking to spend a couple of grand on something quick and comfy, the ZZR is a great choice. The low seat means my wife can ride it (5ft 4) relatively easily, although at 195kg dry, you don't want it leaning more than a few degrees over at rest position.

It still looks good as well, although it's clearly not a new design. The riding position is comfy, and doesn't put too much weight on your wrists, although the combination of high-ish pegs and low seat means legroom can be a bit tight if you're 6ft 2 like me.

The engine is an absolute belter, in true Kwak four pot tradition. It pulls like a 750 at high revs, accompanied by a mournful howl from the ram-air fed airbox which still makes me grin a year on. Mine's done 24,000 miles, and a recent dyno session showed a healthy 102.2 bhp at the crank. I recently rode a ZX-7R which I can't say was significantly quicker, although it did handle much much sweeter.

Standard suspension is appalling, but I fitted a Hagon rear shock which transformed it, together with heavier 15w fork oil to reduce dive under braking. A GSX-R 750 riding lunatic, trackday addict of a friend rode it and proclaimed it "a great bike and a real surprise" which I took as a big compliment. If you're planning on carrying a pillion, you need to lose the centre stand, as it sits far too low and decks out in corners. Any standard paddock stand sits snugly on the swingarm though, so it's not really an issue.

Mine's been reliable in that it's never broken down or failed to start, although as they age, ZZR's can become expensive to maintain. The standard exhaust is poor quality, and the downpipes rot out after a couple of years. Mine fell in half through rot, and Kawasaki replacements are about £500! Motad do a stainless replica for £250. I opt
ed for a 4-1 Micron system with a Quill T3 road legal can, which sounds ace, but required £300 worth of dyno set up to get the bike to run properly. A word of warning - ZZR's run best on standard pipes, despite the claims of the aftermarket manufacturers.

Other problems? The battery died, which can happen on any bike at any time, so that's not really a ZZR specific issue. The front brake calipers need rebuilding and the discs are warped (common problem) which is not going to be cheap to put right. That said, it's an old bike, so you have to expect these things.

To sum up, it's a fast, insurable, reliable old beast which is great fun to ride. I would recommend it to anyone

Summary: