Kawasaki ZZR 600. History, review and buyers guide.

What you need to know.

[@chriserskine585]

I've got a 2000 model, had it for 4 hrs, same colour as yours I'm amazed what good condition it's in as kawasaki weren't known for quality back then, 30k and running strong, just waiting for a stage 1 carb kit just to smooth out the power delivery ❤

[@enigmaticloremaster1700]

Thanks for the review and the maintenance info. Had one for a few years now a 1992 model that has done 63000. miles and still going strong, also got it cheap $1400. AUD. Is in great condition though, but has the 4 into one exhaust system, will try to find the original system so I can restore it to original condition. Has the same starting problem after left sitting for a while. Am going to get it registered as a classic bike. In Australia if you are a member of a classic motor cycle club you can get cheaper registration.

[@BrewDoGParaDoX]

Awesome bike and now looked over for more sporty looking bikes that most people will do a short journey before they start feeling uncomfortable Great fun and easy to flick around My first one was a 1992 D model 600cc bought new Toured the highlands of Scotland on it a few times Took the crossing to Skye via ferry Rode home to Aintree from Kyle Of Lochalsh in the rain with 1 stop on the M6 for a brew and stretch the legs Fantastic holss and a fab bike

[@texasranger1964]

Thanks, I have a zx600D from a police auction, very abused with cracked fairings and sprayed all matt black and cost $225 AUD. Your bike really shows how nice these machines can be.

[@christopherwhite5210]

Thanks, they're pretty underrated. Ride safe and all the best Chris White.

[@richardbbg5857]

Good bikes, successor to GPz550, GPZ600 and GPX600. I've had a couple of ZZR600 and found them to be good underrated bikes. Unfortunately they came out too late and lost out to the CBR600F1.

[@federicoamigo]

Best review ever.

[@christopherwhite5210]

Thanks...

[@nickmee3321]

just picked up a 2007 zzr 600 pretty awesome bike

[@Jayace91]

I ve got a 1991 myself, good video

[@charlesscottkelly]

I now want one. Good and a reasonable price.

[@christiananderson131]

Just picked up a 1990 zzr600. Rebuilt te carbs due to some parts missing some little bits to sort it out but hope to have it running by weekend

[@10feetup]

Bought a 2004 E12 last night, 2 owners from new, it's in fantastic condition.

[@christopherwhite5210]

Enjoy her mate, they're great bikes. But give yourself time to get used to the power delivery, it's deceptive for a 600.

[@10feetup]

@@christopherwhite5210 Had a GSXR 600 last year, the ZZR is good for me, much more relaxed ride, the power delivery is much smoother on the ZZR

[@catingloves]

Recently bought a 1999 that was sitting for a while. Waiting for carb kit!

[@christopherwhite5210]

Same year as mine, an E7 probably. They're great bikes so enjoy. Good luck with the carbs...

[@mjs924]

Good vid mate, I've just got a 96 zzr600, trying to do it up a bit., just a idea, you could put indicators where the mirrors used to be on fairing , I'm sure I seen led ones the same shape as mounts for mirrors

[@christopherwhite5210]

It's possible of course, but for me it was just easier to plug the holes. Thanks for watching the video and I'm glad that you enjoyed it. All the best Chris White.

[@martin319]

Great video, I have a 1997 E5 and have had this for 8 years now still enjoy taking it out for long runs. Im interested to see you have more upright handlebars on yours was this your mod or done when you first brought the bike. If its your own work how was it done? Many thanks. Martin

[@christopherwhite5210]

Hi Martin, thanks for your comment. The conversion was my own work, done within the last year using a bolt on top yoke kit from a company called Moto CNC. This enables you to pick your own set of handlebars making them easier to replace if you fancy a change or have an accident. They do also do a cheaper option which just raises the standard bars about 38mm or so. The bars I chose gave me a 6 to 7 inch rise but feel really comfortable. I had to cut back the double bubble screen both sides but not an issue as I tend to use cheap Chinese ones anyway. Footpegs are standard but despite feeling odd to start are still fine. Clutch, throttle and choke cables still fitted after rerouting but brake lines and mirrors needed replacing. The mirrors are cheap ones from Ebay with universal handlebar mounting brackets from the same place. I've had my one for 8 years too. I hope that helps and ride safely. PS don't forget that the switchgear is pegged to locate into the standard bars so if you change those you'll have to remove the pegs.

[@martin319]

@@christopherwhite5210 Thank you Christopher that’s quite a good conversion, I’m keeping my bike now so it’s a good way to go. Ride safe and take care too. Hope you have a great weekend to get out and enjoy biking.

[@2e0txe]

I was looking at that for some time thinking something isn't right with the bike.... Then I realised the handlebar swap and mirrors have moved onto the new bars! hahaha

[@christopherwhite5210]

Well that's good for me then, at least my work doesn't stick out like a sore thumb!

[@poatemaine6200]

What is your opinion on why these are the cheapest 4 cyl second hand, even lower priced than beat up bandits and gsxf?

[@christopherwhite5210]

A damn fine question, if you don't mind me saying so. I think that it's a number of factors. It always lived in the shadow of the 1100 with it's worlds fasted bike title. Because of that it seems to be a forgotten model. Also I've seen reviews that for some incomprehensible reason pigeon hole them as a girl's bike. And at a time when bikes were sub dividing into different classes (touring, sports, adventure, retro ect.) Kawasaki kept her as an old style all rounder. But sometimes it just happens. All the best Chris 😃

[@steelwood74]

I bought a new ZZR600 in 1996, it's the best bike in the whole world, I'd love another one. I do have to ask, why do you have that gastly handlebars and mirrors fitted?

[@christopherwhite5210]

Rapidly advancing arthritis I'm afraid. This works for me and means that I can still use her comfortably.

[@judd5786]

Surely don't need to strip the engine to change the gearbox?

[@christopherwhite5210]

Hi. I've never had to do it myself but most other accounts of this that I've come across online the owners did talk about engine strips. I believe that I did postulate in the video ( it's been a while since I've actually rewatched it myself) that it might be possible to just turn the removed engine upside down and remove the lower crankcase for access but luckily I've never had this issue. All the best Chris.

[@chrisk3754]

how much for the cat?

[@christopherwhite5210]

You wouldn't want the cat. She's only barely domesticated and is mentioned in the UN weapons of mass destruction treaty. If you value the skin on your body avoid 🤣

[@chrisk3754]

@@christopherwhite5210 Thanks for the heads up-whew!

[@grumpopzijnmashfifty3109]

First of all these are not my sort of bikes at all. My son bought a 93 zzr 600. 17.000 km on the clock. I take it for a ride now and then. Just to keep it in working order so to say. The one thing i do not like at al about this bike is the lower speed stearing. Its like a car without powerstearing. I have to push against the handlebars to keep it to where i wana go. Higher speeds stearing works fine. Nice bikes. But not my sort of bike

[@christopherwhite5210]

Yes you're absolutely right. In an effort to improve the high speed touring ability of these bikes they made significant decisions regarding the steering set up. At slow speed there's a front end weight bias which always feels like it's pushing the front wheel out. I still love the bike though 😃

[@magnusmandato9080]

ρгό𝔪σŞｍ

[@RolyJeffreyDLara]

El manubrio está módicado, le arruinó

[@christopherwhite5210]

Thanks for your opinion Roly, and although you are entitled to it I do of course disagree. This bike is used mainly in an urban setting and the higher handlebars take some weight off of the front end, which combined with their width make it far more nimble then standard as well as more comfortable at slower speeds. The double bubble screen allows high speed use with no real loss of useable performance. And of course it can easily be put back to standard if I want. All the best Chris White