Jackpot? (New used bike for me)

[Akumu]

Hiya, I've been lurking for awhile and then this happened...

So I've been saving for a new bike. I wanted something that I could tour on but didn't want a sport TOURER like an FJR/ST1300/Concours (not that I could even afford one of them) nor did I want an RR bike, too uncomfortable long distance and honestly, a good deal uncomfortable short distance for my 6'6 all legs frame. I also wanted something with a full fairing, leaving naked/standards right out. (I prefer my bike with a windshield, too.)

This left few options to speak of and few still within my aiming sights. (4-5k) Then I started looking into Blackbirds and ZX-11/ZZR1200s. (Gen 1 Busa falls in this category but no one charges anything near 'a decent price' for a Hayabusa I found out. )

Anyways, I found a guy on Craigslist asking 3000 for a 19000 miles 2002 ZZR1200. Upon looking at the list of aftermarket parts on the thing I thought that he pressed a 3 instead of a 4 in his price column. After calling him up and talking to him it seems he really was selling it for that. Many pictures later I decided it was worth a 480 mile round trip for the bike. (I rode down with a friend in my car. Rented a 14' Uhaul truck with a ramp, as my car has no trailer hook up. Get the Uhaul, buy the bike and drive home. Me in Uhaul. Friend in my car.) He let me ride it before I bought it and this thing is mechanically sound as far as I can tell. All through the power band. No ticking, clicking, clacking, false neutrals...nothing. Fucking GOBS of torque compared to what I was used to...and now I have a new bike. The man even had receipts for the things he's done to it. (2nd owner he was) Cleaned carbs (they're already jetted), adjusted valves @12k, oil changes, front and rear brakes@18k (he said the brakes when he got it weren't to his liking) cleaned air filter and replace chain and sprocket@18k.

This is the list of aftermarket on it...and this is what really pushed me over...

Puig Windshield (looks to be whatever Sport Touring version they offered. Missing a screw but already have a set of screws on the way.)
Heli Bar Risers (I need to work a bit of very light rust in certain spots off of them. Suggestions?)
Muzzy exhaust system
Corbin Beetle Bags (Sending them back in to Corbin to be repainted. They're not rashed or anything, just showing their usage.)
Corbin seat
LED brake light on back fender (bright!)
H4 headlights
Plush grips
Braided Steel Brake lines

and even his trickle charger battery tender with the little adapter that hooks into the 2 prong joint that is already hooked up to the bike's battery. (The 2 pront joint. Where as my old trickle charge has the red and black clamps that physically go on the battery.) Maybe I can turn that adapter into a 12v unit that I'd like to have...

It has a road chip in the paint and a scuff mark here or there, but you have to look for them, really.

Tires are in decent condition, though I may just slap some new ones on there and start completely fresh. He said it could use an oil change when the weather breaks.

So...that's my new baby.









If you don't know anything about the bike here's a basic summary.

2002 Kawasaki ZZR1200 - Crank then bhp then bhp with aftermarket.

160hp@9750RPM (135@9750rpm) ((140bhp@9750 w/aftermarket exhaust, K&N air filter))
92ft/lb@7000RPM (82ft/lb@7000rpm) ((84ft-lb@7000 w/aftermarket exhaust, K&N air filter))
120-70-17
180-55-17
520lb Dry
570lb Wet (w/ aftermarket exhaust system)
6.1 Gal

Updated a bit: I cleaned the bike up a bit since those pictures.

- It was missing a windshield screw. A glaring flaw for a guy like me. Taken care of.
- Light superficial rust on helibars. Taken care of and added some wax to make sure the water stays out, as much as I can make it.
- Light rust on bottom of kickstand and center stand from sitting in the grass all winter(s), even if it was covered, no doubt. Now derusted, painted and waxed over.

To do yet: Get a new horn and replace the old one. (Doesn't work. Unsure if horn, horn switch or wires that connect the 2.)

Mechanically, though, I think the guy actually did what he said and took it for a complete tune-up/fluid change/etc before selling it. All the fluids look like they just came out of the damned bottle. Chain/sprockets/belts/hoses. All perfect or at the least 'good') And before my first 3 day weekend trip I'll have the beetle bags scratches filled and repainted along with the locks taken out and new ones put in, or new keys made for present locks. (Old owner doesn't have keys to them.)

[Justin]

Sweet deal, that bike is loaded at a great price. Heck, the Beetle Bags alone cost over a grand.

P.S. Welcome to the forum

[vulcanbill]

NOT the wrong forum.  Your kindred spirits will be right along.

Well done.  

[motorpycho]

You did good Akumu. Was wanting a sport tourer last year and ended up with an Atomic silver zx14 and I couldnt be happier. Enjoy that new bike!

[MadMax96]

Oh man - this is exactly the kinda thing I'm hoping will happen for me soon.  If I can save up some $$ and sell my Bandit - AND find a ZZR like this for that price I would be stoked!!

Still not sure if I'll be able to handle the ergos of the ZZR compared to my upright Bandit - but for a price like that I think I could deal with a little back pain.  I think the big ass grin would make me forget about the pain anyway......

Congrats on the find!!    Ya lucky bastage!!

[squeezer]

Oh, yeah. That looks like a sweet deal. I think you'll enjoy that one.  

[Akumu]

Oh man - this is exactly the kinda thing I'm hoping will happen for me soon.  If I can save up some $$ and sell my Bandit - AND find a ZZR like this for that price I would be stoked!!

Still not sure if I'll be able to handle the ergos of the ZZR compared to my upright Bandit - but for a price like that I think I could deal with a little back pain.  I think the big ass grin would make me forget about the pain anyway......

Congrats on the find!!    Ya lucky bastage!!

The Heli bar risers really pull the handlebars up and back a good bit. It's not 'sit up and beg' but it isn't very far off. It feels very...right.

[Lawn Dart]

No flies on the ZZR.  Dang good bike there.

[chesthing]

Yep, 3 g's buys a shitload of bike these days - congrats, and take it easy getting used to the power.

[county]

That is a great bike.

[Ack535]

Smokin deal, congratulations!

[Hunter]

Beware the beast that lives at 8K rpm, good buy and congrats.

[The Shepherd]

Nice buy!

[DNA]

Like they said - sweet deal and great bike - congrats.  Lots of envy here.

I'm a l bit long legged - I will be interested on how the knees work on that steed - Ive sat a few but never put miles on one.

BTW - you might want to just put your license in the shredder now and save some pain and expenses... trust us on the danger that lurk there.

[Flyer]

I just sold one just like that, and not that cheap!  
Nice score.
I know of a few with VERY high mileage, running much like new; you should get many years ot of 'er.
Now hang on tight...

[MK96xj]

Always liked the ZZR1200

[Skee]

So are you bringing that sweet thing to the Burger Run or what?

Congrats & welcome aboard!

[Akumu]

BTW - you might want to just put your license in the shredder now and save some pain and expenses... trust us on the danger that lurk there.

I'm a courier with a CDL license.   I can't go too crazy.  

So are you bringing that sweet thing to the Burger Run or what?

I will see what I can do.

[chesthing]

"Corbin Beetle Bags (Sending them back in to Corbin to be repainted. They're not rashed or anything, just showing their usage.)"
So if they aren't rashed what are we talking about, boot marks and minor scuffs/scratches? try some scratch remover car polish and a soft cloth and rub the hell out of them.
I've found that leg/hip pain is the biggest problem on the type of bikes I like to ride. The thing I dislike most about Corbin seats is they always go an inch or more lower on the seat height to compensate for the extra width. At 6'6" I'd take the money you were going to spend on repainting the bags and find a peg lowering kit. I'd also look into a Sargent seat or modified stock seat and peddle the Corbin on Ebay. I'd be doing the seat change if it were mine right off the bat, and my legs are probably 4" shorter than yours.

[Zixxerpilot]

Smokin' deal! The ZZR1200 is a total riot to ride, and dead-reliable.

Fair warning, that power will hook you in, and you'll never want to be without it again.