2004 ZZR 600 Questions

[sharkey]

Ok, I'm not new to cycling but am new to considering a 04 ZZR600.  I had a Sprint ST for awhile then went to a Burgman 650 and I'm now considering the ZZR to fill the bill as the inbetween bike.  Sprint was a bit much for me and the Burgman could use some more HP.

I like the 04 ZZR600 cause of the low seat, centerstand, full fairing, one piece seat, adjustable clutch and brake levers, dual pipes, retro look, and pillion handle.  Seeing as I haven't ridden one, how is the midrange and what will be my RPM's on the highway at 75MPH?  Is it comfortable enough for solo 350 mile days?  Any annoying buzziness?  My wife will ride often on short trips or even a 200 mile day - will she be ok on back (she rode on the Sprint ok but does prefer the Burgman)?    

Research I've done on the net shows it to be pretty bulletproof.  Any problems I should know about?
What about tire life?  I get about 10K on the rear of the Burgman and got about 6.5K on the Sprint.
Any pesky valve adjustment procedures?

Thanks.  

[county]

Get thee to a ZZR 600 board.

[sharkey]

Get thee to a ZZR 600 board.

Hey, at least I got a response.  I've been to zzrbikes.com but that is filtered at work and this site isn't (go figure).  I was hoping someone here could enlighten me.

[Grainbelt]

you might shoot a PM to phoenix. He said in a ninja650R thread that he put a bunch of miles an a ZX-6E, which I believe is the same bike as an '04 ZZR600.

[phoenix]

Ok, I'm not new to cycling but am new to considering a 04 ZZR600.  I had a Sprint ST for awhile then went to a Burgman 650 and I'm now considering the ZZR to fill the bill as the inbetween bike.  Sprint was a bit much for me and the Burgman could use some more HP.

I like the 04 ZZR600 cause of the low seat, centerstand, full fairing, one piece seat, adjustable clutch and brake levers, dual pipes, retro look, and pillion handle.  Seeing as I haven't ridden one, how is the midrange and what will be my RPM's on the highway at 75MPH?  Is it comfortable enough for solo 350 mile days?  Any annoying buzziness?  My wife will ride often on short trips or even a 200 mile day - will she be ok on back (she rode on the Sprint ok but does prefer the Burgman)?    

Research I've done on the net shows it to be pretty bulletproof.  Any problems I should know about?
What about tire life?  I get about 10K on the rear of the Burgman and got about 6.5K on the Sprint.
Any pesky valve adjustment procedures?

Thanks.  

#1, place county on your ignore list, he's easier to tolerate that way.
#2 welcome
#3 there's a board with lots of owners of this model www.zx6e.net  The bike was initially called the ZX-6(E) until about 2004 when Kawasaki had it renamed as the ZZR600

I just sold my 2001 ZX-6E, which is the same bike as you're looking at. I put almost 37000 miles on it over about 5 years. It was my all around bike. A little heavier than the newer race replica 600's, but like you mentioned, lots of advantages involving seating arrangment.  I did many 500+ mile days and only suffered problems you would suffer with any bike (soreness). The engines spinning around 7000 RPM while you're at an indicated 75mph. That did not bother me in the least. You're just getting into the meat of the power at that engine speed. I did not consider it to be buzzy, I thought it was always very smooth.

People who abuse the shit out of this bike will end up with a trashed second gear, or even throw a rod. They will claim they weren't hard on the bike, but I say bullshit. Most people on that board have over 30k miles on their bikes without any problems.

I typically got at least 10k miles per set of tires before they were too flat in the middle and I chose to replace them.


edit to add:
Valve adjustments - I had a mechanic do it for me. Kawasaki suggests having them checked like every 7500 miles. I didn't follow that recommendation. I had them checked for the first time at 24k miles, and my mechanic said something like "they weren't technically out of spec, but close enough to make an adjustment at this time". So I don't believe this was harmful in the least bit to the engine. I did change my oil every 3000 miles with off the shelf oil, not synthetic, but that's me. I don't buy into the "synthetic is so much better" stuff.

Oh, and I rarely ever took my wife along for a ride, she's just not interested, so I can't help you with that question.

[1moreroad]

Research I've done on the net shows it to be pretty bulletproof.  Any problems I should know about?
What about tire life?  I get about 10K on the rear of the Burgman and got about 6.5K on the Sprint.
Any pesky valve adjustment procedures?
Thanks.  

Valve adjust is frequent (7500 miles).

A few folks on this board installed Givi hard bags on it.  That might be a significant plus if you tour a lot.

You may want to look at a Yamaha YZF600R for the same price or a new Honda F4i for more money.  Both are usually considered more sporty bikes but with many of the same features you like on the ZX6E.

And the newer ZZR600s are far superior bikes and any ZX6E rider who doesn't agree is just jealous.  

[phoenix]

screw you greg

[1moreroad]

screw you greg

   See?  Told ya'.

If we both ever make it out to an STN meet, we'll trade bikes sometime.

In all seriousness, the newer ZZRs have TERRIBLE accomodations for passengers.  My wife is 5'4" and she has to tuck her legs up so high, her knees hurt in 5 - 10 miles.

[sharkey]

Cool.  Thanks for all the responses.

I've been to the ZX6E site a couple times.  From everything I've read, I keep leaning towards this bike.  I looked hard at the YZF600 and you can find used ones all over the DFW area.  They are missing a centerstand and adjustable levers.  I could learn to live without them but hey.... the ZZR has them.

A dealer in GA has one at a fair price.  If he doesn't sell it this weekend, I'll probably fly out and ride it back.  I will probably stop at the Barber museum on they ride back.   "Bikeitis" makes you do weir d things.

[county]

No problem, glad to help.

[Grainbelt]

Decent article comparing the ZX-6E and YZF600R, might help. Keep in mind you can add adjustable levers to any bike. Not sure there's an aftermarket centrestand to fit the YXF, but I've actually grown competent with my rear stand.

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0202_middleweight_street_bikes/

[ctfz1]

Not, 6E dicountinued, 02 ZX6R became ZZR600. Good road bike, my friend commutes and tours on one, likes handling and light weight, RAISED Bars for comfort.

[1moreroad]

Not, 6E dicountinued, 02 ZX6R became ZZR600. Good road bike, my friend commutes and tours on one, likes handling and light weight, RAISED Bars for comfort.

The 6E was rebadged the ZZR600 for a few years.  In 2005 (IIRC) the 6R-J replaced the 6E as the ZZR.  So the original post is asking about what you would call the 6E.

Why anyone would raise the bars on a 6R is beyond me.  The thing steered slowly enough with the stock bar height.  I raised the forks about 15 - 20 mm (I'd have to go measure) just so the thing would turn.  And your buddy wants to move the weight back?  Does he have any steering lock left with the fairing brace (not an issue if he has the newer ZZR)?

[ctfz1]

IS where and how you ride, dealer told us 02 was zzr. I had YZF1000R rode both ways, i'm 57 and sportbike crouch is painful silly in slow traffic, and my riding buddy is exracer but 72.  Had a 66 Triumph, nothing since has fit the way I ride most of the time any better. Higher wider bars steer easier and help avoid tickets of excess.

[sharkey]

While making plans to fly to Atlanta to pick up a 2004 ZZR600, I checked Craigslist one more time and found a new ad 60 miles from home.  Checked it out Thurs. night and rode it home Fri. afternoon  

2003 w/ 9500 miles for $3900.  I thought it was a good deal and after a 75 mi ride Sun. w/ the wife on back, I knew I had found the right bike.  It's heavy for a 600 but compared to what I rode, it is a feather weight.  You got to wind it up a bit 0-50 but it hums along at 85 w/ very little vibrations.  Super easy to put on centerstand.  Tranny is slick and clips-ons/seat/riding position is just right.
Call me old fashion but I like the dual pipes and square headlight.  Soft luggage on the way for a nice 1up touring machine. 2up is fine for a day but I think wife would get ansy after that.

The 03-04 ZZR600's are the old ZX6E.  The 05-07 ZZR600 are the old ZXR's which is a lot differnt than my ride.  I plan on commuting and weekend touring so I think the 03-04 are a bit better for that.

[bandit-o]

Congrats on the new ride!  It sounded like you were pretty much already sold on it, just needed to find the right deal.  I was in the same boat w/ my Bandit 600S and am glad I got it when I did.

Post up some pics yo!  

[1moreroad]

While making plans to fly to Atlanta to pick up a 2004 ZZR600, I checked Craigslist one more time and found a new ad 60 miles from home.  Checked it out Thurs. night and rode it home Fri. afternoon

   Now just keep riding it and riding it.  Better be prepared for it to last forever because Kawasaki's can.  I've thought a few times to myself, jeez, if this thing would have a major mechanical problem I could go get something new.  And then it just keeps going, and I ride it some more, and I remember why I bought it 5 years ago.

If you haven't bought new luggage yet, check out newenough.com for it's Nelson Rigg closeouts.

[phoenix]

Another "congratulations" sharkey. A warning - you might get hooked on Kawasaki's. Reliability has a way of doing that.

[Lon]

http://www.ZX6e.net

I had a ZX6; rode it about 12,000 miles.

Pluses:
- good aftermarket support - Givi makes racks, V&H makes a pipe (so does Hindle), etc., Corbin makes a seat, Gen-Mar makes risers, Zero-Gravity and Givi make screens, etc.
- Good handling.  The 2004 will have a fully adjustable suspension. (edit: note, it's no modern razor-sharp 600 supersport, though)
- Fun redline (14,000rpm!)
- (edit) Gas gauge!

Minuses:
- Bad 2-up.  Power is fine, handling falls apart.  Centerstand will drag.  Weight capacity on the Es just is not enough.
- Small-ish gas tank (note: my current gas tank is even worse!)

The ZX6E has a pretty decent midrange, and is often compared to a Yamaha YZF600R (the practical differences requires splitting hairs with a hatchet).

[JTM]

What soft luggage did you order, I am quirious since i have a 2003 ZX6R.