2000 Kawasaki ZX-9R
Summary:
Very satisfied on all categories with this bike
Faults:
Nothing has ever gone wrong with my bike, it has been rock solid from the day I took delivery.
Stock suspension took some re-tuning and resetting (front and rear ride heights) to aid stability and the power increase I installed.
Brakes could be better in stock form - braided lines cured that though.
General Comments:
The 9R responds very well to professional tuning. Upon addition of a Hindle model Ti full exhaust and Stage II re-jetting, I was able to pick up another 14HP on top of the base run of 126. This exhaust also dropped 25 pounds off the bike in un-sprung weight. The stock exhaust is for a tank!
It's not the sharpest of handling bikes in stock form, but a few suspension mods can cure that. Overall, it can be considered a bike way beyond most average riders ability in this class of machines.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th January, 2005
9th Feb 2008, 14:12
My ZX-9R has been rock solid since purchasing it a couple of years ago. I recently started having overheating problems above 200 degrees F. I changed the plugs, oil, filters; she runs better, but I'm still having some sputtering after 200 degrees. I'm thinking of changing the antifreeze.
Also, there is a loud backfire when starting after the bike sits for a couple of weeks.
Any ideas?
13th Sep 2008, 21:31
I agree.
13th Sep 2008, 21:35
You say it sputters at over 200 degrees. When were your valves adjusted last? I would check the lash. Most fans kick on around 215-220 degrees.
6th Feb 2005, 17:07
Sorry to nit-pick, but the exhaust is not unsprung weight. On a bike, the unsprung components are basically the wheel mounted brake parts, the lower part of the front forks, the swingarm, and the wheels and tyres. Everything else counts as sprung weight - still worth saving, but not quite so much so.