Faults:

Its four carburetors malfunction if the motorcycle sits idle for a long time. The jets get clogged, causing it to stumble upon acceleration or start only with the choke.

Exhaust manifolds or downpipes rust very quickly due to moisture or rain.

The swingarm and brake mounts accumulate a lot of dirt and rust.

Battery or alternator charging failures due to the ageing of cables and connectors.

General Comments:

It’s one of those bikes that doesn’t look particularly exciting on paper (or even when parked) but the moment you pin the throttle on a winding road, it comes alive. It is an old-school machine, an uncompromising bike built for aggressive riding, and you might just surprise yourself, and other sportbike riders, with its combination of solid braking, decent handling, and blistering speed.

The brakes require some effort and significant weight shifting to get the best out of them, but when you put in the effort, they respond quite well.

As for handling, the ZRX's weight seems to make it prone to instability in slow corners, but otherwise, it can hold its own against other large-displacement retro bikes.

ZRX's 1,052 cc engine delivers strong mid-range power and will propel you to 240 km/h (if you can manage to hold on behind the fairing). It is a highly addictive engine—and a very reliable one, too.

Aside from the finish on some chassis components (a typical flaw of 90s Kawasakis) the ZRX1100 is solidly built and very durable. However, the exhaust pipes rust quite quickly, and the braced swingarm and rear brake caliper are exposed to dirt.

The bike's small front fairing works very well. The Kawasaki features excellent six-piston brakes, a comfortable stepped seat, and grab handles, but lacks a center stand.

Fit and finish are excellent, and it always started and ran without issues. Maintenance was minimal, and the bike never let me down during the 12 years I owned it.

An exceptional machine in every respect. Ideal for spirited driving and touring.

Faults:

Mechanically nothing has failed as of yet.

Goes through rear tires in about 6,000 miles.

At cruising speed there seems to be quite a bit of vibration through the handle bar grips.

The rear view mirrors give a nice view of your arms. Easily corrected with some aftermarket spacers.

General Comments:

A combination of old school looks and modern horsepower and handling.

I commute on this bike during the summer. I get about 43mpg.

Faults:

Replaced gas gauge sending unit, alternator chain tensioner and chain.

General Comments:

Very reliable and quick, brakes are excellent.

Accelerates hard.

Long trips make the seat uncomfortable at times.

Faults:

I've ridden the bike for one thousand miles, and have had to replace nothing except the petrol.

General Comments:

I have owned my 99' ZRX 1100 for under a year now, and have put one thousand effortless miles on this bike.

This motorcycle is truly one of the best UJM's ever made. It accelerates quickly and powerfully from any gear with the twist of the wrist. The brakes are suitable for the job.

The handling is a bit skiddish hard into turns, or a bit of lateral motion sideways out of turns if you are hard onto the gas, but the movement is predictably so.

My bike came with a muzzy 4 into 1 after market muffler, which has a sweet high whine to impress, as well as a pleasant low rumble once you hit your block. It also had a jet kit and K&N air cleaners. Nice!

The riding stance for a 42 middle aged six foot two adolescent like me is perfect. Forward leaning, but with most of the weight on my butt, not on my wrists like my old 1999 Honda CBR 1000.

Speaking of which, the ZRX doesn't feel as fast to the punch, but its mid and top range seem more useable for the street. The CBR 1000 was just plain fast. It was no accident so many ended up at the local drag-strip.

I do most of my riding in the city with some highway travel. I must say I was most surprised how well this bike cruised at 70-85 mph. Very stable. Very comfortable. Add a real fairing and I dare say you could take her anywhere.

All in all, I can't say enough about this motorcycle. This is the motorcycle a lot of us had been dreaming about for a long time. An affordable, comfortable, sexy, big bore street marauder. Thank you Kawasaki!