I would've never guessed these 90s Japanese sports bikes would fall back into fashion again. That's terrific. The *best* era for color schemes and ruffle-duffels amongst brands.
I picked up a 2000 ZX12R not long ago. I’m so happy I found it in its condition rather than going with something new. It’s definitely a fun riding experience.
Things nearly always follow a 25-30 year wave before they become desirable again tbh. Mix of bottoming out in price so young people can get them shortly followed by the now middle aged people who did want them when they were young reliving their youth. So yeah, be warned - all those mid 00’s sport bikes we buy for cheap track bikes have got less than a decade left before they start getting expensive to buy. Some millenium bikes are already getting up there.
Nostalgia .... It's like inflation, $500 garage project bike that's been sitting for possibly decades, magically becomes a $5000 as is condition " Survivor " barn find with no paperwork. And it works every time Example ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9fWQtzcSeIE.html
The zx9 was the sleeper pick of all in its segment back then, and still now. Feels, looks, rides WAY ahead of its time. And is much, much faster than the numbers show. They also so sound NASTY. In a way nothing new can.
For many reasons I love the older designs, the fairings look appealing in all the brands, the newer bikes aren’t head turners like these. Lovely bike u have Save it
Yes late 80s early 90s looks far more appealing than the angular sharp edged bikes today. And that zx9 in real kawasaki racing green is awesome looking.
SICK bike. Legendary bike. Classic example of a Kawasaki bike that was the "answer" to the class-leading Honda (CBR900). I've had several sportbikes and I still want a late-90's ZX9R. Also, just listen to all those wonderful mechanical sounds! You can hear intake noises, engine and exhaust, and also a really interesting gear whine sound when he sticks his head against the tank on full throttle. Very sexy.
I had a B3 96 I picked up in the early 2000's and absolutely loved and miss. You hit the nail on the head about feeling heavy when stopped or slow but nimble once you roll on the throttle. I had a Kawasaki dealership tell me they preferred this model over the C model because the newer version was a wheelie machine while the B3 model stayed planted. I had the bike tuned and it made over 150 HP at the rear.
Dynojet kit and a bit of dyno work.... make it sing even sweeter, lovely bike, totally useable and more than enough for most people on real roads. They were excellent bikes 👍
I had '98 C2 ZX9R. Loved how it always power wheelied about 5-10cm's on 1st no matter how much you leaned on. Engine also overall beatiful. So well working gearbox. Mine had about 100 000km's on clock when I bought it. Ex police pursuit bike. It was ugly blue with white basecolor bits everywhere, but at least I knew that it's not revved by some squid constantly on some cityblock for 10mins. Still I was scared about the engines km's. I opened up and checked clearances and looked at the cams and head and thought, wow these are 100% in factory specs and if I would've handed parts to estimate them I would've said absolute max 50tkm. So I cleaned carbs and gave it a bit of tlc, put some braided lines etc. Painted it glossy black and polished lips of it's wheels and man it turned out looking awesome. Never any fault in the bike I had it. When I sold it my foolishness it had iirc 136tkm's and engine was still going strong. Only bad thing was that the steering geometry felt like it's track bike. It always wanted to turn too much inside, provoking rider to increase speed. Man I shouldn't have sold that bike..
Similar story to mine mate, I bought a 91 zzr1100 with 18000 miles as a winter project. Cleaned all the carbs out with my ultrasonic cleaner and did all the brakes suspension and steering bearings, basically recommissioned it and I can’t believe how good the bike rides for a 32 years old machine, so smooth and very powerful I just can’t keep off the thing, in fact I’m riding it more than my much newer bike. Great video, and I’m pleased to see and hear how much you are enjoying riding that bike.
This motorcycle made my love motorcycles, i was 6 years old when i so 1st time in my life this bike, never pay attention to a bike before. still remember the moment the feeling that something has happened, and read NINJA. after that's every time I was looking in the street to see this bike again!
No way, literally similar age to me when I first saw one! Will never forget how that Ninja sticker looked in the sun! What a great time to be alive 🤷♂️
The 90s were the Golden Era for sport bikes. Great bikes, magazines like Performance Bikes to keep you amped up, the bikes looked great, affordable... Just a fun time to be into sport bikes. Anecdotally, I had a Yamaha YZF 600 at first, but a new friend forced me (lol) to try his ZX-9 and it was all over ... It felt like Id imagine a jet fighter would. I went right out and bought a CBR900 and later, a ZX-9. I wish i had all of those back. Good times!
I miss mine hence watching this and feeling sad I let it go. My first ride onit scared the s£&t out of me stepping up from a honda vfr 400. But I got use to it and loved it loads of fun. Had to do a fair bit of work to it like replace brake rotors, rebuild carbs, put a manual chain tensioner on it, Fitted new suspension, non of which made it any lighter.
My 2003 ZX-9R (F2) in silver was my favorite sports bike of all time. Just a great all-rounder with a heart of a Ninja. That they are physically larger bikes is a boon to lanky/tall riders.
Me too. I have one...silver with charcoal lower, chrome graphics. I polished the wheel lips and it was sexy as hell and very capable. It's een down several times and looks nothing like it did, but I still track it to this day. Owned it for 20 years...wow
Thank you for showing how good this bike still is! On real roads, it's still an insanely capable bike and incredibly confidence inspiring. I miss my 1997 ZX-9R!
Love the old Kwakas, they really got it right with the weight reduction on the 98, 99 C1/C2. Perfectly balanced. People complained about the 6 pot brake calipers, but sintered pads solve the problem. Bullet-proof engine...
Its one of the best riding sportbikes from the 90s. About 75.000km it does start to burn oil very fast. And they can tend to have a habit of poppin head gaskets. Nothings perfect, but the zx9r is close 😊
I owned one back in the late 90s in the candy, red silver and black colour scheme. I still feel it’s probably one of the most versatile bikes I’ve ever owned. My wife used to fall asleep on the back it was that comfy.
Just inherited an 01 9R. Been in a dining room for 22/23 years in the UK. It's now here on Vancouver Island. Only has 3000 miles on it. So its my brand new 23 year old bike......Sold my 10R to make room for it LOL.......Think I may keep it in the dining room.
James, mate, I loved the video! This was my 2nd sportsbike. I owned a B1 1994 and had lots of fun with it. Sold it and bought a 2002 ZX9R in green-black, new back in the day. Best bike for commuting, high-speed long trips, 2-passengers, EVERYTHING. Still have it and enjoy it as never before! Newer supersports with all these electronics? Naaahh, I will pass. Get your hands on 2002-2003 (ZX900F1-F2 last gen 9Rs) and ride it! Engine is unbreakable! It is even more fun than the B1. Keep up the good job and ride safe!
This brought back some happy memories. I had one the year it came out in 94, I was in my twenties, same colour, I even had the same pillion grab rail fitted 😂 I toured all over Europe, the German autobahns were a scream, I left Porsche’s for dead. I adored it. Thanks for posting this video, thumbs up, subbed.
Wicked story thanks for sharing! I was hoping I’d hear some story’s like that. When I got the bike I could only imagine how much fam people had on these when they came out! Absolute golden era of super bikes bikes 🙌
I used to ride sports bikes back in the 90's I loved them, still really like sports bikes, I ride Harleys now, just didn't want to kill myself and enjoy the ride more than the speed these days. If we are honest, as good as the newer bikes are, the mid-to lat 90's and early 00's sports have more than enough power and fun that is just enough or more power than most people can cope with even today, including myself.
Totally agree! I used to think it was Al about speed ect but now I’m hunting for character and something a bit more than just outright performance! Makes a old video too 😉
I just recently got rid of my cbr 929rr 2001 Fireblade for a new gsx-s1000 the new bike should be faster but it was no where near as fast as the 21 years old Fireblade chucking the wheel up in 6th gear absolutely shocked I wish I had kept it now I’m pretty sure it was tuned or something lol great video 👍👍
I've had a 2001 ZX9R, (E1, (I belive the bike in the video is one of the C bikes)), for the past 8 years, I've done around 20k miles on it and so far I've serviced it once, (with the exception of cleaning the calipers and chain and doing all the needy parts etc), and the thing is still as fast and fun to ride today as the first day I got it. Back then, you could usually tell a bike by the common colours from manufacturers, (or a big logo), these days they seem to be mainly grey, look the same, sound the same and the only way you know what brand it is is by the logo on the key or something.
Nice to see the B model getting more of a following lately. With the current asking price of ZX7R it was bound to happen. Great content, keep it coming 👍
Great video ! I owned a '94 in the exact same colours as this. I loved that ZX9R ! It did everything exceptionally well despite being overshadowed by rival manufacturers. That's how I came to find one, a year old but brand new in '95. I used it for commuting, touring 2up, and track days. It's amazing you found one in such great shape ! Well done.
Love your videos mate, you love it lol, reminds me of the early 1990's hooning around with my mates in the Cambridgeshire fens on mopeds then 125s then TDRs and then EXUPs.... I am 49 this year and do not ride now but love your enthusiasm. keep them coming and get yourself over to Northern Ireland met my wife here in 1998 at a party lol, the roads here are the TT on crack.
Had a 93 L reg B1 in those colours back in the day It was ok but always felt a very second best to the fireblade in both kudos & the way it road. Amazing it had a relatively long production in various evolutions but basically the same bike until the end. Funnily enough I do keep an eye on their prices & you cant argue they represent alot of bike for little money still.
I had the c1 version, wow what a weapon, may be a little heavy compared to some but that made it more stable. Rapid and fast, certainly couldn't ride it to its limit and my age didn't like the weight on my wrists, great bike tho.
Wow. Memories. I had a '94 in the burgundy/silver scheme from new, and kept it 10 years. Fantastic bike. Comfortable, fast, classy looking bike. Weighs something, though ... Eventually I sold the ZX9R and bought a 2004 ZX10R which I still have, although it's getting tired.
Love the enthusiasm on this, clearly a well-loved machine. I’ve got a similar-looking 1996 ZX6R and it’s funny watching this with how much they carried over, how similar it all looks. Rortier engine though! Keep it up 👍
Had two of these in the 90’s, storm from the east was the strap line. Soon as I clapped eye, as this thing was stunning my cheque book was writing promises. The 9 got caught between the big game changers of the blade and R1 and unjustly compared but was a better general road bike. When my black and grey model got nicked part of my heart died.
Wonderful, wonderful! 'Has this bike still got the 90s buzz?' Does that really need an answer? Ok......a resounding,.... Yes! Fantastic bikes. Never had a '9 but have ridden enough to conclude what a fabulous bike the ZX-9R is. Had a couple of '7s and while heavy and not as powerful, it was so stable with an amazing front end that was constantly talking to you. It loved long, fast sweepers. Both had really charismatic engines that had a lovely, 'mechanical roughness' to them. My '7 growled when it was ticking over. Lovely. When it appears we're knee deep in 270 parallels or 'bikes with beaks', it's like being in a warm room with too many people and walking out into the cool, fresh air outside. So refreshing. This was excellent. More please.
That's a great bike... Timeless. I love my Zxr750 but she is more aggressive than zx9r.. The first new Z1000 is also a great countryroads bike I have 🤟
Lovely to see content on bikes I lusted after when I was 12. Designed and destined for British A & B Roads. Does remind me of my ZX6R F2 I had almost 2 decades ago... and with the Micron can!
That maniacal laugh ha ha! Top stuff mate, really did feel like I was along for the ride. I had a great duel with one on the track a few years back with me on a 2006 BMW F800s. Sounds amazing and looks like it would be a good bike day to day.
haha Thanks very much for watching Timothy, great to hear from someone sharing the same enthusiasm! It would be an awesome daily commuter I think! Really comfy and such a fun bike to ride, loads of character!
I lusted after this bike. Those intakes. So mean. I miss 90s bikes in general. Pure raw skill to ride, no modes, no abs, not even fuel injection. Actually the 7, I wanted the 7R. Like the '92, not this version. I should get one. Wonder how much.
Just curiosity, what parts are you after? I got 2 and lots of space because I thought, too. That you wouldn't be able to get parts , And as strange as it may be, but there's another 2 doors up, just sitting there. I'd put my two on the wall before I ever sell them. And i've had them from new.. Parts are available, you just have to do the work.
you can do it at home without the sync tool almost to 90% acuracy using your eyes a bright light and a screw driver .. a can of carb cleaner willl be nice aswell
My first bike was this exact bike, year and everything, and everything he's saying is 100% accurate. I would love to have another one for street riding. Only common issue I ran into at the time is the shift fork for the 1-2 shift went bad at about 12k miles. Diaphragm in the clutch went bad too. Other than that it was was pretty maintenance free. I did put in a dynajet carb kit that really made it come alive. Much like modern tuning does for new bikes. Not a lot of power gain but really smoothed it out quite a bit. It did need its regular valve adjustment at about 18k miles. It started ticking a little.
I thought I recognized the area ! I ride around there, Just got myself a 2004 ZX-6R for next season (got bored of my 125), hopefully I'll meet ya one day.
