I've owned many ZX sportbikes over the years , first year ZX11 and my 98 zx 9 is just a fantastic bike to ride , own , work on. Comfortable, great brakes, and just a wonderful in line 4 that sounds killer.
I am fortunate enough to have 2 modern bikes, and recently bought a 1998 zx9r C and I have got to say for a bike thats got 50,000 miles and showing many signs of its age, its wonderful, the engine is fantastic and I have really fallen for her and all at a meagre £1350. Cheers Goblin.
The zx9r and zx6r were always larger frame, higher bars, lower pegs, to appeal to people who wanted a fast comfortable road /track bike,and the competition were going lower bars higher pegs and smaller frame making them more track friendly but uncomfortable on the road,I got one over the gsxr750 for a daily rider...the zx12 was also made as a comfortable ride all day rocket to compete with the Hayabusa...
hI mate i have a ZX9 R E2 model,with several modifications,on the 100 km/H to 200km /H the accélération is similar to some ZX14 r or ZH2(dragy time),after 200 km/h to 250 it s around 5 secondes for ZX14R and 6 and 7 secondes for ZX9; as you have told us the différent weight is around 60 kg,this is why i stick to ZX9r which is really a top Very interesting video
The true grandpa of the 14r is the zx11. If you can try one of those, do it. The zx9 is more the grandpa of the zx10...the zx9 is surprisingly relaxed and calm though, I had a 2001 from new back in the day. My friend had an 11.
I have a ZX9r C2 in red too. I also have a Blade 954 track bike which I have a couple of videos of on my channel. I can confidently state that they both still boogie with the best.
I think you'll find the zh2 is severely neutered on the factory tune. If you look at some funk graphs you can see the torque management and the throttles closing up top. They are tricky and expensive to tune but it appears to be worth it.
Yo bro im looking for a 2007 fireblade and i got one but there is no abs on it and people saying not to buy it but i want it cause just idk man honda cooked back then but YOU TELL ME IF ABS IS REALLY THAT IMP?? Or should i just get it
Honestly not really lol just be extra careful with cars around you etc learn on empty roads i thought the same i got an older bike and I definitely dont regret it
Agreed with previous responses. ABS isn't necessary, I mean riders had been without it for ages until about 15 years ago 🤣 The bikes I learned on didn't have ABS either lol. 07 Fireblade is mint, wouldn't put me off it 👍
I love my 9R-C1. I did 5 hrs round Wales on it in summer, and it was very comfortable. Mine just needs better tyres, i bought it with MItch Radials on it and they're average at best. I'm to tight to swap them til needed, but then it'll probably get some S22s. What's on yours mate?
Good to see you giving some love to the legendary ZX9R. I am looking at a pretty mint E2 model, would you say the bike is light and nimble enough for sport riding in tight twisties? I live in an island full of mountains with really, really curvy roads (Awesome for riding considering the weather is almost always good).
'would you say the bike is light and nimble enough for sport riding in tight twisties?' Yes. + as any old hand will tell you, a capable person on (eg) R1100RT will be quicker than a mediocre bod on a 18 grand 1000.
As monkey says, in terms of a pure riding experience, they're actually more on par than you'd think. Honestly surprised me how good the ZX-9R is, and I'm sure most others from that era will give modern bikes a good run for their money 👍
Lots of qualities of a bike are subjective, but even in some of the measurable facets, a new bike won't necessarily be better than an older one. I've owned and ridden sportbikes from every decade from the 1980s-2010s, my personal favorite is the 90s. Newer bikes have many advantages and are better in a lot of ways, but not every way.