I've had a zx9e2p and now I have mint f2p model. An awesome machine late registration 2003 on a 2004 plate. I've had it years. Despite people saying it's dated against modern sport bikes it's brilliant on the road and brutaly fast and powerful! Love it to bits!
I have the C2 Blue model with 76,000 miles on the clock now. No major problems. Always used Castrol, Elf, and Motul oils. EBC SRC clutch kit with stiffer springs, lighter 525 chain and anodized aluminum sprocket, steel braided lines and Ferodo pads, Micron carbon fiber slipon, K&N, iridium spark plugs, lithium battery, LED bulbs, and double bubble windscreen. Great all around bike and great handling with Michelin Power GP tires I run now. Currently running Motul 300V, which smoothes the engine even more and seems to add horsepower. I would definitely recommend this bike.
Thanks for the Great Overview. The B3/B4 Models (1996/1997) are known to have the head gasket fixed...the factory did a silent update i guess. I like my B4 from 1997...its like a mini Hayabusa..insanely stable at high speed...never feel the need for a steering damper. only model with a fuel gauge... nice to have.
Thanks that was a great review on all models . I’m 60 and looking at the best and for comfort for my back ,it looks like the E model is best for my 😀 Cheers Dave from Scotland
Nice comprehensive video for those deciding which ZX-9R to buy. My favorite 9R of the Kawasaki lineup is the E1 model too. Upgrade to dual Nissin 4-pots calipers, similar to the F model’s, really transforms the bike’s canyon riding performance, making for pleasant spirited or casual rides, whether riding near or far. The bike is so confidence inspiring, it’ll teach good riders to be better riders and still there’s performance left on the table that most riders will never feel the need to tap into. Global pandemic shut down your far off petrol forecourt at the turnaround point for your favorite twisty roads? No problem. The standard 386 KM tank range will get you there and back without a worry. Sportbike magazine editors who often race at the track never really gave the ZX-9R the accolades it deserved for being THE SPORTBIKE to own for street use. Sure, after wearing themselves out on the track and giving it mixed reviews for its track prowess, a mission a streetbike was not designed for, those same editors would then at the end of the day reach for the 9R’s keys. You read that right. After a hard day riding those other uncomfortable trackbikes-with-headlights and giving them the nod over the 9R, it became a fierce battle to see who got to ride home on the “smooth-cruising comfy-seat big-fairing five- gallon-tank ZX.” Their words favored the very sportbike models that most of the street riding public, who aren't professional track riders, wouldn't want to ride for anything but at a trackday. Making the ZX-9R Ninja truly a sportbike without peer.
I have a C2, and have fitted a zx10r swingarm & wheel, with a GSXR1000 k2 shock, and on the front a ER6N front wheel & 4 pot Nissin calipers from a 92 GSXR750, and it rides great !!
Thinking of going back to one of these. I did have a B model that I owned for a short while, and I loved it. I didn't own it long enough to experience any of the issues that you stated, though. I do miss them and I think that E1 looks like the perfect all-rounder and I love that colour. Currently been riding an 02 Hayabusa for the past 9 years, great comfort. Incidentally you don't know much about that year models of Hayabusas by any chance? such as reliability etc. I'm at 70K miles on mine and no major issues, however it has just started to "bog" if I am not in the perfect gear for the speed (not figured that out yet).
I owned a Candy Red/Black/Silver B1 for over 12 years and it was bullet proof. Never had any issues with it. I stupidly sold it ten years ago, but I have in its place a very Minty, Museum quality E2 bike now with only 4,399 klms on the ODO. It's the Firecracker red/deep purple mica/Silver swoosh edition. You will never find one like this I guarantee it. I'm looking to preserve that one and buy another for riding purposes, preferably an F bike.
I installed a wiseco big bore kit in my C1, it’s absolutely amazing! I installed the E exhaust as well. The gearbox is still ok at 50.000km, but I have a Z1000 gearbox in my shed in case it blows.
Great video thanks, im about to get a really mint e2 model and I'm exited , I'm looking for a good radiator guard but not having much luck, are all the radiators the same shape on each model , and I might grab some 4 pot calipers off a triumph st 955i or an old gsxr with 90mm hole gap as those 6 pot look like a handful to stay on top of , any advice would be great thanks
Thanks for the video. With your ownership experience would you for an F over an E? I heard what you said about the E Carbs and headers being better suited for road use. The stiffer framed, better braked F trumps the E?
B1 bikes had a shock linkage design flaw which prevented the shock operating its full range, resulting in peculiar cornering handling. Discovered by a very thorough technical review by Performance Bikes a long time ago now... 😉 The magazine really slammed the factory stating it could even be dangerous and should have never been let through onto production bikes ! Still a great road bike though, goes like a freight train and excellent real world comfort. A full afternoon test ride on a (then the brand new model) C1 after my B series bike and it felt a lot lighter and faster. Should have bought one but went the VFR route.... ZX9 terrific truly useable road bikes, happy memories... ps on B2 bikes Kawasaki had modded the shock linkage and Performance Bikes I recall suggested in a later article that the factory had become aware of the original article and hastily sorted the problem (?)
😄 28 (!) years ago PB had exceptional technical knowledge, havent bought it for a long time now but I suspect things aren't what they used to be ..... more is the pity ....
@@GPR111 Yes even if what Performance bikes say is correct it’s not really a problem, Modern shocks and linkage can be retrofitted to improve the handling.
I've just bought another zx9r to go with my bmws1000rr and husqvarna 701 my zx9r I've just bought has 7500 miles on her she's a e2 model pristine apart from a crack underneath the headlight near the ram Air scoop on the fairing. I think these are a common problem with the screws being done up to tight.
Had a 92 then 93 C model Zx11. Sold and bought a B2 Zx9 new. Sold it with 3k miles. Bought two more C model Zx11s. One is turbo kitted. Love the 11. Got an 01 Zx12. Still have it with 4K miles. Have an 05 Zx10 was new in crate. Only 500 miles now. Still want another Zx9. Not sure what year to look for.
Mate I 💩 a brick when you said about frame cracking on the 2000 models, I have a e1 aswel as my zx7, when am home tonight I'll be going straight to me garage to check my frame, I really like them F models you should of kept that blue one you had that was a beautiful bike, probably difficult to find in good condition with low milage now. A question for you mate my e1 has a full akrapovic system and a k&n on it, I'm not sure what size jets are in it or if the needles are shimmed or not but am happy with the way it's running with no flat spots and plenty of power to me, if I was going to shim the needles where would I get the right shims and how would I know what thickness to start with, thanks john👍
@mcycle24 thanks for getting back to me👍 is there any rolling roads around Liverpool ways you'd recommend as you sound like your from my area, cheers John.
Wasn't sure which of the older 9r's you felt was the best. Think you said the C2? I'm hunting for one now. Thinking C2, so any comments would be really useful.
I've got a c1 zx9r, I believe there was a recall on the gearboxes on them not long after they came out, mine seems fine so maybe it was one of them, it passed its mot today no probs, still an immaculate stunning bike at 23 years old 👍
@@HalfdeadRider You can swap around the wafers in the fuel cap easily to make your original ignition key work as long as it fits the fuel cap cylinder. Even if it’s not an exact fit, you can file the cylinder to make it fit.
@@mcycle24 Technical good, price 900 euro, optical some damage, the rear has a new paint job - just black -, front is origanal silver, black turquoise..
@@tomasnokechtesledger1786 Its not,the 94-95 models had the problem,i had the model on the video and i did changed the head gasket plus a problem with the gearbox.Even tho i loved the thing and regret selling it.
I blew my c2 gear box defo problem so put the e1 engine in kind of wish I don’t cos you need ecu loom clocks rectifier headers carbs time and a foul mouth I’m still struggling to route the throttle cables if you have any videos or if your planing to wipe your tank off it would help no end
Main thing is to keep them clean, Old and stale fuel left in is the main enemy. I always drain the float bowls and tank of all fuel if putting the bike away for storage over the winter months.
