Looking for a winter hack

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stefano

stefano

Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
398
Location
Hastings, East Sussex
Looking for a winter bike as a replacement for my Divvy 900, and I am currently looking at:

YZF R1 1999 ‘T’
Blue, 23.000 miles
CAT 1 ALARM
excellent condition,
warranty, new MOT
£2995

ZX9R C1 1998 ‘R’
Blue, 19,000 miles,
Excellent condition, Garaged,
3 months warranty, new MOT
£2295

RF 900 1996 ‘N’
Green, 27,000 miles, CAT 1 alarm,
Excellent condition, Garaged,
3 months warranty, new MOT
£1895

Your thought and opinions, I will be commuting 135 miles per day, and have done so for the last 3 years, and in the summer I do it in a RSV Mille-R, so the riding position doesn't bother me. Are these bikes reliable?
 
Forget the R1 , go for the ZX9R (The ZX9 will need a new rear shock by now)as 2nd choice the RF9 for 1st choice (The RF9 is bullet proof and surprisingly comfortable)....now runs and hides, waits to be shot for using the S word !!
 
RF all the way buddy....:thumbup

Had one myself and was great, dead reliable, and very quick engine if your in the mood!! Handling not hugely impressive but it is a winter hak after all!!:thumbup
 
chuff me,thats my top bike money bracket?!
99 r1 everytime.
miss my old 98 r1.i rode that all year round and it was fantastic.
may have to find another tbh.
 
Mate, you can get a E model ZX9R near the 2k mark, they are suppose to be the bollocks, im looking for a cheap one as a commuter hack myself.
 
I can I would go with the zx9 but thats a little pricy for a c1.

Just sold my E1 for 1900. if you get on www.zx-9r.net I think it has a couple for sale, well did. oh and if you do get on that forum, dont let them bully you into the B model. its old,ugly and heavy and only for people coming up to retirment and still want to ride sports bikes lol: just kidding. C or E is the way to go but dont spend over 2200 for one this time of year!

I used my zx9 everyday and it never let me down, comfy riding and has some top power. Took the 9 to Isle of man this year too. 800 miles round trip and I didnt even feel a bit of pain in my knees, neck or back.
My mates go the 99 R1 and he was in pain lol:
 
V_senna said:
Mate, you can get a E model ZX9R near the 2k mark, they are suppose to be the bollocks, im looking for a cheap one as a commuter hack myself.
Click to expand...

I know of one for 1150, needs a little work :)

2004 plate for £2500
http://www.zx-9r.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13105

another
http://www.zx-9r.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13058
http://www.zx-9r.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12751

cheap one needs some tlc - was going to get it my self but no cash :(
http://www.zx-9r.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12518
 
Last edited:
yeah he's been trying for a while to get ride but cos its red no one wants it. top bikes
 
R1 will be by far the most exciting to ride - I do it on a 99 and love it (crests and wheelies are luverly :thumbup ) but in saying that you MUST check out for the dreaded buggered 2nd gear - mines just started slipping so its 2nd gear rebuild time for me :(
One thing you'll like about the older bike having the millie is that for a 4 it has bags of lowend grunt compared to the new 4s out there - don't expect twin grunt though. I commute 80 miles a day and its comfy for a sports bike.
 
andirsv said:
RF all the way buddy....:thumbup

Had one myself and was great, dead reliable, and very quick engine if your in the mood!! Handling not hugely impressive but it is a winter hak after all!!:thumbup
Click to expand...

What is the servicing like? Frequent or sparce?
I also read somewhere this is an oil-cooled engine, as opposed to an air-cooled or liquid cooled. What does it mean?
 
Like the old GSXR's, they dont have a water system, just a big oil cooler - and lots of oil I imagine.
How about something newer and half faired like a Fazer or Bandit, less to repair if the worst happens in the ****** winter weather!
Hats off to you for riding that far to work all year mate.
I'm lucky I only have to travel 7 miles each way and drive. The bike only gets brought out on dry Sundays in the winter...
 
Mate of mine had a C1 in Candy Blue and had a lot of problems with front brake discs warping.

Otherwise solid bike, and fast as feck in a straight line. with a stonking, smooth engine - I saw 155 out of his in Spain a few years ago, and it was still pulling like a train. :cool3
 
ZX9's a lot of bike for little money..No one wants them as not fashionable for the 'power rangers.' Someone I know bought a c2 on a T plate with 20k for £1200 from a local guy who couldn't sell it for love or money..
Mint bike too, that was 2 years ago and still as it.
 
mark58 said:
ZX9's a lot of bike for little money..No one wants them as not fashionable for the 'power rangers.' Someone I know bought a c2 on a T plate with 20k for £1200 from a local guy who couldn't sell it for love or money..
Mint bike too, that was 2 years ago and still as it.
Click to expand...

Kwaks are known for carb icing problems. Would the Ninja suffer too?
 
Carb icing is a problem with the bikes but just top up the tank with some Silkolene Pro fst stuff and it sorts it out no end.
I ran my zx9 e1 for 2 years using this stuff and had no problems. well once I started.

As for Front discs warping, yes theses bikes do have an issue with that. I went through 3 sets in 2 years. You have to either 1: change your front calipers to GSXR 4 pot ones (better breaking as well) or clean your calipers every month :)

God i miss my zx9 :(
DSCF0169.jpg
 
Not normally a Kwak fan, but she looks nice. :thumbup

Funny old bikes them, kind of marketed against the Blade but always thought of as more of a Sports-Tourer weren't they, but I know they had an awesome reputation for outright stomp if not the handling.
 
Mate bought one brand new in 99 a C2..Carb icing was an issue, but there was a recall for it..So I'd assume older bikes would have been done..
He loved it, and had no problems in the 12k miles he put on it including the discs..

Know another guy who's had his 5 years and has 50k miles on it, still looks and goes well, he was so impessed he's after another one.
Padgetts in Batley have an whole row of brand new ones in..Something they've always done..Brand new 10 year old bikes..
 
Stef.
Those RFs are supposed to be a bit of a hidden gem but that's way too much for that N Plate one with 27K, whatever the condition.
 

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