GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Barrie on February 03, 2015, 08:31:22 PM

Title: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: Barrie on February 03, 2015, 08:31:22 PM
I have my eye on one of these.  Anyone have any experience/insight on them?  They get good handling performance ratings, but who knows who writes them.

Thanks, Barrie
Title: Re: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: The_Paragon on February 04, 2015, 07:44:29 AM
My only beef with em is the fact that theyre carbeurated... for a bike as new as it is, Kawi sure used some old technology to make their budget sport bike from. Its basically a 98-02ish Zx6r, re-used. I maintain a friends '98 zx6r, its a pretty great bike.
The carbs are a true pain on it though.. every year they get torn down and cleaned, and every year there seems to be a plugged pilot jet. (the pilots are a microscopic size 11.5) Other than that, when it does run, its a fun bike to ride.
Not 100% sure, but I dont think it falls into the 'sport bike' insurance bracket, so I think they can be insured pretty reasonably too.


A couple years ago when i was looking for a new bike I was considering some newer budget bikes like the ZZR, SV650, FZ6, or Honda Hornet 600. I ended up opting for a 2009 Yamaha Fz6, the ZZR and Hornet was knocked off the list because they werent fuel injected, and I just didnt sit well on the SV.

Title: Re: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: Dr.McNinja on February 04, 2015, 08:55:40 AM
Quote from: The_Paragon on February 04, 2015, 07:44:29 AM
My only beef with em is the fact that theyre carbeurated... for a bike as new as it is, Kawi sure used some old technology to make their budget sport bike from. Its basically a 98-02ish Zx6r, re-used. I maintain a friends '98 zx6r, its a pretty great bike.
The carbs are a true pain on it though.. every year they get torn down and cleaned, and every year there seems to be a plugged pilot jet. (the pilots are a microscopic size 11.5) Other than that, when it does run, its a fun bike to ride.
Not 100% sure, but I dont think it falls into the 'sport bike' insurance bracket, so I think they can be insured pretty reasonably too.


A couple years ago when i was looking for a new bike I was considering some newer budget bikes like the ZZR, SV650, FZ6, or Honda Hornet 600. I ended up opting for a 2009 Yamaha Fz6, the ZZR and Hornet was knocked off the list because they werent fuel injected, and I just didnt sit well on the SV.

Carburated is a beautiful thing. Do you know how many horrible things can go wrong with EFI? I Like EFI and all, but don't discount carbs as "budget". I've only had to tear down my carbs once and it's because I let the bike sit. If you have EFI you still have the same problem, but now you have to deal with electronics as well as cleaning hardware.

OP, forget the ZZR. Go with a new FZ9, or street triple if you don't want obscene amounts of power. I don't know what this guy is talking about insurance, but as long as you've been a safe driver your insurance even for a ZX14 should be cheap.  If you're too afraid to go up to a 900 I would get a FZ6, and if that's still too much, go with an SV650. Personally though, if you want a sport tourer just get the be all end all and go with one of BMWs many offerings.
Title: Re: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: The_Paragon on February 04, 2015, 09:39:00 AM
Dont get me wrong, I dont hate carbs, I have plenty of carb'd toys. But fuel inj is a plus, Turn key and start every time, low maintenance, easily tuneable, possibilities are endless. Love it on my main bike that i log plenty of miles on.

Clean record or not... Compare insurance rates on an R6 Vs. an FZ6, or a Zx6r vs a ZZR. Its a world of difference in the State of WI.
I pay $221 full coverage per year on my FZ6. For an 03-05 r6 (which the Fz6 is based off of) would run me $1039/year. So yeah, the bike and the catagory it fall into make a huge difference.
Title: Re: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: Dr.McNinja on February 04, 2015, 01:58:16 PM
Quote from: The_Paragon on February 04, 2015, 09:39:00 AM
Dont get me wrong, I dont hate carbs, I have plenty of carb'd toys. But fuel inj is a plus, Turn key and start every time, low maintenance, easily tuneable, possibilities are endless. Love it on my main bike that i log plenty of miles on.

Clean record or not... Compare insurance rates on an R6 Vs. an FZ6, or a Zx6r vs a ZZR. Its a world of difference in the State of WI.
I pay $221 full coverage per year on my FZ6. For an 03-05 r6 (which the Fz6 is based off of) would run me $1039/year. So yeah, the bike and the catagory it fall into make a huge difference.

Edit: Not going to cause a circlejerk.
Title: Re: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: The_Paragon on February 05, 2015, 09:28:14 AM
Not trying to send another thread to Tard Farm...

Just sharing my info.
Title: Re: 2008 Kawasaki ZZR600 Sport touring
Post by: Janx101 on February 06, 2015, 04:54:08 AM
Send it! ... we running short down there! Lmao