[xenoluther]

Way to be out of touch....

Listen,

Despite the gallons of testosterone sloshed about on this site regarding the latest uncomfortable-assed way overpowered squid-killing race replicas, and which one of them is best at doing things most people never do on their bikes, there are legions of readers and riders that are interested in affordable, reliable, decent rides for a good price. The now defunct, used to be fantastic site activebike.com thought the zr7 was fabulous, for a host of reasonable reasons. The spoiled bratties on this site yawn and fawn for something more outrageous and expensive.

It's a great bike. I think it looks cool too. I'm sure it won't sell. Too reasonable.

 

[dogs1]

Re: Way to be out of touch....

YEP.... GOD BLESS AMERICA... DOGGY STYLE

 

[PsychoBueller]

Thanks for reviewing a bike that is not a racebike-with-turnsignals. I think these do it all sport standards are a very cool trend and I'm glad to see that they're back in style. I like a good vertsatile street-focused ride. Can we assume there's a comparo coming?????



SV650/ZR-7S/Bandit 600/Nighthawk 750/Insert Favorite Cheap Ride

 

[minime]

Re: Way to be out of touch....

We'll be doing a much wider variety of bike tests here than ever before, touching on some of the over-looked bikes that sit on dealer's floors for no good reason. This is just a start. And as for this ZR-7S, the thing actually sells pretty well from what I hear...

 

[neoyetif2]

Throw in an extra stitch there doc!

A few years back I bought a 1982 GPz 750 (I didn't have very much cash and I had to ride something!). I was most impressed with the engine. Which is pretty much the same engine in the ZR-7S. Great for around town and road trips. Tons of mid range. Pretty fun bike. I imagine the ZR-7S is much better.

Ugh, John, are you sure you have an episiotomy scar? You may want to do a search on that -- Girly man. Or do you have a secret you don't want us to know. Been to Trinidad, Colorado? (THE place for sex change operations)

 

[19741]

I am assuming that the ZR7S has the same ergos as the bike I owned for about 2 months the ZR7 twp years back. Being even older(gasp) than JB I figured I would try a standard bike so I could do my daily ride in a bit of comfort. The bike's seat unfortunately made me slide towards the tank which was not a pleasant thing. The suspension as was mentioned was mushy and in my opinion the bike slid and was not planted. If a bike is not comfortable and it doesnt handle well its sorta oughta my garage. I do own several bikes from sport to standard, super moto and even a full dresser Harley. The Kawasaki was not a keeper. For 6 grand I would suggest buying a two year old F4 which believe it or not is more comfortable and handles waaaay better.

 

[shineon2000]

I ride a Nighthawk, a cousin of the ZR7S, and it takes care of me quite well. Now at 50 I admit that I don't push it as hard as I once did. Balance is a good thing. These bikes provide balance. That said, Progresive springs and shocks, and some stickier tires will be appreciated when the need and the wallet co-incide.

 

[chriss_1]

Re: How bout testing the Sv650s?

Hey guys,

Do you plan on every doing a writup on the SV650s?

 

[Jeff_Story]

Re: Way to be out of touch....

I, too, remember Jay McDaniel raving about the ZR-7 on activebike. I considered the ZR, but needed something with more leg room. Ended up with a 1200 Bandit.

When activebike went away, I e-mailed Jay to get a CD-ROM archive of the site. I had his address to send for it, then my computer flamed out, and I lost it. Bummer. Jay said he was going to start a new site, but I can't find it, or him.

 

[Lex]

Every time I read a road test of this bike I think "Wow, sounds nice but I hate the high frequency shaking of four cylinder engines and why don't they do a better job on the suspension?".



I understand this bike is built to a price but given the Japanese manufacturers near magical ability to build good, cheap products it seems like it could be much better for not much more money. Maybe tighten up the specs for the crankshaft balance and steal the forks and shock off an older 600 super-sport.



I'm not saying this to put the bike down. I think the ZR7-S would make a good bike for many uses (anything but hard core sport riding and two-up touring, really) but it could be a great bike with just a few changes, a long term keeper instead of a good bike for the price. Would they really sell any less if the suggested retail was, say, $6,199 or is there a physiological wall at six grand?



Just curious,



SlowBear

 

[tgo63]

01 red zr-7s

I own 2001 zr-7s for 9 1/2 months. Right now my odometer shows 10,400 miles. The bike came with Bridgestone 020 tires and they should be good for another 2-3 k miles before hitting wear marks. I think overall it is a very good bike, but better suspension would definitely help. The insurance is cheap, in my case $200 per year full coverage with $500 deductible. The total cost for the bike was $5,800 out the door. The D&D slip on adds some character, and if one feels like having a 130 mph run the bike will comply. Quite often I have itchy feeling to get one of the latest bikes, but then I realize there is nothing wrong with the bike I own right now.

 

[chuckdyer]

I own a 2001 ZR7-S. When I was shopping for a bike last year, I was looking at much more expensive bikes such as the Aprilia Futura and the VFR. Just by chance I spotted this bike on the dealer floor and looked it over. I looked the ZR over and liked what I saw. Then I looked at the price - What! Only $5100. I was curious how the bike rode. I took it for a test ride and I was pleasantly surpised with its power and smoothness. My mind kept telling me that I was not suppose to like such a low priced bike, but my logic side told me that this bike meets all my needs and will save me a bunch of $$$. I don't regret buying it.



Since purchasing the bike, I have added:

1. Factory jet kit which added more power and smoothed the low end glichy throttle.



2. Two Bros carbon slip-on - This made the bike sound very nice and more expensive.



3. Progressive fork springs and 15w fork oil - This totally transformed the handling of the bike. No more fork dive and much better handling in the twisties.



This bike is hard to beat for the price! It is real fun in the hills and it is an excellent commuter and touring bike all wrapped up one.



This bike may not turn heads like an Aprilia or Duc, but it does deliver the necessary elements that make your ride fun and trouble free.



Chuck The Duck

2001 Kawi ZR7-S

2000 KTM 200 EXC

 

[chuckdyer]

I forgot to mention that there is an excellent web site and discussion group dedicated to the ZR-7. The site is located at www.zr-7.com and the discussion group is located at www.zr-7forums.com.

Chuck The Duck

 

[Grappelli]

Re: Way to be out of touch....

It's a shame that medium capacity bikes like the Fazer 600 and the Hornet haven't made it here. I've ridden both these bikes and the Kawa is the poor cousin. Still I dunno how it would come out compared to a Bandit 600. That would be closer I think, but I suspect the Bandit would still win despite the smaller engine. The 7 is very softly tuned/sprung...

 

[Strider]

I owe an 01 ZR-7S. I use it as a good weather commuter, errand runner, and all around transportation. I added a bike pack system that allows me to carry quite a bit of stuff.



I've read the post and the articles and all I can say is that I found the bike to be a good size, great balance, good handling, and plenty of power to do the things I need.



It is a bit cold natured, but most air-cooled bike are.



I definitely think I've getting my $5.5k worth of value in this bike.



I'm glad we are starting to get some reviews of bike that people use as commuters and daily rides.

 

[CBR1000F]

Did y'all catch that torque curve on the dyno chart?! That's pretty effing FLAT! I like it.



I had a neighbor a while back who (thankfully) listened to me and got a CB450 Nighthawk to learn on, and later came to me and asked what bike I thought he should get next. I recommended he take a look at the ZR-7S, and the next time I saw him he had one and was VERY happy with it.

 

[jamesohoh7]

I think you're on the right track. I've voiced this plan before, but here it is again:



I think the market is itching for a bike just like this with a "re-tuned for more low-end power" version of the ZX-7 motor. All the benefits of "higher tech", yadda... aftermarket parts galore.



This combo would be the equivalent of a middle-weight FZ-1.



It could single-handedly save the 750 class, if anyone cares, that is (while re-focusing it towards this market segment since liter-bikes seem to have permanently displaced 750 hyperbikes, or soon will).



Further, as they are now, Kawasaki would be pretty much the only company with that combo on the market. With a ZX-7 motor (r&d LONG since paid for, how old is it now!?) making right around 90-odd hp and a good chunk of torque, imagine how much better this bike could be.



With just a little more work on the suspenders, this combo would sell quite well, I think, to folks willing to maybe plunk down $6.5 to $7K for what is already a good solid bike (from the sound of it here). What's Yammy-hammy getting for FZ-1's?... I know Bandit 12's go right around $7, but you could see how the ZX motored ZR would still be able to compete on a "higher-tech" appeal (water v.s. air-cooled to start), wouldn't have the torque of the Bandit-o though... ligher weight probably for the ZRX-7 (you heard it here first ): a trade-off?? Hmmm.



Only problem might be that kawi would see it as encroaching on ZRX12k sales... hmmm. Perhaps. But that bike appeals to a different person than would a bike like I describe, I think.



C'mon Waky-Saki!... step it up just a liiiittlllle bit more!.. you're not going to do anything with the ZX-7 anymore anyway!



-James

 

[CBRunner]

Re: How bout testing the Sv650s?

I agree wholeheartedly!!! I have read several articles on the SV650 but nothing on the S model. These things are selling like hotcakes. I have many buddies that ride race-reps and most of them have an SV650S as a second bike because it is simple cheap fast fun. When the testosterone levels are high they are the first to roost, but as for daily fun and commuting, they always opt for the little SV. I would love to hear how you guys rate the suspension, brakes and motor in your own expert opnion. I have yet to hear something bad about this bike except that the factory muffler makes it sound like a 250 dirt bike. BRING IT ON!!

Give us what we want. Please!

 

[rvfrules]

Some contributing editor at activebike.com used to humiliate sportbikes on the track with his ZR-7. Just goes to show what a "budget" bike can do in the right hands. And like others have said, that site RAVED about the Kawi. Most of us probably can't exceed that bike's limitations, much less an f4 or any other sportsbike.

 

[DJS]

I'm a honda man, how does the 919 compare?

After getting burned real bad on a 93 ZR1100 for parts and maintenance, I've gravitated to Hondas for reliability. I'm interested in the 919 right now, any of you moto-journalists that have ridden both care to comment on the differences in power, comfort, ergos?

Kawi does have a huge price advantage but I don't think I could commute in the murderous Houston traffic on air cooled bike when it is 104 in August.

David