New Kawasakis for 2005
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I like the new 6R and 6RR. it looks like we're in for two-year updates in the sportbike world. Yee-ha!
The Z750 fairing looks a lot less attractive (IMO) than the Euro version... too bad. I wonder if Kawasaki is trying to replace the ZR7s instead of expand the naked sportbike market?
I'm also glad they brought back the old ZX-6R. I would take one over the latest, greatest 600 (or 636) supersport if the price diff made sense. I liked those bikes when I rode one at Keith Code a few years back!
Can't wait for the new ST Shootout! Bring on more moto content!
The Z750 fairing looks a lot less attractive (IMO) than the Euro version... too bad. I wonder if Kawasaki is trying to replace the ZR7s instead of expand the naked sportbike market?
I'm also glad they brought back the old ZX-6R. I would take one over the latest, greatest 600 (or 636) supersport if the price diff made sense. I liked those bikes when I rode one at Keith Code a few years back!
Can't wait for the new ST Shootout! Bring on more moto content!
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Their site didn't have the NEW 2005's on there yet.
Anyone got an idea of the Cost of the ZZR600, that's about what I'm looking for. Do you think it'll be around the 6500 the previous version was?
Ducgroupie
Anyone got an idea of the Cost of the ZZR600, that's about what I'm looking for. Do you think it'll be around the 6500 the previous version was?
Ducgroupie
Re: Well..
Honda sells the F4i for $8199, and though considered a generation old, is still priced higher than the current ZX-6Rs, Gixxers, and R-6s.
I still think the F4i is a great bike. I'd love to own one, and despite the higher premium, would actually consider buying one.
I'm sure the ZZR will be quite competetively priced, somewhere along the lines of Yammy's Thundercat. So you're spot-on, it should be in the $7k range.
Honda sells the F4i for $8199, and though considered a generation old, is still priced higher than the current ZX-6Rs, Gixxers, and R-6s.
I still think the F4i is a great bike. I'd love to own one, and despite the higher premium, would actually consider buying one.
I'm sure the ZZR will be quite competetively priced, somewhere along the lines of Yammy's Thundercat. So you're spot-on, it should be in the $7k range.
When I saw the headline, I was overjoyed that they're bringing the Z750 stateside.
Then I was depressed when I realized I'm too poor to buy a new bike for a few years.
Then I was outraged when I opened the article and saw the bike. Blue?! Freaking BLUE?!? And what's with the ugly fairing replacing the uber-cool bikini style? Jeebus H. Christ, it looks like a ZR-7S. And didn't THAT sell well?
Let me get this straight - the Canadians get the bad-ass-beautiful black naked version that looks like a two-wheeled switchblade, and we get the version that looks like it's aimed at guys who are depressed that Honda killed the Nighthawk 750. Really? What's wrong with this picture?
Now I'm glad I'm poor, or I'd be really frustrated.
Then I was depressed when I realized I'm too poor to buy a new bike for a few years.
Then I was outraged when I opened the article and saw the bike. Blue?! Freaking BLUE?!? And what's with the ugly fairing replacing the uber-cool bikini style? Jeebus H. Christ, it looks like a ZR-7S. And didn't THAT sell well?
Let me get this straight - the Canadians get the bad-ass-beautiful black naked version that looks like a two-wheeled switchblade, and we get the version that looks like it's aimed at guys who are depressed that Honda killed the Nighthawk 750. Really? What's wrong with this picture?
Now I'm glad I'm poor, or I'd be really frustrated.
And another thing - the exhaust system is chromed instead of the classy titanium-color finish of the Euro/Canadian version.
I guess Kawasaki-USA figured their fellow Americans like shiny things and need big fairings to keep their fat asses out of the breeze.
Did I mention it's freakin' BLUE?
I guess Kawasaki-USA figured their fellow Americans like shiny things and need big fairings to keep their fat asses out of the breeze.
Did I mention it's freakin' BLUE?
I agree, take something that is cool and try to guess what we would buy and change it. Hello, we thought it was cool don't f-in change it. I don't have much interest in this bike but understand the frustration. Long ago they screwed up and sent us a faired bandit and naked over there. A few years later they gave us the unfaired, but it was to late the newness wore off. By the time they reacted we had shifted our focus. I feel Suzuki learned their lesson, they offered both faired and unfaired versions of the SV. I don't understand the corperate think tank.
Blue is a pretty good color...looks mighty fine on the current ST13 & FJR13. But thats just me, I guess.
Maybe the absense of the Concours means that FINALLY they are updating the old girl. Considering the mid 80's (86?) first Connie was a recycled motor ....hmmm...recycle the ZZR12 as a torquemaster? Maybe punch it out to 1300 and add monster grunt?
In any event, looks like some nice additions. Good for Kawi.
Maybe the absense of the Concours means that FINALLY they are updating the old girl. Considering the mid 80's (86?) first Connie was a recycled motor ....hmmm...recycle the ZZR12 as a torquemaster? Maybe punch it out to 1300 and add monster grunt?
In any event, looks like some nice additions. Good for Kawi.
So, if they're bringing back the previous generation ZX-6R as an alternative to the new track targeted bikes, what are the odds they'll eventually bring back the ZX-9 as an alternative to the ZX-10? While not in the same performance category as a modern superbike, it was still a great all around bike, and a much better fit for someone over 6' tall.
And hey...
You don't see any of the restored-comfort CBRs on the road (complete with banana seat, but still lacking the euro centerstand). So Honda's strategy of keep the price high obviously hasn't helped the F4i, as everysquid seems to prefer the RR, and those looking for a more comfort oriented bike get turned off by the >$8k price.
You don't see any of the restored-comfort CBRs on the road (complete with banana seat, but still lacking the euro centerstand). So Honda's strategy of keep the price high obviously hasn't helped the F4i, as everysquid seems to prefer the RR, and those looking for a more comfort oriented bike get turned off by the >$8k price.
The new ZX6R & RR look great. I was expecting Kawasaki to drop or revise the tachometer but this seems not to be the case.
I have mixed feelings about ZZR though. Why not offer it with a more comfortable single piece saddle with higher handlebars and more touring oriented clocks (fuel gauge, dual tripmeters etc)? Granted, the old ZX6R was a very comfy sportbike, but its age does not change anything; it is still a sportbike
By the way I owned a 2000 ZX6R previously, and found it to be a marvelous bike so I am happy that Kawasaki revived it. I just wish they made some changes to it so that it could be an even more streetable & tourable bike.
I have mixed feelings about ZZR though. Why not offer it with a more comfortable single piece saddle with higher handlebars and more touring oriented clocks (fuel gauge, dual tripmeters etc)? Granted, the old ZX6R was a very comfy sportbike, but its age does not change anything; it is still a sportbike
By the way I owned a 2000 ZX6R previously, and found it to be a marvelous bike so I am happy that Kawasaki revived it. I just wish they made some changes to it so that it could be an even more streetable & tourable bike.
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Kawasaki should have released the "new" zzr600 in '03. Not too many people buying the zx-6e, which had nothing on the yzf600r. If I was actually in the new bike market (I wish) I'd consider the "new" zzr600. Back when it was the zx-6r that Bostrom won a supersport championship on, it was the most comfortable supersport on the market. Good move, Kawasaki. Just a little late.
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