KAWASAKI ZX-7R (1996 - 2003) Review

Version: p2

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £150

I bought this bike a few years back for £1250 with around 23k on the clock. It was written off due to a rear shunt at the lights (thanks) so I reclaimed and rebuilt with an +4 advancer and 10r throttle grip. Originally wanted a blade, but this just looked the biz and howled on the redline. Wanted a gixxer as an alternative, but got an original R1 4xv eventually. The ninj is still an utter beast in comparrison. Longer wheelbase, heavier on the road and stays planted. Got stolen at 43k and parted out in Europe sadly, or would still have it.

Buying experience: Private sale. Was cheap. Now easily commanding 2-3k for half decent bike.

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £250

It is what it is, a good solidly made machine, for sure it is not considered as agile or powerful as others in it's "class". I could care less, it looks fantastic & if truth be known the competition just styled their machines to compete with Kawasaki's elegant lines. Everything that is considered to be negative in terms of instrumentation, and other so called dated equipment such as a manual petcock in my opinion, adds to it's charisma . I have owned & ridden some 10 Kawasaki motorcycles, this one is just as enjoyable as my first 250 Samurai 2 stroke which was purchased new in the day!.

Buying experience: No problems here. Purchased from Kawasaki main dealer. Always trustworthy with customer care at the forefront of their business. EXCELLENT.

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £150

21 years old and 68,000 miles. Over the years I have thought about changing but just haven't found a bike which will be that much better without loads of extra cash. Been all over the continent and never been badly let down. I'd buy another one.

Year: 2000

If you're reading this review in 2016 you already know about these bikes. They don't make them like this any more and to ride one is to love one, I don't think i'll ever sell mine. These bikes will really touch your soul

Version: p2

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £60

The bike is excellent and i cant stop riding it as its handling is exceptional and i love the howl of that motor, she flys and have given a few modern bikes a scare, love it.

Buying experience: I swapped it privateley with my tl1000s suzuki but he paid £1800 for it.

Version: p6

Year: 2003

I love the design of the zx7R it looks so nice Best looking bike

Buying experience: Private

Got my 7R dirt cheap as a crashed ex-track bike - I stripped & rebuilt it & have enjoyed over five yrs of ownership without any issues at all during which I've tailored my 7R to my needs. Now I have all the torque & power I want with the handling & comfort to match - all for £3500 !! I can't see anything else out there that can compete for value & ability. It's a keeper !

Ive had my zx7p5 since june and i love it. It has a big comfy passenger seat. Its been setup for two up and its fantastic with the mrs on the back. You don't see many zx7 around and she's a real head tuner. The new stuff does nothing for me but zx7 just makes me smile every time i look at her.

Had my ZX7R P2 since year2000 to present day. I can't complain. Had 4009 miles on the clock and now has racked up 56,000miles!!!! Its mid range torque grunt makes up for its lack of power else where. Under power it maybe but match this to the amazing front end makes for confident fast riding! Also add the weight factor and actually makes this a joy to ride on the road. Add stronger clutch springs and advance 4deg and raise rear a tad.

I brought my ZX7R new in 2001 never had any major problems with the bike I currently have 94000 miles on the original clutch.I ride year round,42 miles daily commute,178 miles on a tank of gas. Best investment yet and would buy another Kawi in a minute.

Awesome bike, lovely planted front end, fast and nice torque, cracking front brake. Comfortable for long runs with my wife on the back. If anyone is thinking of getting a 750, try one, you will be amazed!

I love my p-4 and cannot believe how underrated they are, one of the best road bikes I have ever ridden including all the new stuff, the looks still have people pointing and I feel like akira yanagawa against the big guns but then again maybe not!

Bought a P7 dirt cheap, a set of stainless down pipes sorted it pretty much.Roll on winter, wheels off and powder coated will complete..

Only bought mine in july 09 after a year away from 2 wheels.My previous bike was a yzfr6 and compared to that the mid range of the kawa is trmendous.Equipment wise the zx is very sparce but it's got every thing you need plus the sound of the howl at 7-8000 rpm is superb. If your in the market for a cheap rapid and gorgeous motorcycle you will struggle to find better Buy one you will love it

I bought my 7R P3 in 2002 just before moving to France. I've thought about selling it many times but each spring when I drag it out of the garage I just cannot bear to part with it. It's only got 16k on the clock and still takes off like a good'n. The handling is average but safe and even my 58 year old pillion loves the speed. There will come a time when the wrists and the spine will say enough is enough but until then my simple, sexy, speedy, 7R will remain. Anyone got a nice comfortable Brevia 1100 to swap?

I had a 1999 ZX7R P4 from 2003-2004 and I still remember it fondly. Lovely tractable engine with a really gutsy midrange. Sounded fantastic even on the standard can too, but sometimes it felt like it just needed a little bit more top end. Mine was completely standard - original jets, original exhaust, not messed with at all. I'm sure if it had been a major issue (it wasn't), I could have sorted it. These have been raced for so long you can do almost anything to them. I remember the handling making me feel inadequate - you'd pitch it as hard as you dared into a corner, it would lazily roll on its side and just sit there and go round the corner as undramatically as you like, as if to say "is that all you've got?". Never once did it twitch, ground out, or do anything other than follow the line millimetre perfect as asked. So much feel as well which made you confident to push hard. Awful riding position. I know, it's a superbike not a tourer, but blimey. Proper chiropractor stuff if you tried to ride it all day. Could never work out how such a physically big bike could feel so cramped. While I'm moaning, the cold weather carb icing was a royal pain in the backside as well. There's a filter on the coolant branch that goes off to the carbs which needs cleaning out regularly, but this made no difference on mine. It was truly rubbish in Winter. But the best bit was the looks. How many vehicles of any description still make you go gooey when you look at a photo of them 5 years after you've sold them on? It was stunning to look at (in green of course), and I'd often just spend time in the garage looking at it after a run, listening to it ping and tick itself cool, and admiring the lines. It is a bike you bond with on that level. You forget the bad bits, and just enjoy it for the sheer soul of the thing, and the way it's such a lovely thing to own as well as to ride. If I could have two bikes, including one that worked properly in cold weather and wouldn't kill my back riding it every day (getting old), I'd buy another one tomorrow.

My first bike, what can I say...! Still have it (11 yrs old) just can't let go! Maybe wasn't the fastest or the lighter at the time but it grabs you by its the soul. Beautiful bike and one to keep and share stories with your mates and in my case children. I hope one day Kawa come back with another heart breaking 750cc

Bought the bike on impulse , the bikes 90s look tells it apart from Japans latest offerings. Getting it out on a A road is a must.

my ninja 7 is truely awesome. there is so little wrong with it its unbelievable. the thing handles excellently, will hug any corner at high speeds that i can throw at it. the spped and accel are matched by only the biggest and newest of bikes. i take my wife out on it regularly, and she loves it, alot more comfy than the sv i had. the only problem i have is that it hate cold starts. but a frsh set of plugs and a carb clean. on the whole, the best thing ever, and looks the beez.

The ZX7R was always my dream bike when I was younger. From every angle the styling of the 7R just screams ride me/ touch me/ look at me, in short, it was the object of my my motorcyling desires. In 2006 after blowing up two supermoto's, I decided it was time to go back to a more reliable and rev hungry in-line four. With a my modest budget and need to get the most bang-for-buck, the 7R was naturally my first choice. I came across a Pearl Black/Purple 98 model with 8000kms on it and an owner, who, admitedly had bought it new because his mates had bought one and only riden it to the cafe up the street on the occaisional Sunday morning. It came with the original Dunlop 207's on it (very squared off) and the only modification being a bolt-on yoshimura pre-RS3 end can. I put in into the local Kawasaki dealer to have it serviced, who incidently had sold the bike originally, and fitted some fresh tyres (Michelin Pilot Power 120fr/180rear), a K&N hi-flow race filter, stage 2 Dynojet needle kit, some crash knobs, smaller indicators, a tinted double bubble race screen fitted, and the ride height adjusted (rear end 5mm from Top bolt -Front droped 10mm through triple clamps) and all the cables and bearing lubed and checked ready for me to ride. The first time it fired up post service, it was spine tingling. All my boyhood fantasy's were about to be either realised or dashed. Thankfully, and impressively, it was everything I'd ever thought it would be. It's stocky, it's intimidating, it's svelte, but it's also so user friendly and forgiving. It's a very basic bike with not many Bells and whistle. No Fuel gauge, minimal suspension adjustment available, no electronic fuel injection or flashy LED's. But this is exactly what makes this bike such a modern classic. It is, and has been, built to be riden. And riden hard. The harder you push the 7R, the more it will give you. The front end stability and feed back has been a benchmark for more than 10 years that followed the release in 96 and still is referred to today by motorcycle media. It is this stability and feedback that allows me to push very hard into and through corners as I compensate for the deficit in outright horsepower when chasing or passing much newer bikes up through the hills or on the track. Thats not to say that you can't screw the throttle on early either, as the 110hp output (mines up too 119 atrw) isn't goin to throw you off. It brings in the power in such a smooth and predictible way, it gives you the power of control in your right hand to know exactly what the bike is doing all the time. I've had the opportunity to ride many modern bikes, the latest and greatest, the prestigous, but everytime I throw the leg back over the 7R I can't help but get a huge grin across my face. It is old, it's not the fastest, but it is rewarding and in my eyes an absolute modern classic.

i own one and love it and never going to sell it

Absolutely great handling machine, ideal for the road. It'll keep up with newer 600cc bikes if you keep the revs up. The downpipes don't like salty roads, so a stainless replacement is advised. It is quite a focused driving position so long journeys tend to result in sore wrists and a sore back. Spares are easily sourced on the internet. Quite simple, for the money, it's a bargain!

saw one of these first in 98, dreamt of having one in green white purple, still my fave scheme. in 2000 bought an ill handling import zxr400 which tank slapped me into a ditch, and didnt bother again.. till 4 months ago. decided to look 4 a decent grn/white/purple zx7 one morning, 2nd dealer i called had just got one in, right price, nice condition. bought it an hr later. love it, still gets more looks than r6s etc. so what if its heavy, i dont notice the weight, so what if "only" 110 bhp at rear wheel, who can use that regularly on the rd? stunning!

I love this bike. It has a classic style few sports bikes can match. The handling is awsome, you just want to lean it around corners and pull back the throttle. Comfort is far better than I was expecting (suits my 6ft/longish back?. Also suits the bendy roads and makes me more inclined to commute on my bike. Its a basic bit of kit (no fuel level indicator)but that is part of the appeal for me. This is going to be a long term bike for me as I cannot imagine anything as rewarding to ride and look at, or at anything like the same cheap price - get one!

I thought it was about time i stepped up from the 600's to a 750, and having always thought the ZX7R the best looking Sportsbike of all time, it was the only choice. Being a nat's over 6ft tall i find the bike fit's like a glove, i can ride it all day without any problems. I've jacked up the rear end to speed up the stearing, and with the addition of pilot power 2CT's the handling is just awsome (A great scratching machine). The engine is great, and with a 45 tooth rear sprocket (instead of the standard 43) the acceleration is fantastic (keeps up with my mates RSVR). some people say it's a bit basic, but i think that just add's to it's charm, and in a line up at the races it still draws alot of attention. Is this the best bike on the planet?

heavy fast road bike that looks as hard as nails, only sold it cos it was so sodding uncomfortable and was only good at going TOO fast on the road...

Have had mine since new in 1999, has done everything I've asked of it and then some, exhaust rotted whithin a couple of years but that gave me an excuse to fit a full Akrapovic system, have ridden it through all weathers and it does everything well, keep the brakes serviced though the six pots can easily seize if not and change the discs the originals DO warp. If Kawasaki ever decided to make a NEW ZX7R i'd be first in line and me P4 would be retired and kept in the living room and pampered!

i LOVE this bike it's better than i'll ever be.whenever i've felt i may of over cooked a bend a push on the inside bar and your through the over side, open the throttle up past 7000rpm and just for you the greatest sound in biking a zx7 HOWL.i commute 70ml round trip, rain or shine and play at the weekends and not had ANY trouble.i ride with friends with more modern bikes but it still grabs attention ,the nose dosen't gently part the air before you like a later razor sharp sportsbike ,it screams at it to get out of the *&%^^$" way!

Change the rubber then this bike comes alive, it might not be the fastest around but it turns heads, and ive yet to hear another biker slag it off. Up past 7K revs the howl of the engine drags a smile from ear to ear, get some rearsets and a new can and this bike is amongst the best. Strengths: Engine, brakes, handling are all excellent. Weaknesses: Icing carbs.

I bought this bike strictly for track days. So far I've upgraded the brakes with braided hoses and scintered pads and shocks wise ohlins internals front/reshimmed, revalved and new spring on the rear. The original fitment for both were absolutely crap for track use. The engine is ok, but it'll be a pony upgrade for the engine next; but to try and make up for this I've dropped a sprocket off the front. Strengths: Stonking front end, excellent stability through corners, looks awesome. Weaknesses: Brakes, rear shock and could do with a bit more umph. But a 9B engine will cure that.

I'd not ridden a bike in 10 years then suddenly got the bug again. 4 months ago I got my test and brought a ZX7R, the bike is so user friendly, fast, looks the dogs bollocks! I have done 2 track days so far and left R1's, Blades and Duke's behind. I will never sell my ZX7R!!!! Strengths: Exellent for first big bike. Great front brakes. Looks the nuts. Sounds the Bollocks! Weaknesses: None!

This is my first 750 after owning a GN125, RF600 and an XT600. Im only 21 but this bike is bloody great! max out the revs in first gear and the popping noise from the intakes is phenomenal. Mines got a sixteen tooth front sprocket and as such has geat acceleration but a limited top end, when I say limited it only does 150 instead of 170 but I think thats quick enough! the extra oomph lower down is a good trade off, I can stick it in top and perform overtakes from as low as 30mph without having to drop a gear plus now it wheelies in second with my mate on the back! Looks fantastic and a whole bunch of mods are lined up for her. Overall a cracking bike. Strengths: Usable grunt from low down, fantastic confidence inspiring handling, awesome looks and good brakes. Tank range aint too bad either. Weaknesses: If I was pushed I would say no fuel gauge and a bit high for a shorty! Just nit-picking though.

Fantastic bike. Shows a clean pair of heels to faster bikes around the twisties. Gives the rider so much confidence, I regularly scrape the footrests round my favourite bend. Twist & watch the needle shoot past 7000 revs and hear it howl like a wolf on viagra - very addictive, trouble is you just have to redline it through all the gears just to hear it. It also looks the dogs danglies. Needs a lot of servicing to keep the engine running clean. Hates damp winter mornings - carbs spitting until warmed up. Could do with a bit more power when you're feeling tired as need to work the engine hard to get the best out of it. Use it to commute (good underseat storage for me all-in-one waterproof suit & sarnies). But it was made for wild rides on sunny sundays - You just can't stop grinning .................! Strengths: Handling, Exhaust wail, Cool looks despite age, smiles per mile. Weaknesses: Frustrating below 50 mph, Needs regular TLC to keep motor crisp.

I got a new P6 in 2002 then some scrotes stole it but not before a trip to the IOM, Ireland and plenty of weekend riding. I now have a pre-owned P7 after test riding the latest 600 crop. A 600 will do all the ZX-7R can do and probably more but my bike does it with less fuss, more confidence and a howl that makes me grin. It's like being re-united with an old friend. Strengths: Looks, stability, performance. Weaknesses: A lot of press stuff about it being overweight and not as good as a Fireblade.

Looks fantastic, sounds fantastic, quick enough to get you into 3 figures and a ban in the time it takes to read this paragraph, handles amazingly, it's cheap, and it's reliable. What more do you want from a sportsbike? Bikes like the ZX-7R prove that the fashion victims who change their bikes annually for the latest and greatest are wasting their money. Sure, it's no longer the quickest thing out there and its heavy, but get this and an R1 on a real world piece of road, and it will be the rider that determines the outcome much more than the bikes. Strengths: That spine chilling Kawasaki howl over 7k, confidence inspiring and flickable handling, reliability, brakes, still looks fantastic. Weaknesses: Heavy and cripplingly uncomfortable at town speeds, crap range (100 miles to reserve), carb icing is horrible in cold or damp weather.

Great bike! So good ive just bought 2. Might not keep up with the lightweights in a straight line but anyone can ride fast in a straight line, give it a few twisties and it shows a clean pair of heels to the R1s, just put a front sprocket on with 1 tooth missing and power out of the bend faster than the exocet missile (damn the frogs). Buy one now before they are snapped up! Strengths: Great looks what ever the colour. I like the silver myself. Weaknesses: Too addictive.

Its one of the most stable sports bike's on the market, abeit a little on the heavy side, motor is pretty strong and reliable with no sudden surprises, the brake's +side of ok, comfort is ok if you are not on the +side of 5-9' One tooth down on the front sprocket let's the 7 have its head and can embarress R1's. Strengths: Handling, motor. Weaknesses: Weight, comfort

What a bike !! After owning numerous sports 600's and heavy touring bikes and a couple of run arounds, I gotta go I LOVE TE ZX&. Super stable , rouring engine and looks to make a vicar blush. Comfort isnt the best but its fine for anything less than 150 miles. Steering could be sharper but it would lose its stability and "on rails" feel. A++++++++++.

Love it. The 7 has great attitude and looks, handles superbly in all conditions, surprises Blades and R1s on track days, plus I commute 30 miles each day every day and it never misses a beat. Finish is OK if you look after it. Weight only an issue in the car park.

This is the 2nd ZX7R that I have owned. I traded the previous one in for a T595 (nice but crap to ride) and have since had a GSXR750 and a Blade. However, I just didn't get the same satisfaction, comfort and confidence with the other bikes as with the ZX7R. Great bike, really planted and excellent for self confidence (mine anyway!). Stunning looks, as far as 'average' bikes go it is most certainly one of the better looking.

Well I love it apart from the aching wrists after about 3hrs riding but I'm fighting that . It handles like a dream I had a zx6r before this and I find the 7 easier to ride, I feel alot more stable and confident on it. What else can I say if your thinking about getting one GO FOR IT you wont be disappointed.

Love the bike. Previously owned ZXR750L. Kawasaki still manage to build bikes with a bit of character. Further planned mods include full race exhaust an dyno set-up, better tyres (D207RR or Rennsports), Ohlins Shock, and Ohlins Fork Springs. Plan to surprise a few GSXRs and R1s on track days this year.

Love it. Bit uncomfortable. Finish only fair. Wheel paint thin. Quick rust pipe. Very stable chassis, weight not an issue.

Am still breakin it in but so far have been thrilled with it.

The handling and road presence are fantastic although the weight lets it down a bit. The brakes have a tendancy to fade quite quick if you push them hard for more than a couple of miles even with steel hoses fitted. Overall the bike looks and sounds like the dogs danglies which makes up for all the little gripes. Faaaantastic!!!!!!!! (now where did I put my keys).

It's ace. Suits my build perfectly. 6 Ft but long in the back. Really comfy and lots of fun.

Handling is excellent, brakes are superb, Tyres are OE and rubbish, constant torque through range so no powerband, bit uncomfy on long journeys, very solid, build quality could have been better lots of exposed cables / wires. Carb icing on occasional cold damp mornings. But all in all very pleased for price.

I love this bike and how it looks. The Ninja on the side demands attention and people say it's heavy.... good I like it like that. It is stable and with a pillion you don't feel like you might lose them. With the change in sprocket not many bikes can take it in a straight line and in corners this bike inspires confidence. The only thing I dislike is the carbs can give trouble in very cold weather.

Its the dogs.

Likes-Handling, engine looks. The fact that every time I get on it it makes me go mental. Dislikes-the downpipes are shit and so are the electrics. Also it suffers from carb icing in the winter. The rear shock is poor as well and needs replacing after 10000 miles. All in all a great bike. This is my 2nd 7r the first one I had for 2 years and put 56000 miles on it with very few problems.

After hearing rumours that the O.E. tyres were utter crap I was surprised how grippy they were!! Knee down antics after the first 500miles without a problem. Bit unsure of them for the first 5 miles of any journey but I think that is better than them giving u a false sense of security. Love the black colour scheme, aggressive looks and the horny sound the ram-air intake makes. No real power step but bags of go in any gear at any revs which is wot I wanted in a bike. Handles like its on rails and the brakes are superb! Ive only had it for 6 weeks but I know wot I like!!

Original tyres Dunlop 204's suck badly and standard ride height made it slow to turn. With suspension set up good, extra 10ml rear rideheight and the BT 010's it handles like a dream. Also the bike is totally confidence inspiring, shaking off any surprises the road may throw at you and never getting out of shape.

This was an amazing vehicle. Turbine like power no surge, no lag just power on tap. Unfortunatley in the USA Ninja's and Harley's are the two most stolen model of bike. I hate to put my ride in the same class as the yanks beloved hog but my bike is also now a statistic of american crime. This is great bike if your a big guy. I am 6'6" and 18 stone and it fit me perfect. I would advise anybody thinking of buying a Ninja to give the 750 a try. I have to wait a few more weeks for the insurance to pay up on mine and I will be getting another Ninja.

When I first rode the bike I liked everything except it's reluctance to turn. An increase of 6mm rear ride height and a change of tyres (the original 204 was square!) has completely transformed the bike. The long reach to the bars suits me because I'm built like an Ape.....but shorties may struggle a bit. This is the perfect sports bike for me.

Great road bike, sadly let down by its weight. Although this is not noticble during fast corners, roundabouts become hard work. Shame Kawasaki never made any amendments in 5 years - it needs them now. Lets hope they bring out a lightweight 600 version..... here's hoping..

As I live in Belgium, I have adopted our way of counting and measuring to the British system. I must say that I like the 7R very much. I own it now for almost 5 years and I've never had a problem with it. I ride it all year (most in summer of course). If I should have to buy another bike right now, I probably buy the same with the same colours (lime green with purple). I've ridden some other bikes as I wanted something else, ZX9R, R1, 996, ... but none of them gave me the same pleasure. Most of all the riding position is more extreme then most bikes (I like that very much, such an agressive riding position). Further more you've got the excellent front, the bulky engine which never fails you. Perhaps a little too much weight, especially to do some nice wheelies in 2nd gear, without hurting the engine to much. But the whole package makes up for that. At circuit days (or at traffic light departures) you doesn't have to be ashamed to turn up with the ZX7R, even if it's already 5 yers old. So now I'm kinda waiting for Kawasaki to come up with a new (but not totaly new) 7R. There 9 lacks a proper UPSD fork and clip-ons that are really clip-ons to be interesting to me. And an other brand is out of the question. So I think I'll hold on to mine for some time.

I have had a micron race system fitted which give you the power but the noise can be a handicap when the police are around, carb icing is bad as I ride all year around though more on my other bike for commuting and the TRX never complains, where as the 7 has conked out on me in France and early morning here, but when it is good it is excellent as 600 miles in 10 hours straight can testify

It is the only bike I would buy in the current market, I would have got a 600 but they all look the same and they are everywhere. The 7R, although unchanged for years, still looks the b*****ks, goes and handles extremly well. I am ecstatic with it and ride it daily, who the hell said it is uncomfy, I am 6 ft 4 and have no problem at all. O.K it might not be as comfy over very long distances, but if you want to do long distance you get a tourer, not a sports bike.