2000-2001 Kawasaki ZX9RE-1

There is something about Kawasakis. I can’t put my finger on it, maybe it

all stems from the Z900 days of the late 70`s . Kawasaki have always turned

out bloody good engines, real screamers, that’s what drew me to the ZZR 1100

I had before my current 9R. The trouble with the ZZR was that it did not

handle well at all, countersteering was the only way to guide the beast.

That’s why the ZX9 was my next choice. I needed a bike with proportions for

everyday riding, a fairing that provides defence against all but the worst

that nature chucks at us. It took a while for my body to become accustomed to

the “new” riding position, compared to the ZZR it felt small. Once the

machine was run-in and didn’t have to worry about being passed by old

grannies in Rover Metros, the machine came into its own. Handling, then,

felt great. I do miss the massive torque of the ZZR`s motor, the 9 is a bit

gutless low down , loading the generous fuel tank with Shell Optimax has

certainly made a welcome difference to the power delivery.

I`ve had my E-1 for 2 years now, not trouble free, that’s for sure. Last

years thrash around France, with a bunch of mates, took its toll on the weak

rear shock. It was a danger to ride, luckily the trip was almost at an end.

Kawasaki replaced it, now with 8k more on the “new ” shock it is becoming a

little soggy.

The bike has had some real pounding on those French and Spanish mountain

roads, not once did it let me down, no scary moments even when the pegs go

down, just keep winding on the gas and it digs in and blasts out the apex

leaving megga darkies.

The most dangerous part of the bike was the original Dunlop 207 tyres, I

Couldn’t wait to get some Bridgestones on it, the 010`s are a revelation,they

transform this bikes handling.

Most of us don’t buy bike sports bikes with economy in mind, but the range

varies from 130-180 miles to reserve, I did get it down to 100 while

thrashing about the Pyrennes this year, 2 mates with TL suzuki`s were dry at

90,

I love my ZX9, its not as agile as an R1 or GSXR, but it a bike for any road, not built solely for a track. Next bike? well, I fancy a new ZX12, I need a

little more low down torque.

Happy days.