Bike of the Month - Musicmans ZX9R C2 - November 2010
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 4:27 pm
Been along this road many times (Quite possibly a private road), a ‘blast’ off the roundabout, then plenty of open straightish dual-carriageway with good visibility. Always a chance for the obligatory showing off to the usual long line off stationary vehicles stuck on the other side of the road. No vehicles to block my path so ‘Light the touch paper’ and go....... way up ahead is a new shape Jaguar sports in the overtaking lane, 4.2 litres of Wildcat just waiting for the plodders to vacate the lane. I know he’s seen me come up rather swiftly, as the tell-tail puff of strained engine exhaust exits from both tail-pipes as he either selects a lower gear, or uses the auto kickdown. The lane clears and with ‘forth’ already chosen, I easily keep station behind as he accelerates. Once it dawns to Mr Wildcat that the bike behind is not going away, he pulls in to the left allowing me to show him that I was not actually trying that hard anyway....
I know its all very childish, but isn’t this what fast bikes and cars do, tap into that young person in us all, re-kinderling memories off forgotten moments and posters on bedroom walls.
The model I have is the second attempt by Kawasaki with the ‘9’ in the class. The previous model (B series) although a typically fast bike in the Kawasaki tradition (125BHP), was deemed rather portly, and this compromised handling. Compared to the then lithe original ‘Blade’ it was more destined to a ‘Sports-Tourer’ role, which it fitted perfectly. The ‘C’ version launched in 1998 ( C1) was all together a more serious attempt at the ‘Sports’ title. Weighing in less fully fuelled than the ‘B’ model dry, a slimmer silhouette, improved swinging-arm and power now up to 148BHP, it held the top honours from the equivalent year ‘Blade’ which had gone the other way and gained the pounds. Not for long unfortunately, as very soon after Yamaha launched the nutcase called the R1!!!
The ‘C2’ is now classed as a sporty sports-tourer, with the emphasis slightly towards the sport. With Bridgestone BT-016’s on it handles well for what compared to todays miniature offerings, is a large bike. This works well for bigger riders, and I find no problem getting comfortable at 5’9”. New bikes from 600cc up would eat it for breakfast on a track, however on todays congested roads the more relaxed riding position is good for longer trips and the sunny Sunday blast. The pillion seat is also very comfortable compared to the seats on modern sports bikes, thanks for my wifes imput there!! This all makes the ZX9 a great road bike.
Great road bikes also need the right engine, and the ZX9 does not disappoint. With a full fat 148 bhp, 74 ftlbs of torque and a genuine top speed well north of 170 mph the ZX9 was always at the sharp end in its day. These figures are not that far off today, and endow the ‘9’ with a fair turn of speed if required. Pull is lively up to 3000 revs, very swift to 8000 revs and completely bonkers for here up to the red-line. A certain recent magazine review said – ‘ rev the ZX9 hard and not much will pull away’.
I have read ( although I ‘honestly’ don’t do them!!) that power wheelies are easy in 1st and 2nd gear. I have no doubt this is true, as when I rev out the bike in 3rd, the front wheel skips on and off the road, and the front goes light. but this is not ‘Big’ and its not ‘clever’ children and I know you all refrain from this nonsense!!!! Dont you!!!
Suspension is fully adjustable, although I have found that the stock settings are more than adequate for normal riding whether one or two up. With 15,000 now on the clock, the suspension is still fit and capable. Stopping is taken care of by 6-piston callipers at the front, and although the press have slated them for lack of feel, and a tendency to let the levers come back to the bars in stock form, I have not noticed any problems. I have heard they can warp the discs but as I have said, I have had no problems, and even from silly speeds, I have had no fade or lack of power.
I have found the finish on my bike to be very good, with he only minor headache being the usual thin paint on the wheels. ( A typical problem for this age of ZX9 ).
Paint is good elsewhere, and the plastics have not shown any signs of cracking or hardening. I do however have a judicious cleaning regime, after every ride.(Yes I would buy a bike off myself!)
The Kawasaki ZX9 is very tough in all departments, and I have not had a single thing go wrong. The magazines have reported that some, and I reiterate only ‘some’ ‘C’ models have had problems with third gear. This is something to do with the splines on the gear not fully meshing and so wearing faster. I have had no sign of this and my box is sweet. For the record though, you RF900 owners may take heart in the knowledge that your boxes are snickety snick smooth compared to the 9’s. Although the ‘9’ is not bad, you do have to ‘put’ it in gear, and it doesn’t like limp changes. My Suzuki was smooth, it was in gear before I thought about it!!!
Would I recommend the ZX9. Definately! As an alternative to the RF9 or just if you feel like a change then try one. I would say its slightly more on the sporty side compared to the RF9. In the real world there is not much to pick between them in handling and performance, however, because the ZX9 pillion sits higher up and is more exposed to the wind rush, I would pick the RF9 for long-distance 2-up riding every time The ZX has a power advantage, so may be slightly quicker at the top end of the rev range, and I would recommend you ride one flat out through the gears for the experience of the fantastic howl of the airbox.