I went shopping for a k1/2 gixer thou in 2005 but came back with a low mileage zx9 e model and I've never looked back. I'm 6'2 and weigh around 17 stones and the size of the fairing helps immensly, theres loads of power (even for a lard ass like me) and, after a medium to long haul, I just grin at mates who get of their new litre machines looking like john wayne with sore wrists and backs. comfort is a major advantage with the zx9
I've made some minor mods to the bike in the 3 and a half years - set the suspension height to max, this gives sharper turning at the expense of straight line stability. fitted an undertray to get rid of the hideous mudguard, fitted a single seat cowl to tidy it up when I'mout on my own and fitted some harris rear sets to try and make it more uncomfortable - it didn't work but surprisingly improved the handling.
So far as power and speed, it'll power wheelie in first, second and third and in the right place I've seen 195 on the clock (didn't actually bellieve the speedo but it did feel good). It will keep up with my mates 07 hrc blade to 130 which is all you can ask.
Parts are cheap and easy to come by as some are available from the earlier zx6 and zx9 as well as some of the newer ones.
handling is good enough to have completely knackered 1 set of trousers and partly knackered another, no counting how many knee sliders have been binned and I've never done a track day on it. Jack up the back end and throw some BT016's on and theres nothing much out there that'll leave you.
All in all it's been a terrific bike and admittedly I have on occasions been tempted to change but 1 more trip out puts the massive grin back on my face. If you're not bothered about being one of the drowd and want a fast bike to keep up with the boys, you won't go far wrong with a zx9!
Posted: 04/02/2009 at 03:04
