[yagiska]

Ok, so here's the deal. I flew home (northern indiana) to arrange for financing of a 2005 zzr600 I was going to buy for around 8k out the door (with gear) back in florida where I'm stationed.

While I was getting the credit approved, the guy at the small dealership I was at made me an offer. After a bit of countering, he agreed to 7k out the door for a 2003 zx-6r (still brand new), including gear and shipping to me in florida. He actually agreed to that deal very readily, even though I told him I would be taking time to think about it. I imagine after 2 years he'd really like to sell the **** bike.

Here's some things:

- the zx-6r is fuel injected, a big plus in my mind.
- it also was not the least bit comfortable when i sat on it, not really uncomfortable, but not comfortable either like the zzr was, and this is going to be my daily vehicle that i'd like to be able to take decent trips on as well.
- the zx-6r is at a dealership that is 1200 miles away from where i live, not exactly convenient if i need something from them.
- i would think a 2003 zx-6r would have more residual value when I am done paying it off in 3 years than a 05 zzr600. However, the opposite would probably be true at first, as I would get hit with an instant 2 years of depreciation the minute I bought the zx.
- i like the instrument cluster on the zzr alot better. I don't like lcd's. I know this is minor.

When it really comes down to it, value is more important to me that money. In other words, as both seem to be, at a minimum, fairly priced, which is really the nicer bike for daily road use?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated,
Kris

 

[Green Knight]

Both bikes are really nice. Personaly I'd go with the ZX-6R but thats cause I like the style better and the ergonmics of it. It seems you answered your own question though. You sound like you like the zzr better. And for 1k more if I was in your shoes I'd buy it. The fuel injection won't matter that much especially if its only going to be a daily comuter.

 

[Jeffro19]

Hey, Tough decision it sounds, but I have a 2004 Zx6rr and I LOVE IT. I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is uncomfortable at first to sit on it, but after taking it out a few times you get used to it. You just can't sit too close to the tank. Sit back a few inches and you'd be fine.
Good Luck with the decision.

 

[yagiska]

Yeah, it's a tough decision all right. On the one hand, the zzr is an 05 and comfortable. On the other, the zx is one baaaaaaad bike. Luckily I have a couple of days to think about it, but I'm really torn here.

I should add that I have choice of either black or blue with the zx. I really like the blue, and not so hot about the black, but the blue one was a "demo bike" that the owner of the shop says he was the only one that ever rode it. However, I'm not about to buy a "new" bike that's been ridden by somebody else that may not have followed the break-in schedule.

I do, however, love the color of the zzr, but even the black zx is a **** sexy bike. I wish I could take them both out for a test drive, but that's not a realistic situation.

Anybody ridden both (02 zx subbing for the zzr) that can give me their impression of the differences?

 

[Calamarichris]

Good for you, buying at this time of the year--smart smart smart! I've ridden both and I'd go with the ZZR. (Well not really the ZZR, but the '02ZX6R, which is what the ZZR really is.) My wife rode her '02 ZX6R from San Diego to Philadelphia and back this summer, and I don't think she could have done it on the '03 and later 6R's. The ZZR will have 98% of the horsepower of the new 6R, but will be about twice as comfortable.

http://www.chrisandlisachan.com/philly04.htm
45,000 miles and her '02's still singing hard.
But of course everyone's different. Go with whichever bike triggers your trip and keep any regret or ambivalence out of the equation.
We approach bikes the same way we approach women in some respects. You'll put up with a lot of [email protected] if you're really crazy about a certain girl or model. A Ducati feels tiny, uncomfortable and wonky to me but I still see linebacker-types much larger than me who are out slinging them around, putting on lots of miles and wouldn't ride anything but.

Good luck, whichever you choose. And let us know what you went with.
-CCinC
P.S. I sincerely doubt that the owner of the shop was the only one putting those miles on that demo bike. How many miles on that demo?

 

[Calamarichris]

P.P.S. I predict that the '03 6R would actually depreciate faster than the ZZR. The models in the running of the magazine shootouts (the RR bikes) are more likely to be bought and ridden by a certain type of rider, while the sport-touring models like the ZZR are typically bought by another. For the purpose of illustration, which used bike would you rather buy?:
a) a used R1 from a guy with multiple facial piercings and an arrest record, or
b) a used FZ1 from a father of 3 kids and a house in the suburbs

This sounds horribly prejudicial. The facial-pierced guy may have changed the oil on a regular basis and taken good care of the bike, and the father could conceivably have taken out his frustrations on on his bike every Sunday morning by riding extended wheelies on the freeway. But every buyer is forced to make snap calls like this that ultimate affect a bike's desireability and therefore KBB price.

Good luck.
-CCinC

 

[ZX10 Guy]

If you like the blue ZX-6R then get it. Just have the dealer either lower the price of it more or have him throw in the extended warranty for 4 years. The extended warranty from Kawi should more than cover any worries that your bike may have been ragged out. If you're a good negotiator, you'll be able to swing a deal that includes both a lowered price because of the miles/demo status and the extended warranty thrown in. He may be pressed to get rid of the 03 ZX-6R as it's already 2 years old and the totally redesigned 05s are coming out. I suspect everyone who's in the market for a Kawi 600 sportbike will be waiting for those models to come out and won't be interested in the older stuff.

 

[yagiska]

Thanks for the advice from everyone.

The demo bike, I didn't even ask how many miles are on it, I just totally disregarded it.

It doesn't matter though, I've decided I'm going with the ZZR. I can read a million articles about how awsome the 03 Ninja is and look at a million pictures of how good looking it is, but when I sat on it, it just didn't do it for me. When I sat on the ZZR I got a big cheesy grin and it just fit me, and I think it looks **** good in person, even if pictures don't do it justice. And long-distance comfort is more important to me than a slight difference in 1/4 mile or lap time.

Now I just need to negotiate a good price. I found an advertisment from Cali for 6499 with no document, freight, or destination fees. I'm going to print it out and take it with me when I go talk to the sales guy. If I can get it out the door with gear for 7500 I'll be happy.

Thanks again,
Kris

P.S.
What luggage does your wife use CCinC? I'm gonna be looking for a tank and rear seat bag that will fit the bike nicely.

 

[Calamarichris]

Ahoy Yagiska.
My wife's luggage is the Tourmaster Cortech sport and it's pretty awesome. I've been trying to wear out my older Tourmaster bags so I can get a set, and they fit just as well on all our bikes.

Beware buying a bike in Cali. The sales tax is a killer here and it's doubtful that the dealership will mention this until they get your signature.
That bike is really something. I fell in love with my wife's bike and the only reason I got the 9R instead was because the 6R was available in bright racer-red, yellow or green, and I really needed an adult-colored bike after getting so many tickets with my red Superhawk. If this bike had been available then I would certainly be riding it instead of my 9R.
Good luck!
-CCinC

 

[yagiska]

I went and put a deposit down on the bike today. It should be in this week, hopefully tomorrow. Unfortunately, I didn't get any sort of deal on it, other than the lifetime 10% off anything at the dealership including service (excluding bikes) thing that everyone who buys a bike there gets.

It kind of sucks, but in order to get a deal, I'd have to buy from out of state or buy a less popular bike. The downside of living in a part of the country without an off season is there's really no off season for sales either. At 8600 out the door with gear (helmet, jacket, gloves) I'm not getting robbed, but I'm not getting the kind of deal I'd find if I lived someplace with snow. Oh well, I really want to buy local, it's just smarter I think.

Now I'm just going nuts waiting for the bike to come in. I WANT TO BE OUT RIDDING!!!

 

[Calamarichris]

The downside of living in a part of the country without an off season is there's really no off season for sales either.
Now I'm just going nuts waiting for the bike to come in. I WANT TO BE OUT RIDDING!!!

I think anyone in the American-Siberia (North Dakota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Wyoming) would gladly pay an extra thou or more to be able to ride throughout the winter, Giska. Once the deposit is down, remove any regret or ambivalence from your heart. That 600 is a great, GREAT bike. Here you've got me all randy to go for a ride and it's raining hard here in SoCal today After raining all weekend
(I'd better shut up before someone from American-Siberia get pi55ed.)
Gratulations Giska! Many safe and happy miles to you!
-CCinC

 

[orangemug]

yagiska thats weird man, i use to live in northwest indiana and now i live in florida

 

[yagiska]

yagiska thats weird man, i use to live in northwest indiana and now i live in florida

Hah! What part? I'm from South Bend, now I'm stationed at Patrick which is about 2 seconds south of Cocoa Beach on A1A.

 

[orangemug]

i use to live west lafayette and now i live on marco island, FL ... year round riding :grin: :grin: