1997 Kawasaki reviews

I have owned my ZZR 1100 for just on a year now and have been 100% happy with it. Never mind what the specs say, it still eats my mates Blackbird for breakfast!. The bike has now got 35000km on and I'm looking at a replacement. The only problem is that there is not much that compares to the ZZR for sheer grunt and useable power. My current thoughts are to simply upgrade to a later model with less k's on the clock.As they say "if it aint broke, dont fix it!" Show less

I brought a new '97 ZX11 in March of '98 trading up from a 600 Ninja. If you want to talk about a day and night motorcycling experience...this was it. My 11, which currently has 22,000 miles on the clock, has fulfilled all of my motorcycling needs. I have routinely gone on 300-400 miles trips, 2-up with luggage and cruise effortlessly in comfort at 120 mph! On the other end, the short commutes (stoplight to stoplight) the 11, piped and jetted, has run wheel to wheel with whatever has offered a challenge! Granted, 10 years out the package is starting to show its age, but it still gets my vote for the best all around motorcycle ever!! Show less

I have 9000 miles on my bike and it still looks great, I keep getting asked if it's new. And is it an H.D. The black and pearl green finish is excellent and nice to look at. It is all stock as delivered from the factory with the exception of Max & Vance bags. I like the ride and handling, and the looks, I don't like the location of the oil sight gage, and no center stand, also in the last 500 mile it has started to leak oil around the cam bore hole plugs on both cylinders. Show less

It's a good starter bike. It has great high-end torque and gets up quick too. It's not the most comfortable on long rides but is great for two to three hour trips. Show less

Ok, so I traded down from my 97 ZX11 to a 97 ZX9. WOW!! I wanted something sportier (see my ZX11 review), and man did I get it. My 9 for all practical purposes is "just as fast" as my 11 was. The only time I regret the switch is when my wife rides with me, but she's mostly on her 6. I notice the missing 151cc's then, but then only. It corners incredibly better (its purpose, of course) on Las Flores and Latigo in Malibu, and Polomar...Wow! It is so much lighter, and no less leg room, the handlebars feel just like the 11, but so much more comfy to lie on the tank at 130. (Faster, too, but not 4 me) Never thought I'd buy a "cafe racer"...it's a keeper. Dan, 41 Show less

I bought my 97 ZX11 in June 99 for my wife and I to ride on together, only had 7000 mi. I had a Yamaha Seca 650 turbo prior, and I couldn't believe the horse power with two people on the 11!! It rides as smooth as a Lincoln, as fast as a Navy jet, and corners right along with all my buddies' Gixxers, CBR's and smaller Ninjas. Then in October she got a ZX6, and I went solo. Now, 10,000 miles later, since I don't quite need all those horsies, I am reluctantly trading it in on a sportier looking ZX9, and I am hoping it can stand up to the reputation my 11 has earned with me. If I could afford to keep both I would, and if I ever have the $$, I would buy another 11 in a heartbeat!! Kudos to Kawi for the ZX11 !!!! Show less

The only problem on the bike has been the lack of a sealing lining in the gas tank. It has rusted some. Other than that, all systems are still functioning great. Shocks, bearings, instruments and that engine can't be beaten by anything. Trans still shifts as smoothly and crisply as new. I have used it for touring and have 30K+ miles so far. Show less