1998 Kawasaki reviews

I got my 1998 ZX-9R in November of 1998. I'm glad I had been riding for five years and took an Advanced MSF class before I got on this bike. The acceleration is ripping, awesome handling and great brakes. I put on a thousand miles before. It really got cold and started to snow! The next year, '99, I rode the bike extensively putting on 12,500 miles before I had to put it away for last winter. That summer saw 100 or so runs down the dragstrip, best 10.66 @ 133MPH. I snuck in one long ride to Arizona in November. The additions I put on the bike are a wire hookup for an electric vest, tank bag, tank bra, tail cowling, and a GEL pad for my butt! This year I have put on a few less miles, but the year isn't over! I have 19,900 miles and I'm on my third back tire. The first, a Dunlop 204 lasted 7000 miles with a bunch of burnouts at the dragstrip. The second tire, a Dunlop 207 lasted 9000 miles and I'm on another 207. The only think that broke, is the small return spring on the clutch that takes the slack out of the cable. I have seen several of these broken on the same model. I have used Maxima chain wax and love it, I have adjusted my chain several times and there is still life in it with almost 20,000 hard miles. I have seen gas mileage range from 36 to 46 Miles per gallon. However it should be noted that most speedos are faster than actual, and as a result gas mileage is more than actual. The power is great; when the motor hits about 8000 rpm WOT the front-end will point skywards in a hurry. I like to PUTT around at about 3500 rpm, as the motor growls. Open up the throttle and at 4000 rpm the power starts to rip. The gearbox is like butter, a flick of the gas and a tap on the shifter makes for great fast shifting. A few times using the clutch I have missed shifts, so I just shift with out it and have better luck. The wind brakes just under my helmet, which gets loud, so I wear earplugs. The airflow hits my arms and not much on my chest, which is a good compromise in my book, I like air. I'm 5'11" and 175 pounds. The bike fits me well as long as I stay forward against the tank. Sliding back on the seat puts more weight on my wrists, so I only do that too move around a bit on long trips. With my butt back on the seat the tank contours no longer line up with my legs letting my knees hit the topside of the tank. I'm thinking about getting taller clip-ons, I could go for about and inch up and an inch back. I have a web site if you are interested, check it out http://members.aol.com/NINE9TIME/9TIME.html Show less

As typical for most current machines, very little servicing has been needed. A change of seats to a narrower Cobra seat, and Jardine pieshas helped in looks as well as performance. If you are a taller person (6 feet or over) or right about 200 lbs., this can feel a bit small. All things considered, it has been a very good bike (my 14th machine in 12 years). Show less

Love the bike, and the looks, minor mods to bike intake and exhaust and she's a rocket... Lots of compliments on the bike...rides nice and have had no problems since it was bought 5/98...only thing though is I'm looking to change rear sprocket on the rear wheel to make her ride more relax at highway speeds...Good luck to all that have one... Show less

The EX250 (Ninja 250R) by Kawasaki is a great bike for beginners and students. It is low cost, low-maintenance, and high in value. It's acceleration is good, for a 250. The EX250 costs only $3,000! I have recorded the mileage at between 65-75 mpg. The only maintenance in the past 2 years/10,000m has been oil changes and a new rear tire. The engine has about 25 rear-wheel horsepower and a top speed of just over 100 mph stock. My insurance is only $80 a year for liability with no tickets. It is by far the best value for the money. The bike feels smoother than any other 250. It is the lowest-priced 250 you can buy. Plus, it is liquid cooled, has 4-valves/cyl. with DOHC,12.4 compression, six speeds, and is much faster than the Yamaha-Honda-Suzuki's 250. This bike was an easy choice for me. The down side is the close ratio six-speed transmission. At regular shifts, all gears are spent by 40 mph. From there, RPM's are necessary for more speed. 5,000rpm=40mph in top gear. With a simple $20 sprocket change up front, 4,500rpm=40mph. This minor addition greatly improves acceleration too. Wind can still be intimidating at speeds any higher than 80 mph. The wet weight is about 330 lbs. Show less

Great bike, low seat height, plenty of power for two riders. Handles extremely well on twisty back roads, yet on the super highways has enough weight to make you feel safe. Show less

I rode 500+ miles the first weekend I purchased this bike. Purely an experiment to see how I would hold up on the bike. Great Pleasure! that's how I would describe the weekend. The bike was easy to ride, very comfortable and accommodating in many ways. The factory luggage system is very useful. The front windshield kept me dry and warm. Almost too warm on hot days, but then I don't get dehydrated cause of the wind either. I would like better gas mileage. I consistently get 33mpg. I now have about 19000 miles on the bike. The only warranty work was done graciously at Portland Motorcycle. While on road trip, the service mgr Ran - got my bike in and out very fast fixing the front axle bearings. 36 month unltd mileage warranty free. Got to love it. Show less

BEST BIKE WE'VE EVER OWNED!! IT DOES HAVE 5 SPEEDS INSTEAD OF 4, AND THE VALUE IS WAY HIGHER THAN LISTED HERE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ADD EXTRAS WHICH IS EASY TO DO ON THIS BIKE..... Show less

There are three things wrong with the bike. 1st, it needs a different seat (I recommend AIR RIDER). 2nd, the bike does back fire and there is no cure for it. 3rd, and most of all, it needs a 5th gear. Otherwise it does just what it set out to be...a Crusier. Good gas mileage in the range of 50/55mpg and when you get in the trottle 35/39. I love the bike.... No valves to adjust...very little maintenance. With the seat change and foot pegs a very comformable ride. Oh, you might want to add a back rest for those long rides without a passenger. But, if you are looking for a good looking bike that's in the right price range(a lot cheaper than a Harley with less work) I would recommend the Vulcan 1500 A (88). PS. A great performing bike............ Show less

After recently spending about 25 minutes on this bike for a dealer test ride, I have to say that it more than exceded all expectations I had from what I had seen and read. The only other bikes which I've ridden that can be compared are the '84 V65 Sabre and the 98 Triumph 955i. In my opinion, it flat blows them away in every category. At least in terms of performance, comfort and handling--the only possible exception being the V65 Sabre, for comfort. The handlebars on the ZX9 do supposedly sit higher than those of any other "cafe racer" (is that term still politically correct?). It is a SCREAMER, and it is far too much power for anyone other than a very mature and experienced rider. Maybe I'm just too much of a sissy, but it's difficult for me to fathom the power in the likes of the new ZX12, or even the ZX11. I almost have my wife convinced that it would be a practical alternate mode of transportation, but will probably have to settle for an earlier model. Show less