My 2003 ZX636R, Pros and Cons

4167 Views 50 Replies 26 Participants Last post by Brucelee, Apr 26, 2003

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2003

I got the bike in Silver. Very sweet. I payed $8,300 USD out the door. I could've gotten it for $8,000 out the door if I could wait 2 weeks. But odvously I couldn't! I had a 96 ZX6R and there are some pretty big differances. When I first got on the bike I thought it felt a little flimsy but after riding it for a few days the bike really prooved me wrong. Now I feel it is a very sturdy bike. The biggest cons about the bike is #1 my wrists hurt so much after riding it for anything over an hour. #2 The seating position is almost like a slide. You really need to squeeze tight with your knees just so you dont crush your balls. (I guess over in Japan they have little nuts and its not so much a problem) also my legs get pretty sore because the 2003 riding position is like the fetal position! I'm 6'4" 200lbs so I feel like this bike isn't really ment for me. #3 there is no adjustment for the clutch handle, so my hand getts sore from always squeezing it, especially in trafic, and #4 for weeks my hands were black anytime I would ride because the hand grips rub off on my hands. Now for the Pros! Very smooth and powerful engine. Power always when I wanted it. the storage compartment is actualy a little bigger. The brakes are much better. Nice rear end, very sleek look, and the digital gauges is about freeken time. So far I took off all the stickers, took off all the signals and replaced them with flush mounts. The first thing you should do is go to pepboys and buy a replacement horn called the freewayblaster its 132 db. and runs $15.99. Thats 27 dbs. higher than the stock horn and it sounds much more manly. That horn fits the same bracket as the oem horn. Well all and all it is a super bike and I cant wait to get past this crappy break-in period!
Ride Hard,
Tom

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21 - 40 of 51 Posts

02kwaker

· #21 · Feb 14, 2003

tommyboy - how is my attitutde a bad attitude? its called realistic. do the classes teach you what to do if you end up breaking hard in some oil you didn't know was there (happened to me, poor bike

) or how about the someone hitting you at a stoplight? SHIT HAPPENS, there are variables in the world we cannot control. if your willing to risk your life for the wind in your face, congrats but the rest of us aren't weak for wanting to protect our mellons.

btw, that whole thing about most riders in miami don't wear helmets is bull. i've ridden in miami (actually 4 months ago) and 95% of all sportriders had a lid on. unless your talking about those tough cruiser guys [|)]

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · #22 · Feb 14, 2003

Actually in the classes I took they DO train you for the unexpected. They threw mufflers at our bike when we were riding, we had to go over crap in the road, through water, ect. So go take a course or two. I did and I cant say enough about them.

With great freedom, comes great responsibility.

HooliganTSi

· #23 · Feb 14, 2003

Alright first, localbar you from CT? If so where at? I'm right outside Hartford.

Yeah in CT I don't think we have mandated helmet law, unless you have only your permit and not your license. I rode up the block once in a wife beater and a bathing suit and sneakers (to goto a local pool club), and man it's fun, especially on a hot summer day, but feels really unstable and unsafe as well. I felt like I was naked! Going anywhere over 20 mph just didn't feel right, and not until I got my gear back on did my false sense of security return that I could once again go speeds up to 100 [8D]. Gear not only helps to decrease chance of injury, but inspires confidence like they said--one less thing to worry about, and you can focus on controlling the bike and observing the road. I also wouldn't mind low siding as much in full gear and helmet as I would, say wearing nothing but shorts and sneakers!

Ken: I DEFINITELY AGREE MAN about the '03. First time I saw picture I thought it was ruined. Bike's can't really be captured in pictures though. So good in person. When I first saw the "new" (like 98-99) R6's in pictures I used to think the same thing, until I saw in person and since they had been one of my favorite styled bikes up until the '03 Ninja redesign. Photo's don't really do justice to bikes, you just gotta see them for yourself!

Phil
1998 Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja
Let the good times roll!

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03zx6rchick

· #24 · Feb 14, 2003

Actually you CAN adjust the clutch lever. I have the same bike (color and all) it is different in that it is a vertical dial now instead of the horizontal (1-5 setting) I am 5'4 130 lbs and I have no problem with the clutch after adjusting it. You basically did the same mods as me but I really like the zx6r stickers they have at the bottom of the bike. They have gold flakes in it and looks real good in the sun. But of course to each their own. Congrats on the bike!!

Don't stare too long....I don't have bumpers.

Andy_7676

· #25 · Feb 14, 2003

"I'd rather be a pussy than a vegetable"

be=eat

for me anyway

My Drinking Team Has a Racing Problem!

Speedvlaze

· #26 · Feb 14, 2003

eltorito

· #27 · Feb 14, 2003

[

][

][

][:I]

Let Saddam come and play!

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · #28 · Feb 14, 2003

ZX6RCHICK wow i never knew about that adjustment. I guess we can tell who read their owners manual and who didn't!

I emailed you a while back about how you liked the bike but i never heard back from you. But ofcourse I decsided to get it anyway! what other mods are you planning on??
by the way I also put a new LOUD horn in and xenon H.I.D. headlights
Theres not many modifacations we can really do yet because nothing is out yet for this year bike. But I did see a silver tinted windshield but not for our year. But the windshield will look great in the silver tint when it comes out. Its almost like a silver chrome tint. Also I was thinking about a muzzy pipe, or alcapolco pipe I hear our year bike gets a WHOPPING 10 extra horsepower from the FULL alcapolco pipe.

With great freedom, comes great responsibility.

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dj dunzie

· #29 · Feb 15, 2003

Alcopolco? There's a new one... never heard of 'em... where they made?

"Keep yer feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked."

eltorito

· #30 · Feb 15, 2003

He probably means Akrapovic!!!

Let Saddam come and play!

eltorito

· #31 · Feb 15, 2003

Or maybe Acapulco, Mexico. Maybe Tijuana Systems??!! [:0]

Let Saddam come and play!

dj dunzie

· #32 · Feb 15, 2003

Never put that one together, you might be right, Akrapovic sounds better...

The FULL Akrapovic system will gain a RR owner about 14.9hp max difference at 13,900 rpm, and peak goes from 98.5 to 110hp. I DOUBT the 636 will enjoy QUITE the same gains. The SLIP ON system gains about 7.6hp max difference and 3.6hp peak. Again not sure what happens on the 636 since they haven't posted dynos yet...

These numbers according to Akrapovic of course.

"Keep yer feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked."

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · #33 · Feb 15, 2003

I finally have 1000 miles on my 03 636. I've been riding it everyday (and night!) Being 80-85 degrees out does help! Well, I really am going to test the bike out tomorrow and I will report what I find. I guess now I need to go have my valves checked. Kinda sucks cause I know its going to be over $200 I wonder how those inverted forkes hold up to wheeles? Guess I'll find out!

With great freedom, comes great responsibility.

Scott in FL

· #34 · Feb 18, 2003

Ssssqqqquuuuuiiiidddddd!!!!

eltorito

· #35 · Feb 18, 2003

Bad enough the cruiser types got names for us

, now we got names for each other.[}

]

Let Saddam come and play!

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · #36 · Feb 19, 2003

I have been ever so gentel with my 03 636 but every once in awhile I hear a little valve tapping at idal. I have about 1050 miles on it. So I guess it just needs its (after-break-in) valve adjustment. Also one other thing I noticed is that if your cruising in traffic around 5 MPH and your in 1st gear and apply just a touch of throttle and open the cluth a smidge the gears knock. I'll hear thump, thump, thump, thump. But If I give it more gas the thumps stop. Is this normall?

With great freedom, comes great responsibility.

Speedvlaze

· #37 · Feb 19, 2003

Yes, it is normal

wantone

· #38 · Feb 19, 2003

What you are hearing "thump, thump, thump" at low speds is your fuel injection it is quite normal.

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · #39 · Feb 19, 2003

wantone....you sure thats my fuel injection I never knew F.I. made any knocking noises. It feels more like the gears grabbing. But you could be right if the bikes not getting enough gas when its doing that.

With great freedom, comes great responsibility.

tommyboynjataol

Discussion Starter · #40 · Feb 19, 2003

Also how about the slight tap tap tap of the valve at idol? you think it just need to get its adjustments. I think kawasaki recomends the 03 636 for it's first valve check at 4,000 miles? But I could be wrong. I know your usually supposed to get the valves checked at 500-1000 miles. Also I have not givin it an oil change yet but I should've at 600 miles I think. Im at 1050 miles on it now. So I will do it ASAP. ITs just that I've only had it for 2 weeks or so and the weather has been in the 80's and 90's So the miles just crept up on me.

With great freedom, comes great responsibility.

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