After reading a couple posts I have noticed some people don't like Kawis here. Is there a reason I should stay away from them if I plan on getting a new motorcycle?

Sorry I don't have any quotes but I just saw some people don't like them and I just wanted some technical advice. Maybe what years to stay away from or what to look for if I do plan on getting one or not.

Just a general thread. Thanks.

 

i think people just have a bias against them, but all bias aside they do make some nice bikes. any of the top 600s will be more than enough for even most of us, but the little fine details is what everyone is making such a fuss about.


you can't go wrong w/ a kawi, people probobyl would suggest an r6 or gsxr or 600rr over them thats all. my 93 kawi has 28,000 miles on it and it runs great, take that for what its worth.

 

Honda
yamaha
kawai
suzuk

In that order

 

I am fine with my Kawasaki, I don't know what all the fuss is about.

 

That order might reflect ability to stay together when they go down, but hondas have, and continue to be noticably slower then the other bikes in every class. I think the best blend of speed, reliability, looks, and niceness is prob the yam, in the 600 class at least. Personally my 04 636 is able to tear on every other 600 i **** around with, and is right there with my friends 04 750. Plus its got 4700 miles on it and still rides like a champ.

 

That list was just my personal preference. You know I like your bike Mike. And 4700miles is still a baby

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mag00n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> And 4700miles is still a baby</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, seriously. I put 4,700 miles on my bike this winter.

I've heard that Green Machines have been lacking in the reliability department, historically.

 

See all that I "hear" is that they aren't reliable and such so that is why I asked to see if there is any technical information leading to why they have such a bad reputation for their bike. So far all I see is good reviews. Maybe I should start looking for older Kawi's now too.

 

What do you plan on doing with the bike. using it to save money for gas? goin to the track every weekend? just having fun with friends riding around ( probobly what 90% of us have ) then an older kawi would be perfect for a first bike. they are sound and stable, usually heavier (which is ok), noble power to them (making them fun but not death machines....) and usually a lower price tag.

PLEASE read that top thread (yea i know its long and tedious... just like these parenthasees and my dot dot dots) but it seriously will answer a lot of your questions. if you got more, keep em comin.


as far as the reliability concern, the only thing i know is about my own bike, from my own personal experience. i have nothing to complain about and 28k on the clock, and i plan to keep adding to it.

 

everyone who tells you to stay away from kawi fails to tell you that the zx6r 04 and 05 is faster than any other 600 in the industry. oh and the inverted forkes and radial mounted calipers have been on the kawi's for 3 years, where as yamaha and honda just added it for 05. but in the end you need to find a bike that you like the style of. a bike that when you go into your garage you sit there in awww because that is your bike. all the bikes are so close in specs that it really doesn't matter what you get.

happy hunting.

 

YEah i know shes still a baby. To be honest, all of the 03+ 600s are basically dead even wit the average rider. Yes kawi has had the inverted forks and now the slipper clutch, but it comes down to looks, comfort, etc. Power wise i mean with a pro on them they all run 10s in the 1/4. Although im biased toward my 636 im telling you i could switch to the 05 r6 in a heartbeat, simply becuase despite its insane power, the 05 636 looks like terd. Personally, the only bike im not a fan of is the gixxer (unless its a 1000) THe 600/750 do not offer anything special to me, and the color schemes are dated to say the least. If i had to pick a 600, the 636, r6, and 600rr would be it.

 

My 500R has 12,000 miles on it

 

most know im deathly against any kawisucki, but just to be straight with you kawi has had some considerable reliability issues in the past. thats one of the main reasons why i shy away from them. that and their god-awful green.

but honestly the newer (04-05) ones really shouldnt be a problem.

 

I've had my 636 for just over a year now..6500 miles and still no problems...IMO it kills everything else in the 600class

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97Civic-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've had my 636 for just over a year now..6500 miles and still no problems...IMO it kills everything else in the 600class</TD></TR></TABLE>

An extra 36cc will do that.

The rap on Kwaks is that they have reliability issues, better motors, and heavier chassis than their competition. At least from what I have heard and read.

 

i'd like a 10r someday...

 

5200 miles on my kawi and still no issues at all.
I don't think they are any less reliable to be honest with you. Most of the people who down Kawi's are the ones who don't own or has never owned them. They just heard that they aren't reliable.
IMHO I think before 2003, most Kawi bikes looked pretty out dated. Recently their bikes look very nice like the zx10r, 636 etc. That's the only gripe I used to have about them.
I've owned them all. honda cbr, yammi r6, Kawi zx6r, 250r. Haven't touched the gixxer yet although I wouldn't mind trying it.
I think they are all pretty much the same, these days it all depends on what looks better to you.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reckless636 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
IMHO I think before 2003, most Kawi bikes looked pretty out dated. Recently their bikes look very nice like the zx10r, 636 etc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll agree with this 100%

 

The older kawi 600's sucked haha....their new bikes are The zx7r and the rare zx7rr were sick.

 

from what i've heard, the kawi's dont handle as nice as cbr or gixxers.........any truth to this?

i think handlings top on my list of things that i'm looking for.......rather feel the most comfy and in control that i can. they are all fast.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RedStarGsr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">PLEASE read that top thread (yea i know its long and tedious... just like these parenthasees and my dot dot dots) but it seriously will answer a lot of your questions. if you got more, keep em comin. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry if I made it seem this is my first bike and I am looking. I am looking to bumping to a newer bike that isn't nearly as old as I am and it has nearly 45k on it. Yes my F1 is a good learner but now I need something more modern and I have been looking around and just decided to see why people were biased against Kawi's in general.

It might be a newbie thread or even just stupid but I wanted to see why people were biased and what technical information backed them up if any. That is all basically.

But so far it still doesn't seem to have swayed me from looking into say a 1996 or up Kawi so I would keep them in mind too. Dated looks don't phase me as long as it has a decent power delievery and handling too.

Maybe I should have made this an opinion thread but now that I have a few it has helped me out.

Thanks guys.