ZX9 servicing information - help

Hi guys!

Recently I look for the ZX9. I found one E1 model with 7200 miles.
Generally bike looks very nice, mint condition. It has Scorpion can,
laser line alarm and it is data tagged. But bike wasn't used for 18
months. Guy wants for this 2200£. Bike needs new tyres and obviously
good service. Also the chain starts to rust little bit. Now I have few
questions:

1. I'm not long in UK so I don't know the prices of the bike
servicing. What can I expect for the proper servicing which includes
oil, filters and spark plugs change, valve clearance, carburettors,
bearings check etc. It doesn't have to be official Kawasaki service.
Guy said about 80£ but I expect at least 150 £.

2. Tyres. I found on ebay Conti Road Attack pair for 139 plus delivery
(120/190). Tests that I found on the net said that this tyre is quite
good, something like Bridgestone BT. Should I go for the 120/180
(found on the net that people suggest 180 because of the better
dynamic)? Usually how much can I expect for the fitting?

3. Generally can I save the rusty chain with proper lubricant? In case
that I need to change chain/spocekts how much can I expect for the set
and change?

I live in Nottingham, so can anyone recommend some good mechanic in
this area?

Thanks for help.

Cheers
Alen

 

I had my 9R serviced last year. admittedly at an official dealer. was
quoted about £400 but that along with head bearings, chain tensioner
and MOT cam to almost £800.

--
Adie
(replace spam with nickname to reply)

UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/

YZF-R1 : ZX9R-E1
keeper of the FAQ for my sins
MRO#11 BOTAFOF#7 BOTAFOT#130 DIAABTCOD#17 MIB#24 YTC#16 BOB#15 ex-UKRMMA#22 BOMB#11

 

You'll be looking at £500 or more for a service such as the one you
describe above if you go to a main dealer. You'll get the work done
cheaper if you shop around but I'd still expect the cost to be around
£300.

I used to run my 9R on a 180 rear tyre because I found it made it turn
into corners faster. Some on here would agree with me whilst others
would argue against this. It probably depends on your style of riding.

I always found Dunlop D207RR tyres suited the bike well but with the
narrower rear tyre it could shake the front a bit if you were really
hard on the gas exiting a corner.

Clean it with paraffin, lube it with a decent chain lube and see how
things go.

You'll be able to pick up a decent chain and sprockets for just over
£100.

I feel it only fair to tell you that around here a 9R is looked on as
being something of a girls bike and not even a sports bike due to its
lack of horse power.

 

Adie je napisao/la:

Oh that's way more than I expected. Basically with this bike I don't
know what to expect. It has some service history up to 4300 miles (2
stamps). Hmmm don't know.

Tell me how much is just mot test for the bike?

 

Andy Bonwick je napisao/la:

Yes here in UK labour is quite expensive (comparing to my country). So
if I think again this cca 400£ is something what could I expect.

It doesn't matter, if this is girl bike then I can consider my self as
girly boy. In this stage of my riding this is more then enough for me.

What you thing about the bike price? Is this OK price considering a
needed investment? Again bike almost don't have scratch and looks very
very well, almost as new.

 

The price seems fair. I like the ZX9R and they're usually very
reliable so if you keep it a couple of years and don't expect to make
a profit on it you'll be ok.

 

I generally use Pidcocks (main dealer) who are good but not especially
cheap. Worth checking to see if they have their usual winter servicing
discount - 10%, I think. They provide a courtesy bike which can be
handy.

Sounds like you're buying tyres online but check prices from
Motorcycle Tyre Services (MTS). They're good if you're looking for a
ride-in, ride-out service.

HTH

 

GungaDan je napisao/la:

Thanks for useful (local) information.
I will try to get a quote for the service on Monday and then will
decide should I buy or not.
But it seems that this could go out of my desired limit. It seems that
I need to invest 500-1000£ what is too much from my point of view.

 

I've used CMC http://www.cmcbikes.com/ a couple of times and found them
to be pretty good.

 

I've still not forgiven them for failing the ZXR (grey import) MOT
for the headlight and trying to flog me a new headlight unit which it
didn't need to pass.

 

Yep, I've had good service from them too. TBH, I couldn't remember
their name.

 

Oh right. Not good. Which branch was it?
I use The Bike Shop in Long Eaton for MOTs because they seem
unconcerned about un-BS-stamped pipes.

 

One more question for the zx9 owners. Is it valve clearance check
necessary every 8k miles, like owner manual said. Found on the net
that people increase this interval to double, 16k.
I know that in this case for piece of mind will be better to check but
I'm looking how to save little bit on the start.
Is the ZX9 prone to the valve clearance/chain tensioner problems?

Regards,

Alen

 

I've just re-read your original post and seen that the bike only has
7,200 miles on it. That means it'll need an 8k service and not the
major one you described earlier. £150 will cover that easily and is
the sort of service you could do yourself if you've got a clue about
bikes.

£140 for a pair of tyres plus another £30 for fitting.
£150 for a service.

No way will the chain and sprockets need replacing at that mileage.

The bike seems like a good buy. Try to negotiate the seller down a bit
more and you'll be able to ride it around for a couple of years and
not lose a lot of money.

 

No

 

But i found user manual form kawasaki and it said that valve clearance
check should be done.
How often this bike service should be done. Every 16k?
What you suggest for this 8k service? Oil, filters, plugs,..?

And off course all of this is under assumption that the mileage is
real. I mean bike looks very tidy and clean so there is not much
reason to suspect.

Like I said the chain is little bit rusty, but not much.

Yes the bike looks very clean and seller isn't force to sale so he
said if he don't get 2200 he will to mot and try to find some time to
ride it.
Thanks for new hope

Regards
Alen

 

It sounds a bargain, even if the E1 isn;t the model for the discerning
hooligan (that'd be the C2, I reckon).

Whatever the seller says, wave £2000 under his nose and see if he
cracks. If he doesn't, fish the other £200 from your back pocket. It's
worth it.

 

Long Eaton.

Maybe they've got their act together.

 

Oh right. Never used them. I normally go to the Derby shop since
that's the Suzuki agent.

Slight confusion here. I was talking about the Honda dealer in LE who
call themselves 'The Bike Shop' rather than Pidcocks.

 

*cough*

The C2 is just a C1 with girly stripes.

Not that I'm a hooligan, discerning or otherwise.

If one can get an E1 for ukp2K, it makes me keeping mine more and more
likely, regardless of whether I get something else this year.