On my 6R I always liked Bridgestones, normally 010s, but I think they've been replaced now (by 014s, possibly).

The 010 was a sports tyre, but I also tried the 020, which is more sports-tourer. If you're going to be doing a lot of mile upright (motorways, commuting) then you're better off with a sports-tourer tyre, if you want ultimate grip (at the expense of tyre life) you'll want a sports tyre.

You can expect to get through a back tyre in 4000-6000 miles and a front in 6000-8000, although a lot of people always replace tyres in pairs.

Most places have different prices for a ride in/ride out service and fitting to a loose wheel. It's not much hassle to take out a rear wheel by yourself, if you have a paddock stand (and if you don't then look at getting one - they're not very expensive and for bikes without a centre-stand they make routine jobs, such as taking care of the chain, *so* much easier). Taking out the front wheel is a bit more of a pain - you'll need a front paddock stand, a 23mm allan key and a supply of cable ties so that the brake calipers don't hang off the brake hoses when they're removed.

While you're finding your feet it's probably easier to just pay the £20 or so extra that dealers charger for ride in/ride out.

Businesses also have a £10/tyre disposal charge which some fitters will waive if you agree to lug away your old tyres and take them to the tip yourself, although I can tell you that riding a bike with 2 old tyres slung over your shoulder isn't as easy as you might think

ah goddamit that ones sold too

It's that time of year, I'm afraid.

OT, but I remember working on campsites in my youth, riding a Motobécane moped with a 13kg butane cylinder hooked onto each brake lever and one between my knees. What could possibly go wrong?

it seems so, i thought i'd be just early enough to miss the spring madness, but i guess witht the mild weather i've run straight into it.

Craig, at that time, a minute without a tab on the go was a minute wasted. And why would anyone wear more than a t-shirt, shorts and espadrilles on a moped? It was - literally - health and safety gone mad.

This guy could handle it...

ok, really quick post chaps that know, is this a money pit or worth a look?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3637643.htm

i know its not the best looker, and is quite old, i'm thinking here more that if i drop it, it's not the end of the world, and will still be worth this in a years time if i want to sell it?

feedback much appreciated

craig

Cheap bike at £850 . You could ride this around for a year and sell it for the same money next year . Make sure the tyres are good .
The best tyre for the ZX6R is the bridgestone BT023 sports touring as they are a dual compound tyre . Hard in the middle and soft on the sides . I got 12000 miles out of a rear tyre on mine .

@Craig - I'd always be wary of bike which needs nothing to pass an MOT, but hasn't had one. For a grand I'd look elsewhere.

@Rob - Seriously impressed with 12k miles from a rear! I take it the BT023 is the replacements for the 020. I'm seriously thinking about another 6R this year. I'd happily have another J1/J2, but I'd also consider an A1P - how much difference does the extra 37cc make?

I cant tell the difference between the j1 and a1p . I was really looking for another j1 or j2 at the time and the a1p came up . They dont seem to be in demand as the j1 . Its one group higher insurance . I think you are corret about the 023 replacing the 020 . 12000 miles i still cant believe it and the tyre rounded off nicely not like some tyres that go square after a couple of thousand miles . In my opinion the best all round sports 600 bike made of that era .

I'd have to agree - I've always found the R6 and GSX-R 600 too cramped and the CBR6 dull and uninteresting.

The A1P will be a road tax class up from the J1/2 as well, won't it? Not that it makes much difference.

Insurance is neither here nor there for me - the advantage of being old with lots of bike NCB. Fully comp on my VFR750 was £140/year

well i didn't go to look at that bike, but have found another. little beauty, though slightly over budget £1900 i might be able to negotiate a bit? only downside is the owner is away with work for the week, returning on friday night, and the soonest i can view it is sunday morning. i think i'm gonna be twitchy until then, hoping nobody will view it before. fingers crossed.

just a quick update, provided the bike is as described, i'm going to be picking this up tomorrow
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/a...s/100?logcode=p
very excited, and also quite apprehensive about riding it for the first time from swindon to exmouth in the rain. i think taking my time and plenty of rest stops for tea will be the way forward.
if any of you chaps have any other advice then feel free to pitch in, i'll update with pics over the weekend.

craig

Riding in the wet - be careful for diesel spills, slippery roundabouts, man-hole covers etc.

Nice looking bike, enjoy it then after you've ridden a while consider some advanced training or suchlike. You're vulnerable out there!

Resist the urge to open up the taps!

Little bit pricey for a private sale on the other hand it looks to be in top condition for its year . This is my 2002 zx6r 636 which i paid £1500 for in sept 2010 with 18000 miles .There is bargains out there .[IMG]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a293/robcoupe20vt/63602.jpg[/IMG]

wow! so i arrived at swindon this morning to find it about 3 degrees, and sleeting! i really wasn't keen to get on a bike, and was freezing before i left. cue wet gloves and my first ever experiences on a sports bike, and, well, it was new to me.

it was only raining by the time we made it to bristol services, and beyond there it was a drying road and gusty wind.

the bike felt more bark than bite when i first got on it which was nice, and helped to settle my somewhat fractured nerves. i didn't take it above 6 1/2k the whole time. to think it has another 7k to go is just mental.
tuesday will see it get a proper clean, and a good chance for me to give the bike a proper once over.

this really has been a big deal for me, and to realise the end result today has been great, to go from pure fear and not wanting to ride, to loving the last 15 miles with the sun out, i am totally shot (and my body is tired too!)

i really would like to thank all of you who have contributed to this thread, and given me a bit of support along the way, as well as some very useful knowledge.

all thats left now, is to keep on learning, and enjoy being on a bike. so far 50% was great, the other 50% was experience.

oh, and finally, i bloody love my new bike

cheers all.


craig

And all the power is at the top-end of the range. The 6R has good mid-range for a 600, but once the rev counter gets into the big numbers it will really fly.

Keep taking it steady, get used to the power gradually and keep enjoying it.

Yep, sorry, i didnt make myself very clear there. what i meant was it was able to be controlled. i can take it gently when i want to, and when im more used tothe power i can begin to open it up. bit like my old coupe

I 100% agree with Andrew r on the 6r midrange is the best of that era . Even today the 6r has the best midrange . When you have more experience on the bike get it on a straight road with no traffic and pull off from standstill and redline it in first and second and listen to the glorious howl from the ram air system but dont worry you wont be going that fast in second gear .I took this picture today and bikes do last Kawasaki engineering Safe riding

just a final couple of pics to add of the bike. i spent the whole day today cleaning it up. fairings off and a full degrease, re oil, wash and wax. i also removed a few crappy stickers (all of the non standard stuff) and it looks a beauty.
the only thing letting it down is the passenger foot pegs. these are ally, can i just take them off, rub them back and spray them? will the frame have a colour code? if not, is there a generic ally colour people use?

anyway, here it is







look at the shiney shiney!

I like the understated Kwacker green. Mind I liked Marlboro orange!

Nice looking machine.

ta, i'm chuffed. should have put an arrow so you can see the bike, just blends into the background otherwise

looks really clean Craig, keep safe mate

thanks sam, is yours on the road now? don't know if i said previous, but like the look of your bike, did you keep the flat bars?

I spent an hour or so that afternoon stripping and cleaning the carbs then putting it back together, checking clearances and making sure the cam chain was adjusting as it should.
Got the carbs balanced and it running spot on now as it was running nasty before.

Now im happy it runs ok it will be dissembled and cleaned, painted and put back together, I make it a rule to not take apart something I don't know is running well from the outset

I have a move to a new place end of the month with a garage (fingers crossed!) so ill be ready for summer all things being equal

As ever, stay shiny side up and we should set up fccuk bikers meet!

Looks good Craig, very tidy.

Summer meet!