1997 Kawasaki ZX7R (P2 model)

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Kawasaki ZX7R
★★★★★
4.8
95.0% of users recommend this
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SeanVincent's review of Kawasaki ZX7R

“1997 Kawasaki ZX7R (P2 model)”

★★★★☆

written by SeanVincent on 29/04/2014

In 1997 I bought a brand new black ZX7R Ninja. It was the best looking sports bike on the market at the time in my opinion, it looked mean and fast just standing still. The front end sat low and the rear high.

Without doubt the ZX7R is the best handling bike I have ever owned. The front end was incredible and simply steered wherever you wanted it to go - even under heavy braking in a curve this thing would not sit up. It was very quick and wasn't that far off 170 mph when held open. Most importantly, 122 BHP at the crank made the power usable. It had a good turn of speed in the mid range and from then on it would storm toward the red line with the intoxicating sound of that typical kawasaki forced air intake/exhaust induced growl which was unique to that bike. The main competitor (the GSXR 750) although a very fine bike, sounded pants in comparison.

To add to the mix I replaced the heavy standard can with a Devil number; the best sounding exhaust note to come from an inline 4 that I have ever heard (barring race bikes of course). I left the front USD suspension on the settings that it had out of the crate, but I increased the rear ride height by a good couple of turns. It went into corners nice and fast and shot out of them like it was on steroids. I want another!!

I held onto this bike for 5 years and put 30000 miles on her. Apart from the usual servicing costs, numerous tyres (mainly Michelin Pilot Sports) and a chain and sprocket set nothing went wrong on this bike. 100% reliable.

Bad points - none.

However, at the time I bought this beauty I had just turned 32 and at 6ft 1" I must say that I found the seating position very radical. The hand grips sat below the top yoke and stretched the rider over the tank into an extreme head down bottom up position(almost a proper race crouch) that took its toll on my wrists after about 30 minutes of riding; but that did not stop me riding well in excess of this and I was happy to suffer the pain - it was well worth it. Eventually though, I sold the bike because at 37 I got fed up of aching wrists and riding with my knees around my ears; I stepped away from race reps to big nakeds purchasing a GSX 1400 K1.










  • 1997

    Year Manufactured

  • 5 Years

    Length of ownership

  • Build quality

  • Reliability

  • Value For Money

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