Used Bike Reviews - Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R (1996-2003)

"Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast)
10/24/2016 at 09:43 • Filed to: Used Bike Reviews, Kawasaki, Ninja, ZX7R, ZX-7R, ZX7RR, Superbike, Lanesplitter, Retro

I can’t get enough of 90's sportbikes. Big bodywork and carbureted power delivery; they are raw, quick, and mean. I finally got a hold of one of my favorite 90's-era bikes - the ZX-7R.

Compared to today’s lot of sportbikes, this machine would be considered overweight and slow. If you forgo comparing it to a modern machine and just enjoy it for what it is, you’ll find that this bike is just as enjoyable to today it was when new. Take a look at my newest Used Bike Review episode to see what you think of this iconic sporting legend!

DISCUSSION (11)

Leonardo DiCabriolet > Peter Monshizadeh
10/24/2016 at 15:02

Subscribed, I love stuff like this, gonna check out some of your other videos later on.

DynamicWeight > Peter Monshizadeh
10/24/2016 at 15:45

How do you feel about a Honda F4? I had an F4i that introduced me to sport bikes and freaking loved it. I really like the feeling and noise of carbs so it’s something I have been considering for a while. Especially because the tend to be really cheap, even in great shape.

Peter Monshizadeh > Leonardo DiCabriolet
10/24/2016 at 15:51

Thank you!

Peter Monshizadeh > DynamicWeight
10/24/2016 at 15:57

I can’t speak from ownership experience on an F4 or F4i, but I’ve known a few riders who absolutely love them. I think their super low buy in price makes them extremely good used bargains, not to mention their more relaxed riding position compared to more modern supersports.

Rully > Peter Monshizadeh
01/06/2017 at 21:40

hi, thoroughly enjoying all your articles...

any comments on 94 RVF400?

Peter Monshizadeh > Rully
01/07/2017 at 17:26

Thank you! If you live in a country where an RVF400 is available for purchase, I would recommend getting one. Aside from their stunning looks, they are what I would consider the perfect sportsbike. Just enough power to actually be fun and usable on public roads, and light enough to be a blast should you go to a track. Pair all that up with robust Honda build quality and you have real performance machine that will turn more heads than anything currently on offer new. The normal wear and service precautions still apply however as these bikes are long in the tooth now. Check for leaky carburetor bowls, chassis corrosion, worn suspension and old tires.

By now you can probably tell I really like the RVF400...and I’m jealous that I can’t easily get one here in the USA. Good luck hunting!

WiscoProud > Peter Monshizadeh
03/10/2017 at 13:44

As someone who was a teenage in the 90s and loved motorcycles, I drooled over the ZX-7R. I still have scale replica somewhere at home. I don’t care that it wasn’t the fastest or lightest in its street version, the fact you always saw it on the podium and it had those giant intakes was good enough for me.

Peter Monshizadeh > WiscoProud
03/10/2017 at 14:22

I don’t know what it is. Something about the full-bodiedness of the ZX7R (and other bikes of the era, too) made me look up to these machines when I was young. They looked like big bikes, they were big bikes, and that alone was enough for my mind to fabricate an idea of huge power and have immense respect for them. It is a feeling that new stuff, being as slim and minimalist as they are, simply can’t convey.

WiscoProud > Peter Monshizadeh
03/10/2017 at 14:30

I’ll give you that. They were relatively short and bulbous. Looked like someone crammed a whole lot of motor into a small frame. New sports bikes are tall and lithe, and while they look fast, don’t have the same “angry” look the old CBRs, ZXs, and YZFs did. I would say the hayabusa is probably the epitome of that look.

Rully > Peter Monshizadeh
11/05/2017 at 05:09

bit the bullet and couldn’t be happier.

Kinja'd!!!

lots of TLC is needed tho.. but so far my grin is not going away haha..

Peter Monshizadeh > Rully
11/05/2017 at 20:03

Oof...that’s gorgeous. Congratulations! Would love to see some updates on the TLC!