Okay, let’s talk about my 2004 Ninja ZX-6R. This thing has been a project and a half, but it’s coming along nicely. I picked it up a while back, and it was in decent shape, but I wanted to make it truly mine.
First thing I did was give it a good once-over. Checked the fluids, tires, brakes, the usual stuff. Everything seemed to be in working order, but I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I decided to dive deeper.
- Tear Down: I started by stripping it down. Off came the fairings, the tank, the seat, all that jazz. I wanted to get a good look at the frame and the engine to make sure there weren’t any hidden surprises.
- Cleaning: Man, this bike was dirty. Years of grime and road gunk had built up. I spent hours scrubbing, degreasing, and polishing. It was a pain, but seeing it slowly start to shine was worth it.
- Parts Replacement: Some parts just needed to be replaced. The old chain and sprockets were toast, so I got a new set. I also swapped out the old brake pads and rotors for some fresh ones. This is such an old bike that I had to find parts for the Kawasaki ZZR600 model to replace the worn-out parts.
I heard that the 03-04 models of both the zx6R and the zx6RR are more track oriented. But my zx6r will be a powerful enough bike with good handling and equipment. I don’t think that the zx10r is necessary. It is said that the ZZR600 is identical to the ZX-6R from 2000-2002. Performance-wise, the new ZX-6R will accelerate a tiny bit faster and probably turn in a tiny bit faster.
I do want to try riding a more modern bike. My bike is awesome but it is older and has it’s limits.
Then came the fun part – customization!
- Exhaust: The stock exhaust was just too quiet. I wanted something with a bit more growl. After some research, I ended up going with a slip-on. It was a pretty easy install, and it made a huge difference in the sound.
- Paint: I wasn’t a huge fan of the original color, so I decided to give it a fresh coat of paint. I went with a classic black and red scheme. It took a lot of prep work, but the end result was totally worth it. This old guy is way more good-looking now!
After putting everything back together, it was time for the moment of truth – the first ride. I fired it up, and it purred like a kitten. Took it out for a spin, and man, it felt like a whole new bike. The new exhaust sounded amazing, and the fresh paint job turned heads everywhere I went.
There are still a few things I want to do to it. Maybe some new levers, a different windscreen, who knows. But for now, I’m just enjoying the ride. This 2004 Ninja ZX-6R has been a labor of love, but it’s all been worth it. It’s not just a bike anymore; it’s a reflection of my personality and my passion for motorcycles. Every time I ride it, I can’t help but smile.
I’m not sure if the ZX-6R SE is a slightly older model with no ABS. And I don’t know if I should get a ZX-6R as a fun toy or get a Z900 to be more comfortable. Well, I will figure it out.
So that is my story about my zx6r, hope you enjoy it. It is an old bike but still rocks.
