1998 Kawasaki ZX-7R

Overweight, outdated, underpowered? Not the words I would associate to Kawasaki’s finest Ninja, despite all the magazine articles I’ve read on this bike over the past couple of years, indicating that the model was ready for the skip. Aggressive, agile and stable more suit the character of the 750 kwakajack. I can only come to the conclusion that my bike must have undergone modifications at the factory as I find both the handling and engine more than a match for most other superbikes on the road (as do other owners I have spoken with).

Riding back to back with R1’s, RSV’s etc. this is the bike to be on when the going gets twisty. It slays all in the boogie of the bends, slicing through them with the throttle pinned, revs screaming leaving a host of more powerful, fashionable superbikes in its wake, with their riders worrying about highsides and visualising broken plastics while you concentrate on your next line, which will be a line of accuracy thanks to a superb front end which you will find even better if you spend a little time setting it up to suit your own weight. Same story at the back end too, very controlled, although some complain of it being a little too hard. Upping the preload helps steering accuracy and makes the bike more nimble.

As for the weight, this is only noticeable while manhandling the bike around from standstill. Once moving the weight actually helps pin the bike into the ground and is mainly un-noticeable when throwing the bike from side to side at speed.

To say it’s not a comfortable bike is a little understated, although at 6’2 " and 12.5 stone I don’t find it excruciatingly painful either, although keeping the speed up does take the weight off your wrists, so it’s best to avoid trundling through town traffic.

As you may have noticed, I not only like the 7R but would not consider chopping it in for any other bike, at least pending release of the ZX1-R of course!

Why? That’s easy: the screaming note from the exhaust in perfect harmony with the growling airbox as you chase up to a series of sweeping bends, safe in the knowledge that no one but no one is coming past, the constant scrape of knee-sliders on tarmac, the incredible front end dealing with every ripple cast in your path, and finally who can argue with those hounding looks?