I just bought a 2007 ninja 250r as my first bike. It runs and i bought it for $500 with 14,000 miles and a bunch of scratches. I feel like I won the lottery.
Once you move onto a bigger sport bike (zx6r is gorgeous to ride) you will appreciate making the choice to start small. I spent 4 years on a 250 and it feels like I'm starting all over again on a 600. Good choice you made
Man, this video was right on time. I just upgraded from a Yamaha R3 to a 2010 Ninja ZX-6R, and I love it. The sound, the speed, the look! It's amazing. One day I have to try the ZX-10R, but I'll be content with the 6R for a long time.
I remember the first time I ever rode on the back of a bike. Was on my uncle's 1992 ZX-6. 70mph through the 30mph twisties behind the mall on my 14th birthday. Took me way too long to get on my own wheels, but I have to admit it was a Ninja that inspired me to start riding.
In 1998 the ZX9R had more hp, was quicker and faster than the 1998 CBR900. Oh, it weighed 2 pounds more. The ZX9R was the first attainable machine on the planet to get under 10 seconds in the quarter mile bone stock, no gear or tire change from the show room. No body seems to get that!
i'm a proud owner of a gpz 900r, was my dream bike since I was a mid watching TopGun. With the money pit into that bike (around $6000) I could buy a modern bike, but I woudln't trade it for anything
Nice one Yammie Noob Knowing how complicated the 80's and 90's were with bikes as all manufacturers wanted to be "Top Dog" You have done well here. You did miss the fact that the bike that stared in "Top Gun" was a GPZ900R Ninja (USA) A5 I digress. Keep up the good work mate. From the land of OZ.
Totally ignored the ZX12R in answer to the hyabusa and super blackbird. The speed race that brought about the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between the big 4 to put a cap on speed of production motorcycles the 300kph, which in turn led to focus on electronics and handling. An overall bonus for the bike industry. History man. Beautiful.
Chakat Silvertail I like the 500 and have gotten a lot of new riders to start on it, and I know of 2 guys who went back to a 500 in their 60s because of the simple inexpensive no frills great simple fun it is
My first bike was a 2006 crimson ex500. I rode that horse for seven years, 46,000 miles, and four season New England weather, up to and including a blizzard. I rode it until the engine finally gave up the ghost and died never to be resurrected. I loved tearing through Rockport via Annisquam along the back shore to the breakwater and back. Hell, I even took it through and under Boston streets once. I miss that bike.
I love Yamaha's triples and the great performance they put out, but find myself just preferring Kawi's for their ergonomics and awesome sport touring selection. The intake sound on the ninja 1000 is fucking giggle inducing.
+Droll Moto Yeah Harley originally promised Eric Buell that he would be allowed certain things in the begining... then when all said and done they failed to support the Buell line properly. The main reason EBR bikes are so great (yes expensive) now is Eric and his team get to do what they want with the bikes. The sad part of it all was the last bike Buell that was developed under Harley was said to be an amazing bike... it was crushed after the media reviewed it. +David Borrego I don't think it is hate... well I don't hate Harley, after all it is an American company after all. I just am not happy they killed the Buell line when they were just getting good.
I would love to see these histories in no particular order 1 Honda Fireblade 2 Triumph (Because this is Yammie we're talking about!!!) 3 Maybe Harley Davidson?? Specifically how the name and brand gets such massive recognition today
Just before this vid I watched your 1299 vid. Great job. I have a 1299s now. And many years ago I had a 1990 ZX-7 H2. Not many people know that the 89 was known as the H1 and the 90 was the H2. Also many are not aware but the 1990 ZX-7 had many innovations that are by today's standards new on some bikes. It had a slipper clutch known then as a back torque limiter, a remote belt driven alternator that could be removed for racing to save weight (bike would run off just the battery for a total loss ignition). It also had baffles in the fuel tank. An expensive tank to produce. In fact no stock race bike today has a baffled tank. Also the 1990 street bike had many of the works race kits part from the 1989 race endurance bike. That 1990 ZX7 it one of the only bikes I ever regret selling.
I was at my dealership today and they had a 1986 Ninja 1000. I was totally blown away at standing on front of the first gen Ninja. It was so tall. They also had a 1994 GSXR 1000. It was so cool..
Interesting video, but I feel like you failed to mention the big race wars of the 90s. between the blackbird, Zx-11, and busa. Otherwise, very interesting and informative. I agree, if you did a FULL kawasaki history video, it'd probably be 30-45 minutes long. I'd still watch it though.
Maybe you could do a seperate video detailing the 90s speed war, and how that affected all bikes today. Thats one of my favorite motorcycle stories out there.
hymn1337 I agree with you that yammie should make a video on the speed wars. There is another UA-cam channel called Regular Car Reviews that mentioned they wanted to make a documentary about it, but that was like 2 years ago and they haven't made it yet
In 1986 I bought the only brand new vehicle I ever had at Boston bike show, the 1986 ninja 1000, they came in red and black, I got the red, back then that bike was the fastest machine on the road, I never even saw another one for about a year, smooth, fast, I loved 30 miles from my job, lived close to the hwy, I'd leave at 2:50am and get there in 7 minutes, being early for work which started at 3:00am. I loved that bike, I miss it more than my exes.
Just a few comments/corrections. The GPz moniker came out in 1981 with the 550,750,and 1100 models these were the sporty versions of their Ujm counterparts. The GPz900r came out in 1984 and in the literature is referred to as zx900a1. The zx and gpz nomenclature were both used together before that. The second gen gpz1100 (bathtub head) in 1983 was called zx1100a1 in the literature (in the shop manual from Kawasaki). Notice the 1990 zx11 was a C model? They phased out the gpz nomenclature more or less until 1995 when they had that gpz1100 sport touring thing. Also, the gpz900r ran until 2003 when the zzr1200 was out, not the zzr1100 as that ended years before. I currently have a 1984 900r and a 2002 zzr1200 and have owned an 82 gpz550 and 83 gpz1100. Basically since 1984 any fully faired sport bike meant for track or for beginners/normal people who want the cache of the sport bike heritage got the ninja name. Anyways. I like Kawasaki :)
Had brand new 1985 600r was fast and bullet proof, had it 5 yrs put 60k plus miles. Oil tires brakes chain and sprockets.Sold it for 2k paid 3299 for it. Had original plugs in it LOL Saw redline a lot, never lost to any 600 of the day and never let me down. Best bike I ever owned.Fun fast and bullet proof. TOUGH clutch too, learned to drag launch on it and clutch never slipped and was also still stock at 60k miles.
I had a GPZ 500 ( ninja 500 ex) I loved it, plenty of power for a 500 and its 0-60 could keep up with bigger bikes fairly easy ( bandits and gsx600fs anyway, probably not better than a modern 600 mind you) The air box on it was designed by acoustic engineers rather than regular motorcycle engineers. They were highly tuned straight from the factory and no amount of tinkering with fueling or exhausts really made any different. They use the same engine in the old er 500 and the GPZ version they managed to squeeze 10 horsepower extra out the engine and more torque. Just different cams, air box and a twice as heavy fly wheel and you got a light tiny little power house of a bike. I honestly Recommend giving one a test ride if you ever get a chance, especially if someone has fitted a decent set of stubby cans on it, such am angry sounding bike, I had some 225mm delkevic stubies on mine and I never had to angrily red line my bike at anyone, just a little blip and the bike would deliver a loud deep boom far more effective than any horn XD
I like your closing statement cause its right. I could write 10 minutes worth of stuff on the lineup history of the 600R, but most don't care anyways. Unless you happen across a 1986 600RX as they only imported 1000 units to the USA.!! I did have and rode for a while a 1991 600R. The 70hp was pretty tame, it was narrow, easy to work on, but had a goofy 16.5" rim set that NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE made tires for. I managed to get my hands on a set of 10 year old OEM tires and then sold it. Oh, and no pic of the 900 from topgun? or did you jsut assume everyone would know that? haha. Keep em coming, great video.
i have to admire how you can put out such quality content with such frequency! saw your earlier video about how you were going to it, not a lot of people can follow through though! Keep up the solid work my man!
Kawasaki Motor Indonesia used to sold a 150cc two stroke Ninja. They took the engine from Thailand's famous KRR/ZX-150/Serpico detune it and slap a Ninja batch on it. They sold it as either a naked bike or a full fairing sports bike. That's how Indonesia got the weirdest Ninja ever, the only two stroke Ninja.
To be honest, I'm kinda surprised we haven't gotten a history of the Daytona yet. When you run out of sport bikes there is always the Indian line. Kind of a weird history between HD, Polaris, and Victory.
The US didn't get the 636 until 2003 and retained it through 2006. The 2001-2002 636 didn't come to the North American market but was offered in Europe and Japan that I know of.
I have a 2005 Ninja 500 (my first bike). PIcked it up for $1600 with 9k miles and needed nothing. It's a good running bike, and fast enough for me, the 0-60 on these is 4.5ish.
When it comes to the Kawasaki ninja ive had two both Zx6r a 2010 and 2011 the 599cc displacement I absolutely loved them both 💚💚💚💚 truly great bikes ive a real soft spot for the Kawasaki brand even though i now ride a triumph Daytona 675r I could 💯 see myself riding another Kawasaki one day for sure
Everyone and their mom started out on a ninja 250. These things are extremely low-maintenance (tires, oil, and occasionally the chain and carb cleaning), gas sipping, and very fun. Hearing one of these things going all the way to its 14k limiter is awesome, and the ergonomics are just right to get you set up for your next bike, whatever it may be. Plus, if you get sticky tires and a suspension upgrade, your miniscule weight will allow you to make bigger bikes look slow in the corners. And spotless, low mile ones go for $2000. And if you're worried about being able to grow into it, buy a Ninja 500. Moderate miles and minor cosmetic damage (seriously, you'll probably add some own cracks of your own at some point, it's not a big deal) can snag you one for $2300, while good ones seem to hover around $3000 in my area
When you were talking about Kawasakis history at the end. During the 1920s-40s they also made bombers, aircrafts, and missiles. Also in the 90s they made a scouting/recon helicopter that could be armed to the tee.
I know it doesn't follow the sport bike theme you have going on, but you should look into BMW's boxer engines. Basically their go to engine that they've strapped onto every bike for the past few decades. They don't have that wow factor, but they are some of the finest motors you can get.
also the first bike company to solve the 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder overheating problem successfully although not the first to be created was the first to make them without overheating and the first to have direct air intake (zzr)
The CBR900 when it came out was the squid and hooligan bike of choice, a wheelie machine that handled like crap. They would beat me on the straight on my ZX7 but I would always pass them going into the corners because I was able to hit my braking markers a lot later and flick it in. 85 GPZ750t, 90 ZX7, 91 ZX7RR, 93 ZX7, 94 Ducacti 916 95 ZX7, 97 ZX7, 03 ZX6RR, 03 CBR600RR, 04 ZX10 - which I still have and has a modest 35,000 miles on it.
Honestly Yams a video on the "short lived" bike manufacturers would be kinds cool . Example : Victory ! 👌 because so many cool bikes have now been obsoleted and dusted . L8R
Yammie you could be a history teacher's media and research guy. Nice video. Some of us older guys lived through much of these iterations of tech over the years. pure nostalgia bro! Nice work.
A ninja was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and guerrilla warfare.
keep doing Vids like this man you're coming up in the world I've been watching you since about 9000 or 10K Subs. watched your style develop and mature. you doing good stuff man it's different unique and refreshing.
I've only had/have 3 bikes. 07 650 ninja, 07 zx6r, and a gen 1 04 zx10r. I don't think I'd ever wanna buy anything else. I've tried other bikes, I just never liked um personally. I did just see a crazy video on UA-cam about a pgm v8. that looks insane!
Good summary of the Ninja bikes... Huge Kawasaki fan myself... I have owned and still own a Ninja currently... They're the most furious of the Japanese supersport alongside Yamaha in my opinion... Simply put, you can't talk motorcycles without mentioning the Ninja bikes period...
Should of stopped at the 04-05 zx10r. Those things were probably some of the most notorious bikes out there on the street and on the track. They were known to be too powerful at the time.
My 7 year old brother will see a sports bike and immediately blurt out "ooh ooh, is that a Kawasaki ninja!?"
You better shove his brain with squid knowledge or else😂
Wonder if he’s still into bikes 6 years later 👋
I just bought a 2007 ninja 250r as my first bike. It runs and i bought it for $500 with 14,000 miles and a bunch of scratches. I feel like I won the lottery.
Thomas Ruiz good for you man👍
Good deal.
Treat it good,and it will see you through till your next bike.
Once you move onto a bigger sport bike (zx6r is gorgeous to ride) you will appreciate making the choice to start small. I spent 4 years on a 250 and it feels like I'm starting all over again on a 600. Good choice you made
You did! First gear wheelies for days.
Man, this video was right on time. I just upgraded from a Yamaha R3 to a 2010 Ninja ZX-6R, and I love it. The sound, the speed, the look! It's amazing. One day I have to try the ZX-10R, but I'll be content with the 6R for a long time.
shoulda got a 636
I remember the first time I ever rode on the back of a bike. Was on my uncle's 1992 ZX-6. 70mph through the 30mph twisties behind the mall on my 14th birthday. Took me way too long to get on my own wheels, but I have to admit it was a Ninja that inspired me to start riding.
In 1998 the ZX9R had more hp, was quicker and faster than the 1998 CBR900. Oh, it weighed 2 pounds more. The ZX9R was the first attainable machine on the planet to get under 10 seconds in the quarter mile bone stock, no gear or tire change from the show room. No body seems to get that!
I have a 2003 zx9r and I can attest that it is a very quick bike and doesnt lose often.
I get it and remember 98 very well. Ricky Gadson did the honors too.
@@gixxerdave7803 I've put 70000kms on one of those, brilliant bike!
Do MotoGP and it's history!
Excellent video, I love the history lesson! Now you need to ride my H2 and crap your pants :-)
i'm a proud owner of a gpz 900r, was my dream bike since I was a mid watching TopGun. With the money pit into that bike (around $6000) I could buy a modern bike, but I woudln't trade it for anything
Definitely Husqvarna, with their hundreds of owners :D
Hidernity hahahahaha FTW!!!
Jose Sierra And also because I own a Husqvarna myself c:
Isnt the GPZ900R the bike Tom Cruise road in Top Gun??
Exactly, that's it! A legendary motorcycle, definitely
Dustin Daniels Yes, it was a '85
Yes and thats why in TopGun 2 he is on a H2.
Nice one Yammie Noob
Knowing how complicated the 80's and 90's were with bikes as all manufacturers wanted to be "Top Dog" You have done well here.
You did miss the fact that the bike that stared in "Top Gun" was a GPZ900R Ninja (USA) A5
I digress.
Keep up the good work mate.
From the land of OZ.
Totally ignored the ZX12R in answer to the hyabusa and super blackbird. The speed race that brought about the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between the big 4 to put a cap on speed of production motorcycles the 300kph, which in turn led to focus on electronics and handling. An overall bonus for the bike industry. History man. Beautiful.
The good old GPZ 900 R! I've wanted one ever since I first watched Top Gun! Tom Cruise made that bike look way bigger than it actually is though lol.
what about my poor ninja ex500? my baby gets no love, like the black sheep of the ninja family
Chakat Silvertail I like the 500 and have gotten a lot of new riders to start on it, and I know of 2 guys who went back to a 500 in their 60s because of the simple inexpensive no frills great simple fun it is
My first bike was a 2006 crimson ex500. I rode that horse for seven years, 46,000 miles, and four season New England weather, up to and including a blizzard. I rode it until the engine finally gave up the ghost and died never to be resurrected. I loved tearing through Rockport via Annisquam along the back shore to the breakwater and back. Hell, I even took it through and under Boston streets once. I miss that bike.
The ex500 was my first bike, now I own a gen 2 ZX14.. I've owned 2 gen 1 ZX14 and also a zx12.. all great bikes
I love Yamaha's triples and the great performance they put out, but find myself just preferring Kawi's for their ergonomics and awesome sport touring selection.
The intake sound on the ninja 1000 is fucking giggle inducing.
Thank for the video! I'm liter bike bro 40 years old and ride a 2013 ZX10R.
i love your vids keep it up!!
I'd love to see a Triumph history vid, but you gotta do Harley at some point.
Javier Echevarria agreed.
I am not happy with Harley for what they did to the Buell line :(
MasterMech77 buell didnt get good until harley dropped them they are 10x better now and yes you can still buy them
Yeah, even as much as everyone hates harley id like to see the history. I got a 2004 road king
+Droll Moto Yeah Harley originally promised Eric Buell that he would be allowed certain things in the begining... then when all said and done they failed to support the Buell line properly. The main reason EBR bikes are so great (yes expensive) now is Eric and his team get to do what they want with the bikes. The sad part of it all was the last bike Buell that was developed under Harley was said to be an amazing bike... it was crushed after the media reviewed it.
+David Borrego I don't think it is hate... well I don't hate Harley, after all it is an American company after all. I just am not happy they killed the Buell line when they were just getting good.
I would love to see these histories in no particular order
1 Honda Fireblade
2 Triumph (Because this is Yammie we're talking about!!!)
3 Maybe Harley Davidson?? Specifically how the name and brand gets such massive recognition today
Just before this vid I watched your 1299 vid. Great job. I have a 1299s now. And many years ago I had a 1990 ZX-7 H2. Not many people know that the 89 was known as the H1 and the 90 was the H2. Also many are not aware but the 1990 ZX-7 had many innovations that are by today's standards new on some bikes. It had a slipper clutch known then as a back torque limiter, a remote belt driven alternator that could be removed for racing to save weight (bike would run off just the battery for a total loss ignition). It also had baffles in the fuel tank. An expensive tank to produce. In fact no stock race bike today has a baffled tank. Also the 1990 street bike had many of the works race kits part from the 1989 race endurance bike. That 1990 ZX7 it one of the only bikes I ever regret selling.
I have owned a Kawasaki GPZ1000XX 88', ZXR750 93', a ZX6R 99', and now a ZX10R 2010. I love them all but that ZXR750 steals my heart.
I was at my dealership today and they had a 1986 Ninja 1000. I was totally blown away at standing on front of the first gen Ninja. It was so tall. They also had a 1994 GSXR 1000. It was so cool..
Interesting video, but I feel like you failed to mention the big race wars of the 90s. between the blackbird, Zx-11, and busa. Otherwise, very interesting and informative. I agree, if you did a FULL kawasaki history video, it'd probably be 30-45 minutes long. I'd still watch it though.
Maybe you could do a seperate video detailing the 90s speed war, and how that affected all bikes today. Thats one of my favorite motorcycle stories out there.
hymn1337 yeah. I'm still waiting on Regular Car Reviews to make their video on the speed wars but I don't think it is going to happen
Huh?
hymn1337 I agree with you that yammie should make a video on the speed wars. There is another UA-cam channel called Regular Car Reviews that mentioned they wanted to make a documentary about it, but that was like 2 years ago and they haven't made it yet
Zx-11? I didn't even know that existed! That's sick
0:07 i like how you say lime green and then its a black ninja haha
In 1986 I bought the only brand new vehicle I ever had at Boston bike show, the 1986 ninja 1000, they came in red and black, I got the red, back then that bike was the fastest machine on the road, I never even saw another one for about a year, smooth, fast, I loved 30 miles from my job, lived close to the hwy, I'd leave at 2:50am and get there in 7 minutes, being early for work which started at 3:00am. I loved that bike, I miss it more than my exes.
4:50 - welcome to Poland
I've got a 97 zx2r 4 cylinder 250cc. The sound is like a t-rex roaring the road. Ahh love my bike
really digging these history vids. keep it up!!
Just a few comments/corrections. The GPz moniker came out in 1981 with the 550,750,and 1100 models these were the sporty versions of their Ujm counterparts. The GPz900r came out in 1984 and in the literature is referred to as zx900a1. The zx and gpz nomenclature were both used together before that. The second gen gpz1100 (bathtub head) in 1983 was called zx1100a1 in the literature (in the shop manual from Kawasaki). Notice the 1990 zx11 was a C model? They phased out the gpz nomenclature more or less until 1995 when they had that gpz1100 sport touring thing. Also, the gpz900r ran until 2003 when the zzr1200 was out, not the zzr1100 as that ended years before. I currently have a 1984 900r and a 2002 zzr1200 and have owned an 82 gpz550 and 83 gpz1100. Basically since 1984 any fully faired sport bike meant for track or for beginners/normal people who want the cache of the sport bike heritage got the ninja name. Anyways. I like Kawasaki :)
Thanks for appreciating kawasaki.. Solid kawasaki user.
Had brand new 1985 600r was fast and bullet proof, had it 5 yrs put 60k plus miles. Oil tires brakes chain and sprockets.Sold it for 2k paid 3299 for it. Had original plugs in it LOL Saw redline a lot, never lost to any 600 of the day and never let me down. Best bike I ever owned.Fun fast and bullet proof. TOUGH clutch too, learned to drag launch on it and clutch never slipped and was also still stock at 60k miles.
that was a lot of Zeez i heard hurt my ears a bit haha. used to the UK Zed
I had a 95 zx9. She was heavy but damn fast and damn comfortable. Loved it. My current bike, 14 gsxr 1000 is oh my god comfy and fast as fu**!
Zx14r owners stand up take a bow! These things are pure adrenaline rush!
I had a GPZ 500 ( ninja 500 ex)
I loved it, plenty of power for a 500 and its 0-60 could keep up with bigger bikes fairly easy ( bandits and gsx600fs anyway, probably not better than a modern 600 mind you)
The air box on it was designed by acoustic engineers rather than regular motorcycle engineers.
They were highly tuned straight from the factory and no amount of tinkering with fueling or exhausts really made any different.
They use the same engine in the old er 500 and the GPZ version they managed to squeeze 10 horsepower extra out the engine and more torque.
Just different cams, air box and a twice as heavy fly wheel and you got a light tiny little power house of a bike.
I honestly Recommend giving one a test ride if you ever get a chance, especially if someone has fitted a decent set of stubby cans on it, such am angry sounding bike, I had some 225mm delkevic stubies on mine and I never had to angrily red line my bike at anyone, just a little blip and the bike would deliver a loud deep boom far more effective than any horn XD
Thanks for the history lesson, will stay tuned for more!
I like your closing statement cause its right. I could write 10 minutes worth of stuff on the lineup history of the 600R, but most don't care anyways. Unless you happen across a 1986 600RX as they only imported 1000 units to the USA.!!
I did have and rode for a while a 1991 600R. The 70hp was pretty tame, it was narrow, easy to work on, but had a goofy 16.5" rim set that NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE made tires for. I managed to get my hands on a set of 10 year old OEM tires and then sold it.
Oh, and no pic of the 900 from topgun? or did you jsut assume everyone would know that? haha. Keep em coming, great video.
Nice video...... I still remember my first 1986 Kawasaki 600R it also had a GPZ motor on it with dampeners on the front forks.... thanks again
The R1 brought a whole new lightweight 1000 better than any before. I think we have Yamaha to thank for the ultimate 1000cc class
i have to admire how you can put out such quality content with such frequency! saw your earlier video about how you were going to it, not a lot of people can follow through though! Keep up the solid work my man!
There was the ZXR400 as well. In line 4, 400cc ninja. That thing was a pocket rocket. Love that bike.
Gen1 zx10r was the turning point for Kawasaki. Even to this day nothing rides like a gen1, crazy and fun with no electronics.
I have an 83 GPz550 and when people ask wtf it is, I tell them it's the Ninja's grandma.
One must also remember the GPz-750 turbo, when there was a brief flirtation with stock turbocharging.
Every Kawasaki has the soul of the Kawasaki H1 Mach III.
Kawasaki Motor Indonesia used to sold a 150cc two stroke Ninja. They took the engine from Thailand's famous KRR/ZX-150/Serpico detune it and slap a Ninja batch on it. They sold it as either a naked bike or a full fairing sports bike. That's how Indonesia got the weirdest Ninja ever, the only two stroke Ninja.
The H2 around the TT circuit was epic
Yam, i am super impressed with all the content that you have been putting out. Great job, love watching it all. You're hard work is not in vain!
I love Kawasaki, first bike I rode was a zx7r. Planning on getting a zx6r (2004-2008)
My first big bike was an 89 cbr f1 hurricane loved it, but now i own a 02 zx6r and my god its bloody amazing
To be honest, I'm kinda surprised we haven't gotten a history of the Daytona yet. When you run out of sport bikes there is always the Indian line. Kind of a weird history between HD, Polaris, and Victory.
Ohh I got the tingles, now I know the reason some still buy the oldbikes with their outdated fairings, it’s rich in history....
ZX-11 is worthy of mentioning, it was awesome when it came out.
I bought my 17 Ninja 650 last year, removed that ugly long back fender and I have no regrets. I'm a big fan so far.
see this is why i like your channel. because of videos like this. different stuff that is fun and interesting to watch.
Tbh I wish you’d go back to doing these. Like with Aprilla or maybe even certain iconic bikes! You made these really well.
The US didn't get the 636 until 2003 and retained it through 2006. The 2001-2002 636 didn't come to the North American market but was offered in Europe and Japan that I know of.
No one calls Sportbikes "Ninjas". They call them "Shinobi".
My work here is done!
I have a 2005 Ninja 500 (my first bike). PIcked it up for $1600 with 9k miles and needed nothing. It's a good running bike, and fast enough for me, the 0-60 on these is 4.5ish.
I'm the proud owner of a Candy Blue 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 300,...great little bike that fits me perfectly!
When it comes to the Kawasaki ninja ive had two both Zx6r a 2010 and 2011 the 599cc displacement I absolutely loved them both 💚💚💚💚 truly great bikes ive a real soft spot for the Kawasaki brand even though i now ride a triumph Daytona 675r I could 💯 see myself riding another Kawasaki one day for sure
Next do the Honda Cbr600rr & Cbr1000rr. They have won so many motogp championships you can't ignore them.
Youll never go wrong with a Ninja
Everyone and their mom started out on a ninja 250. These things are extremely low-maintenance (tires, oil, and occasionally the chain and carb cleaning), gas sipping, and very fun. Hearing one of these things going all the way to its 14k limiter is awesome, and the ergonomics are just right to get you set up for your next bike, whatever it may be. Plus, if you get sticky tires and a suspension upgrade, your miniscule weight will allow you to make bigger bikes look slow in the corners. And spotless, low mile ones go for $2000.
And if you're worried about being able to grow into it, buy a Ninja 500. Moderate miles and minor cosmetic damage (seriously, you'll probably add some own cracks of your own at some point, it's not a big deal) can snag you one for $2300, while good ones seem to hover around $3000 in my area
I'm getting a 1994 Honda CBR600 F2 so seeing something about that line from the 90s would be great!
When you were talking about Kawasakis history at the end. During the 1920s-40s they also made bombers, aircrafts, and missiles. Also in the 90s they made a scouting/recon helicopter that could be armed to the tee.
Yammie thanks for posting this. I love my 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R even more having spent last weekend at COTA/RideSmart for my very first track days.
Top Gun !!! GPZ 900R, what a machine.
Kawasaki ninja history, and no mention of that Exocet missle the ZX12R.
You missed the infamous 03-04 bike which is the crown jewel of stunt bikes
Yes! liking the content! keep it coming, Id love to see a GSXR history vid
Maybe interesting to do a video in the future about the history of the motorcycle in general.
Had an 03 636 and a 95 Zx-9R. Great bikes. Would love to find a ZX-12R someday.
I know it doesn't follow the sport bike theme you have going on, but you should look into BMW's boxer engines. Basically their go to engine that they've strapped onto every bike for the past few decades. They don't have that wow factor, but they are some of the finest motors you can get.
A Husqvarna video would be awesome! Since I don't know much about their bikes
David Konig I didn't know the brand existed till a month ago lol
Love my ZX14R. Just a fun bike that’s pretty comfortable too.
Never heard of anyone calling a sport bike a ninja as a generic term.
Great Kawasaki video. My vote goes towards Triumph.
the yammie. how noob made a number one fan
Single ram Zxr 750 L. The absolute sexiest Kawasaki ever!
also the first bike company to solve the 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder overheating problem successfully although not the first to be created was the first to make them without overheating and the first to have direct air intake (zzr)
I miss my Ninja 250r. It was a fun little bike. I'd like to see Husqvarna next.
you skipped the Gpz 750 which i had!! loved that bike!!
NOT a ninja
The CBR900 when it came out was the squid and hooligan bike of choice, a wheelie machine that handled like crap. They would beat me on the straight on my ZX7 but I would always pass them going into the corners because I was able to hit my braking markers a lot later and flick it in. 85 GPZ750t, 90 ZX7, 91 ZX7RR, 93 ZX7, 94 Ducacti 916 95 ZX7, 97 ZX7, 03 ZX6RR, 03 CBR600RR, 04 ZX10 - which I still have and has a modest 35,000 miles on it.
Honestly Yams a video on the "short lived" bike manufacturers would be kinds cool . Example : Victory ! 👌 because so many cool bikes have now been obsoleted and dusted . L8R
Yammie you could be a history teacher's media and research guy. Nice video. Some of us older guys lived through much of these iterations of tech over the years. pure nostalgia bro! Nice work.
For a history of bikes, can I suggest the evolution of the Triumph Speed Triple. The original, and I think best, naked bike.
A ninja was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, assassination and guerrilla warfare.
Nice job! Maybe a history lesson of the Vespa???
keep doing Vids like this man you're coming up in the world I've been watching you since about 9000 or 10K Subs. watched your style develop and mature. you doing good stuff man it's different unique and refreshing.
I Liked before i even watch... why? because team kawi baby!
Ive had 2 ninja 250s, a 500 n i got a 650 now, theyre fun zippy lil bikes for exploring n traveling
You should make this into a series!
I've only had/have 3 bikes. 07 650 ninja, 07 zx6r, and a gen 1 04 zx10r. I don't think I'd ever wanna buy anything else. I've tried other bikes, I just never liked um personally. I did just see a crazy video on UA-cam about a pgm v8. that looks insane!
Good summary of the Ninja bikes... Huge Kawasaki fan myself... I have owned and still own a Ninja currently... They're the most furious of the Japanese supersport alongside Yamaha in my opinion... Simply put, you can't talk motorcycles without mentioning the Ninja bikes period...
Should of stopped at the 04-05 zx10r. Those things were probably some of the most notorious bikes out there on the street and on the track. They were known to be too powerful at the time.
It's really a beging request. Can you do a KTM history documentary. Please. It would be really amazing.
My favorite brand! Would love to see a video on Suzukis bikes too, but under 15 min
That GPz9 sounds awesome