after looking around for quite a while, i have pretty much decided I want to try and get a Kawi 636. probably about an 04.

what are the opinions of people who have ridden this bike? anything i should know about before getting one? I didn't like the bright green at first but its grown on me, and i'm thinking thats the color i'll be getting, although i like the blue, and this reddish color that i've only seen once (the guy told me its a rare color).

thanks for your input

 

I have an '03 636, great bike.

The seat is terrible, it's gonna crush your balls, I reccomend getting a shaved seat to flatten it out a bit. The tach is also kinda of a pain, it's LCD and kinda hard to read at times when you can't sit an really look hard at it. And the valves tick on them nothing to worry about though, just scary if you don't know whats up.

Other than that I love mine, handles great, very tossable in a turn, light, doesn't stretch you out too much, but when you tuck your knees kind of get in the way. Lots of power for a 600. I suggest you get an exhaust either full or slip on, and a PC III to really bring it to life.

The '03/'04 636's were in the top ten greatest bikes of all time, and can't find the article right now, but rest assured there great bikes.

Hope this helps

 

i have a 04 636 and i have no doubts about the bike at all. a lot of power in mid range and smooth while at high speed. has a lot of bragging rights among other bikes in the 600 class even it's 36cc more above the rest. i assure you that this bike will take care of you as long as you do the same. great choice!!!

 

my fav 600 out there. It actually has some midrange and usable power for day to day riding unlike most of the newer 600's. I actually like the looks of the 05-06 a bit better

 

05 up are fuel injected, dont know if that matters to you. i loved my 05, either way great bikes smart choice.

 

arn't 03/04 fuel injected too??

 

My best friend bought an 05. Its got noticable more power than my f4i. I like the looks of it alot but when he let me ride it I hated how you had to sit on it. He swears that it grows on you but i felt like i was sitting too close to the front. Its almost like your body forms to the bike or something. Anyways keep enough money left to get some good gear to go with it!

 

Yes they are. They started after the '02 model (looked like the ZX9R)

 

Good choice if you get a 636! Great bike. I've had two ZX6R's now and wouldn't want to ride anything else personally, other than a Kawasaki.

You might even be able to find a good deal on an '05 for what you can find a 2003/2004 for. I got a nearly brand new, just broken in, 2005 636 for more than a thousand bucks less than everyone else was selling them for.. Had 1500 miles on it roughly, adult owned, broken in properly, all service history, and he threw in two jackets and a pair of riding pants. On top of that, he delivered it from Kentucky!!! Wait for a great deal and you won't regret it. Just remember: MONEY TALKS! If you're going to make a lowball offer to someone, have money in hand. If they're having trouble getting what they want out of it, and absolutely have to sell, you might walk away with an insane deal if you have money in hand.

 

Love my 04, I have put about 2k on it in the last two months and just love it. The seat does suck though, I shaved it and dropped it 2" in the rear for the stance I wanted, through a MIG high mount full exhaust on it and some other stuff but I think the seat shaving is the best thing I've done. Oh and HID's would be a great idea for the late nite riding...