1991 Kawasaki ZX-7 J For Sale on Bring A Trailer
Here at RSBFS, you know we love everything twin. Twin headlights, twin discs, twin exhausts, twin sist… You get the point. This ZX-7J today features a couple of those things but the timeless twin headlight design is certainly a huge selling point for many 90s sport bikes. Just screams classic. Kawasaki iterated on their 750 a couple of times over the years but the sweet spot for many collectors and riders of the generation is the 1991-92 ZX-7J. The 1989-1990 models had many criticism mainly regarding their weight, suspension, and looks which were all somewhat addressed for the 1991 ZX-7J. Most of the criticisms only became an issue when you put the Zx-7 next to some of its more costly competitors. If you isolate it and hop in the seat… an absolute peach of thing.
If you’ve ever seen any 1989-2003 ZX-7 in person, you know how much visual weight these bikes have. That combined with the excess of green can be too much for some but at this point the more green on your classic Kawi the better. 90s 90s 90s. The physical weight was also a common complaint and while the 1991 model lost 2o lbs over the 1989 model, the 1991 K1 model (homologation special) dropped another 10 lbs. With a full 4.8 gallon tank and a wide ergonomics, you’ll feel the weight but you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone complaining.
The cockpit POV reveals one of the ZX-7s biggest quirks which are the air hoses that are reminiscent of the air hoses that fighter pilots use. While these can be easily be mistaken for intake tubes, they just provide cool air to the cylinder head.
While the 1991 ZX-7J made improvements over the 1990 model, one of the backwards steps Kawasaki had to take had to do with the motor. Euro regulations that limited bikes to 100hp were looming and that forced Kawi’s hand to drop 5-7 hp off the top end. The unrestricted K model engines of the same year pumped out 121 hp. While the restrictions never came to fruition, 100 hp was and still is more than enough power to hustle the ZX-7 around.
Not much you can do in the aftermarket due to the relatively short production runs and limited part crossover between models. However, an aftermarket slip-on from Viper is out there if you wish to hear a better soundtrack.
From the seller:
“…The bike was acquired by the selling dealer in November 2020, reportedly from its original owner, and subsequent service is said to have included cleaning the carburetors and fuel tank, changing the fluids, and replacing the battery and tires. This ZX750J is now offered with an owner’s manual, original warranty documents, a sales brochure, a period publication, a spare license plate bracket, and a clean California title.”
For collectors and enthusiasts, one of the biggest problems with 90s sportbikes is that they were really cheap at one point. If you search for Zx-7s on Facebook Marketplace, you’ll be met with examples that have been stretched, neglected, or dressed in Ebay fairings so any ZX-7 is not that easy to find anymore. While you shouldn’t expect these to command the premiums that a showroom Honda or Suzuki would bring, you should expect to have a conversation (maybe not a great one) with your wife if you choose to enter the bidding. One of the biggest downfalls of the ZX-7J is parts availability. The short production runs and age leave a lot to be desired in terms of aftermarket support so if you want to leave some rubber on the road, this may not be for you.
Best comp is the 1991 ZX-7J that sold on BAT in March 2022 for $16K. Might have to bump the budget past $16K to include something for the lady though.
-Norm
Appears to be a very nice original example. The only thing i see missing are the front side reflectors. I know, they were ugly and the first thing that were tossed in the trash. I spent 3 years tracking down the bases for the reflectors for my 91. It was the only item missing from my low mileage all original zx7. Being a purist can be a PITA. Love these bikes.
I bought ones brand new in 1992 and promptly installed a Muzzy pipe. Was a big Scott Russell fan and selling that bike was one of the biggest regrets of my life! I have several now that outperform it in every way including a 10R but would give anything to still have my ZX7.
Absolutely beautiful bike. I had one when I was 18, beat it, raced it, crashed it, painted it all green and crashed it again in a spectacular street race around an unbuilt shopping center. Bike flew 10 ft in the air after the brake lever came back to the grip approaching a curbed 90* right turn. Threw it in as hard as I could but was scrubbing off probably 80mph, ???? was racing a ZX11, one just like that ZX11 currently resides in my garage, all stock and 7k miles. Took me years to find it and when I did, it was 15 miles away. Will be watching this. Cheers!
Every time I see one of these it reminds me of what a fool I was when I sold my 91 ZX-7R K1 for a price that in retrospect (darn that 20-20 hindsight) equated to me giving it away…
Love the ZX-7. The supersport/superbike list were short back in the day. I still wish for a 1993 green zx7. Not sure how many were produced but even 20 years ago I rarely ever saw a used one (in decent condition) for sale. As a teenager back then, even if i saved up enough to have bought one (fat chance) the $3000 a year insurance made this unattainable for me. …what price lost youth? Guessing $20k + if you could even find one. In my mind this is the quintessential superbike platform. Scott and Rob Muzzy were magic.
Sold for $18,500! -dc