Location: Broadway, Virginia
Mileage: 7,095
Price: Auction, currently $960.00- No reserve
Due to its condition, there may be some out there that don’t think that this bike should be on RSBFS. So I will make my case. I wrote this bike up because it is one the most important sportbikes in the evolution of the sportbike (In-line four, 16 valve motor, full fairing and $3,299 entry price was a revolution at the time) and this particular bike is original, as the seller describes, except for the admittedly unsightly white lettered tires. The mileage is also low for a bike this age. The Ninja 600 was a good performing, accessible sportbike for many new riders and, remembering back, made a big impact when it hit the streets.
Here’s what the seller has to say-
Excellent original condition 1985 Kawasaki Ninja ZX 600 R with 7,095 actual miles. This Ninja is all original with the exception of the tires, has NOT been laid down and has been stored inside. I have a clear title in hand. There are some blemishes: the paint on the fairing on the left side is scraped off, see picture (this happened in storage), there is a small spot where the seat meets the tank in the center. The carbs could use a cleaning and the valve cover gasket should be replaced (smokes a little until the oil is burned off). The wind screen is original but a small amount of the black has flaked off (very minor, but wanted to mention.) and the one fork seal has a small leak. Now the good: the Ninja starts and runs with no problem, the oil, filter and coolant was changed last spring (has about 300 miles on the change), everything works as it should and it has a new battery. If your looking for an original, first generation sport bike in orginal conditon, this is the motorcycle for you. There are no warranties, expressed or implied. Thanks for viewing the auction.
There’s not a whole lot of photos-
Now, this thing clearly has some issues as highlighted by the seller. And I understand that may put off some RSBFS followers. But what strikes me about this bike is how original it is. According to the seller, the only thing that has been changed is the tires. That’s pretty remarkable for an ’85 anything, much less a bike that was usually either modified or wrecked at some point along the way. Also, the mileage is not high for it’s age. It also runs, although it sounds like it will need some mechanical attention. But I think if you’re willing to put in some elbow grease, you will have one clean example of a first year Ninja 600.
So there’s no reserve on this bike so you may be able to get a great deal on a future show piece. If nothing else it will be a solid piece of sportbike history. You decide. But you should at least go check it out!
-RN
