Road rage be banished! Kawasaki's new ZR-7 is the perfect antidote for those daily traffic-jam blues. It’s an easy-to-ride, air-cooled 750 – handsome but basic - and runs as sweet as a hummingbird to make commuting economical and hassle-free.
If UK trends are anything to go by, the whole commute-by-bike craze should catch on here just as soon as South Africans wake up to the advantages.
The Independent Online (IOL) motoring section reports that motorcycle sales in Britain for 2001 could reach 169 000 or even matching the 170 072 sold in 2000. British commuters are "fed up with the state of the unreliable public transport service in their country" and are turning in thousands to motorcycling to work.
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In this regard the ZR-7 is right on target. Its light clutch, slick five-speed gearbox and wide power band make quick work of heavy traffic.
The bike commuting craze will catch on - when Safricans wake up. Almost everything about it has an air of good sense and the Kawasaki people, well known for their electrifying Ninja superbikes, have also managed to inject a little excitement into the Kleen-equipped (Kawasaki Low Exhaust Emission), carburettor-fed, in-line four-cylinder engine in the form of a claimed 75 frisky horses (56.25kW).
At 202kg dry, the ZR-7 feels light but well balanced. It has a relaxed riding position and its foot pegs and controls are perfectly placed for safety, comfort and good cornering clearance.
Fuel consumption is about 15km/litre, giving the bike an estimated tank range of 330km - if all 22 litres are used.
Although unnecessary, as the bike was already proving itself a capable commuter, I whipped it off to Midvaal Raceway just to get out of the denser-than-usual Johannesburg traffic and see what it could do when given the room.
The ZR-7 could be ridden smoothly and acquitted itself well in some of the tighter corners but, in the fast, often bumpy, bends, the grip of its Bridgestone tyres showed up the handling limitations of the "old-style" double tubular cradle frame – despite extra bracing plates welded on at the steering head and other strategic points.
Bumpy bends show up its 'old-style' double cradle.
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