If you're talking straight line...yeah pretty much. If you're talking over the bumps and on the track...no contest, ZR

 

The main difference between the ZR and ZL's is the shocks. The ZR's have ACT or FOX high performance shocks wereas the ZL uses RydeFX shocks for a smoother ride. Also in 98 and 99 the ZL had a 2" wider ski stance then the ZR but the ZR got widend for 2000. The later ZL's were also came with more luxury features like elec.. start and reverse and the ZR's came with more aggresive compentents like the handlebars. Both used the same engines and some even used the same clutching making them identical in performance.

 

Correctamundo Go Fast Cat...I have an 02 zl 800 efiesr & lined it up with my buds 02 zr 800 when they were new and on a straight he got me by maybe 10' or so!! I prefer the lx items like reverse and e.start so I have replaced the stock shocks with all Fox and Stiffer springs & added zr bars & Vwalla luxury zr 800!!

 

Slowgoer, do have the zr bar rise on yours, if so what did u have to do to fit it on? i want to put some risers on my 01 zl800.

by the way between me and my dad racing its a who ever hooks up the best between my 01 zl and his 02 zr

 

I wanted to get a zr, but my dad wouldn't let me. the zl 500 i got was basically the exact same thing, except for shocks and ski stance. i dont know what year you are talking about, but 98's and 99's were basically the same thing. i looked in the manual, and all the specs for zl and zr 500 efi's were the same except for ski stance and weight (zl 500 efi was lighter by eight pounds, which doesn't make sense because the zr was the race sled0.

 

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all the specs for zl and zr 500 efi's were the same except for ski stance and weight (zl 500 efi was lighter by eight pounds, which doesn't make sense because the zr was the race sled0.[/b]

the zr is built just a little heavier duty than the zl. slightly bigger rear springs, . 85 inch lug track compared to .75 and so on. heavier duty = more weight (unless you go aftermarket of course) the zr was ment to be beat on more.

 

In 99 the zl and zr were the same excpet for the deeper on the zr, heavier rails, rebuildable shocks and the zl had the 43 inch stace while the zr had a 41. The zl can be ridden as hard as zr. How ever it will not hold up as well. (i know this from experence)