Kawasaki Zx-6r

KAWASAKI ZX-6R

One size fits all

For the past four years, Kawasaki has waged a two-pronged assault on the middleweight supersport category with its ZX-6RR providing eligibility for organized Supersport competition while a larger-capacity 636cc version offered streetwise riders the benefits of a 600 on steroids. Those green pastures have been plowed under for the time being, however, as the all-new 599cc ZX-6R now pulls double duty as both championship contender and public servant.

A solid showing at Jerez satisfied our assessment of the new Ninja’s improved performance on the track, but can it fill the shoes of the 636 when working the street beat?

Within a few miles of stop-n-go city riding, I realized the bottomend response and midrange torque of last year’s 636 is a luxury the new 6R just doesn’t provide. While the new engine produces a very generous spread of power from 10,000 rpm to its 16,500-rpm redline, at more relaxed revs power delivery is lackluster—particularly under 4000 rpm. It is also interesting to note that our U.S.-spec bike produced just 100.3 peak rear-wheel horsepower, while the MasterBike machine delivered 106.1 hp, a difference attributed by a Kawasaki representative to the different sound-test requirements.

On the road, engine vibration is subtle, yet a high-pitched buzz felt in the grips persists at mid-to-upper rpm. We did find this fingernumbing at times as freeway cruising at 80 mph in top gear registers 7000 rpm on the tach. Zing!

I’ve never ridden a sweeter-shifting Ninja. In fact, all of the bike’s controls—throttle, clutch and brakes-yield a feathery, fluid feel that perfectly suits the chassis’ light-steering nature. Although the riding position is track-oriented, the spacious, well-shaped saddle and a reasonable amount of legroom allow long backroad stints in relative comfort. The windscreen offers protection that equals or exceeds others in the class, and the mirrors are a reflection of perfection.

On the down side, it would seem Kawasaki has taken the idea of the “green” machine to heart as our ZX-6R is the most cold-blooded fuel-injected motorcycle I’ve ever ridden. Until the engine was fully up to operating temperature, a lean stumble off-idle was present.

But, hey, what better use of one’s idle time than gazing at this green beauty for an extra minute or two while she warms her soul and yours, too? Don Canet

KAWASAKI

ZX-6R

$8999

4ps A Nimble-handling chassis A Protective windscreen A A better Ninja 600 A Excellent slipper clutch aids smooth-shifting tranny Downs v Soft bottom-end power and least peak horsepower of test v Firm suspension v This ain't no 636~