Kawasaki ZX-6R (2007)
- 2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R :
- 599cc Liquid cooled inline four 16V DOHC :
- Wet weight 199.9kg :
- Insurance group 14 :
- Measured power/torque 106.76bhp@13,967rpm, 42.9lb ft@11,943rpm :
- Issue tested: April 2007
- Launch: March 2007
- Kawasaki UK on 01628 856750:
Kawasaki's brand new ZX-6R is one fine-looking motorbike, with a barely disguised armoury of performance-orientated hardware scattered around. The chassis has a new frame and swingarm, with larger dimensions and a touch more mass. The new engine also has an insanely high claimed compression ration of 13.9:1, the fuel injection has dual valves and dual injectors, and the slipper clutch is matched to a track-ready cassette gearbox.
But I'm not sold on the accommodation. It's a big old bike compared to its rivals – the bars feel wide, and the tank/seat unit wide and fat. Yet it isn't particularly capacious or comfy compared to the others. Parked up too, the ZX seems unfeasibly long and massive. That's no doubt down to Kawasaki's aerodynami prowess, but it does give the Ninja a rather chunky air, not helped by the highest wet mass of any of the bikes here.
But on track, it quickly shows it's serious. The strong midrane gives it an easier urge than, say, Yamaha's R6, and the astounding brakes let you push your brake points further and further back. The slipper clutch works a treat too, letting you bash down the gears without upsetting the back end. And the extra mass gives it a hint more stability, without affecting fast direction changes too much. And the fuelling is accurate enough for mid-corner corrections without the lurching that can affect lesser set-ups. However, this new, sharper, more focussed Ninja isn't the easiest of the 600s to ride fast round a tight, twisty track or road.
2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R
599cc Liquid cooled inline four 16V DOHC
Wet weight 199.9kg
Insurance group 14
Measured power/torque 106.76bhp@13,967rpm, 42.9lb ft@11,943rpm
Issue tested: April 2007
Launch: March 2007
Kawasaki UK on 01628 856750
But I'm not sold on the accommodation. It's a big old bike compared to its rivals – the bars feel wide, and the tank/seat unit wide and fat. Yet it isn't particularly capacious or comfy compared to the others. Parked up too, the ZX seems unfeasibly long and massive. That's no doubt down to Kawasaki's aerodynami prowess, but it does give the Ninja a rather chunky air, not helped by the highest wet mass of any of the bikes here.
But on track, it quickly shows it's serious. The strong midrane gives it an easier urge than, say, Yamaha's R6, and the astounding brakes let you push your brake points further and further back. The slipper clutch works a treat too, letting you bash down the gears without upsetting the back end. And the extra mass gives it a hint more stability, without affecting fast direction changes too much. And the fuelling is accurate enough for mid-corner corrections without the lurching that can affect lesser set-ups. However, this new, sharper, more focussed Ninja isn't the easiest of the 600s to ride fast round a tight, twisty track or road.
2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R
599cc Liquid cooled inline four 16V DOHC
Wet weight 199.9kg
Insurance group 14
Measured power/torque 106.76bhp@13,967rpm, 42.9lb ft@11,943rpm
Issue tested: April 2007
Launch: March 2007
Kawasaki UK on 01628 856750
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