... It was one of the first G1 models, that was when Kawasaki revised the model substantially from the F3 I think. You can tell the difference because the F3 is squarer in appearance.
Anyway, I held on to it for nearly a year in which I did eleven thousand miles around the Highlands of Scotland. ... Read review
...G1 models, that was when Kawasaki revised the model substantially from the F3 I think. You can tell the difference because the F3 is squarer in appearance.
Anyway, I held on to it for nearly a year in which I did eleven thousand miles around the Highlands of Scotland. Given the severe winter we had and the fact I was in Oz for a month that amounted to a pretty high daily mileage - testimony to the comfort of the machine. I used to ... ...soft. This is a typical Kawasaki trait I've been told!
And that's it! I would definitely consider another one if I could afford it! Compared to the CBR600F before it was revamped to the current version (in 99?) the ZX-6R is a much better bike. A serious contender for value for money sports biking with every day practicality and nice looks (in my opinion). ... more
I bought my ZX-6R brand spanking new in May 98 at £6600 which was a snip then. It was one of the first G1 models, that was when Kawasaki revised the model substantially from the F3 I think. You can tell the difference because the F3 is squarer in appearance.
Anyway, I held on to it for nearly a year in which I did eleven thousand miles around the Highlands of Scotland. Given the severe winter we had and the fact I was in Oz for a month that amounted to a pretty high daily mileage - testimony to the comfort of the machine. I used to get up early and go for a 120 mile blast before work - how sad!
Some serious points though:
Performance: For a 600cc on your average road the bike will keep up with anything. I found you could get away with murder on the throttle since it was just on that fine line between too much power making you worry about how far you could go and being able to nail the throttle nearly everywhere. Very nice. The only drawback, which is inherent with lower cc machines, was the need to keep in a lower gear for overtaking - i.e. keep the revs up. In saying that I liked to pass as quickly as possible so perhaps I was a little excessive in that respect. Needless to say, given the right gear, acceleration was phenomenal so if the bike fitted the gap you could go. Top speed - the clock went up to 170mph and mine went off the clock (only on three occasions!!!). However, I had my bike fitted with a Micron race can and Dynojet kit and I think this helped.
Comfort: Brilliant. Make no mistake, despite all the flashiness and performance you can go touring on this machine no problem. Initially my wrists felt sore for the first week but this was because I was used to a GSX600F which was like a sofa in comparison. But the ZX-6R is a true all-rounder. I am six foot tall and the bike fitted me well. In saying that I had a friend who was only 5'6" and he had to tip-toe around on his. Pillions also liked the back although a few of them found the side grab rails disconcerting since it isn't the best set up for hard acceleration. But then again, you do want them to go pillion again - don't you? So, the bottom line is it's a big bike for a 600cc machine.
Equipment: It has decent hand rails for a pillion. Bungee hooks and a toolkit which can take a few more tools. In the cockpit it has a digital clock - no more no-handers as you push up your jacket sleeve to see your watch.
Running costs: Compared to my older GSX600F the costs were high. Insurance for me with one year no claims fully comp was nearly a grand. However I was 27 at the time. I think I could have found a better deal. Tyres - well it depended on how hard you rode. Expect 4,000 miles happy riding from the back tyre and not much more from the front. However, I think you could stretch this to 7 or 8k miles if you were sensible. I fitted BT-56s after the original Dunlops which were far too hard and didn't really give any confidence on the front end. I don't know what they sell with now. Servicing costs were about normal for a bike of this calibre. Beware though - do not skip a service. The valve shims on three valves needed adjusting after 6,000 miles.
What else? Well I mentioned I added a race can and Dynojet kit. This improved bhp from around 95 to 102 or 105 if I remember correctly. You must get the bike properly set up on a dyno else the valve seats can burn out - at least with the Micron can. More importantly the can really smoothed the delivery out. Oh yes - and the sound. A deep, rich, throaty, growl which when on full song would give any mortal being goose bumps. I used to wash mine a lot and the paint on the wheels was quite soft. This is a typical Kawasaki trait I've been told!
And that's it! I would definitely consider another one if I could afford it! Compared to the CBR600F before it was revamped to the current version (in 99?) the ZX-6R is a much better bike. A serious contender for value for money sports biking with every day practicality and nice looks (in my opinion).
...the trick. The mean green Kawasaki won my vote; looked better than the rival Honda to boot and even fitted me quite well. Not exactly armchair luxury but if I wanted that I would've stayed serenely secure in the living room.
The dealer had a 600 mile repossessed bike on offer. He basically wouldn't let me out of the showroom unless I agreed to a test ride. My kind of chap! After signing a couple of forms and handing over my licence, I gave the Ninja ... ...country roads. In a matter of minutes I'd broken all the traffic laws in the land and was sold on the bike. A total blast, a remarkable feeling of security (when the front wheel was actually on the tarmac). I've never been so far from the vertical before; at least not without visiting a hospital afterwards! It was one of those machines that made the rider look like a total hero even he if wasn't! All smiles at the dealer's. He took one look at my ...
pedo10 04.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Kawasaki ZX6R
Advantages: Looks, everyday practicallity, price Disadvantages: Weight, no fuel gauge!
Bought my J1 model 2nd hand in September 06 after passing my test about a month before. Firstly i would say everything on the bike has to be looked at in terms of value for money. Its not the fastest 600 and it certainly isn’t as light or chuckable as say a cbr or equivalent new 600, however for under 3k the bike you get is a absolute bargin.
Performance: Due to my age i was forced to have my ZXR restricted to 33bhp and even then it had the ability ... ...but feel cheated my 109bhp bike had only a third of its stock power... so after a few months I had them taken out. Since then the bike has become alot easier to ride and much more practical on the road. Power delivery through each gear is smooth and the bike pulls hard in any gear above 5000 revs all the way to the limiter. The brakes are pretty good, however I would suggest getting braided hoses on the front as the original hoses do tend to expand ...
downward25 22.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Kawasaki ZX6R
Advantages: Fantastic allround thrashing hooligans tool!!! Disadvantages: Not enough accessories for the F3 model
I passed my test nearly a year ago and I got a new bike after 6 months and boy was I completely blown away by the sheer pulling power of this user friendly mad mans bike. The noise when I took her out for a test drive was great. I pulled away from the garage (Shirlaws, Aberdeen), feeling fuckin ace. I just bought new Richa leathers and Oxtar boots so I was needing a new bike to go along with them!! Anyway, I got told I can have an hours test drive. ... ...later model ninja and the first thing he said was "fuckin hell, this thing sounds nice!!" Sorted. My thoughts exactly!! Went back to the garage and bought her. Paid 3 grand and got a set of Bridgestone BT010s for next to bugger all, a Meta 357T cat 1 alarm-immobiliser(condition of the insurance )for 200 quid, years MOT,6 months warranty and a BIG grin on the face!!
Had her 6 months now and the confidence the bike brings out in you in amazing!! She ...
rnb100 20.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Kawasaki ZX6R
Wow, I bought my ZX6-R last November, just before the 636 was due to be released so I got it for 5000 new. This bike has power and plenty of it, revving high and fast though still having enough low down grunt so you don't have to be constantly changing (unless of course you want to!)
The handling is excellent, wether you are throwing her into a long fast curve or braking hard into a hairpin she does exactly what you tell her and begs for more too. ... ...the front you can get the back up at almost any speed.
She is stable and glued to the road flat out too, it read 160 on the clock with a little more to come.
For a sports bike, there is comfort too, I took my ZX6 down through france last month, doing up to around 800 miles in a day and wasn't in any pain at all!! Looks, obviously, are something special.... though I guess thats a matter of taste, I was lucky enough to get a blue one instead of that ...
thegrinreefer 02.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Kawasaki ZX6R
Advantages: excellent torque and performance and excellent chassis Disadvantages: riding position can be a strain after a fir bit of miles on a trip
...Since I have bought my Kawasaki I have added a steering dampener, braided front back brake lines, Akrapovic Exhaust, smaller number plate and smaller indicators. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY with this bike and feel I definatly made the right choice over all the other 600 on the market. The close second choice for me was the 2003 to present version, Honda CBR 600RR... ...
gixxer_loui 23.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Kawasaki ZX6R
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Advantages: good all round Disadvantages: a common site
i recently did a prject on this bike for my a levels. i own a 125 but after doin the project i have decided that the next bike i buy is goin to be the cbr600f4. the looks are amazing and the preformance is top. the CBR has always been the best selling bike in the world and for a very good reason it is cheep, reliable, and preforms very well. yes it is a very common bike that you will see all the time, but its worth takin a look at full spec of the bke can be found at:
www.hondamotorcycle.com
if your lookin for a 600 cc sport bike you should shop arouns there are plenty of good modles out the like the suzuki gsxr 600 srad, yamaha r6kawasakizx6r. and loads more ...
pedo10 28.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Honda CBR600F4
Introduction
My second bike ever, was a second hand 2 year old Honda CBR600F with 6k on the clock. It's the 2002 fuel injected version. My first bike was a Suzuki SV650S which I got after passing my Direct Access in 2002. The Honda was something of a step up from the SV, which was starting to limit my learning on account of its budget suspension. I fancied something a little bit sharper to challenge me a bit more. I looked around at the sports 600s and even considered a 900 for a while then dismissed it - then I realised; a couple of years on a 600 would be a good learning exercise for me. The two bikes I considered were a KawasakiZX6r and the Honda CBR600F. The reliability issues with carb icing on the Kwak led me to buy the Honda. £4300 later I was the proud owner of a brand-ish new CBR600F in navy blue /silver.
Engine
I had ...
goodo 27.10.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Honda CBR600F4
