Intro: A RACING BRUTE
Regardless of what the end of the year has in store, the Super sport models will have brought the house down in 2003. After Yamaha and the new R6, Honda and its CBR 600, Kawasaki didn’t lose time in following suit with yet another incredible 600 model.
The Kawa catalogue stands out by proposing 2 machines with similar cubic inch displacement: the ZX-6RR and its 600ccs, right here, and the 6-36 for 36ccs more. In theory, the RR is meant for the track, complete with racing kit. But we wanted to see if this machine could hold its own in its original version, and on the road. (by Gilles Della Posta)
Esthetique: AS AGGRESSIVE AS YOU WISH
Your struck by the crazy look of the ZX-6RR. Obviously, Kawasaki has decided to be a bit more aggressive and original. The front lights and blinkers give you the impression they’re going to literally eat the road. The rear reminds you of the Z 1000..., which is understandable; it’s exactly the same.
Both the details and the bike as a whole will not disappoint you. It’s pure sport. The famous "seat-handle bars-foot stand" triangle has been totally slanted towards the front and the control board isn’t faking it either. It’s even one of the best parts of the machine. Here we are in digital heaven, with the possibility to time yourself up to 99 laps! The only bummer, the liquid crystal rev meter isn’t all that legible.
Motorization: BELLOWING WITH PLEASURE
With power at 113ch at 161kg empty, you’ll understand that this beautiful Kawa runs well indeed! Torque is discreet and may just be the engine’s Achilles heel. A motor that’s been re-hauled, it’s lighter, more compact with forged and not cast pistons and a clutch specifically designed to avoid dribble coming out of turns...that’s some nice work provided by the Japanese specialists.
The character of this 600cc 4-cylinder injection engine really shines through between 7 and 800 revs. That’s when she’s really screaming. And it’ll jump into the red zone real fast, becoming borderline breakdown! The gears shift real easy thanks to a supple gearbox, precise and spaced out nicely, even if it’s not as relaxed on the road. In other words, to get the most out of it, you have to make it scream, but that’s all part of the fun!
On the road: MONSTER LIKE EFFECIENCY
From the start you quickly realize that you must stay away from the city! The weight is almost all on the bars and this will provoke cramps and some genuine pain quickly. The engine also reminds you that it’s not meant for city streets, mainly due to a lack of torque. As for its turning radius, one wonders if you’ll be able to do a U-turn even if you had all of Trafalgar Square to do it in! The ZX-6RR likes wide-open spaces and will become simply claustrophobic if you try to fence it in...
To uncover its talent, the Kawa needs some good old asphalt and a few, tight turn. That’s where she shines
Engine performance, albeit appreciated, is not necessarily the showstopper here. The engine’s precision is what really gets you. Although no Formula 1 star, you feel like you can do just about anything on this beauty.
To help the aluminium perimeter chassis, a 41mm reversed fork supports the front axel assembly.
Everything controlling suspension is adjustable. You can even play with trim! Its efficiency is all the more appreciated thanks to its friendly, easy manner. In fact, Kawa has taken the same direction in development that Yamaha chose, if you look at the geometries of the front axel assembly. The bike is still precise and sprightly, but now she’s easy to steer, which really boosts enjoyment.
And you’ll love it even more for its quality brakes. The dual front 220mm disk with its radial brake callipers is the best there is, but even more, it allows you to really feel what’s going on between the rubber and the turf, which is so important on the track. And, uh, it’s pretty nifty on the road, too.
International
