'05/06 ZX6R (636) - What's it like to ride?

[St0rmer66]

I've tried searching for reviews on this bike but almost every single one has the same article just worded a bit different. They have the same core facts about how it's so well designed for the track and how much faster the engine is.. blah blah blah. OK, I know it's fast, but what the hell is it like to actually ride? Seems to be something the reviewers have overlooked somehow .

So I come to you, people of BCF, what is it like to ride on a day to day basis? Is it moderately comfortable? (bearing in mind I'm a supple 19 year old lad ). A lot of the reviews touched on the fact that the clip-ons are closer to the footpegs and some schpiel about it being better for the track, but is it more comfortable as a result? What's the seat like? Is it any good around town? There was something about a valve in the exhaust that opens up the last 2 injectors when you go over a certain RPM or something... Also is the slipper clutch any good? Got to be a plus but I'm not sure entirely how it works.

The reason I ask is because my budget has just increased a large amount due to a job I will be starting in September. Previously I was considering the J1/J2/A1P ZX6-R because it looked quite comfortable and also I like the look of it. But I like the look of the 636 a lot more (it's pretty much my ideal bike!) and it has a lot more features that sound interesting. If anyone thinks it's worth getting an older one first and getting the 636 later then feel free to say if you have good reasons! I won't actually be getting the bike straight away but I like to consider all possible options way in advance for some reason!

Thanks in advance! Much karma will come to the helpful helpers .
____________________
:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[G]

I haven't ridden one, but have sat on them and ridden the previous model. They have quite a fairly extreme 'perched' race style position; makes sense when going for it but not so great for other stuff.

Personally, I'd recommend the J/A models for daily use. The riding position suits me much better for everyday use. Also, it's a fair bit more stable - it can be hustled if you want, but not going to be quite up to the latest bikes, however good enough that it's going to still be more down to the skill of the rider.

As the J model is a lot cheaper, you could get one a fair bit sooner and it's probably a good introduction to supersports bikes - maybe get a cheap one and see if you still want something sportier after it.
Their price seems to have stabilised a bit, so you shouldn't lose too much owning one for a while then selling it on.

[johnsilva]

[CortezTheKill...]

They're actually surprisingly easy to ride on a day-to-day basis. The front end felt very heavy at first and mini-roundabouts were a bit tricky - it always felt as if it was going to drop away from you. After a few ride-outs I got used to it...you just have to make sure you're on the throttle 'driving' it through slow corners and junctions rather than coasting.

Around town it's cool...in 2nd and using the clutch to control your speed it's very well behaved (and sounds great at 7.5k revs with the noise bouncing off shop windows).

Clearly it feels a lot better once you get above 40 - it just all falls into place and feels so sharp and stable even up to 'silly' speeds, but it's a usable bike for everyday needs as well. Maybe not as good at this as other 6-ish sports bikes (only ridden my 636 and a CBR600RR so can't really compare), but its primary purpose is blasting along twisties.

Slipper clutch is excellent - has bailed me out a couple of times when I thought I was going from 3rd to 2nd but was actually going from 2nd to 1st .

Seat is comfortable, but it's obviously not a tourer. Need to get off after an hour to jiggle your bones, but aren't all sports bikes the same in this respect?

Best advice is to try and test one for yourself. Personally, I love it. I'm still very much a novice rider, so don't be put off by its track-focused nature.
____________________
SV650 - TRASHED
ZX636R C6F - SOLD
Current number of wheels: 0 (not including a bicycle).

[St0rmer66]

[hairychipstic...]

the b1h is way way worse of a road bike
the suspension is best described as wayward if you introduce it to anything but a snooker table smooth surface, and its far worse than the 2004/2005 zx10r in terms of harshness
havin said that it has a brilliant engine, and if u can make use of it is about the most fun a 600 can be because its not the most stable of yokes, and the power kicks in very hard when it does
the later model is a bit heavier, a bit tamer and softer but a better road bike as a result

[Villers]

I always said I would never buy a kawasaki, so to be sat here with an 06 636 in the garage is a bit weird.

I use mine for ride outs, commutes and daily knocking about so it gets put through its paces in all respects.

Firstly, the engine although superb at high revs is a bit lumpy at the bottom end of things. A little snatchy really. The second thing is the noise, when your in the mood for it you want to hear that growl but when your just trying to get to work in the morning it begins to get a bit ear piercing!

Handling cant be faulted although mine feels a little stiff at the rear and prob needs adjusted.

The slipper clutch is there but I dont know if Ive used it yet!

Power is manageable at the bottom end, amazing at the top.

Seats ok for about 60-80 miles for me then I have to get off to walk about like frankenstein after a skiing accident.

Clutch lever is pretty far from the bar and takes some getting used to!!

Nice little touches are the shift light, slipper clutch, auto cut out switch in the event of the bike going over, fuel light and the digital display is a pleasure to look at.

Bad touches are no underseat storage whatsoever and the jury are still out on the build quality/reliabilty for me!!
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[CortezTheKill...]

[St0rmer66]

Well I think I may have decided. I will wait until I have 3 years NCB and my restriction period is up (so March 2009!) before I get another bike probably. Then it will be the '06 ZX6-R I imagine! It sounds a long way off, but I will need to be commuting on the bike for a little longer so it makes more sense. The full power GPZ should be more than enough until then and my mate getting a 400 (restricted at that) will be closer matched to me. I'll also have quite a lot more experience by then.

HOWEVER, if I get impatient I may just get a J1/J2 ZX6R, as 'G' said, I won't lose much cash on it really.

As for the seat, I expected that to be honest! I may get a gel seat if it really is that bad but otherwise I should be just using it for fun by then as I will have a company van for work!
____________________
:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[cc123]

I had a blast on an 05 model B2 ZX636R today! I've craved after one for quite some time but I bought an R6 instead 2 months back.

The road itself was some tight sectons with some long drawn out straights which where quite bumpy.

First impression...........brakes! 1 finger job on the radials, really strong, they bite straight away no messing.

The induction growl, very good but under 7k rev's my R6 felt better and more gusty for town riding. Above that I have to say not much in it. The R6 picks up well and goes like stink but the 636R probably had the edge.

Suspension, rock hard!!! My erse was out the seat on the faster sections of the journey. It was fitted with an Ohlins damper which probably kept things in check but it was quite hard for the road.

Other than that, awesome bike Just made such an excellent noise, pulled well, steered well especially after you commit to a corner line.


My R6 will do me for now but I probably will go for the B1/2 model in the next year me thinks.

Heres me and the ZX636R's owner swapping machines today on route to Glen Coe.

Mate on my R6.
https://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z42/cc123_album/Rideout17.jpg

Me on is 636R!
https://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z42/cc123_album/Rideout24.jpg
____________________
Old bikes >>> https://www.bikepics.com/members/cc123/

[St0rmer66]

Bah, that's the ugly B2H .

https://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C06%5C18%5Cbikepics-935341-full.jpg

^ That's the one I want .
____________________
:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[Villers]

Bah everyone gets green, dare to be different...
https://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c186/villersCBR/silverninja.jpg
____________________
RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[cc123]

[johnsilva]