2007 ZX6R

[.....]

Taken From https://www.motorcycledaily.com/

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/092306_6r_top.jpg

After several years of offering their 636cc ZX-6R for street use, and an entirely seperate 599cc machine, dubbed the ZX-6RR, for displacement-restricted racing classes, Kawasaki will offer only one ZX-6R for 2007, and it will displace 599cc.

The new machine was designed from the ground up to follow Kawasaki's 'Power, Performance, Exhilaration' motto, and judging from the specs, it will be as focused on racetrack performance as any supersport class machine we have seen yet - perhaps even more so. In fact, one of the first things mentioned in Kawasaki's media kit is that the chief development rider of the new ZX-6R is a former 125cc GP racer, which Kawasaki claims has resulted in "an all-new 600 capable of cornering speeds previously unknown to the middleweight class".

Just like Honda did with their new CBR600RR, Kawasaki's design team started with the ZX-6R's heart: the motor. While it features an identical 67mm bore and 42.5mm stroke to the current ZX-6RR engine, the new powerplant is significantly smaller - Kawasaki says "about 40mm(1.57in) smaller in both width and length". The compact setup "uses a tri-axis crankshaft and transmission shaft layout to optimize the engine's center of gravity".

The new engine isn't just a smaller version of the old motor, however. Far from it, in fact - the new powerplant was designed from the ground up with a focus on extreme mid-range torque, while still providing superb top-end acceleration, as well as possessing a large over-rev area to allow the rider to make fewer shifts while circulating the track. Computerized flow analysis helped Kawasaki's engineer's design extremely efficient intake ports, and this technique was also applied to the engine's internal coolant passages to maximize cooling efficiency (an important aspect of power production in a high-revving, high compression naturally aspirated powerplant). Aluminum valve spring retainers and lightweight forged pistons contribute to the 6R's high-rpm capability, and the new valvetrain is more compact, reducing the cylinder head's overall height.

The engine's peripheral systems are new as well. On the intake side, smaller diameter throttle bodies contribute to increased midrange torque, while their shorter length is claimed to improve over-rev characteristics. Post-combustion, exhaust gasses will exit via a new exhaust system which uses a 'pre-chamber' located centrally below the engine, which allowed Kawasaki to make the underseat muffler shorter, smaller, and significantly lighter than last year's version - all of which contributes significantly towards the company's design philosophy of mass centralization. A new high-speed, 32-bit ECU controls new injectors which more finely atomize the fuel, for more efficient combustion.

Power is transmitted from the crankshaft to the rear tire via a new six-speed, cassette-type transmission featuring close ratios for better acceleration. Although few owners are likely to take advantage of the "easier trackside ratio changes" offered by the "racing-style gear stack", it will certainly benefit the efforts of Kawasaki's factory-supported Supersport racing teams. Even average riders, however, will benefit from the factory slipper clutch, which is likely to be one of the finest available, at least if it follows the pattern set by the slipper clutches fitted to previous Kawasaki supersport machines. Fitted to the new transmission is a gear position sensor, which displays the selected gear on the new electronic gauge cluster.

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/092306_6r_middle.jpg

Cradling the new powerplant is a similarly all-new twin spar aluminum perimeter frame, which combines pressed and cast aluminum components to keep frame weight to a minimum and optimize rigidity. The compact frame and engine allowed the designers to fit a longer swingarm, which is suspended by means of a revised Uni-Track rear suspension system. The new Uni-Track setup uses a "pillow-ball" (spherical bearing) upper mount in place of the previous bushings, which is claimed to give "a more direct feel and improved feedback". In addition to adjustability for preload, compression damping, and rebound damping, the ZX-6R also comes with 1mm shims which are inserted at the upper shock mount to adjust rear ride height. Finally, the rear shock features a "top-out spring", which is claimed to improve "the rear wheel's ability to follow the road surface when the rear end is light due to hard braking".

Up front, the new ZX-6R features new 41mm inverted cartridge forks, which also feature "top-out springs". New four-piston, four-pad brake calipers are radially-mounted to the bottom of each fork leg, clamping dual 300mm rotors featuring Kawasaki's signature "petal" shape. As with the rear shock, the front forks are fully adjustable for preload, compression damping, and rebound damping.

These all-new hard parts are wrapped in completely redesigned bodywork, which Kawasaki says makes the new ZX-6R "the most aerodynamically efficient of any Ninja sportbike available today". New projector-beam headlights are lighter and more compact, and they sit on either side of a centrally mounted ram-air duct which Kawasaki claims is "small but highly efficient". The more compact front fairing contributes to a smaller frontal area for less drag. This trend continues out back, where the aforementioned smaller underseat muffler allows a slimmer, cleaner tail-section design, which is claimed to similarly reduce drag. The language of Kawasaki's press release indicates an aggressive riding position, and the fuel tank is slimmer to make it easier for the rider to grip the bike with his legs.

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/092306_6r_bottom.jpg

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/092306_6r_bottom2.jpg

https://www.motorcycledaily.com/092306_6r_bottom3.jpg

[extreme3d]

Well i for one am pleased to see that like Honda and Triumph, Kawasaki have spend a lot of time and money into maintaining a decent exhaust system

One that still manages to meet Euro 3 without having to resort to a large cheap underslung 'box' filled with a supersized cat with a stub pipe sticking out of the side, and marketed as a 'motogp' inspired look to cover up the lack of R&D - i.e. Yamaha and Suzuki.

Looks like Kawasaki have managed to get away with a standard inline cat on this bike and this clearly shows a lot of thought has gone into emissions

[_Will_]

In red that is soooooo Sexy
Is it me or is the sliver & red version very er-6 like?
Nice looking bike, with some impressive show of thought behind it though i bets ya wave will have something to say
____________________
Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[jay12329]

Nice to see them moving back into the 600cc fold. Looks are interesting, curvy and flowing, moving away from the curent trend for angular minimal fairings as seen on the R6, CBR and GSXR. The looks dont blow me away like some but i do like them.
I like it, would be good to have a go and compaire with the others, but i suspect again it will be very similar to the other 600cc 4 cylinder machines, leaving the decision down to personal taste or brand loyalty.
Thanks for the info and pics.

J

[trevoriv]

Looks a bit chunky in them photos. RIP 636

[G]

Sounds very interesting.

Glad to see they're keeping up, though whether it lives up to the hype is another matter.

Looks ugly though, not a fan of the headlights on pretty much all the recent ninjas. Can kinda handle the original (new) ZX10 ones.

[quacker_boy]

I like it...the fact i could be arsed to read that entire article says something as well

Looks mean as in Matt black...thinking about a trade in Joe?
____________________
wizzzard wrote: Imagine God just stopping by, tidying your front room up and then quietly letting himself out again. Statisticly more likely to happen than Korn being on here.

[.....]

[ColdInsomnia]

I've never been a fan of Ninja's - too green and too common.

However I LOVE the red / black ones - it's just a shame they're too damned rare.
____________________
Yamaha YB100 | Yamaha TZR125 | Yamaha XJ600S | Suzuki GSF600
"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it."
John Lennon

[quacker_boy]

[brooky]

Ive never been a big fan of the later ninjas but I really like this, I loved the latest ZX10R mostly becuase of the "teardrop" headights and its nice to see them included in this

Have they been struggling to sell the current 636's as there seem to be a lot of companies doing 0% finance?, I always hear a lot of people moaning about the build quality about Kawasakis are they really as bad as a lot of people say?

Cheers
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Suzuki GSX-R 750 K6.

[Groove]

I like the headlights. I have done with most ZX6R's, its just the rest of the bike i cant decide on
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|| Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk

[craigs23]

Wow, it's just very slightly different from the last model. Or maybe I'm just not fully awake yet.

[CortezTheKill...]

I agree that the silver version looks is reminiscent of the ER-6. Only it looks much better.
____________________
SV650 - TRASHED
ZX636R C6F - SOLD
Current number of wheels: 0 (not including a bicycle).

[_Will_]

[TOM M]

I like it, im tempted to buy one in the spring, has to be in green thou
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[_Will_]

Tempting as a next bike, tough call between that and a brutale







Or maybe a '98 R1
____________________
Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[MarkyPancake]

That looks like a nice and beefy 600.

I see they're all going for the intake between the headlights too: R6, CBR600RR and ZX-6R.

[ram_doom]

There is one word for this new one... "FAT" it looks like augustus gloop, with its swollen head and tiny little headlamp eyes

Apparently its higher revving too, so its going the same way as the R6.
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Huambo81a]

doh
____________________
Present: 2017 KTM Super Adventure S
Past: 97 Bandit 600 / 05 Bandit 1200 / 03 ZX6-R / 2006 Tuono R / 2001 VFR 800 / 2010 Street Triple R / 2013 Speed Triple S / 2017 S1000XR

[Huambo81a]

Well, i expect Kawasaki know what they are doing. By creating one model from now on instead of the 636 and 600, you can only assume that they have succeeded in creating a bike with the strengths of both, otherwise it would be entirely pointless (other than the obvious production savings in creating only one 600 class bike each year) They have to persuade current 636 owners to part with their cash, so the midrange must be equal to or greater than the 636.

I like it. Although until i hear writeups on that engine, i shall reserve judgement. The best thing Kawasaki ever did was introduce the concept of doing what the hell you want with engine sizes.

Ya sod it, i want a kawasaki zx11r please, or a CBR1500RR, or maybe a GSXR650
____________________
Present: 2017 KTM Super Adventure S
Past: 97 Bandit 600 / 05 Bandit 1200 / 03 ZX6-R / 2006 Tuono R / 2001 VFR 800 / 2010 Street Triple R / 2013 Speed Triple S / 2017 S1000XR

[palmer]

not bad, but why are bikes getting squinty looking headlights now?

[killa]

The new gixxers look better on paper than in the showrooms, i've been to the showroom down the road and although the new materials and spec is higher, i think the overall design is lacking flair.

That Ninja is going to look impressive on the road.

Black FTW...
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[fast_tzr]

Not liking it at all, fat and ugly like the 06 zx10r.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]