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High Octane
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Kawasaki ZX-6R
Jeff Buchanan
04/01/2007
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Photograph by Kevin Wing
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Effectively melding the design philosophy of its MotoGP
racing division with its street-going, production-based supersport machine,
Kawasaki has retired the 636 offering to concentrate their middleweight efforts
solely on the 600. The result is an all-new Ninja ZX-6R.
The ZX-6R
represents a significant retooling of Kawasaki’s popular and successful
supersport weapon, driven as much by knife-edge technology as a theoretical
approach to tackling a race circuit. MotoGP, which are downsizing from 990cc
powerplants to 800s has inspired a shift in engineering pursuits—improved
handling and cornering characteristics are favored over ultimate horsepower.
 RIDING STYLE: Helmet: AGV TiTech. Leathers: MotoGP 1-Piece. Kangaroo Hide
Compression Suit. Gloves: MotoGP RPM. Boots: Sidi Vertigo
Corsa. Photograph by Tom Riles. (Click image to enlarge)
The new Ninja is smaller, more nimble, extremely responsive race bikes,
capable of faster corner entry and higher mid-turn speed. Early tests in MotoGP
have proven the concept, with the new generation machines already cutting lap
times equivalent to, and in some cases faster, than the 990cc machines. If there
is any doubt that Kawasaki was concentrating on compacting the ZX-6R, its
selection of a former 125cc Grand Prix racer as the ZX-6R’s chief development
rider erases any questions.
The key to the Ninjas’s success is mass
centralization—getting more of the motorcycle’s weight closer to its center,
rendering a neutral handling, less sensitive motorcycle. The improved feedback
results in increased confidence on turn-in—especially at speed—with a planted
demeanor mid-corner that lends itself to getting on to the throttle sooner for
quicker exits.
 Photograph by Tom Riles. (Click image to enlarge)
Instead of coaxing more ponies out of the 599cc liquid-cooled,
in-line-4, engineers worked at broadening the powerband, spreading the 116
horses (same specification as last year) over a wider, more usable spectrum. The
ZX-6R enjoys ample torque, strong mid-range, and a screaming top end that
translates to a more forgiving temperament on the track regarding shift
points and throttle application. This allows the rider to concentrate on lines
and brake points rather than worrying about trying to maintain engine speed.
A healthy allowance for over-rev has been built-in, reducing the potential
of redlining the machine. With peak performance arriving at 12,500 rpm and an
over-rev ceiling of 16,000, there’s plenty of room to stay on the throttle a
little longer, when necessary, and avoid a gear-change, if the situation
warrants. This is an extension of the racing philos-ophy, giving the rider more
latitude to ride the way that best suits his style and the track
layout.
Married to the wide powerband, the close-ratio 6-speed cassette
transmission makes it easier to use the performance of the Ninja. The slipper
clutch alleviates the chances of skipping the rear wheel on hard downshifts,
synchronizing the engine revs with rear wheel speed for smooth corner entry.
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