2006 zx6r vs 2006 r6

[nzpoontang]

Have been looking at getting a 600 for a while, have narrowed my options to a zx6r or r6. I have taken my mates zx6r(636) for a few good rides and really like the feel of it and how it handles, but I prefer the looks and styling of the r6 and also have taken one for a test ride and liked the way it performed also. Has anybody owned both and got anything to say about them? Im looking at spending around the 7-8k mark and they both seem to be similarly priced

[Vinz0r]

Have been looking at getting a 600 for a while, have narrowed my options to a zx6r or r6. I have taken my mates zx6r(636) for a few good rides and really like the feel of it and how it handles, but I prefer the looks and styling of the r6 and also have taken one for a test ride and liked the way it performed also. Has anybody owned both and got anything to say about them? Im looking at spending around the 7-8k mark and they both seem to be similarly priced

R6 makes it's power higher up in the rev range, it's flat in low to mid, the peaky power delivery makes it more track oriented. The 636 has much smoother power delivery (more torque down low) which makes it more usable for road riding. The 636 has a more comfortable seating position, with the handlebars set further back. R6 has a more aggressive position with more weight on arms and wrists.

I'd go for the 636 (in fact I did, had an 05 ZX6 before I got the NC30!)
When buying one try and make sure all the big services have been done, doing valve clearances on these is a big fucking job. Common problems include cam chain tensioner going, but it's an easy fix. Also some had a problem with 2nd gear going kaput, worn dogs IIRC.

[nzpoontang]

I'd go for the 636 (in fact I did, had an 05 ZX6 before I got the NC30!)
When buying one try and make sure all the big services have been done, doing valve clearances on these is a big fucking job. Common problems include cam chain tensioner going, but it's an easy fix. Also some had a problem with 2nd gear going kaput, worn dogs IIRC.[/QUOTE]

What is the recommended kms to have the valve clearance checked on a 636? Any other common faults to look out for?

[EJK]

What is the recommended kms to have the valve clearance checked on a 636? Any other common faults to look out for?

Recommended km for valve clearance check was 24,000km interval for my 07 ZX10R. Should be the same for ZX6R.

[Vinz0r]

What is the recommended kms to have the valve clearance checked on a 636? Any other common faults to look out for?

Off the top of my head, it was 24k and 48k. The exhaust valve servo shits itself after awhile, and if an aftermarket exhaust has been installed without the servo being removed properly it's going to be throwing error codes. This was the case with mine, but it's easy to wire up a bypass to trick the ECU, a few resistors and a capacitor, cost about $5 all up.

When checking out the bike you should see what the error code history is: http://zx6r.com/guides/12417-how-pull-fi-codes.html
Be aware that these codes can be cleared from the memory.

I can't really think of any other common faults, the gearbox problem is the only big one to look out for. They're an awesome bike.

[WNJ]

I have a 04, 636, also have a 05 r6, much prefer the 636 better bike all round imho

[nzpoontang]

I have a 04, 636, also have a 05 r6, much prefer the 636 better bike all round imho

Cool man good to know. Ok to throw another spanner in the works what have people got to say about a Daytona 675 over a zx636??

[carbonhed]

Cool man good to know. Ok to throw another spanner in the works what have people got to say about a Daytona 675 over a zx636??

The 636 is a better bike than the R6 and the 675 is better than both of them.

[breakaway]

I found 600cc bikes very fatiguing on long trips. Feels like I have to thrash the tits off it and work the gearbox more than a thai hooker on Friday night to keep it moving.

[Vinz0r]

I found 600cc bikes very fatiguing on long trips. Feels like I have to thrash the tits off it and work the gearbox more than a thai hooker on Friday night to keep it moving.

Seriously? You find a 600 super sport lacking in power on the road?
Slow down mate :P

[Ender EnZed]

Seriously? You find a 600 super sport lacking in power on the road?
Slow down mate :P

They're fast when you feel like changing gear a lot.

[BigAl]

Seriously? You find a 600 super sport lacking in power on the road?

Depends what you're used too, compared to a thou they are.

[breakaway]

Seriously? You find a 600 super sport lacking in power on the road?
Slow down mate :P

I don't find them lacking in power, I just find them tiring to ride. Just like a trip from Auckland to Wellington is fatiguing in a Nissan March but not so bad in a 350Z because it has a shit ton of torque and you don't have to beat the shit out of it to get it to overtake or even cruise comforably. All the 600cc bracket bikes are highly strung engines with hilariously tiny power bands, which means lots of gear changes to keep the engine in its sweet spot to get good power out of them.

If you've never ridden anything bigger it'll feel like the bees knees, but try riding a 1000 for a year and coming back to it.

Your 400 probably has no issue keeping up with 600s and even 1000s, but it would be a very involved ride. Fine if you're into that sort of thing I guess.

[Vinz0r]

I don't find them lacking in power, I just find them tiring to ride. Just like a trip from Auckland to Wellington is fatiguing in a Nissan March but not so bad in a 350Z because it has a shit ton of torque and you don't have to beat the shit out of it to get it to overtake or even cruise comforably. All the 600cc bracket bikes are highly strung engines with hilariously tiny power bands, which means lots of gear changes to keep the engine in its sweet spot to get good power out of them.

If you've never ridden anything bigger it'll feel like the bees knees, but try riding a 1000 for a year and coming back to it.

Your 400 probably has no issue keeping up with 600s and even 1000s, but it would be a very involved ride. Fine if you're into that sort of thing I guess.

Ah yep I see what ya mean, I thought you were meaning the ZX6 was lacking in available power, rather than comfortably accessible available power.
I did find my old Bandit 1200 a lot more relaxing to ride than the ZX6, 5 speed transmission + plenty of torque made for plenty of power on hand in any gear. In saying that, touring on the ZX6 wasn't so bad, but for longer trips there are better bikes!

[Asher]

I have 06 636 and love it.
Only common complaints about them is 2nd gear going and the brakes are pretty rubbish.