636 zx6r?

[ttmadness]

hi there chaps, looking at getting a 2005-2006 zx6r purely for the reason they are so much more fucking sexy than my cbr600rr.
im interested in mechanical experiences with these bikes, how are they? what probs have people had for xxx amount of kms.

i know theyre supposed to be bloody quick and certainly feel it,probably the fastest of the 600s but reliability counts more for me as they are all pretty much the same.

cheers!

[NinjaBoy]

I bought my 05 636 at 7,000kms and traded it for my current bike at 54,000km. That mileage consisted of approx 50% commuting (60km per day) and the rest was weekend rides, trackdays and finally a 7 day loop of the South Island.

Maintenance consisted of oil/filter changes every 6,000km as per the service manual. New plugs every other service and the valve clearances checked at 42,000kms as per the service manual.

Apart from the usual consumables - brake pads, tyres, chain and sprockets there were only two mechanical faults/issues. I replaced the seized rear wheel bearings at approx 30,000kms and the servo motor for the exhaust valve was replaced under warranty.

It was still pulling strong when I rode it to the dealer to pick up the new bike !!

In terms of power/grunt, the main advantage that the 636 had over its rivals of the day is slightly more midrange torque possibly attributed to the extra cc's and maybe gearing. The CBR's up until the 07 model had a less aggressive feeling to them hence your comment above.

[superman]

Ooo yes good thread, want to see the type of common issues that occur. I think I'll go for a ZX6R for my next bike, won't be for another year or so due to the great licensing system though so hopefully by then the 2009+ models won't cost too much, I quite like the revampment of the newer ones.

But far out just love the look of those Kawakas. Any time I see one ride past me I pretty much drool until it's out of my sight.

[Wiki Drifter]

I got 06 636 as my track bike. Its lighter, has better handling and a bit more power compared to a K4 Gsxr 600. I feel it would be more uncomfortable for road riding than the Gsxr, but that's probably just my imagination.

The only issue I had was the chronic loss of pressure in the front brakes, I later found out this was a common problem. Bleeding the fluids, checked the seals, still can't prevent the gradual loss of pressure over time. So will replace the m/c at some stage... The front brake performance is quite bad compared to the Gsxr also, but I understand swapping callipers with 07+ zx6rs will be a big improvement.

[NinjaBoy]

hopefully by then the 2009+ models won't cost too much

There was a big jump in price between the 07 to 09 models (across all brands) ..approx $3k so don't expect them to be cheap. However there are a lot of 05-06 636 models around and a lesser extent 07-08's.

The front brake performance is quite bad compared to the Gsxr also, but I understand swapping callipers with 07+ zx6rs will be a big improvement.

Can't compare the 04 GSXR but the front brakes on the 06 GSXR 600 race bike I had were poor compared to the 636. There was an incremental improvement on the 07 ZX6R.

[superman]

There was a big jump in price between the 07 to 09 models (across all brands) ..approx $3k so don't expect them to be cheap. However there are a lot of 05-06 636 models around and a lesser extent 07-08's.

Buuut the 2009 ZX6R looks sooo cool, it's just a knockout! Not that the older models are much different looking but the 09 has almost 10 extra horses and weighs 10kg less doesn't it? The 09 model seems to compare quite well against the other 600cc bikes when usually the older models of the ZX6R have been a bit behind their counterparts yes? And if I get a 600 then it would be to get into some casual racing so that 09 ZX6R is exactly what I long for atm. Could easily change my mind soon, but for now that's going to be my baby.

Maybe that $3k gap will be less intense in a year. I'm hoping!

[racefactory]

Buuut the 2009 ZX6R looks sooo cool, it's just a knockout! Not that the older models are much different looking but the 09 has almost 10 extra horses and weighs 10kg less doesn't it? The 09 model seems to compare quite well against the other 600cc bikes when usually the older models of the ZX6R have been a bit behind their counterparts yes? And if I get a 600 then it would be to get into some casual racing so that 09 ZX6R is exactly what I long for atm. Could easily change my mind soon, but for now that's going to be my baby.

Maybe that $3k gap will be less intense in a year. I'm hoping!

I don't know where you get those stats from but it certainly isn't 10kg lighter than the earlier models! The 03/04 was a stunning 389lbs tested! Very quick bikes.

What do you mean by older? 98? The 05 06 in most of the reviewers opinions' made the other bikes look bloody ugly. It was outrageously good looking and holds it's value in the market today on looks and engine alone actually. Just my opinion but the 09 looks bloody fugly I reckon, like a fucking stupid prey mantis, don't know what they were thinking.

03/04 ZX6R was widely criticized for it's on edge, hard and aggressive handling but the 05/06 if you remember absolutely blew everything away. I can't think of a single reviewer who didn't pick the 05 ZX6R and for 06 it was always a toss up between the new 06 R6 and the ZX6R.

The 07/08 model was regarded by most as going downhill for kawi. It had weak power, heavy tested weight and unfriendly gearing. The mid range of the 05/06 was mourned by many.

On paper.... The 09 model is still not as quick as the 05 06 in a straight line actually but it's close. The 05/06 is to date overall the fastest 600 tested so far, bar the 06 R6 in a few certain areas. By multiple reviewers it recorded stonking 10.3 quarter miles @ 137 and incredible roll on performance unmatched by anything yet... check out the stats. 09 ZX6R averaged 10.5@ 131 and close roll on stats.

You could say the extra 36cc's are cheating but it really works. The 09 is about the same in terms of straight line speed as the 03/04 with their mind blowing engines and light weight but the 05/06 then made record breaking 114@ rear wheel.

....Anyway, 600's are not about straight lines!!

[superman]

I don't know where you get those stats from but it certainly isn't 10kg lighter than the earlier models! The 03/04 was a stunning 389lbs tested! Very quick bikes.

Oh I must have heard some comparison between the 08 and the 09 then. Didn't even look at the 05/06 models because I assumed ... That 600's would get better as they improved them over time... hahaha

How are the brakes in the 06 one? Still stand out from the others? Comparing with an R6 doesn't really do anything for me, maybe more the CBR600, R6's don't seem very well suited for casual road riding (assuming again...) but can get good times on a track.

That's why I'm keen on the ZX-6R because it seems to be a good track/road bike. Yeah the 06 model definitely doesn't look quite so... ridiculous I guess. But I like ridiculous! but definitely much better priced.

Edit: IT HAS A UNDER THE ASS EXHAUST... No no no no. I can't stand them, and plus I'd rather sneak in under the 600cc ACC "tolerance". So I'm still stuck on the 09 model.

[racefactory]

Oh I must have heard some comparison between the 08 and the 09 then. Didn't even look at the 05/06 models because I assumed ... That 600's would get better as they improved them over time... hahaha

How are the brakes in the 06 one?

Comparing with an R6 doesn't really do anything for me, maybe more the CBR600, R6's don't seem very well suited for casual road riding (assuming again...) but can get good times on a track.

That's why I'm keen on the ZX-6R because it seems to be a good track/road bike. Yeah the 06 model definitely doesn't look quite so... ridiculous I guess. But I like ridiculous! but definitely much better priced.

Edit: IT HAS A UNDER THE ASS EXHAUST... No no no no. I can't stand them, and plus I'd rather sneak in under the 600cc ACC "tolerance". So I'm still stuck on the 09 model.

Shit unlucky for you! Under seat exhaust, that's why I love cbr600rr's so much!

All I can comment on the 06 brakes is that they slowed me hard from 270kph to 60 just past the 150m marker at pukekohe lap after lap, after lap. If they are in good condition, you won't have any problems with them. Any 600 brakes in good condition are ample to lift the rear wheel and the rest is entirely a preferential thing. With issues of fade aside, one persons favourite brakes are another's too harsh/too soft.

Your right, r6's are pigs for the road with tall gearing and no mid range.

Another thing worth mentioning is the 05/06 zx6r seat is VERY comfortable. In fact the whole bike is really comfortable for a sports bike. That's coming from a cbr600rr and gsxr750.

[SPP]

All I can comment on the 06 brakes is that they slowed me hard from 270kph to 60 just past the 150m marker at pukekohe lap after lap, after lap. If they are in good condition, you won't have any problems with them.

Your brakes pulled you up hard. There's absolutely nothing wrong those things eh!

Another thing worth mentioning is the 05/06 zx6r seat is VERY comfortable. In fact the whole bike is really comfortable for a sports bike.

Comfortable seat?... reeeally, do your parent know?!!

It's personal preference I guess but the early 636 are the best looking for sure
03/04 05/06 07/08 09/10

[Brett]

2003 / 2004 636 is THE best Jappa 600cc road bike IMO. Look amazing, great torque and all-round fantastic machine. I love my 05 GSXR600 but the 03/04 636 is very easily a worthy oponent

[ttmadness]

It's personal preference I guess but the early 636 are the best looking for sure
03/04 05/06 07/08 09/10

lol yea exactly hencethe reason i am looking at the 2006 2005. The 03 04 is great too but under seat exhaust is the only way for me... so used to seeing it now on my cibby. interestin to hear abt the brakes, not sure wats up there... mixed experiences, probably too many variables eh. i dunno.

thanks to all that have shared so far.

[Hugo Nougo]

My 05 636 has 80,000 on the clock and is still going strong (touch wood), the brakes are kickass but have an annoyimg habit of needing pumping if rested between hard rides, like the time it takes to gas up in featherston and hit the first right hander up the rimutakas, no problems lap after lap on a track. The muffler exhaust valve sticks every now and then causing the f1 fault light to come on. Paying extra on rego for 36cc pisses me off.

[BADGRL]

I've owned my 05 636 for over 3yrs now(15-42ks), have ridden ALOT of different bikes and it's still by far my dream machine.

A few aftermarket parts; race ecu, rear race suspension set up, derestricted, K&N a/filter, platnum plugs, full headers + exhaust.

The only wee prob was the cam chain tensioner got sticky at 30ks, easy enough to fix though Then as everyone's saying just standard maintenance... rear wheel bearings, front brakes etc.

Alot of bike for the money, this thing handles and rides for itself you just have to hold on!

[Whynot]

hi there chaps, looking at getting a 2005-2006 zx6r purely for the reason they are so much more fucking sexy than my cbr600rr.
im interested in mechanical experiences with these bikes, how are they? what probs have people had for xxx amount of kms.

i know theyre supposed to be bloody quick and certainly feel it,probably the fastest of the 600s but reliability counts more for me as they are all pretty much the same.

cheers!

pm crash harry, he's looking to sell his zx6r