Kawasaki ZX6R. new 600cc vs 636 model of 2006

[bugjuice]

did find myself missing the low down power a bit though. Guess an adjustment in riding style is called for.

inline 6's love to rev, unlike twins where you've got grunt everywhere. Just keep the revs up (you'll adjust to this) and they can be as twitchy as a twin. Just need more revs. As for the gear shifting, again, it's something that'll come in time too.. it's like anything new you get
glad you're liking the zx6

[icekiwi]

Ther'e all good bikes dude I still get hard blatting my 05 zx6rr...
A mates got an 07 zx6r an a k6 1000 an the suzie hardly gets a look in these days...
Wish I could have both the 05 an 07...

[zeocen]

Even looking at new prices the zx6r is going out the door in welly for $12995 (if you like it in silver) while the current cbr600 is $16995. Bit of a step there.

Wait, what? Are there any places in Auckland with this price? I've been doing an incredible search of doom for the 'me' bike, always ending back up at the ER6F (price + new bike + warranty being a major pro). I never considered a ZX6R due to thinking it was upwards of 14 - 15k. But 12,995 would be incredibly tempting to stretch the budget a few k for a bike that would last for years to come.

[bounce]

glad you're liking the zx6

yup, keen to take a 636 for a spin though and see if there is much difference. Course I have a 900SS that needs to sell first though before I do anything else

Wait, what? Are there any places in Auckland with this price? 12,995 would be incredibly tempting to stretch the budget a few k for a bike that would last for years to come.

No don't think so. $14995 is the standard price. Sawyers/Motorad in Wgtn bought all the silver ones at a low price. They have 2 in the shop still, one demo and one brand new. You might need a trip to Wgtn then eh
...and let me know if you find any greens going cheap!

[zeocen]

You now owe me a bike for getting my hopes up

[bounce]

You now owe me a bike for getting my hopes up

hey I don't mind riding it up for you once you've bought it. I'm sure work can use me in AKL for a day or two..

[bounce]

Interesting to see you progressing.

I went from two vtiwns (97 tl1000s) to the 1000cc inline 4s (R1,Gsxr) and then went to the 636. It did take me a little while to get sorted lol

True. yeah I started with a VTR250 and wound the volume up on that with a neptune can (think my old bike is back up for sale on trademe again actually) and sort of went straight for a bigger twin as the second bike. Not sure whether the 900 is good for a newbie as a first big bike but so long as you don't give it a handful and dump the clutch on it I had no problems.

So time to try the world of inline 4's. Didn't really relish the idea at 250cc capacity though. Always liked the ninjas though. If you ride a ZX6R check out the commercial if you havn't seen it already.

[NinjaBoy]

I'm a bit late to this thread but having owned both the 05 636 and currently the 07 ZX6R since Apr 07 I agree with most of the comments thus far.

The 636 standard setup is a bit softer from suspension to more foam in the seat and a generous width to the pillion seat. Even for a sportsbike it was not too bad as a tourer when we did our South Island trip last year. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ht=jandal+tour

Despite this it didn't embarass itself at the track with good corner stability, good brakes and the slipper clutch was sweet.

Mine also did a lot of commuting ( 60km/day) in Auckland rush hour traffic. The engine didn't mind the low speed and it was easy to keep upright.

Even on its final ride in to the dealer when I traded it in at 54,000km, I was thinking to myself at how well the engine was pulling.

The 07 ZX6R is a completely different bike. Its a trackbike from the start. No more bling gold forks tubes, rear shock housing or levers (oops that was my addition). everything is either black or silver. It feels and looks like it means business.

The ride position is more extreme with lower bars. The seat is harder and the 'G-string' of a pilion seat is a token gesture. (My wife has yet to try it for our annual ride to Paeroa). Gone is the digital tach replaced with a mean looking white faced analogue dial. Gear indicator is a god send at the track and in traffic, and finally I can see both time and trip meter at the same time.
Even the new twin outlet underseat exhaust I've been told looks Ducati like. ( did I mention I have a red one)


Standard suspension is extremely firm. It took a while to get used to but I've tweaked it just right now for weekend road rides.

The 636 feels like it has more mid-range but the 07 has much taller gearing. I find getting a quick start off the lights requires a lot more slipping of the clutch. I generally find I'm riding one gear lower than the 636.


On track..... there are two differences .... Brakes and steering. I cannot figure out why but the brakes are massively more powerful. I've had to dial in the lever one click in so I don't overcook my two finger braking.
Quicker turn in is the biggest thing to watch for on the track. The 636 is a whale by comparison even with a 65 profile Pilot Power. More than once I've had to re-correct my lean into a corner.


Despite some initial reservations I'm really enjoying the new ZX and glad I made the change over.

[discotex]

The 636 feels like it has more mid-range but the 07 has much taller gearing. I find getting a quick start off the lights requires a lot more slipping of the clutch. I generally find I'm riding one gear lower than the 636.

Yeah that's where I think dropping a tooth on the front sprocket would help. Let you get up into the power quicker.

That new tach is a million times better eh. I totally forgot about the digital one. It looks cool but it's hard to quickly glance at in the daylight.

[Oldfulla]

Hi,
my 2 cents worth. I love my 05 636, its great. I have had it since July last year and its never missed a beat, very easy to ride. Well more likely I'm not that flash at riding and its a very forgiving bike, good to learn on. However I really have nothing to compare it with, I went from a 1989 susuki RGV250 to the 636, and they are worlds apart. Only 1 minor pain with the 636 is that I have to really hunch down over the tank to see under the visor so that I'm able the speedo.


Cheers
Ryan (oldfulla)

[NinjaBoy]

Hi,
Only 1 minor pain with the 636 is that I have to really hunch down over the tank to see under the visor so that I'm able the speedo.

Number 1 complaint for the 05 636. In the 06 they put in a higher screen. You can easily remedy with an aftermarket double bubble.

Number 1 complaint for the 07 ZX6R is or will be the tall side stand. I know of more than one person dropping it off the stand and it is a pain on any surface which is not totally flat. My prediction is the 08 will have a shorter stand !

[bounce]

Right a couple more questions for the owners:

1) what are the servicing intervals?
2) how much did your service cost?
3) are you near in Wgtn and can I take your '06 636 for a ride around the block? Not a thrash, just a ride, I know they are fast - it is more the riding position and practicality around town that I am interested in.
(I have found one that I will likely be making an offer on down south but would like to confirm that it's a good fit before taking it further)

[bugjuice]

Right a couple more questions for the owners:

1) what are the servicing intervals?
2) how much did your service cost?
3) are you near in Wgtn and can I take your '06 636 for a ride around the block? Not a thrash, just a ride, I know they are fast - it is more the riding position and practicality around town that I am interested in.
(I have found one that I will likely be making an offer on down south but would like to confirm that it's a good fit before taking it further)

1) 6,000kms (first one at 1,000kms)
2) varies - 24,000 is a biggie, for the valve clearances, rest are pretty much checks and fluid changes. Not that much..
3) nope, soz

[NinjaBoy]

2) varies - 24,000 is a biggie, for the valve clearances, rest are pretty much checks and fluid changes. Not that much..

On the 05/06 this is at 44,000 but its mostly for the extra labour involved.