Kawasaki ZX-6R (1995-1997)

Come on mcn we both know you cant review a bike ten years after it first came out.I can remember the first time you tested the bike you about wet your pants and bp and bike mags did loads of back to backs with the competition and the zx6rf run rings around the honda thundercat and gx600f it was only when they brought out the gsxr 6 srad that suzuki started to catch up and even then it was slower 0/60 and had less top end speed.Honda who are they the cbr600f (jelly mould)was more of a commuter bike.Riding a bike should excite you and leave you buzzing not just get off and say well that rode nice smooth well balanced etc etc i want to get off a bike and go f**k me that was exciting.Thats what the little ninja does and still does to this day.Back in 95 the zx6rf was the daddy.I have bought every zx6 that stood out from the competition and i still own them and will never sell them.I can remember the way the zx6rf made me feel back when it was new and i thought i wouldnt feel like that again until i got the 03 B1H wow. If you are on a budget and you want a ride that will give you a buzz then you cant go wrong with the zx6r f1/2or3.bullet proof too.

I got my 96 F2 off ebay for 1300 with extras such as heated grips, touring panniers and good upkeep. The handling feels a bit "off" compared to my ZXR250 which is really quick and nippy. You need to counter-steer the bike a bit to get it to lean over. Engine is smooth and pulls with lots of gusto for an IL4. The micron can does wonders for the sound. Deep burble going to a rasping overtone. The brakes are sharp, but only time will tell how long they'll last before they require new disks. Suspension needs some fettling and i'll budget about 300 quid getting it sorted/replaced. But a lot of bike for not a little money. Great first big sportsbike to have. Its fast and frantic and the roar of an engine is what made me stay loyal to kwaka.

I like the way it revs, especially after 11500rpm! I can't fault it at all except that it eats brake disks! You can keep up with any other bike on it down twisties but still goes like stink down the straights too! It handles brilliantly and does everything you ask of it.

This bike is a proven race winner, more than able to hold its own against SS GSX-R 750s and any 600 (before the 2mm overbore). It now makes 11 bhp more mid-range, and pulls hard from 8K to 14K. Razor sharp handling, great brakes, absolutely dialed in and still out performs all comers at the track 750cc and below, and can hold its own against litre bikes, losing ground on the straights but making it up under braking and cornering. Will never part with it.

I ride 50 miles a day to work. Commuting on an A road > 90. Read the comments, everyone rates the sound. This engine has real character. Get it over 8000 and it'll take off. 10-11 and there's another surge in store. Handling was initially very scary at the front. Replaced pitted headraces, new fork oil, REDUCED rebound damping (way too stiff otherwise on poor surfaces), new EBC pro-lites (now starting to warp ALREADY - those Tokico calipers are v. powerful) Final touch, 010s. Handling now well fettled. Good for 130mph sweepers on overbanding with no drama - HONESTLY! Very stable bike. Now the only time I get scared is over bridges when the front wheel decides it wants to be an aircraft. Embarras your 900cc-1000cc friends in any twisty with another fine Kawasaki product. When they say Kawasaki Heavy Industries - Just think "Heavy Metal Industries" and hum some judas priest while burning your licence. Highly recommended.

I like the fact that my bike is a red 6R and not the usual green and white. I like the way it performs in the corners on my favourite road; the Cat and Fiddle. I don't like the brakes when they are cold, but do like them when they are hot, like me!! The wife says it's comfortable on the back, bad point,but does not always come out with me, good point!! This bike is very reliable, so far. The riding position is good for the twisties but you can't go far on the motorway. I would buy another one, they have loads of power and not too expensive on insurance.

Like the reliability don't like the standard suspension as you really need a Maxton shock to ride over in the Isle of Man.