Kawasaki ZX-6R (2000-2002)

Ridden all through winter and held up well with some tlc on a weekly basis. It's every bike I've ever wanted in one package.

I've only been riding for 2 years now and this is pretty much the perfect bike for me. Its more than fast enough for the road, very agile with superb brakes and gearbox. Its difficult to see why I could want any more than this bike offers - although maybe just a few more bhp wouldn't go amiss - like another 40 or 50 perhaps.

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Great bike. Last bike was CBR6 (too boring) previously FZR6 (too cramped). This is the best balance between the two. I'm thinking of contacting NATO to tell them one of their missiles is missing, but I'd miss it too much if they took it away. It doesn't like starting when hot very much, but other than that its great. Shame that the dealer (Carnell Milton Keynes) was utter shite and I'd never go there again.

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The best grins per £ around

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My first bike after learning to ride. I bought it after reading the road tests at the time and it's been fantastic. I toured Scotland last year and did 2,000 miles in a week with no problems. The standard suspension needs to be set up to really get the best out of it. But when set up it handles very well. My two favourite things about the bike are the looks and the amazing engine which howls around to the red line. I can't stop grinning when I ride it :) I've had two problems with the bike. The front struts both had seized adjusters from new and were changed under warranty on the first service without any quibble. The paint on the wheels faded badly and was again dealt with by my local dealer without charge. The only negative point about the bike is when starting from cold, which usually takes a few attempts. I'm hoping Kawasaki bring out a ZX10r which will be the only bike I might change to.

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It still keeps me happy long after my last bike (fazer 600) got boring. The handling is predictable and the brakes are reasonable (sometimes fade in the wet). I hate the problems I have with starting the damn thing. Every other bike I've used just fires up, this b@stard just takes too much time. Starting this bike is like making love to a beautiful woman - you flick the switch, twiddle the throttle and all seems to be going swimmingly when all of a sudden the damn thing dies off with a cry of "I can't be bothered I've got a headache." That may be more to do with my technique than anything else, but I'm not the only bloke to have experienced this problem. As for the bike, I've been led to understand that this is a common Kawasaki trait. Anyway, apart from that this bike rocks and is more practical (I must be getting middle-aged) than for example a R6. I recommend it to anyone.

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First big bike after owning an Aprilia RS 125 for 2 years ... its like night and day and it hasnt spent one day in the workshop since I bought it , unlike the Aprilia which spent most of its time there. Absolute excellent bike fun but easy to ride and very very fast and comfortable.

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This is my first big bike. It is bloody great! with all the add ons it nearly keeps up with my bro's 98 blade in a straight line and i lose him in the corners. the zorst, k&n and dynojet really help the 5000 rpm flatspot. Well done kawasaki!

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The bike is great, I wanted a sports bike, but was nervous about owning one, since I han't even ridden a 125 sports bike, the closest i had was a gsx600f a year previous. So I was moving up from a gp100 and was fazd at first. My first ride was taking it home from south shields it would have been nicked in days if I didnt, and I found the seat uncomfortable after 100 odd miles, but it has since eased up and is now comfy all day. It is far to easy to go too fast on this bike, but with my limited experience it does have power lowdown which I find useful enough with the 10k+ range bing left fot nutty spells. Overall I find the bike easy to live with, but in heavy traffic it easier on the wrists to filter.

Love the handling and the power of it compared to my old F2. Not quite as comfy but a hell of lot more fun to ride with that growl it makes. Covered 4500 miles in two months not a problem with it so far and the tyres have about 500 miles left in them, they aren't bad at all but will be changing them for bt010s for the summer next year, can't wait. Hopefully a trip to France is on the cards in about July so will be able to give it some proper testing on some excellent roads.