2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R on the road: "Softer and much more compliant"

MCN Senior Road tester Adam Child is currently putting Kawasaki’s new ZX-6R 636 through its paces in California.

Yesterday he was on track, today he’s in the mountains of northern California. Here are Adam’s first impressions from the fast road ride: “We’re on road settings and road Brigestone S20 rubber which means the new ZX-6R steers much slower and the ride is softer, but more compliant.

“It’s somewhat lost its razor sharp steering from the track sessions on Bridgestone’s R10s, but it’s still accurate and stable. From 8,000rpm the 636cc motor wants to get up and go, there’s a noticeable change of induction noise from the larger air-box.

“It will scream to the redline; sounds really good but there’s no need on the road. Instead, throw another gear at it and ride the class-leading torque.

“There’s a lower power mode, and it really makes a huge difference in softening the power, but on perfect dry grippy Californian roads, there’s really no need to use it.”

For Adam’s full analysis of the 2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R, grab a copy of next Wednesday’s MCN.