Kawasaki basically invented the modern 600cc sportsbike, with its GPZ600R of 1984. That was the first middleweight sportster to use an advanced water-cooled, 16-valve engine in a fully-faired chassis, and Kawasaki has been an incredibly strong contender in that class right up to the present day.
The firm’s current 600 supersport bike is the ZX-6R, and it boasts a high-tech spec list, both in the engine department, and in its track-ready chassis. The engine was totally redesigned for 2007, to be more compact, while making even higher peak power. It features a ‘slipper clutch’ to reduce instability under fierce braking on track, and the fuel injection system has eight injectors, to give perfect carburation at all revs. The Ninja’s brakes use special ‘petal’ shaped discs, which are lighter, yet also run cooler, while retaining incredible stopping power. The fully-adjustable front and rear suspension and stiff aluminum frame are as good as anything in the class, and the whole package is wrapped in super-slippy aerodynamic bodywork.
One criticism of the ZX-6R is its rather high first gear. Designed for track performance, it means the bike can top 80mph in first, and it can make fast getaways a tricky affair.
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