Kawasaki ZX-6R Bike Overview
The Kawasaki ZX-6R is a great bike for your everyday rider and it is a very user friendly piece of equipment.
It is powerful too- with a 636cc engine evenly spread between the power and torque, the bike feels evenly balanced and less extreme. With ABS as an optional extra to the bike, the cost can be pricey but definitely worth the extra £££ and, with traction control as standard, this bike is truly a must have.
The ride quality of this bike is something you have to try to believe; speed bumps, pot holes, random bumps and quick speeds, this bike takes it all without any faulting. The steering is balanced perfectly between light and heavy allowing you to turn quickly and sharply so you are not going to miss your next turn even if you are a little late.
Moving along the roads quickly and clean with this bike is no problem as it seems to glide through the RPM with it eventually passing through 8000 to the bigger air box where it hits 10000RPM+. The mid-range to this bike is vastly more impressive than the 599cc model.
As far as the build goes on this bike, it has been gives an A* rating by many and the term disappointed is not something you will ever find being used where this bike considered. Today, prices of a supersport bike are pretty much “you pay for what you get” and, on this occasion, you definitely are getting more bang for your buck.
Kawasaki ZX-6R Bike Spec
- Top speed163mph
- Weight174kg
- Average fuel consumption40mpg
- Capacity636cc
- Seat height820mm
- EngineFour stroke, liquid cooled, 4v, DOHC
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Owner Reviews
Pros
The handling and the experience of riding it, its so much fun !
Cons
The range of the bike, fuel tanker could be bigger.
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Great and fun bike to ride. Have used on short and longer journeys without feeling drained. Probably better suited to more open and suburban roads rather than in town driving. Handles brilliantly on the twisty roads and feels light. Have taken a pillion a few times and they enjoyed it and can feel they sit a little high. Its very powerful and has loads of torque in its class.
Bought from new in 2005 and always started. Had to replace battery twice and the usual service items.
Brakes well without any issues. I prefer to ride it with Bridgestone tyres but the Michelin are pretty good as well.
Moving it around the garden and shed , it seems a little heavy but very light on the road. Can push it hard into the corners and it does just fine.
More powerful than a standard 600cc sports bike and outperforms them in my opinion.
Depending on how you twist the throttle it may use some fuel. I usually get well over 110 miles on a full tank obeying the speed limits
Pros
Great to ride.
Cons
Comfort for long distance.
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Comfy for short periods.
No problems.
Stops as it should.
It's lovely.
More than adequate.
I do few miles, so very cheap.
Pros
I am doing her up now and it’s finding the black pegs for the rear of the bike that’s a pain.
Cons
Apart from a little face lift I would honestly say nothing
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It is comfy and is ok for long journeys. Pillion passenger says comfortable too.
Not really
Good.
Very good.
She moves.
No she’s very good on fuel it’s a slow drinker
Pros
I love the styling of the b1h, it has a real distinctive look about it.
Cons
I've not had any issues with mine yet (fingers crossed) but I've heard the gearbox is a weak point
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Comfortable for short rides, gets a little uncomfortable after a few hours.
Really good build quality, doesn't seem to suffer with the rusty swingarms, and bolts etc like some kawasakis do.
Brakes could be better if I'm honest, they seem to suffer with corrosion quite badly, but nothing a little bit of in depth maintenance and cleaning cant resolve.
Handles like its on rails, literally cannot fault the handling, although a steering damper could improve it further for fast road/track riding
The 636 engine is an absolutely stunning engine, I love how high it revs and the power delivery is great for a small sports bike. The engine sounds great, and performs brilliantly. Mine is currently on over 50,000 miles and still going strong!
Very cheap to run, tax (slightly higher than the 600) and insure. Fuel costs are on par with my old GSXR 600.
Pros
The price and value for money
Cons
Probably a better pillion seat
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I think ther bikes very comfortable for a sports bike not the best bike for pillion comfort buts its not stopped us 2s up
no problems so far very nice finish and built quality.
brilliant brakes abs what more could you want.
Its a very like bike and will out corner my previous gsxr through the bends by far.
Lots of torque for a 600 class bike.
lots cheaper than my old gsxr but u don't buy a sports bike for the fuel economy.
Pros
Looks definitely.
Cons
Comfort on long distance.
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Wrist ache is a problem from seating position and having to stop around the 100mile to stretch legs is a must as the cramped position isn’t ideal for long rides but is a great fun bike to ride.
Very reliable if used but if sat up over the winter it becomes quite regular to strip the carbs down and give them a good clean to have it running sweet again.
For the age of the bike the brakes work very well cannot fault but in today’s standards no abs.
Very smooth to ride and cornering is not an issue great clutch for smooth pull away and brakes are great for a late 90s' sports bike.
More power than is required for road riding but isn’t overwhelming.
Fuel gauge is not on these bike but would require refilling the tank around the 130-150 mile mark.
Pros
Speed and looks.
Cons
Optional comfort accessories.
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Ride is very good until you encounter a bump or bad roads. You will not feel comfortable when riding on bad roads. Brilliant maneuvers.
That was very quick for a 600. It is supersport and so is meant for it anyway.
Yearly service on an authorised service center is around £250. With regards to fuel, it runs 130 miles for around 14 litres.
Hasn't broken down at all and is always reliable I feel.
This has got an automatic braking when I release the throttle. So I do not use so much manual braking, but when I used brakes it's defnitely very reliable.
Pros
The bike is old and showing it's age, but I know it and it know's me, so the ride is like two mates out having a laugh.
Cons
Brakes, tokico six pot brakes are not the best.
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Still corners and takes off like a rocket.
164mph is plenty fast enough.
Very good on fuel.
Made in 1999 and still going strong.
Brakes like an oil tanker.
Pros
Easy to ride, always puts a smile on my face, more than enough power for the road.
Cons
Fuel gauge would have been helpful but just rely on resetting the odometer.
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Turn in is very sharp and bike is light to maneuver.
Smooth, but like any supersport needs revved.
Still get 50 mpg even with energetic riding.
No issues
Pros
Speed and acceleration for a 600 along with the handling. I love it.
Cons
Rear seat storage space.
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Corners very well. Easy to get a knee down
A powerful 600
Rear seat storage space.
Never missed a beat
Stops as well as it accelerates
Pros
Beautiful styling much nicer colour than the usual old Kawasaki green. It's best bike I've had would defo recommend to anyone.
Cons
On longer journeys it looses a bit of comfort and also even when new chain and sprockets it still sounds a little ratly and always has.
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Very light when riding for a fairly big old biker great in and out of corners
Amazing engine, great power for a 600 plus pulls like a train in all gears
On longer journeys it looses a bit of comfort and also even when new chain and sprockets it still sounds a little ratly and always has.
Always had a rattle on the chain even when new chain and sprockets. Very easy to work on though very accessible
Front brakes are really sharp and great back brakes never been that good
Pros
Bags of style and performance other road users cars vans and bikes stop me and comment positively about it at least once a week.
Cons
Maybe slightly better fuel consumption but 45ish to the gallon aint too shabby by my reckoning
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First bike i have had since 1983 so the ride quality is on a level way beyond what i was used to fan bloody tastick
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Maybe slightly better fuel consumption but 45ish to the gallon aint too shabby by my reckoning
Generally very good but had to change front brake light switch hope its just a one off
Very good ABS
Pros
I own it. It does what it says on the tin.
Cons
Nothing!
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Nothing!
Pros
16,000rpm redline howl. In summary, I'm super happy with the bike and I'm glad I chose it over some other models. For the riding I do and the conditions I ride in, rarely commuting and mostly in warm weather if I can help it, the bike performs amazingly. It looks aggressive, it sounds brilliant, has savage brakes and handles like a dream... What more could you ask for from a 600!
Cons
Seating position is quite aggressive and pegs are a bit high
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Feels balanced and handles beautifully, feels like it belongs at full lean. Downside to all that support is you notice every bump in the road.
Coming from a twin the engine surprised me a lot. Everyone always says 600s are sluggish and you have to rev them past 10k for any grunt but haven't found that to be the case. Engine pulls from about 6k, then once it's past 10k it really starts to wake up, before that amazing howl at 16k. Sounds amazing with a racefit exhaust and smooth as you like for cruising around town at low revs.
Seating position is quite aggressive and pegs are a bit high
Quality Japanese bike, Nissin brakes, show bpsff, feels like it will run forever
Front brake is fantastic. Great stopping power from the Nissin calipers and dual 310mm discs, good initial bite and had an good feel for me. Rear brake is a bit wooden but still has decent power.
Pros
I love the zx6r I've had a few bikes and this is solid but smooth powers there when you want it and will just plod on comfortably as well.
Cons
The front brakes not as good as my blue spots on my Yamaha.
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The front brakes not as good as my blue spots on my Yamaha.
Pros
Fast, reliable and looks good for its age. Quickness.
Cons
Paint quality.
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On the heavy side
Bloody quick!
Paint quality.
Pretty well made
Good tyres compliment the braking system
Pros
Brilliant all rounder for me and fits me well (5'7) cheap to run and insure £108 with Swinton and built better than newer stuff. Cant fault the bike it does all i have wanted it to do, commute, scratch, touring and just plain messing about, Thanks Kawasaki.
Cons
There is still a few of these about but not many bolt ons available. Thats all i can think of.
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Found Bridgstone tyres to be well suited, and I have tweaked the suspension to suit my style of riding and have also fitted a steering damper
Not ridden anything else that does what the G2 does better
There is still a few of these about but not many bolt ons available. Thats all i can think of.
Never had a problem at all had it for 12 years and apart from tyres and brakes and routine serving never has gone wrong. Build quality is good late 90s, early 00s were the best quality bikes
HH EBC pads and braided hoses enough to squeal the front and lift the rear - what more do you want
Pros
reliability has to be the best feature of my bike, I have used the bike constantly for the last 2 years and not once has it let me down. I have owned several bikes throughout the years, but the Kawasaki 636 has given me the most enjoyment , may it be the daily commute or an afternoon dash around the Brecon Beacons it never fails to put a smile on my face.
Cons
The engine be a lot quieter, the various ticks and rattles at idle can sound alarming to the uninitiated.
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with fully adjustable suspension and fairly relaxed riding position the zx is great to ride as a commuter bike and powerful enough for a weekend on twisty a roads
great performance, but not as sharp as newer models
this bike is my main transport and I find it to be very economical, servicing costs are reasonable and fuel consumption is very good.
as with all Kawasaki's it great in warm dry weather but requires constant maintenance throughout the winter months.
brakes on this model notoriously lack feel.
Pros
Undertail exhaust for sure. What is there not to love about a open road and a Kawasaki Ninja Everyone knows he name When that Lime Green bike goes past it turns heads for sure
Cons
Brakes
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Smooth Criminal
Can’t fault it
The more you push the more you burn
It’s 10 years old no sign of rust and any mechanical issues
Saved my life a few times
Pros
Its like riding on an exocet missile
Cons
Update the look
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Very comfy for a sports bike
More than enough power for a small light bike
Very good
No issues after 5 years
Pros
Speed and handling!
Cons
Brakes and slightly bigger fuel capacity!
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1. Light as a feather (think it only weighs about 180kg wet!) 2. Because the the weight and how well balanced it is, it's easily manuverable! Weither you are commuting through heavy traffic or hitting your local back roads or even the track! 3.with fully adjustable showa suspension, with the right set up it's lovely! Good amount of power (like any 600 supersport) Had mine on a dyno this year (2019), it's running 112bhp at the wheel (only losing about 2-3bhp over the 14 years!
For a 600 supersport, it's fast! I know their clocks are a bit 'iffy. Had a couple tracks days on the bike and had "180mph" wouldn't go anymore (I know you can take 10% off that straight away but still quick) 0-60 in about 3 seconds, 0-100 in about 5 seconds. 112BHP at the wheel. Not overall torquey as expected. Will power wheelie in 1st like anything, 2nd it doesn't!
Drinks petrol like nobodies business! Other than that not too bad, holds 4lts oil, loads of coolant. Quite cheap in that sense. It's mainly the fuel cost that's expensive.
Not the best, but not terrible. Forks seals are notorious for going at lower mileage compared to other manufactures of the same year/cc. Head cover gaskets go on them at lower mileage too. They're the only issues I have had so far. Showa suspension is a lovely addition! Brakes are tokico... wish they put something better in! Slipper clutch is a great feature!
Swap the calipers for something better!
Pros
It looks great goes really well & fun to ride
Cons
More mpg
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I have great fun finding it even while on the way to work
Pulls like a train
It could be better but it's a sports bike so geared for power
Not had any problems so far even though the old girl is 19
Never lets me down
Pros
Handling
Cons
speedo and rev display, very difficult to read.
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Rock steady, recovers from incidents, slips etc very, very well.
After riding for over 30 years this is one of my favourites.
Fair
Oil filter failure, recall by K&N but to no avail.
Excellent now I upgraded the calipers to a '13' zx636 Nissin calipers from the previous tokico.