2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R road test and pictures

Kawasaki’s 2007 ZX-6R.

THE new Kawasaki ZX6R is a two-wheeled Shunsuke Nakamura – small, agile, packs a hell of a punch and hails from the land of the rising sun.
And, like the Celtic ace, the Kawasaki is most often seen in green.
Kawasaki want the ZX6R to win races, at every level and the baby Ninja is on the ball in the WSS championship, currently sitting in second place.
This year’s bike is completely redesigned. The engine is new, the chassis is new and it’s playing by the rules too this year.
Gone is the 30+cc displacement advantage. It’s now playing on a level field with the other 600cc sportsbikes.
The seat is hard and high and the riding position puts you over the front. That, combined with the stiff track-oriented suspension, makes smooth roads a must.
The instrument cluster is neat and clear and includes a gear indicator and a lap timer. All indications of the Ninja’s track aspirations.
There are a couple of cool touches on the Kwak, the top yoke is a masterpiece and the instrument cluster looks very up-market.
Start the engine, tickle the throttle and the revs rise eagerly. The fuel injection works faultlessly.
But the induction roar of a few years ago has been lost, although it is replaced by a wild wail which raises in pitch and decibels with the revs so all is not lost. The engine spins to a heady 16,000+ RPM but a claimed peak power of 123bhp is made at 14K.
The engine pulls well from low revs but the action starts above 10K. Keep it there and you’ll be really impressed.
Stoppers are taken care of by twin 300mm petal discs at the front. The back is a 210mm single disc. At 167kg dry it’s stupidly light and corners are a hoot and suspension is top-notch.
Will the new Ninja do for Kawasaki what Nakamura has done for Celtic? That’s a toughie, but if you fancy yourself as a Scots Fabien Foret in the World Super Sport championship then the ZX6R has your name written all over it.

Nice front end with the usual centrally positioned ram-air intake.

Awesome Nissin radially mounted callipers and petal discs.

The rear petal disc and rear wheel adjusters.

Rear sets and kickplates, shame the kickplate wasn’t black too.

A very neat, functional, classy dash, gear indicator is a useful addition.

Top yoke is a work of art.

nice, ina any light.