Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128198
• ~D@~g \J\1DD~~D~ ~DD@ @olfL(@[f@[fi)CS@f? when parked. ·1 didn't miss a shift all day, so I can't complain.-Giyen ~he choi<;e, 1'(1 ,opt for-the difficul~y of finding neUtral whil~stopped~ver the ease finding neub:a'i at, speed., , Kawa'sakritlso seems to -have' a "* c:utIIwIIr--'- _ of ... cool ................ that,... don't ~ tIIIt.'~lID . . . . . . of handle on the fuel-inJection on the. ZX-6R. There's no .annoying hesita· tion when you get on the gas mid· comer, with both bikes responsive to even the slightest movement of the right wrist. In addition to stopping better, going faster and getting there faster, the new Kawasakis also handle better. While previous models always had that comfy, streetbike feel, these bikes have an edge to them. They've got that firm, racebike feel that comes from the motorcycle's being responsive to every input. It's no longer your cl>Shy streetbike ... it's a razor-edged racebike. And it has tons of ground clearance. I never heard anyone in the group complain about touching the ground with anything on the ZX-Rs, and I never had to give it a second thought. HawaII this translates to flogging along on the freeway remains to be seen, but then again we must remember that's probably not a major concern of the rider who is going to salivate at first sight of the new ZX-R and RR. I think it's fair to conclude that if by the end of the day at the racetrack [J!JD fJiJDfjJ you are concentrating purely on going faster, and the motorcyc,le enables you to d~ that within your comfort level, it's doing its job. With its stellar brakes, beefy torque and crisp handling characteristics, the ZX6R allowed me to do just that. With the exception of downshifting one too many times for the hairpin that leads onto the backstraight at Pahrump, I never had an anxious moment with the newest Kawasakis. And I'll admit to riding as hard as I really wanted to ride. After all, there were several laps there when I had Eric Bostrom breathing down my neck, and I could sense his laughing. The difference in price between the RR and the R is $400 (RR- $8399/R $7999), with the R available only in the race-ready Lime Green that Kawasakis are famous for while the R can be had in four colors: Black Pearl, Candy Lightning Blue, Passion Red and Galaxy Silver. On the racetrack with Hayden and Co. and off the racetrack with the likes of Joe Sportbike, it appears at .... ~ ~a= ,,,, tMbir.. '. .k. ~ • . 1he __ T aM is dIlIt 1fIe ..... 1It......,!89c:e, tbe ZX«a 63&c: powerpIaat. c.er."es dan't *lP 1bl!re. 1'Ialn _ 01.....,.... Internal ch8i'lges to the engine tbet JIhould I'IllIke the bIlte lift exceIIeat p\8I:form for a Supetsport recebIke. One 01 the key dift'elences istbitt the pistons areliDtged a\uminum slugs Inatead of the five·gram·heavler cast·ahaninum pistA:Ins In the ZX·SR. Another key dilferenc" Is that the forg