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/150387
VOL. 50 ISSUE 32 AUGUST 13, 2013 P103 WHAT THEY SAY: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R JAKE ZEMKE, 37, AMA Formula Xtreme Champ HIGHS COREY NEUER, 37, Test Rider and Expert-Level Club Racer •Excellent engine performance •Best brakes of the group •Easy to ride at speed "It sits a little higher and feels more reminiscent of a race-style seat." "The minute I hopped on it I felt right at home. The motor feels like a built 600—it rips." BERTO WOOLDRIDGE, 38, AFM Club President and Expert-Level Club Racer "At lean it was easy to change lines and get back to an apex." JASON PRIDMORE, 43, 2x AMA Pro Champion "It was probably one of the easiest bikes to ride." deep trail braking maneuvers. "Now I understand why it went so good compared to the GSXR750," Pridmore recalls. "The lap I did on that bike was the fastest one I did on any of the bikes here." The Ninja's horsepower output ranked it fourth overall, belting out 114.25 hp at 13,500 rpm with another 1800 revs of over-rev to spare. However, power tapers off after peak more dramatically than the R6 and Triumph making upshifts more of a necessity. Fortunately, the Ninja's gearbox shifts well under load and was rated above both the Ducati and MV despite not employing a quickshifter. It had the fourth-most peak torque figure too, cranking out 47.16 lb-ft at 11,300 rpm. That positioned it between the F3 and the Triumph but still between eight and 16 lb-ft less than the mighty Ducati and GSX-R750. "It rips out of the corners," says Neuer. "It's great on the brakes and turn-in. It's phenomenal, very confidence inspiring." Much to our surprise the Ninja didn't record that high of acceleration force numbers off corners. Driving off turn 10 it registered only 0.53g and 0.34g at the exit of the Bowl. This may be explained by the Ninja carrying more momentum through the corners, so the engine didn't have to accelerate as hard when the rider dials in full throttle while transitioning the bike from lean onto the center of the tire. This theory can be supported by the fact that the Ninja had top speeds near the front of the pack ahead of everything besides the larger GSX-R, Ducati and MV (down the short middle straight off of the Bowl). "I spent the least amount of time on the Kawasaki because it was always out on track under another rider," jokes Wooldridge. LOWS •Still no quickshifter •Had to add engine displacement to get back on top Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Settings: Fork Height: 9mm Preload: 9 (Turns in) Compression: 5.5 Rebound: 4.5 Shock Height: 10mm spacer Preload: 6 (turns) Compression: 2.25 Rebound: 1 Drivetrain Engine Power: Full TC: Off "That should say something." We fell in love with the Ninja from the second we pinned the throttle. Its wider powerband let us run higher gears through corners thereby achieving ripping fast drives on exit. Add in its powerful, yet easy to modulate brakes, balanced and superbly accurate chassis and you've got a bike that is overwhelmingly simple to go fast on. Top scores in six categories and a ripping fast Superpole time tipped the scales in the green bike's favor. Best Supersport of 2013? That'd be the 636-powered ZX-6R.