SHOOTOUT
P100
2 ND
2013 MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTBIKE SHOOTOUT PART II
K
awasaki brings the only
true ground-up redesign
to this year's shootout with
its 2013 ZX-6R. The headlining
change is, of course, the return
to its cheater 636cc displacement, but the Ninja also features
an upgraded chassis and all-new
electronics package including
traction control.
Bumping displacement is a return to heresy for Kawasaki, as it
produced a Ninja 636 from 20022006. The other 600 OEMs
weren't pleased with that old 636
cheater, and they're likely miffed
about the new one. And they are
right to complain, as cheaters really do win – evidenced by the
Ninja's victory in the track portion
of our 2013 Supersport Shootout
and as the top-placing inline four
in this Street test. We'd be lying if
we didn't cop to a twinge of sym-
pathy for the 599cc protestations
to fight fair. But only a twinge…
certainly the consumer will not
complain!
Dyno runs display the Ninja's
advantage. While the European
twin and triples keep its peak
horsepower (114.25 hp) and
torque (47.16 lb-ft) in check, the
Kawasaki has an edge on all the
Japanese 600 Fours. The 65009K mid-range proves more po-
