Highway ramps are great for high speed cornering practice if you live in the big city, I call it the Mixmaster GranPrix. You can get a nice blend of constant and decreasing radius turns and they're all one way so you don't have to contend with oncoming traffic. Early on Sunday morning there is almost zero traffic on these. Another plus is there is usually no oil or sand/gravel dumped on the high speed exit ramps like low speed turns tend to have in the city. Also great for curing yourself of target fixation, if you stare at the barrier wall you'll hit it and practice will be over! I'm heading over to the Kawi dealer in a few minutes and check out the 6R again. It's not a must have deal, I have more bikes than I really need now but this just seems a lot different. Fact finding mission only and I wanted to look at the bike in the Monster Energy version as well. No purchase today, just trying to make my mind up. I'm going to take a long breather on this and not rush in.

The 600s I saw with barely used side rubber was unbelievable.

Yeah that sounds like every bike night I have been too.

LOL that don't sound to fun to me on the street

I guess it could be if you can find some place to keep it spinning at 12k on the street. I guess the second option would be to slow down and enjoy the ride but who the hell can do that for more than a few minutes at a time. Romans is probably right it would be a nice change from the zx14. However the difference between the zx6r and zx10 or late model CBR in terms of handling is going to be too close to be meaningful on the street. However the lack of tq, Hp, buzzing motor and the amount of shifting that needs to be done will be very noticeable on the street even compared to a liter bike. Manufactures sell more 600 sport bikes than any other type of sport bike and I bet 99% of those never find a track day so to each his own I guess

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 6/2/2010 @ 9:55 AM *

^^I'm finding a nice selection of freeway ramps that have some great corners and all one way traffic. I haven't completely lost the CSs but I am coming close on the right. Left, I might never roll over the whole surface in that side. BTW, Rom, weather has been beautiful here over the past couple weeks. Hot pavement makes a big dif to me.

Rook here in Toronto the sand and salt is almost all Gone. Almost. eeeeekk

I'm heading over to the Kawi dealer in a few minutes and check out the 6R again. It's not a must have deal, I have more bikes than I really need now but this just seems a lot different. Fact finding mission only and I wanted to look at the bike in the Monster Energy version as well. No purchase today, just trying to make my mind up. I'm going to take a long breather on this and not rush in.

Kruz why not spend a day on one of your local track trainers. Here they have lots of 6rs to choose from. I tried to post a pic but got it wrong as you may have read above. Tiny thumbnails pics not the easiest to see. But anyway one day on one may be a I love story or one big yuk. May save you thousands ?

Kruz I paid 12,500 for the bike when it first came out. I bought this one at the bike show. Great deal, LOL. (Not including pipe). Let us know the US price. Much Cheaper I'm sure.

Romans, I just got back from the dealer. He has three '09 ZX-6Rs left in Lime Green and one Monster Energy Black/Lime special Edition. He's got the Candy Blue also but that one doesn't do anything for me. Total drive out price is $7516 USD, $200 more for the Monster version. He ran my credit and qualified me for 0% interest financing which is definitely making this deal look sweeter.... I can hang on to my cash and pay it off with no penalty. I told him I would let him know something within 48 hours but I'm still conflicted. Everybody that actually owns one seems to love it but those who don't own one don't like it as much if that makes any sense. One guy on ZX-10r.net traded his '08 10 in on a '09 6 and prefers it, to each his own I say. One thing for sure, I don't really need anymore fast bikes, I have those bases covered pretty well already, just looking for something a little different here. I hear on a track the 600s are a lot more fun to ride fast than the liters. All I know is the liters have spoiled me, the 14 felt like like a Panzer tank last night, man this thing is heavy..LOL!

Well if I do this, which version, Kawi Lime Green or Monster Energy? At the dealer, I was leaning towards the Green.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/2/2010 @ 1:39 PM *

Total drive out price is $7516 USD,

I know I know I asked

One thing is for sure, no matter what you decide that's one Bad Ass bike collection, WOW

Well if I do this, which version, Kawi Lime Green or Monster Energy? At the dealer, I was leaning towards the Green.

Kawi Line = RED ZX-14, BLK ZX-10, GR ZX-6R. Sounds about right. No ? Come on I had to say Green. Lol.

Kruz, you should post pics of your collection on 6R web site(if you buy). Make the boys go nuts.

I can't pick. Black is best but you already have the black 10 which looks almost the same.

We actually have a lot of roads around here that you can easily rid your tires of the chicken strips. A lot of empty winding mountain roads, some are fast sweepers and some very tight technical stuff. I actually scrubbed in my new tires two up.

Ok guys a green '09 ZX6R it is then. I've always wanted a Kawi green bike and almost did it with the 10 but that one just looked better in black and the Monster Energy scheme looks a bit too boy racer for my taste. I'm going over to the dealer around 11:00 AM this morning to sign the paper work. I'm going to take a deep breath here, it's only money and I'm practically stealing the thing right?

I've heard all the arguments pro and con and appreciate everyone's input. What sealed the deal for me was I rode the 10 and 14 back to back and yea the 10 is gutless below 6000 but it's still more fun to ride than the 14 due to the 100 pound weight diference and mass centralization. The 14 is the bike to do distance on, just too much of everything for me to enjoy back in the twisties. I like revy motors anyway, I had more fun racing 125 motocrossers than I ever did the 250s and my big gnarly CR500. It's fun wringing the neck of a smaller bike sometimes. I think I'm going to love this bike, full ride report and pics coming soon. BTW, this bike is going to stay stock for a long, long time. Learned that lesson by buying the Akra and Ivan goodies prematurely on the 10, still in the box. Romans, I will post an updated "Kruz' Toybox" thread on the ZX6R site as soon as I get the pics done.

Congrats on the buy!! That new bike will be a different experience. Some advantages and some disadvantages but then again, that is the best reason to have more than one bike IMO.

Thanks Rook, looking forward to seeing your Busa in July!

Holy shit, You Did it.......

He didit he did IT HE DID it

he did it

AGAIN

I'm giving up ever trying to talk you out of it after this. Before the ZX-10 I was thinking "what if that was me" but at this point, I can't imagine myself in your shoes. Wish I could. Have fun, bro. Ride up a storm for all of us.

Congrats once again Kruz, I'm still in shock over the price. 12,600 for me Wow.

* Last updated by: Romans on 6/3/2010 @ 7:47 PM *

^^^^^^^^^^SSHEESH! Kruz could almost have bought a Monster and a Greeny.

NO wait!!!!! Never mind --

Ouch Romans!!! Hey, don't feel too bad, I paid way too much for my 10, they dropped over $2400 since I bought last December. Anyway, you get over it, what's done is done.... go enjoy the ride. And what a ride you have there with that 6R, I couldn't wipe the grin off my face after my first ride yesterday! Put about 50 miles on her before dark and didn't want to get off the thing. You were right, this bike is a freekin blast, may turn out to be my favorite bike of all time when all the smoke clears!

OK first ride report: the bike felt pretty gutless down low at first but that impression seems to be changing as I start opening it up more and she loosens up. I had absolutely no trouble blasting through traffic around town even though I was trying to keep the rpms down for break in. BTW... Kawasaki owners manual recommends 4000 rpm for the first 600 miles... LOL, that would be about 40 mph in sixth gear!!! Gimme a break, peak HP comes in at 14,500 and the redline is 16,000! I was hitting 10,000 within the first 30 miles or so and briefly touched 12,000, break 'em in like you're going to ride them.

Ergonomics - dead on, I wouldn't change anything. Feels almost identical to my ZX-10 with the exception that the bars are slightly closer together. I feel like I could ride this thing all day and I'm 6'3", who woulda thought?

Wind Protection - excellent, I cruised 80 mph on the freeway for about 20 minutes and the comfort level and protection is as good as any of my other sportbikes, zero buffeting even when I took it to 100 mph.

Handling - From another planet, this is the absolute best handling motorcycle I've ever ridden...period!! I was hitting the fast sweepers I normally ride almost 10 mph faster than I do on the others.......and the bike wanted to tighten the line even more! It felt like I was riding a bicycle, initial turn in is lightening quick but confidence inspiring.... I'll have to recalibrate my brain for the increased cornering ability. My first impression is that this bike is as superior to my literbikes in handling as they are to the 14.

Brakes - The best, once the pads bedded in I felt like I was hitting a brick wall. Excellent modulation and feel but ferociously strong if you grab a handful. I would have to rate these as a notch above both my 14 and my 10. My CBR is a notch below the rst of these guys in initial bite and outright stopping power.

Fit and finish - Absolutely top drawer, this bike is screwed together as good as anything on the planet. I think Kawasaki has caught or even surpassed Honda in the quality department. The engine is silky smooth, almost an electric feel to it until the intake howl begins at about 8,000 rpm with just a slight tingle in the bars. Like my other Kawasakis the engine mechanical noise is almost non-existent. By comparison, my two Hondas sound like threshing machines...LOL!

Engine performance - Like I said, she's pretty soft down low, I thought at first someone had stuffed a shop rag into the air filter duct.... but this is a 600. I was very pleasantly surprised by how little throttle it took to pull way from a stop in first gear. I was expecting to have to rev the snot out of it or slip the clutch but it pulled away cleanly so ther is some torque down there. Around 6000 she starts to wake up and by 10,000 this thing is ready to kick some supersport butt and start taking names. I took her up to 12,000 once for a few seconds and I can tell this thing is going to be an absofrickinlute blast once she's broken in and I can give it full throttle. 80 to 100 mph rollons even with a tight new motor and less than 100% throttle was impressive for a 600. It felt more like a 675 or a 750. You guys considering a Suzuki GSXR 750 need to ride one of these first before making a decision. More power than this you do not need, especially on a twisty road, the 10, 14 and other liters are way overkill.

Styling - This is not the prettiest face on the block but she's far from ugly. I think the CBR and R6 may be better looking motorcycles but this one has a lot of character, especially in the Lime Green. I got a lot of compliments on the bike yesterday so it's all good. Like all Kawasakis, form follows function and this is a race bike.

Transmission - Out of this world, this may be the finest gearbox on the planet, no kidding. No first gear clunk like on the 14 and 10 and buttery smooth...snick snick, they finally got it right!

Suspension - Good stuff, racer taut but with enough compliance to take the sharp edges off the freeway expansion joints and occassional pothole. That said, I weigh 220 lbs, a 145 lb kid is gonna get his kidneys pounded out by this thing! They reached a very good balance here I would say and that Big Piston Fork is sweet. I don't understand what all the magazine fanfare was about, you know, having to get used to the fact there is no front end dive under hard braking. Who ever liked chassis pitch under hard braking into a corner in the first place? Lock up the front end on this bike and the forks don't nose dive, I felt comfortable with it immediately.

Detailing - Awesome, the footpegs and other detail parts look like high end aftermarket parts compared to what you normally get and have a trick black finish to them just like on the 10.

Summary: This may be the best money I ever spent on a motorcycle, I'm not kidding. Initial impressions can change, only time and a lot of miles will tell. I'll get some pics posted later today and special thanks to Romans..you were right bro!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/4/2010 @ 7:50 AM *

Another great write-up! Great job

Here ya go!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 6/4/2010 @ 12:25 PM *

Question for ya, Kruz...

I'm looking for a track bike. The GSXR 750 has been recommended, but after reading your comments about the ZX-6R, I may be changing my mind.

I'd like to get one a few years old. Do you know if there have been major improvements made to this model in the last few years, or do you think the earlier versions would be just as good?

Thanks! -bg

It would be very interesting to get the scientific explaination for the vast improvement in handling despite the small difference in weight between the ZX10 and the 6. It couldn't all be due to a small decrease in wheelbase. I sat on them and I would guess the 600 was a lot more than just 20 lbs lighter. Feels more like a 100 lbs. The ZX-10 and the 14 don't feel too much dif lifting them off the stand to me. Anyone know why there is such a big change in the handling? Why can't they do with a literbike the same thing they did with a 600?

I'd like to get one a few years old. Do you know if there have been major improvements made to this model in the last few years, or do you think the earlier versions would be just as good?
Thanks! -bg

Big changes from 08 to 09. Power,weight, shocks, lots. For 7500 out the door,,, hard to beat. Unless your a Canadian lol.

Thanks, Romans. Sounds like I need to look for an 09... -bg

Why can't they do with a literbike the same thing they did with a 600?

rook yamaha tried that with the early 2000 models of the R1 i think up till 03,04 the R1 used the R6 frame, it was to light for that big motor. on the bright side you never had to change the front tire cause the damn thing never touched the ground lol