Kawasaki ZX-6R

Kawasaki's ZX-6R was first introduced in 1994 and has been a source of much success for Kawasaki, both in the sales charts and on the race track. The race track efforts culminated in Australia's Andrew Pitt winning the 2001 World SuperSport Championship for Kawasaki.

In a surprising move though Kawasaki has gone over the traditional 600cc SuperSport capacity limit to produce a new 636cc ZX-6R for the road going public. Obviously this capacity increase will bring a small boost in both power and torque.

The increase to 636cc was achieved by the use of a 2mm larger bore, now out to 68mm. BDSR36R carburettors with a throttle position sensor deliver the fuel/air mixture through a new cylinder head.

The 4-2-1 exhaust system appears externally as a 4-1, but features internal baffles for improved mid-range. The main collector pipe has a full-diameter, unobstructed path to the silencer for maximum high-speed exhaust flow. The Stainless muffler uses a lightweight aluminium cover, the muffler bolts are treated to resist corrosion.

Like a lot of the 2002 Kawasaki range the ZX-6R scores a larger shift shaft for improved durability.

Magnesium covers for the head, sump, clutch, generator and sprocket help to reduce engine weight.

46mm cartridge front forks control the front end and are fully adjustable for preload, 10-step compression and 12-step rebound damping. The interior finish of the fork sliders is improve and along with new damping rates delivers a more responsive action.

A nitrogen charged rear piggyback reservoir shock is fully adjustable and provides the facility to change the ride height.

Differential bore, 6-piston Tokico front brake calipers deliver superb braking performance with one 24mm and two 27mm diameter pistons. The semi-floating, radially drilled 300mm stainless steel front disc rotors are 5mm thick to resist heat induced warpage. The rear brake caliper assembly comes directly from the ZX-9R.

An aggressive new ZX-9R style upper fairing gives the 636 a racy appearance.

Engine Type	4-stroke In-Line Four
Displacement	636 cm³
Bore and Stroke	68.0 x 43.8 mm
Comp-ratio	12.6:1
Valve system	DOHC, 16 valves
Carburettor	Mikuni BDSR36R x 4 (K-TRIC)
Ignition	Digital
Starting	Electric
Cooling	Liquid
Lubrication	Forced lubrication, wet sump
Exhaust	4-2-1 with special power-boosting baffle
Transmission	6-speed, return
Clutch	Wet, multi-disc
Frame	Perimeter, pressed-aluminium
Front Suspension	46 mm cartridge fork with 12-way rebound, 12-way compression damping and spring preload adjustability
Rear Suspension	Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, 18-way rebound, 20-way compression damping and spring preload adjustability
Front tyre	120/65 ZR17 M/C (56W) T/L
Rear tyre	180/55 ZR17 M/C (73W) T/L
Caster (rake)	23.5°
Trail	95 mm
Front brake	Dual semi-floating 300 mm discs
Front caliper	Opposed 6-piston differential bore
Rear brake	Single 220 mm disc
Rear caliper	Single-bore pin-slide
Overall length	2,030 mm
Overall width	730 mm
Overall height	1,175 mm
Wheelbase	1,400 mm
Ground clearance	145 mm
Seat height	820 mm
Fuel capacity	18 litres
RRP	$13,690