There has been a lot of excitement and buzz about the 600cc class this year, with all the major players rolling out new or improved machinery. Suzuki kicked it off with their latest GSX-R in 2004 and since then Yamaha, Honda and Triumph have unveiled their respective weapons. Now Kawasaki has joined in on the act so the only wait remaining is for the new CBR600RR that is expected in a few months.

Kawasaki chose the challenging Almeria racetrack, and surrounding mountainous countryside of southern Spain, to introduce their latest weapon to the world’s media.

Over the course of two days, we got to sample the ZX-6R in a variety of riding situations, as well as attend the usual technical briefing to learn about the bike and some Q and A with Kawasaki’s engineers.

For ’05, Kawasaki has stuck with their successful formula of offering the R model for the street with a larger 636cc engine, while their identical looking RR handles race duties with its race legal 599cc power plant. The RR also features a few minor chassis changes, a close ratio transmission, and other changes to better suit it for racing, but we weren’t in Spain to test the race version so more about that at a later date.

My time on the original 636 had been limited to a few track sessions, but I came away with good memories of a solid handling machine with good useable mid-range grunt and superb brakes. Talking with my fellow scribes at the launch, apparently harsh suspension was the bike’s Achilles heel, but I didn’t ride it off the smooth track so can’t comment in that area.  What I can say is, the new ’05 6R might just be the most perfect mid-range sport bike on the market.

With no real 750cc class, Suzuki GSX-R750 excluded, the next choice is one of the litre bikes. And, while the four cylinder bikes on offer in this category are absolutely phenomenal, they are all total overkill on the street and need some serious commitment for fast track work. The V-twin offerings are a little easier to handle but come with a significantly higher price tag.

A 600cc on the other hand, while still ballistic missile fast, is a little more user friendly for the street, and a lot less intimidating for track days. Sure they typically suffer from modest low and mid-range power, but the rush of adrenaline to be found approaching red line while cog swapping as fast as possible goes a long way to overcoming this.

Not so anymore.

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