2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R First Ride Review - Cycle News
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- Опубліковано 14 вер 2023
- Kawasaki’s 636cc ZX-6R has been around 21 years in 2024, making it one of the longest serving supersport machines available today. It’s only been outlasted by the CBR600RR and GSX-R600 here in America, and those two are becoming rarer by the year as markets around the world slowly phase out the 600cc inline-four engine.
Supersport rules are changing across the globe, the new rule set ushered in by bikes like the Ducati Panigale V2 and the Triumph 765 Street Triple RS (that you need to convert to race-spec). This new dawn in the class has even given the longest continuing sportbike from a Japanese manufacturer-the Suzuki GSX-R750-a new lease of life.
With that in mind, it may seem surprising Kawasaki has chosen to remain stagnant by keeping their supersport machine at 636cc, rather than pump some development into it and boost it to 700cc or more to remain competitive with the new breed of rides.
Does that matter? We took on for a spin at The Ridge to find out. - Авто та транспорт
Shout out to Kawasaki for staying true to the roots. And Keeping A True SUPERSPORT ALIVE
And what a shame for Yamaha to stop selling R6 and not designing a new one. Cheaply made R7 and planned R9 are a Joke
@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 those new emission standarts are making things tough for brands unfortunately. They don't want to lose money and although sad, it is completely understandable.
@dr.jillalicecooper2587 as much as it hurts to say, you either make 4 cylinder Supersport risks or 3 to 2 sport bikes safely, me I'd prefer every now and than some Supersport releases but with a consistent sportbike releases
I have a 2021 zx6r. It’s a phenomenal bike. Plenty of power in any gear at any rpm. Trust me. Suspension is amazing. People seem to really love Kawasaki tell me alot
I have had different years of different kawasakis. Thinking about getting another, but the maintenance is higher than honda and yamaha. At the same time, the honda and yamahas are more expensive.
In the world of influencers and YT entrepreneurs competing over content, giveaways, click bait or fashion advises it is deeply appreciated to watch a non fuzz video like this, that doesn't look like GTA trailer. Thanks for that!! becoming a huge fan!
Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers for the comment!
I have ridden the 2008 and 2015 version but own the 2003 and suits me the most of them. I also think that this is the best looking 636 out there :) Nice to see that Kawasaki is still producing a bike in the 600 class.
I still have my 2006 636 since new and still love it
I had blue 2004 636 with full Muzzy exhaust, loved that bike, should never sell it. I still think it's the best looking ZX-6R ever made. What I like about 2024 model is its headlights shape remind me of 2003-4 model. Beautiful bike
@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 I thought exactly the same with the headlights :) Interesting!
You can always buy the best looking model back :D
@@justgotafilthyname I sold it years ago. It's almost impossible to find a very clean unmolested 2003-4 636 in US. Most of them are gone, trashed or used as stunt bikes. If I was in the market to buy a supersport I would definitely get the new 2024 ZX-6R.
Had an original 636 too… it was a great bike 😊
My green 2006 636 is to this day the most enjoyable thing I've ever ridden or driven. I would buy this
Sale?
🙏 Keep the OG's alive.
Hey you might wanna change your notification heading to "2024." Great video though of course.
Cheers mate
What a great new bike. Once I owned the 1995 ZX 6 R.
What a gorgeous bike and sound. With Rombo silencer. Unbelieveable. Nothing's about 600 ccm inline 4 and 14.000 rpm. Yeah.
Nice vid. Glad Kawasaki are perservering with a proper supersport & also have the ZX4RR too.
If they would just hire the fastest riders too.
Owned a 2003 636 more than 10 years ago, nice to see 600's holding up in 2023 and this new one has even got me thinking its time for another...
Zx10R is overkill in streets, whereas zx6R you can ride on limit. And good for daily usage.
i dont agree with the 1000s are too much,, no i worked my way up from 125 -250- 400- 600 -750 then 1000s , i get the point behind the comment but when you now have 400bhp SUVs and the PCP deal 20somethings in M140s on the road for safety i like to be one of the fastest things on the road at times to move away from aggressive car drivers that seem butt hurt that they are stuck in traffic and dont like being passed .. just because you have the power doesnt mean you have to go full throttle everywhere, and be honest if your screaming the nuts of a 600 your doing stupid speeds as well so that negates the argument on its own
great review...refreshing proper biker chat...thanks mate..
Had.a new zx6 in ,2000......bit out of touch with modern stuff....but I think the soul is more or less the same...
I never ran it in.....thrashed the tar out of it from mile zero.....and that bike was a giant killer.....roared through the air box, handled like it was painted on the tarmac....loved it
I have the 2023, its amazing. I daily it. Ive had ninjas for 20 years and have loved every one.
GREAT JOB KAWI!!! STICK WITH THE PLAN
*Kawasaki* have bent over backwards to reintroduce the 600 into the UK 🇬🇧
No other manufacturer is attempting to meet the emission requirements
The thing looks beautiful 😍
I like the new look much better. 👍👍
I love the new look. I sat in one at a dealership the other day and its freaking awesome. Could definitely see myself riding this bike
I ordered one, can't use the zx10r i have now to anywhere near its potential. The bike is completly nuts and the 6 will calm things down to a more manageble level.
A well built bike and a classic.
🤔 buddy didnt seemed to excited about this review.😂 Im not to thrilled its down on power from its predecessors but love the new design. And swinging a leg over a uncorked 14r and MV Agusta brutale 800rr in the garage...starting to love riding the smaller bikes again. Lots of fun.
Nice video 🇬🇧👍😁
Buying an Aprilia 457 for the track next year. Might add this to the list! 🏁🏁🏁
Looks like an awesome bike, I’d love to do some laps on one to compare it to my GSX-R 750, I see many at the track & they’re very fast, sweet bike!
Your 750 will act like a liter bike in the straights. Shit it’ll even hold a liter on any half mile straight circuit.
@@alejandrotobienne8220Not any modern superbike unless the rider backs out.
@@alejandrotobienne8220750 is only a bit faster than 600s, it's nothing compared to newest 1,000 superbikes.
Hey Rennie, great review once again. Awesome onboard footage too, oh I saw you getting a sneaky elbow down too, epic skills mate you are a legend!!😁
Ha... thanks mate
Do you know if there is a option to turn off ABS if wanted for say track days?
That white and grey one. 😍
Looking at pictures from other sources I'm finding it odd the color they chose for the tank. Really feel like it should be color matched to the grey/silver on the front fairing.
Great review; can I ask how you managed to relocate to America from Australia? Was it via a job etc.?
My Dream Bike
2023 model has LED headlights also, it's just the indicators they upgraded to LED on the 2024 model.
Great review. I jsut got this bike. Upgraded from a 250 CC so it is a massive difference. I'm struggling with the how jerky the throttle is too. Down low, it's really hard to be smooth, it just snaps on.
You can adjust it quite easily to get a better feel for it :)
Follow the throttle cable until you find where it connects on the throttle body. You should be able to adjust the height at which the cable comes out of the sheath, thus adding or removing play.
Kinda hard to describe without showing you but I think you can figure it out with a little bit of research on the web
@@nargakon much appreciated. I will have a look. If its too direct, suggest adding play ?
im getting this soon
Nice!
Nice details thru the description of the bike. About your weight you can add some😅
I have an Aprilia RS660 and I'm in the market for an inline four replacement (or possibly triple if the R9 comes out). How does the ZX6R compare to the Aprilia?
as an owner of the ninja h2 i might get this for daily rides!
Kawi actually sold 599cc Zx6RR with slipper in 2003
does it have an up and down quickshifter?
The 636cc engine came in 2002 in the ZX-6R A1P (J-series)
Carburetors too.
Not in US and it was a different engine than then new for 2003 636 engine.
@@dr.jillalicecooper2587
I don’t know about the US, but here in Europe we had that engine (only be it for a year)
It is a great enige- really nice and ‘rounded’.
Lovely to ride.
@@JPWest020 It was not a real 636 design, just a modification of old 600 engine. New from ground up 636 design debuted in 2003 ZX-6R.
@@dr.jillalicecooper2587
I know.
They changed the crankshaft to increase the engine capacity. Bore stayed the same.
That made it- for a ‘600’ - really torquey.
I still have mine and next to the my ‘96 Thundercat you really can feel the difference.
The cat is a long stroke too, but the 636 is just a bit better.
How does it compare to the GSXR 750?
What were the holes in the screen for?
Front scoop looks like the old 636, I wanna say 03-06
I have the 2014 ZX636 ABS. I love the bike. It was my first sportbike. I'm 37 now and looking to evolve to a naked bike or the Indian FTR 1200 has also been calling my name. Thing is, I don't want to get rid of my 636. It's the best "600" Supersport you can get.
I am curious though, since I like to modify my bikes... I wonder how much of a difference and the specs on that new camshaft. I'm about to port my heads, convert it to FlexFuel and raising the compression with a Kawasaki thun head gasket. Sounds like the new cams are for better bottom end than mid or top end.
Have you ridden the FTR?
Top 💚💚💚
The first 636cc engine came out with the 2002 (A1P) model. 99% the same bike as the previous model 2000-2001 (J1) but 1mm bigger bore, on the same engine basically.
New from ground up 636 engine debuted in 2003 model.
They didn't even sell that old 2002 636 in US, only 600. It was not a true 636 design like 2003 model was.
I finally saw one of these in person and couldn't be how tiny it is....too small for me. I'll stick with my bulbous ZX-9R - those 500 pounds are actually a benefit when these New Mexico winds start kicking up.
Fun fact: you could fit a first gen 636 in last's gen exhaust.
Have the differences from the '23 to the '24 been made for the potential racetrack use?
Further emissions regulations have choked the engine a bit so likely less potential.
Kawasaki, the best sound inline 4 on high rpm engine
would like to see it with some pain colours
Name of the track??
Very cool bike indeed and one I´ve considered buying, but no Blipper from factory and not even as a aftermarket upgrade since its a cable throttle. Thats not acceptable in a 2024 supersport bike.
Looks better than the zx10
Which one is more sexier old version or this new one?
That's up to you to decide.
Hey nice video mate i am planning to upgrade from my ktm rc390 should i go with this 2024 zx6r or should i go with a litre class specifically zx10r directly
Stay witht the RC
@@ehiggins7476why tho?
Definitely go to a 600 before the liter bike. It’ll make you a better rider. Also recommend keeping the RC390 to make it a warmup bike for the track or to practice skills but that’s just me.
Buy 636 not a 1000 superbike. I own both a 600 and a 1000 and I probably enjoy a 600 a bit more. 1000s are a bit of an overkill for street riding and for track smaller bikes are better choice.
Looks great! Just a shame that they don't put some more passion into it. My 2014 MV Agusta is more technologicaly advanced than this. I would love if they at least gave it ride by wire, adjustable throttle response, stiff suspension... make it so you can take it to a track without having to modify everything. These "compromises" make it unsuitable for both road and the track. Since they have other sport touring bikes, they should just turn this into a track beast that is road legal like the Italians tend to do. It just makes way more sense to me.
2002 was the first yr the zx6 636 came out
Yep, came out in Europe in the same body style that became the updated ZZR600 a few years later
It was not from the ground up 636 engine. New true 636 debuted in 2003.
Can those decals be safely removed without ruining the paint? I'm not a fan of those too many lines. Too busy for my old eyes.
I had one from Philippines color gray 2024 model
Can i ask how tall you are sir? taller rider (6’2) with a long legs and a shorter torso and had some questions.
I'm 6'1" (183cm)
@@cyclenews any comments on how you fit into the bike? my knees go above the lip on the r6, gsxr 600, tuono v4, etc. and wanted to know if you fit into the bike. i might have longer legs than everyone else that’s my height
It needs a quickshifter that works in both directions.
Agreed. Needs a ride by wire for that upgrade tho
Is blipping a throttle yourself for a clutch less downshift that big of a deal though? I can understand for a world class racer thats competing for a living and needs every millisecond, but 98% of people buying a 636 can't ride it to its potential anyway and are in noway hindred by not having auto blip for downshifts.
should I get one of these as a first bike if I have a lot of dirt bike experience?
It's a lot of bike if it's your first time on the street. I guess it depends how competent a rider you are. A Yamaha YZF-R7 would be perfect as a first street bike.
Kawasaki Ninja 400 or 650 would be a great first bike as well. Enough & manageable power to learn the ropes & you can always upgrade later on
0:26 Looks at window and says, it's raining cats and dogs at the moment. Bro, is there a poster covering that window?
We just happened to be in a garage looking out over the track. Amazingly, I could see the rain behind the camera man.
Shame it's not ride by wire throttle. I had a 2019 and would buy another one if it had cruise control and a down blipper like its big brother.
does it have auto blipper?
No it doesn't
Man I love the new Kawasaki zx6r but at 6’3” I haven’t very aggressive to ride. I wish there were a way to make it more comfortable for everyday use
There is, helibars sell a handlebar kit that isn't angled down as much and brings your hand position up around 2 iches. There's also predrilled/tapped plates that will bring the stock peg assembly down/rear an inch. There's also rearsets that do the same thing.
Get a ZX14r.
@@larryhouse3776 Why ? They're not even remotely similar bikes. Helibars are NOT apehangers, they anchor at the same spot under the tripletree but has 0 degree offset. They won't turn the bike into a tourer or something. 0 offset clipons are readily available from multiple race clipon manufacturers. They along with rearsets doesn't make the bike comfortable, just slightly less uncomfortable.
@Sunedosa fact is super bikes and super sports are built for the small men who race them. Most GP riders, like Horse Jockeys, are like 5'4" and 130lbs on average. Realistically, the ZX14R is very manageable and size suited to someone 6 foot plus.
@@larryhouse3776 It's like 160 lbs heavier than the 6, not an option tbh . I fit fine on my zx10r @ 6 ft but the thing is so damn crazy.
Personally I think the 2013-2021 models looks the best bt this one takes 2nd place
Question: how big is the difference between this and the ZX-10R? I can afford both but I am a professional only in the car world not on bikes. I just want to make sure I don’t kill myself but in the meantime, I don’t want to regret by getting the ZX-6R for lack of power especially that I am going to ride my bike mainly on tracks instead of the road. Any help friends?
A ZX-10R is way faster than a 600 in terms of power, but a ZX-6R is a lot more fun in the corners. You'll be able to make up a lot more time on the brakes and through the corners than you will on a 10R. If you're not used to a superbike, I'd suggest getting a 600 and learning the ropes. You can always upgrade later on when you get your track skills up.
Thank you that makes sense. Will most probably be going with the ZX-6R next month 👍🏼
Once they put a Autoblipper on it I'll switch from the R6
Flashed with a pipe, they are pulling 126 BHP.
i owned a 1995 zx6r that was pretty much when they started not 2003
The 636 motor was launched in 2003. Until then it was 600cc's.
They should up to 736
TFT has been around since 2020. Good bike, unfortunately, too expencive. Much more expencive in Europe.
I think this is not an evolution zx636 because i have had a 2005 zx6r and that bike weights 185kg in a scale ready to run and this 2024 weights 198kg so in my opinion is not an evolution but a recession.
I absolutely love the sound of this bike!
But the graphics are so ugly, just not my taste at all…
At least Kawasaki is making a true middleweight super sport. Yamahas R7 is rather boring by comparison, and poor Suzuki and Honda not selling middleweights any more is just puzzling.
I bought the 03 ZX6RR. It was still a 599cc and nobody on a 636 could outrun me. It was just an attempt to increase sales because Kawasaki was getting crushed by Suzuki and Honda.
This is a complete full of shit statement
Rabakal terjsdi.
I know americans love faired sportsbikes but let's face it, this is too little too late. A Triumph 765RS is better in every way
It's better in what way exactly?
I would take 636 over a Triumph any day even if it was more expensive.
@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 engine, suspension, brakes, electronics, handling. I know faired sportsbikes are very popular in the USA but the ZX6R could not keep up with the Triumph on a track
@@brunocarmona4958 I don't believe you
You probably don't even own or never ridden a bike, you just watch reviews and comment what you think is best lol
@@dr.jillalicecooper2587 you caught me. I rode a bycicle once when I was a kid. Does it count?
@@brunocarmona4958 No
Kawasaki design language is just bad.
Exactly, they ruin the face of each and every motorcycles
except the zx10r and h2
@@ShubhamYadav-et2rzCurrent ZX-10R is arguably the ugliest ZX-10R ever made for many people. It looks like a 2016+ model with ugly transformer face.
design is subjective@@ShubhamYadav-et2rz
😍
Cant believe they only give you rebound on one fork leg and preload on the other, should be both on both, a nasty front suspension geometry at high corner angles. My 2006 R6 had full adjustment on both legs. WTF Kawasaki!