This is the 2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R, spied while filming a Kawasaki promotional video, which reveals the firm has gone back to the big bore 636cc designation of previous years.
I've not have experience with the 636 engine, whats the general consensus?
If they went so far to release a 600 version that came with complete race fairings and at a discounted price due to not needing the road items it could work favorable for them though.
I believe Honda knocked a G of there asking price for a race ready CBR 250
wheresMyLid wrote:If they went so far to release a 600 version that came with complete race fairings and at a discounted price due to not needing the road items it could work favorable for them though.
I believe Honda knocked a G of there asking price for a race ready CBR 250
Every manufacturer needs to sell a certain amount of road going homologated models ( 500 I think ) to have they're bike eligible for racing!
Seeing that Kawasaki have been going so well in world/British supersport (especially superstock 600) I can't see them not making a homologated RR model for racing!
They might put a few extra goodies on it too like Triumph put on the Daytona 675R (so they can be used in superstock) ie. trick suspension/quickshifter!
The reason we know the bike is a 636cc is because we have much better close up shots taken by a professional photographer while the bike was parked and about to be loaded into a van. We haven’t put those images online as we are keeping them exclusive to the print newspaper. Kawasaki timed the filming of a commercial at the same time as the running of the Southern 100 road races so there were loads of photographers on the Isle of Man. It’s also a very small place, word spread the Mountain road was being closed so they all swarmed in for a look.
I can assure you Kawasaki are in no way marketing anything right now and were anxious we didn’t publish these shots.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Andy Downes
MCN Senior Reporter
MCN must be the only motorcycle mag that does not come out digitally, does the mag come to us locally?
Johnnyflash wrote:They might put a few extra goodies on it too like Triumph put on the Daytona 675R (so they can be used in superstock) ie. trick suspension/quickshifter!
The 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is set to return to a 636cc displacement, according to a spreadsheet released by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With alleged spy shots of the new ZX-6R already hitting the press, the supersport-class bike noticeably takes a design cue from its liter-bike counterpart — a move that should surprise no one.
Listed by the EPA as making 129 hp (96.4 kW) at the crank, the move to have the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R be a 636cc displacement machine is interesting, as the EPA’s document does not list a 599cc Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6RR analog, something the Japanese brand did last time it bumped its middleweight’s displacement figure beyond the norm.
Not a true 600cc-class machine, Kawasaki will have a hard time racing the ZX-6R in any proper supersport class here in the United States, though we doubt it would be hard for Team Green to get the bike homologated for AMA Pro Racing’s Daytona SportBike class mash-up, but that’s not saying much.
Other pieces of information gleaned from the EPA’s document is that the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has a 13,500 rpm red line, optional ABS, four-cylinders, and four-valves per cylinder. Expect the new 6R to debut this fall, at either the INTERMOT or EICMA show.
I hope there is a RR version. Otherwise like in the article those wanting to circle a green supersport will be on an outdated model or reverting elsewhere
In a very untraditional move, Kawasaki is readying to assail New York’s Times Square on September 13, with 2013 model Ninjas. A day-long, two-block party on Broadway, from West 45th to West 47th Streets, will celebrate the global debut of the new Ninjas with music, giveaways and celebrity guests. For those who cannot make it to the Big Apple, Kawasaki will be live streaming the “Ninja Times Square Takeover” on the Kawasaki.com website from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“Times Square is recognized as the “crossroads of the world,” and we’re thrilled to be able to share our brand of motorcycle enthusiasm with such a large, diverse group of New York residents and visitors,” says Kawasaki’s marketing director, Chris Brull.
Joining the new Ninjas will be a selection of significant older models such as the original 1984 Ninja as well as the legendary 1973 Z1. And at the end of the day two new Ninja motorcycles will be given away.
Among the scheduled activities will be unique stunt riding exhibitions by former SPEED TV host, Jason Britton, motorcycle drag race instruction from multi-time national champion, Rickey Gadson, and a collection of free activities for individuals and families. Kawasaki will also park the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing transporter on Broadway and Ryan Villopoto will be there to sign posters for onlookers.
Brull says this unique model introduction “brings the brand’s core authenticity to a broader audience that will be able to interact with our people, our products and the sport that appeals to more men and women each year.”
Thats why I was wondering about the possibility of the ZX6RR. During the previous ZX6R 636 period kawasaki also produced the ZX6RR which was 600ccs. It came with a few trick parts (for its time) which were geared more towards racing so it didn't write of options for racers there. The 636 was designed more to add usable torque for road and recreational sports bike riders with out having to go to 1000cc.
If they do make a ZX6RR along with the 636 again it may be a better thing for racers as it would come with more parts ready for racing.
