No '06 ZZR600?

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:48 pm

Just needed to check one of the specs off the Kawasaki Australia site and I notice the ZZR600 doesn't get a listing this year. I take it has been quietly dropped from the 2006 lineup, I didn't notice anything in print or anyone on here lamenting its passing which was a bit sad (but I suppose inevitable)

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Although I'm not in a position to purchase a new bike atm, this one looks pretty nice and may fit the bill even though it is a Suzuki:

http://www.suzuki.com.au/motorbike_webp ... SR600.html

When the time comes there are a few bikes of various makes still in contention. The naked Z's are the only Kawasakis on my list.

With the release of the GSR600 I'm wondering if the SV650 may be dropped from the range.

Mick

red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:50 pm

Eww... it just looks kinda like a Hornet...

Go the Z

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:53 pm

red_dave wrote:Eww... it just looks kinda like a Hornet...

Go the Z

Funny enough I thought there was a couple of design elements stolen off the ER-6n, especially around the headlight/front indicator area

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red_dave · Post by **red_dave** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:59 pm

Go the Z... echo echo echo

Jokes mate... i was referring more to the rear end, but i do see ER6 in there too...

Ratmick · Post by **Ratmick** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:15 pm

red_dave wrote:Go the Z... echo echo echo

Jokes mate... i was referring more to the rear end, but i do see ER6 in there too...

Yeah, I see what you mean, it's a bit of a design mongrel. I just had another look at the ER-6n and the Suzuki has a cleaner front end, I like the way the tank swoops into the indicators. In comparison the ER-6n looks clunky.

I don't actually like underseat pipes. Yes, they make the lines really clean and they give you better ground clearance, but I'm not convinced they aren't going to heat your arse significantly in hot weather in traffic. I've pillioned on a ZX-9R and felt the exhaust pretty well, it was uncomfortably warm on a cold day. Yes, it's a bigger bike and the exhaust isn't under-seat, but you can't tell me the GSR seat is going to stop the heat seepage roasting your goolies...not that I need mine much anyway

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I was under the impression the ZZR600 was a pretty good seller for Kawasaki Australia. As an intermediate-level 'first-bike-off-my-Ps' machine I reckon it had no peer. Plenty of go, no major handling vices and half-decent brakes. And it was low enough for the newbies to build confidence in pushing a larger machine around.

But if the parent company does virtually nothing but change the colour from '93 onwards, and the styling of the current crop of sportsbikes evolve in shape and get way lighter, not even calling the older machine a sports-tourer is going to redeem it in the eyes of the young buck straight off their CBR250RR. Too old, too heavy and too slow I'm supposing, even though it's done me for the last four years. No idea what the shorter members are going to do for a new bike either

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Anyway, let's celebrate its passing and move on

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nobby · Post by **nobby** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 5:12 am

Yeah I got the last zzr600 that Pete Stevens sold new, and I love the bloody thing, I did follow Karens advice though and take a hacksaw to that hunk of plastic hanging off the arse, looks a lot cleaner now and yeah, I ride it cause I suffer from ducks disease.

NovaCoder · Post by **NovaCoder** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:06 am

Yep the ER6F effectively replaces the ZZR6....may it rest in peace (about time though cough, cough).

What I'd really like to see them do is bring back the 2001 model ZX6R (636cc) but update it with the dash from the ER6F (same basic design, but has a fuel light) and fuel injection. I reckon such a model would sell like hot cakes if the price was right

PS. The GSR600 is a lame duck as it is far too 'budget' for its own good (IMHO).

jewjew · Post by **jewjew** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:54 am

All that's left in fully faired sports tourers is the cbr600f now, though i am starting to like the soon to be released gsxr600 colors. I love my ZZR600, i think it is quite possibly the best bike of it's type around, power when you need it and comfortable to ride.

balanse · Post by **balanse** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:05 pm

Funny enough I thought there was a couple of design elements stolen off the ER-6n, especially around the headlight/front indicator area

Off ER-6 which was stolen from FZ600 Yammie, which was stolen from MV Augusta Brutale...etc,etc.

Reckon designers these days are all using the same software and no marketing balls.

Stereo · Post by **Stereo** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:14 pm

This looks better

mfzx6r · Post by **mfzx6r** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:26 pm

Mick
you put yourself through this zzr600 dieing thing every year

Now you'd look good on a z1000

mrmina · Post by **mrmina** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:29 pm

oh no the zzr600 is no longer made

thank fuck for that

SnypR · Post by **SnypR** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:54 pm

the yanks are buying 06 zzr's but they are just rebadged 03 zxr's.

Colette · Post by **Colette** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:56 pm

At the rate my finances are going, I'll be hanging on to my 2000 model for a few years yet...

ty · Post by ty » Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:27 pm

mrmina wrote:oh no the zzr600 is no longer made
thank fuck for that

Who do I contact down there to take someone out? Mina - you're a wanted man.
ZRR600 was and is a great bike - it's a damn shame they've discontinued it.
Mine suprised quite a few bigger bikes on the OPH as well as on the odd EC trackday.
ty