Petrol_Spice
01-25-2003, 06:27 PM
I'm not a professional bike tester or magazine writer so bare that in mind as you read this.
I rolled into Brisbanes Whale's Motorcycle World, with Leather Jacket, Gloves and Helmet in hand to "eye-ball" the new 03 Kawasaki ZX-6R. It was to my surprise this morning that Jeff Halloway from Sales hands me the keys to a Gun Smoke Grey 03 636, with the following warning:
"Just be carefull, she's only got 40 clicks on it and the Silica tyres aren't worn in yet. You look pretty experienced though so you should be ok. Oh, yeah bring it back in ten mins"
Now having said that, He don't know me really well at all. Now I could fill this post with all kinds of superlatives but that would not do the bike or my low grasp on the enlgish language any justice.
I'm a 6'3" tall 200 lbs lump of beer swilling redneck Queensland Hillbilly that likes to choke the shit out of motorcycles and the Kawasaki took me on like a Amsterdam Hooker, willing and able.
The first thing I you'll notice about the bike is that it's small, really small. You get on the thing and you have your wrists and your knees in close proximity. But that's what the supersport riding public wanted, small, big power and the nimbleness of a 14 year old gymnast. Kawasaki haven't let us down here.
Turn the key on the 636 and it quitly grumbles to life, which at first left me thinking "What's the deal" but the deal was that this thing is a sleeper. the engine is understatedly quite, open the taps and the thing sings like a Choir boy. The only thing that I can fault on the 636 is the Clutch basket, it's loud, not real loud but enough to notice, [tick tick, tick, tick tick], going or stopped it ticks away. Still put a grin on my face, I kind of liked it.
Mirrors are small and some what useless, but if you ride like I do the enemy is always behind you so the mirrors don't count.
Leaving the shop in first gear was a little strange, the fuel injection on the 636 is nice, smooth and precise, given a confidence I haven't found on other Sportsbikes I've riden. You can be on the throttle or off the throttle or both at the same time and the FI and the engine are happy with either. Power delievery was out standing, it came on strong from what felt like idle and ran through all the way to redline, no dips here, this thing aint a roller coaster.
Suspension was to say the least SHARP. I had no trouble taking a 60Kph/35Mph indicated traffic circle at 130 kph/75 Mhp which is not bad for the size of the circle, flicking direction to attack the freeway onramp was a dream, it happened in the blink of an eye and the bike moved with me moving my chin. This thing eats turns. Full lean to the right, move chin, over she went. Did I mention that the suspension is AWSOME. Second gear 5500 Rpm and nail the throttle, the front wheel was in the air, 200 meters/650 feet in second on the gas with the front wheel in the air, oh yeah and I can't wheelie.
Now I will state that the 636 hasn't the power or straight line speed of the Gixxer 750 or the R1 but what do you expect from a 636cc engine? The point behind this bike is owning the twisties, which is what you'll do. I have taken the Gixxer 750 and the R1 both through the same traffic circle and neither took it this quick.
It was my intention to take the new 03 Yamaha R6 for a demo this morining but the Sales support from one of Brisbanes{edit by Petrol: name removed to protect the innocent} Yamaha shops was shocking. The Sales man was more interested in the attitude of being a Yamaha dealer and when I asked for the demo, I was told
"No F'ing way pal, not you, not today." to which I replied "Well thanks for you time, I'm off to buy a Kawasaki!" They must sell alot of bikes from that store.
All in all the Kawaski is the strongest bike I've riden at speed through some twisties. For the brief momoent I rode the 636 it was the most fun I've had in leather.
Kawaski have out done themselves with the rebirth of the "Green Meanie", it's my opinion that they have abducted some of the finishers that worked for Honda as the finish on the 636 is fantastic.
To tell you the truth the only thing I'd do to the 636 is remove the "Ninja" sticker from the rear seat cowl.
Aftermarket parts are nil at the moment, but as Jeff informs Pipes and screens and head light protectors are coming within the month.
I realise that you boys are litre maniac's but take it from your Uncle Petrol, ride this bike, it nothing else it's going to put a phat smile across your face.
If you ride for the same reasons I do, all of those reasons are addressed on the 636 and just like a visit to an Amsterdam hooker, you'll walk away satisfied.