KAWASAKI'S '09 NINJA ZX-6R ON TRACK AT KYALAMI

+ Click to Enlarge SIX FOR NINE: Kawasaki's ZX-6R midweight screamer gets a fashionable underslung exhaust for 2009 and, more importantly, 2kW more and 10kg less.

March 30, 2009
By Denis Droppa

A 600cc engine, to the uninitiated, sounds about as threatening as a Teletubby with little chance of prickling the interest of any serious power hound but whenever I straddle a 600 sports bike I'm reminded that these little crotch rockets possess a ferocious bite.

The first time I revved Kawasaki's new Ninja ZX-6R to its howling 16 500rpm red line - (watch Kawasaki's track video) - I realised it was no Teletubby but instead a Chucky doll.

The bike on which Dane Hellyer romped to victory in the 2008 South African 600cc Supersport championship was recently given a host of lap time-improving tweaks for 2009 and I unleashed it around Kyalami the other day to see whether the little beast has indeed grown bigger fangs.

Yes it has, although it's also shed 10kg to improve its agility. It also has new Showa BPF (Big Piston) front forks - the first production motorcycle to use them - which offer better damping control while needing considerably less unsprung weight.

The forks' compression, preload and rebound damping are all adjustable in the noble pursuit of quicker laps.

The frame's been revised to improve rigidity and raise the centre of gravity, allowing quicker steering and sharper handling. Styling and ergonomic changes comprise a re-sculpted fuel tank and seat to give its rider more contact with his machine and thus better feedback.

Power in the lighter, stronger engine has risen from 92.2kW to 94.1kW without ram air (from 96.6kW to 98.5kW with the oxygen boost) and there's more midrange torque.

The improved midrange punch was the first thing I noticed while chasing around Kyalami and the bike starts hauling with some intent from as low as 8000rpm. I know how crazy that must sound to the uninitiated but at those revs a 600's just starting to clear its throat; the ZX-6R has another 8500rpm to go before the red line!

And boy, when it really gets foaming at the mouth, this Ninja races forward like a cheetah with its tail on fire, its front wheel pawing the air even when you move your weight forward and paste yourself to the tank. With its rorty, high-pitched blare it has an ear-pleasing howl to match the bite.

As for the handling, this bike is made for a racetrack like a bikini is made for Pamela Anderson. The new ZX-6R loves fast curves and the quicker I pitched it into turns and the earlier I got on the throttle, the more the bike seemed to ask: "Is that all you've got?"

ASTOUNDING BRAKES

My knee sliders were getting some major wear and tear but the bike just calmly reeled off the laps without twitching or getting a hair out of place. The new Ohlins steering damper kept the handlebars steady with no confidence-sapping shakes.

The brakes were astoundingly strong and a slipper clutch prevented rear-wheel hop when I banged down through the gears under braking. A track-bike extraordinaire.

The ride back home from Kyalami was a different story. Normal riding quickly causes fatigue thanks to the stiff suspension and radically hunched-forward riding position that places all the weight on your wrists. The ZX-6 makes no pretence at being a commuter and, after few kilometres in traffic, stiff arms and back were yelling for mercy.

The new ZX-6R is yours for R124 995 in Monster racing livery and R119 995 in lime or orange. And make sure you budget for track schools because you'll want to spend lots of time there.

It's a ferocious 'crotch rocket'.- Star Motoring