ZX6B1H

Following a couple of PMs for my thoughts on my ZX6, this is my take on it.

I have a B1H which is the 2003/4 model. At the moment I am commuting 50 miles per day on it and do not have comfort problems. It takes me 25 minutes for the first 20 miles through the countryside then another 20 minutes for the last 5 miles to the centre of Edinburgh through nightmare traffic. I have also done Edinburgh to Cambridge on both the SV and the B1 and found the B1 to be more comfortable. I found the riding position and seat on the SV (I had a pointy one) to be dreadful.

I am 6ft tall. The riding position is ok and, although a lot of weight is put on your wrists, this is not so bad becos I am tall and can sit almost upright without supporting my weight on my wrists too much. I like this riding postion cos it makes me feel in control of the bike. If you have back or knee problems and are shorter than me, it may be a problem.

If you go back one model to the A1, it has the same 636 engine but it is carbed and it is more comfortable (I think, I've never ridden one) The G and J models have a 599cc engine, I think the G is more comfortable from what I have read on the Ninja Forum. I have also had a C1 (the new underseat model) out while mine was being serviced. It was comfortable and civilised (like a Honda really ) but the throttle was snatchy and I hated that. The hooligan aspect has been removed from the B1 and the end result is 'Nice'

I prefer IL4s to the Vtwin cos I like the peaky power delivery and like to rev it - I learnt to ride on a two stroke which is very peaky! The power delivery is ace - just beware of the odd highside- keep it pinned an countersteer.

Things to note: I am lightweight (11st) and the back end is oversprung. As I can't/won't afford to get a new rear shock, I have removed all of the preload and damping. That has softened the back end calmed the front end enough that it doesn't need a steering damper. They talk of the front end being a bit frisky over bumps but as long as you sort the back end it will be fine. Because the back is oversprung, it doesn't squat under power and loads all the weight on the front end and you get the odd headshake/tankslapper. You can respring it which will cost about £100 - £150 so just take note of that when negotiating. Mine, a B1, is the 03 model, as far as I know they sorted the springing out for the B2, out in 04.

The front tyre as standard is a 120/65 which is an odd size and you can only get in Michelin Pilot & Bridgestones. I didn't like the Michelins so changed them for Diablos with a 120/70 section front which has calmed the front end as well and it is not as touchy. Although it is a sportsbike, I put Diablo Stradas on, due to the mileage I do, which are the same as Metz Z6s- they are great in the wet and although I have not done a trackday on them yet, I have never had any grip problems. Have put put about 6-7k on them and they are wearing well.

The brakes are fantastic, you really don't want them to be up to full strength during winter cos you will end up on your ass in a field if you grab a handful. The steering is very quick and takes a bit of getting used to. After having to wrestle the SV around corners it is a bit of an eye opener and you keep thinking that you have hit ice and are going down, when in fact it is fine and has a lot further to go. You learn to be precise with your steering and it is very rewarding when you match your input to the line and nail the gas on the way out of the corner Yeehah! If I think of anything further I will add it.

Any other Kwak owners want to comment?

Some more bits...

The power delivery is pretty 'progressive' below 6k - meaning on my ride in to Edinburgh I keep to 70 on the clock in sixth and when I come into town I just roll off to get down to 30 and then roll on again to get back to 70. If you want to get a move on you can drop a gear or two (or 3 )

When you hit 6k you get to the mid range and it starts to pull and you can notice the difference and should at least be a little awake cos it will then hit 7k where it starts to howl and pull hard. Around 8 or 9k it goes crazy right through to the rev limiter. It takes a little getting used to but if you like it, you wont be able to get enough of it.

The mpg varies according to how you ride - if you are enthusiatic and keep the revs up you wont get much better that 30-35mpg - this is how supersport bikes beg to be ridden. If you decide to commute on one and keep your head, you will get around 40-45mpg. It is all about resisting the urge to drop 2 gears and nail it past every car you see, just for the grin factor.

I keep a cargo net and a disk lock under the seat, there is not room for much more than a packet of crisps and a sandwich as well. Under-seat space is not something you'll find on many sports bikes. The bike came with a Baglux cover and I got a tankbag to fit. It suits me cos it is easy to attach and remove and has plenty space.

Drew

[northwind]

Also, when you drop it the scratches polish out well

Originally Posted by northwind

Also, when you drop it the scratches polish out well

yada yada...

The replacement footpeg was expensive at £50 - no-one at all makes pattern parts for this bike.

What speed is it doing when it kicks at 8/9k in 1st? What speed does it hit the limiter in 1st and 2nd?

I have heard that some of the IL4 600's are a bit over geared for road use but the Kwak tends to have smaller gears and is better for road use?

By the way this thread is useless without pics! Lets have some!

Not really sure yet which of the IL4 600's I will get and whether I will go for new or a 2 or 3 year old used example. I'd like a 636 purely because my mate was about to buy one but his parents chucked him out forcing him to cancel and buy a flat instead! I am cruel!

Originally Posted by Toypop

What speed is it doing when it kicks at 8/9k in 1st? What speed does it hit the limiter in 1st and 2nd?

I have heard that some of the IL4 600's are a bit over geared for road use but the Kwak tends to have smaller gears and is better for road use?

My 600RR does over 75 in first (probably around 78 ish) and over 100 in 2nd (104 ish).

I don't think it is overgeared. Certainly doesn't cause any problems. Can pull away at 2 - 3k rpm no bother.

Kawasaki ZX6's? Bloody marvellous! Love em.

I'm just curious as to how they pull coming off a roundabout at 30mph because even in the smallest gear they have they can't be producing much power and torque at those speeds? Not that it would put me off trading the SV for one but it would bias my choice towards which ever 600 had the shortest gears. I.e. I don't want the fastest track bike, I want the fastest 30 to 70 bike.

SV gearing suits me fine as I never go over 130. Any vehicle geared for 170mph is wasted performance to me as I'd rather trade the crazy top end for better acceleration and flexibility.

Originally Posted by Toypop

I'm just curious as to how they pull coming off a roundabout at 30mph because even in the smallest gear they have they can't be producing much power and torque at those speeds?

It's possible to wheelie off the roundabout at that speed in first. No probs. So I've been told obviously officer.

I read the post by that chap who bought a GSXR and he said it pulled as well if not better than the SV at low speeds. I would be curious to see dyno charts for these bikes compared to the SV to see for example which produces the most power in 1k rpm increments from 3k up to 10k.

Im struggling to believe that the IL4's produce more power until around 6 or 7krpm which wouldn't be a problem with sensible gearing...

As I said though I am not debating whether its worth trading in the SV for an IL4 but I am curious as to what it will be like in comparison.