Quick question about the ZZR600

[tourinoob]

What is the purpose of this bike? What was Kawasaki aiming for? a mid-range ST? Seems as though the 650R would put it out, or is it a slightly detuned ZX6 with reworked ergos? I like the styling of the ZZR more than the ZX6 personally. It just seems redundant to have two bikes classified (at least on their website) as the same type.

I`m not putting ths bike down at all. I think the ZZR and 650R are both awesome bikes. Just trying to figure out what the main differences in them are

[gforce]

ZZR historically is previous-generation ZX.  They keep it around because usually the ergos are a little easier than the latest street-legal track bike, and at a lower price point to make a little more $ off the design before scrapping it.

[phoenix]

I couldn't really tell ya what the thought process is at Kawasaki, although I'd hate to tell them to cut back on the number of models they make, since they might end up cutting something that you want!

The current generation ZZR600 is in reality a 1999-2001 ZX-6R. The 2004/2005 ZZR600 was a carry-over ZX-6E model, a generation that had seen little change since it first came out in 1993.

It was worse (or rather, there were more models) last year and the year before. There was the ZZR600, a ZX-6R (the 636 model), the race homologated ZX-6RR, and the 650R. The 636 is gone, but now there's also the Versys in the lineup. The 650R and Versys use the parallel twin engine while the others use I4's.

What are they going for? Not sure really. Maybe they were just keeping their feet in the mid-size sport types with the ZZR600 until the 650R showed how well it would be accepted. The riding positions are different between the two. Sadly, they keep all these 600's and drop most everything else until you get to the liter bikes (no more Z750s). Whatever....

[DogBoy]

The ZZR is actually the 2000-2002 ZX-6 with a different fairing bracket. Its not that unusual. Kawasaki was just offering a less expensive alternative or "softer" 600cc sportbike. Yamaha does this with the R6s and Honda has the F4i. The ZZ600, R6s and F4i all were true 600cc sport bikes with aluminum frames, fully adjustable suspension and upwards of 95hp. The Ninja 650 is an entry level bike with none of those features and about 30 fewer hp.

Some people just want the look of a sportbike and are not concerned about the latest technology.

[JoBu]

Some people just want the look of a sportbike and are not concerned about the latest technology.

Exactly...remember, these bikes are considered to be "real world" sportbikes.  And although they don't have the latest babbles/bolt-ons, they were cutting-edge just a few years ago.  They make really nice all-round bikes.

Cheers,

Joe

[tripntx]

'07 ZZR600 is my sport touring bike.

[Connierider]

What is the purpose of this bike? What was Kawasaki aiming for? a mid-range ST? Seems as though the 650R would put it out, or is it a slightly detuned ZX6 with reworked ergos? I like the styling of the ZZR more than the ZX6 personally. It just seems redundant to have two bikes classified (at least on their website) as the same type.

I`m not putting ths bike down at all. I think the ZZR and 650R are both awesome bikes. Just trying to figure out what the main differences in them are

It isn't a de-tuned anything,it's a a ZX-6J,the only difference is the stckers and fairing bracket over the 2000 to 2002 Ninja.Performance wise it will actually do better mid range roll on's than some of the newbies.No it isn't the latest and greatest but it costs much much less.

[JamesG]

Some people just want the look of a sportbike and are not concerned about the latest technology.

Yup, which is how Suzuki was able to keep selling the Katana for years and years after they should have put it in the ground.

It makes sense for Kawi to simple rebadge a bike and shuffle it to another marketting segment.  Motorcycle development and tooling costs usually get paid for after 3 years, after then its all gravy.  So even if you don't sell a lot of them, or have to discount them, they are still very profitable.

[MK96xj]

Here were my thoughts when I got mine and after 13+K miles

-Wanted a bike that looked sporty.
-Looked at much bigger displacement sporty bikes (K12s, Busa, Sprint, FJR) but was not comfortable with the huge power. The Sprint was close and was a serious contender.
-The latest ZX6, ZX10 (Kawi style appealed) was over the top for ergos as the bike was to be ridden everyday and touring was a must.
-the ZZR was actually the first bike that caught my eye when i was in the market and I disregarded it thinking i needed something bigger. (came full circle)
-The ZZR is strong on power. If you look at the numbers it is a tick slower then the bigger bikes but will not rip you from the bars
-Has a good mid range where you are most of the time on the street and has a smooth engine.
-Is comfortable but as with any bike you will need to customize to your needs
-Is good looking. I looked at it but the 650R just did not do it for me.
-the fairing has a very good amount of protection from the elements. (touring)
-In its stock performance form, which it is, get very good fuel milage (48mpg+ best was 56, almost 250mls per tank)
-It is light enough to throw around turns and not think twice.

The negatives:
-There is not much room to put farkles in the cockpit (GPS, Radar det, outlets)
-The OE Dunlops are JUNK. This could be just me but the Conti RA's i run now are heaven
-The windscreen is a bit on the low side. Not a big deal but when touring all day on the highway it can be a bit much. This will be fixed this week.
-In the dead of winter it can be a jokster to start. Carbs and choke. Just noticed a few times in subfreezing weather. Was not a big deal. In the summer no choke needed.
-Hard Bag mounts are not available you will need to modify an existing product. (see Tripntx for this) I use a set of Oxford soft bags and i am pretty happy with them.
-Valve adjustments at every 7.5k. Not a really big deal as it is not a Huge job done by yourself and mine were are within spec at 7.5.
-If i were 2up'ing regularly I MAY look into something bigger. I do take the wife on occasion and it is not an issue but i have never gone touring with her on the back. (It is not the power but her comfort)

[Leanintree]

Yup, this is one of the reasons that I ove Mama Kaw .  Although they do the innovation thing, they aren't much for scrapping the old design, they just move it down the ladder and keep selling selling selling. The longevity of a model makes parts availibility a good thing as well. Instead of having 1 offering in a class, they've had up to *4* at one time. When they come up with a new racer, they put it at the top of the heap, and the last iteration becomes the semi bargain. And the one from before that becomes the REAL bargain, still selling basically unchanged. Instead of scrapping the tooling after 4 years, they continue to build them even though they'be been superceded. Gives various models a lifespan that some other manufacturers only dream about. 8 yrs? 10? 12? Hell, look at the venerable Ninja250... It's getting a redesign this year after 20 (?) in production reletively unchanged? The EX/Ninja 500 as well... Still in production wih 1 major upgrade since 1987 (and that upgrade wasn't frame/motor/trans/suspension, it was wheels and plastic).

I approve of longevity in my bikes... Tey that on a honda, in 4 years they'll stop making anything that will fit a cbr600rr.

Leanintree

[Joey Stalin]

Chance to whore pictures of the bike.



It's about the closest that you are going to get to a real sport bike with hard bags.