I've been doing some serious thinking about the new 600s lately. My next bike was definatly going to be a 750 or higher. Until i really started doing research on the 636 ninjas.

From what i understand this bike is impressive!! Ive been looking into these bikes since early 2003 yet it still seems nobody likes the ninjas, and honostly whenever I talk about kawasakis in general people seem to cringe at the idea of owning one.

I understand the previous models of the ZX-6R was sub par at best, but this model is more sporty and cutting edge than the last. I really like the fact that Kawasaki decided to break away from the fixed 600cc, 750cc numbers and make a rev hard bike that is stronger mid range than most 600cc bikes, and still make the ZX-6RR for people that compete on the track. Could the 636 be the perfect bike inbetween 600/750 bike??

Someone please fill me in on why or why not the Ninjas should be avoided when deciding to buy a new bike. Any informative websites are welcome.

 

Only negative aspect about the Ninjas I know of is that some insurance companies will charge more becuase it's a "ninja". They tried that crap on my friend's EX250. They wanted $600 a year for liability. I told him to call back and tell them it was an EX250, it dropped to $80.

I never found the old ZX-6Rs to be underrated. They were slightly heavier than the others, and a little older design, but they were a lot more comfortable IMHO.

 

Ahhh.. yessss good to know. As many people know insurance in NJ is the highest in the country. Ill have to look into that.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OnlyNod &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ahhh.. yessss good to know. As many people know insurance in NJ is the highest in the country. Ill have to look into that.

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It's not really that bad compared to others for m/c's....use a company called Rider, they only insure in NJ and are pretty good.

FWIW, I had a brand new 99 ZX7 and it was 800/yr full coverage...they go strictly by cc's

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

It's not really that bad compared to others for m/c's....use a company called Rider, they only insure in NJ and are pretty good.

FWIW, I had a brand new 99 ZX7 and it was 800/yr full coverage...they go strictly by cc's</TD></TR></TABLE>

I use rider now, they are expensive unless your over like 35. Other insurance companies in Jersey are much cheaper but require less than 2 violations.

BTW, Its not strictly by cc's, its by age and driving record also.

 

The peak power output of the 636 motor is very close to both the kawasaki and suzuki 750 motors. Of course lower rev power on demand cannot be duplicated w/o displacement. The 636 is rather hard sprung for a street bike imo. Definetely an amazing bike. Think razor (sharpest) blade whereas the r6 is a carving knife(easy to wield). And the 600rr as a ginsu butterknife(dummy proof sharp) while we're on the topic. I guess the gsxr6 would be a table steak knife. Good for everything yet not quite as good in any one thing. Anyways, I'd take the 636 over the zx7 easy. The gixxer750 I might choose where it would be over 3 grand cheaper and in a gix6 frame for insurance among other reasons. Btw, I never found my 6r to be anything underpar. In fact it gets much more riding time than the f4i.

 

Thanks for the informtive post Tony, Im seriously looking into buying one but ive never rode one. The only experience on bikes that i have is my F2, my old 500, and both the gixxer 600 and 750 for only a couple rides.

Ive sat on the 636 and thought its seating position to be very agressive and uncomfortable, but then again they all feel like that to me until i ride them. So you say that the ninja is a more precise bike, do you own one? or have you riddin it? I dont want a bike that isnt very forgiving. My F2 is fun, I throw it around all the time, but i want something that would have a little more power and of course i want a new bike. Could you maybe elaborate why the ninja is "hard sprung?"

 

I'm not sure that they are really close to gixxer 750. There is about a 15whp difference between them. A Gixxer 750 makes around 125 whp.

 

I dont think there are any 636's pushing 110. All the dynos I've seen have been mid 100's. The old ninjas pretty much sucked compared to the compitition...but I dont think anyone, at least anyone informed, thinks that the new 636 zx6rr is underrated.