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Review: 07 r6 vs 07 zx6r

6K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  Dakota11 
#1 ·
Hi guys,
Ill get to the point.

Having owned both for 3 years now heres how I feel.

I got the Kawi 6 months before the R6.
i was skeptical because they told me Kawis were unreliable and the build quality was poor, but it was a new model and i loved the color (Grey, red wheels)
I payed 9K cash from South Bay Motorsports.

Mods, SS brake lines, under seat jumper mod, ram air.

I used it to commute daily for 2 hours.
I would take the long way everyday to work.

For the locals, from Eastlake to Golden Acorn Casino & back,
through the Otay Lakes twisties.

After 6 months I bought the R6 because I got a great deal

07 with 128 miles for 7.5k cash OTD
I bought it from my dads super good friend, owner of JP Motorsports in Palm Ave, now in Chula Vista.
Mods: SS brake lines and Slip On.

so I rode these two bikes back to back for the last couple years,
both have been set up for my weight(suspension)

ok so pros and cons.

R6
Pros: THE WAY IT TURNS IN. both have Pirelli Supercorsa Pro Race SC1 tires on and this bike is so perfect at turn in. I love how its so compliant to my inputs. I just picture my line in my head and follow it with the R6. the kawi is good from Mid turn on, but I do feel like i have to muscle it around more but its equally stable after that. What I do feel is that the R6 is easier to adjust my lines while in the turn. I feel like the R6 revs higher, more of a screamer and theres no heat under the seat.

Cons: The engine. My kawi makes at least 15hp more. I have to rev it more to get a move on and its way worst with a buddy as passenger. I also dislike the ergonomics so much. Stock R6 with stock clip ons is so uncomfortable on the wrist. I feel like i am leaning forward on the seat, like if the back was way higher and i fall forward always hitting my nuts. i feel like i have to squeeze the tank more with my knees under hard breaking or ill slide forward way too much. O and the seat is kinda too stiff. speedo suck, looks dated

ZX6R
Pros: What a lovely engine. I like that so much. It is way punchier. and this is how i proved it. i did 0-60s, 0-100, top speed runs. we used gps for top speed. and then we did the same tests with a buddy as passenger and over and over the Kawi DOMINATES. stock gearing on both.

Cons: Stock muffler heats up seat, sometimes notchy gearbox. brakes, had to upgrade pads, haven't done that to R6. It took me like 2 track days to find confidence on the front end. I hated how horribly the suspension came from the dealer. Extremely soft up front and super stiff at the back.

HONESTLY, neither is better. they are both better than my abilities but if i had to do it all over again i would. get a cbr and a gsxr just to see wtf with those two.

so if your in the market for any of these two heres my two cents.
for modding and track bikes get the R6.
for more street and everyday use kawi is no brainer

as said before, u cant go wrong with either
:toocool:
 
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#4 ·
Ha! :hammer

unfortunately it was not a chick, we wanted to know how fast it was with two "heavy" persons. I had to use a guy friend because I could not find any
fat chicks.

Just for reference what size skeleton do you have?

I am 6'2" and felt more "locked-in" on the r6 and better able to use the controls. I do agree that the seat slope is an issue though.

Good review, thanks :p
i am 5.9 and weight 170, not the tallest and for that reason I thought it would fit me better than it did. At the track doing a couple sessions I was comfortable. but once I commute in the R6, I remember how much I dislike the position. I tried clip ons and rear sets, that helps a lot, but the review was more for the stock feel of both :)
 
#5 ·
Im surprised the 07 Zx is stronger. The 06+ R6 seem to be known for their strong top end, ableit low power in the lower RPMS. I know the Zx6 is one 600 I strongly consider if I was in the market to get a 600
 
#7 ·
If I was in the market for a 6 I would def get a 2011 ZX6R.

Yamaha needs an ALL NEW 600
Imagine a v4 R6. like an RSV4 but from yamaha and 600!



thanks, for the reveiw, and whats the buddy passanger thing????:**** jk, anyway im 6'5" and i love the 6 over my cousins zx6r because i just have more control the zx seems a lot smaller.
Yeah the yamaha has the control factor dominated, thats why so many ppl love it. The 2010 ZX is pretty good at that too, we need a new Yami
 
#6 ·
thanks, for the reveiw, and whats the buddy passanger thing????:**** jk, anyway im 6'5" and i love the 6 over my cousins zx6r because i just have more control the zx seems a lot smaller.
 
#11 ·
Good choice. I have the 09zx6r since last January. Great bike. I was like you, skeptic on Kawi quality but purchased my first Kawi when the deal was too good to pass last year. This bike has motor! Yes, turn in still can't match R6, even with drop front and raised rear. Almost 9k now and still happy with the purchase, no issue...knocking on wood. : )
 
#12 ·
Kawaski's used to get bypassed because people were so in love with GSXRs and CBR's. I think the 03-04 ZX10 and 636 is what got peoples attention and saying, wow these things can haul
 
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