06. Kawasaki ZX-6R (2003+)
Engine: 599cc, 16-valve, injected, four
Power: 125bhp
Torque: 49 lb/ft
Weight: 161kg
Top speed: 165mph
Insurance group: 15
Rating: ★★★★★
Used prices (highest, average, lowest): £6,000 • £4,350 • £2,900
A classic Kawasaki; seriously focussed and not for newbies. These are harder, sharper machines aimed at getting skilled riders round racetracks fast. They’ve got more personality than most Japanese bikes too with gruff engines and lively handling. The B suffix models (2003-’04) were updated into the slicker faster, if not quite so involving, C bikes (2005-06). The P machines (2007-’08) went back down to 599cc from 636cc and lost midrange power as a result. We’ve heard a few horror stories about major problems on P series models but on the whole they’re reliable machines and abuse will be the main cause for concern when buying used.
Click here to read Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja owner reviews.
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