News – First information on the new ZX-6R and ER-6 – Used KAWASAKI

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First information on the new ZX-6R and ER-6

News - First information on the new ZX-6R and ER-6 - Used KAWASAKI

Kawasaki lifts the veil on its new sports car and its new mid-capacity roadster, ZX-6R and ER-6. A succinct presentation with no key figures, but which allows you to discover the new lines of machines and their probable intentions.

After the ultra comprehensive presentations of Honda (read), then Yamaha (read and), Kawasaki lifts a corner of the veil covering the highly anticipated replacements of the ZX-6R and the ER-6 N and F.

The information is expertly distilled and no official figure is put forward from the Greens, but Kawasaki still offers an appetizer to its fans while waiting for the Cologne show to unveil the precise characteristics of its models. A clever method to feed a little more the fantasies of future buyers, where others have already said everything about the (r) developments to come.

However, we can bet that some nice surprises await us in the coming months, regardless of the communication strategies chosen by the manufacturers. And in the meantime, make way for the new ZX-6R and ER-6 !

ZX-6R: lighter, sharper and more manageable

Appeared in 2003, the new generation of sports midsize Kawasaki introduced a radical style, without concession and openly oriented towards the track. Calm down, the boiling ZX-6R 636 have since made a cross on the 36 cc which differentiated them from the competition, but despite an exceptional front end of feeling and a finish in clear increase, the 2007 model paid the price of a geometry less radical and more "hollow" engine behavior than the competition.

If the press kit of the new "6" does not give any concrete measure allowing to gauge the progress made by the Japanese engineers, some statements suggest a serious handing-over of the motorcycle again. Thus, Kawasaki teaches us that "rider / machine interaction has been fine-tuned to provide even more precise control and perfect engine control at all speeds and generous torque at mid-range".

Clearly, the adoption of an electronic accelerator – or even variable admission – could appear on the green: cutting-edge technologies, but whose effectiveness has been proven in the world championship, then on the new Yamaha R6 and R1 (read and our).

Anyway, the fourth Japanese manufacturer boasts "the improvements made to the engine and the cycle part (who) make the machine even more controllable and reassuring, qualities that allow high-level piloting in all serenity"Of course, the behavior becomes"more agile and safer", specifies Kawa, while the hunt for weight seems to have become a priority again: it is true that the 167 kg dry of the previous vintage was felt somewhat in bends against the featherweights of the category, like the Honda 600 CBR and the Triumph 675 Daytona.

Finally, the capabilities of the 2007 fire front end are a priori retained, since the 2007 ZX-6R would allow "perfect registration at the entry of a bend". No worries to be expected during muscular acceleration, since the photos reveal the appearance of an Ohlins steering damper. The Swedish damping specialist, however, seems the only visible new manufacturer, since the ZX-6R is adorned with still Nissin radial brake calipers and Bridgestone tires (BT 16 as original equipment in 180/55/17 at the rear).

A more aggressive design, a guarantee of a return to the highest level ?

On the other hand, the first photos of the machine show a return to the radicalization of the Supersport Kawasaki: the bike seems more collected on itself, thinner and appears with a more angular design. The front end is much more eye-catching, with thinner and more stretched headlights. A more attractive design, certainly facilitated by the relocation of the forced air intake. This no longer appears on the bubble and is therefore either abandoned – unlikely – or channeled in the form of tunnels below the optical unit. To check very soon: stay connected !

The shape of the screen and the mirrors have subtly evolved and the latter display the same angles as on the last ZX-10R, without however integrating the indicators which remain on the front of the fairings and whose format is unchanged. As for the fairings, they are sharper and less enveloping.

Original openings make their appearance on the front – no doubt to optimize engine cooling – while the general appearance is more aggressive than on the previous model. A feeling that is confirmed with the angles of the tank, but especially by the much shorter and less bulky presentation of the rear part !

Lightened, the rear part benefits fully from the return of the exhaust at the side exit, whose short and compact look is quite successful: the beveled exit, in particular, is quite suggestive. We love it or hate it, but it refines the bike and above all eliminates the unsightly “pot” of exhaust located under the engine! The diode tail light adopts an arcuate shape and is considerably magnified.

The speedometer unit does not show a priori that a few major changes: now black, it displays a red zone starting at 16,000 rpm, while the renewal of a stopwatch seems a certainty in view of the button "Lap" on the left stalk. A brief overview of digital windows augurs well for a plethora of additional information, such as usage trips and – we hope – a gear indicator engaged.

Finally, the clutch seems to retain a cable mechanism – given the absence of a hydraulic jar above the left lever – while the imposing swing arm approaches a "banana" type shape. The absence of details concerning the suspensions will leave the "aces of the screwdriver" on their hunger, even if one distinguishes a hydraulic adjustment at the bottom of the fork. We can bet that the new ZX-6R should offer the usual range of preload, rebound and compression adjustment..

Going into details, we note that the fork has abandoned its black color for a return to an anodized treatment of the most beautiful effect. The footrests change from gray to black, the rear turn signal cabochons turn from orange to white, the imposing spoilers in front of the fork have reduced considerably and the green "Lime" model addresses stickers of the same color on the rims: transcendent !

Unfortunately, no information concerning the price and the availability of the model is known to date … But it is legitimate to hope for a measured inflation compared to the previous model and a start of marketing during the first quarter of 2009. All information and figures will be available soon on Site, then during our test of this new machine which smells of racing spirit !

New ER-6 F and N: sharper and more playful

Regarding the sparkling two-cylinder, these roadsters acclaimed in Europe – especially the Naked version – will only experience changes for 2009, without calling into question the already proven recipes..

However, the biggest surprise comes from the ER6F model (with fairing), which presents significant aesthetic developments and even a subtle affiliation with the new ZX-6R presented above! The green color perfectly emphasizes this parallel, just like its incisive lines, stretched forward "like a beast ready to pounce", raises the coat of arms of Akashi.

The rear shell has been judiciously tapered, giving way to a flattering LED headlight, while the passenger handles change from black to gray. If the machine keeps its fun parallel twin, Kawasaki announces "some minor tweaks giving the new engine a smoother response from low to mid-range and a quicker temperament to climb in turns".

On the other hand, the front part and the fairings were not satisfied "minor adjustments": Directly modeled on the new Ninja, the design of the fairing and front panel cutouts undoubtedly gives a sporty touch welcome to the road roadster of the Greens! The tank appears more angular and raised, while the optics adopt a format reminiscent of the one ZX-10R 2004 models. Finally, the mirrors also abandon the round shapes.

As for life on board, the Japanese manufacturer claims to have increased the handling and accessibility of its model while tracking vibrations thanks to "the redesign of the frame, the swingarm and the suspensions": there is no doubt that the appearance of rubbers on the footrests should also isolate the driver from pernicious inconvenience! Finally, the machine adopts an original fully digital orange backlit counter, where we can distinguish a fuel gauge and a barograph tachometer.

In view of the conservation of most of its peripherals (discs, calipers, fork and side shock absorber), this new version of the ER-6F should more or less maintain its attractive price (currently € 6,399 without ABS and € 6,999 with ABS), even if the manufacturer insists on the great progress made in the finish of the whole. Available in green and blue (with or without ABS), the ER-6F will be marketed with Bridgestone BT 21.

ER-6N: smooth evolutions

Those who have been waiting for a revolution in the little Naked Kawasaki roadster may be disappointed. Appeared in 2006, for two years this motorcycle has delighted lovers of light and well-balanced motorcycles, equipped with a moderately powerful engine but not stingy in sensations..

Praised by women, beginner bikers and motorcycle schools, the ER-6N surprises even the most experienced: the competitors of the Kawa Cup are unanimous on the dynamic capabilities of the motorcycle! Priced at € 5,999 without ABS (€ 6,599 with), this friendly roadster takes the top spots in sales.

For 2009, "the new er-6n takes over the fundamentals that made the success of its predecessor: a playful temperament, ease of driving accessible to all and a dazzling style. Without forgetting to amplify them", naturally underlines Kawasaki.

Its fairings evolve smoothly towards more compactness and angular shapes, but the changes are surprisingly less pronounced than on the ER-6F. The front part is more aggressive and the lengthening of the optical unit is not unlike that of the last Honda Hornet. The front indicators do not change place, but are extended while – as on the road version – the ER-6N is equipped with a digital counter, gray grab handles, rubbers on the footrests and redesigned retro.

Revised and corrected also at the level of the chassis, the swinging arm and the suspensions, the machine promises to be more manageable and more accessible: statements that we can not wait to verify, as the previous model already shone by its ease of ‘use ! Finally, the 2009 model introduces two new particularly attractive colors: a metallic orange and a very trendy white. Stay connected !

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