2002 Kawasaki ZX-6R J2

A 600cc sportsbike, brand new, for under £5k? In yellow? (I know, humour me). Trade-in the svs? Certainly sir, walk this way. Difficult with these legs, but thank you, I’ll have one, no test ride needed.

All that took place in February this year, and in March I was the proud owner of said new ZX-6R. In truth, being a short arse, the ZX6 was the best option for my height of all the 600cc sports bikes, especially with the addition of a gel seat. The colour simply ensured I remained colour co-ordinated (so important don’t you think?) without changing my leathers. Oh, and the price helped too!

Aesthetically, it was lust at first sight. Now, I know this is a personal taste thing, which

explains why some lust after Kylie or Britney, and some lust after Kathy Burke or Dawn French, but for me she falls into the Kylie category.

Piercing twin headlights, large air scoop underneath – its says ‘take me & thrash me to within an inch of my life, like you’ve never thrashed anything before’. Well that’s what it said to me anyway. Nice to have twin headlights that are both actually on btw – is it just me who doesn’t understand the ‘two lights but only one on’ syndrome?

So, what’s it like to ride? Imagine fitting a double bed into the last car of the Pepsi Max Big One, add Anna Friel and Jennifer Lopez, a liberal sprinkling of champagne, then start on a continuous loop, all night long, with a baby oil garnish (optional), stopping only to let Anna & Jennifer off (exhausted) and Natalie & Nicole Appleton on. This would only be half as exciting as riding the ZX-6R. (OK OK, 75% then). Its sorted, in a word, or planted (excuse these technical biker journo terms). In the real world, which we all inhabit, it does everything you ask of it, and more. I’ve read all the ‘gutless at low revs’ stuff, but let me tell you that it still leaves all traffic for dead, and howls when pushed up through 14,500 revs.

It turns in a treat (even on standard tyres – D207’s), feels solid through the bend, and there’s enough suspension adjustments to keep Stephen Hawking working through the night on the available variations. M.P.G? Dunno, and don’t care. Fuel consumption just isn’t a factor when buying these bikes. If you want to talk fuel consumption, put your flat cap, cardigan and driving gloves on, hitch up the caravan, and spend endless hours talking about compression ratios and the state of your prostate. I do know that I get roughly 130 miles to reserve – 120 if ridden hard, and I assume 140 if I take it easier, which I haven’t done yet.

The riding position is not so extreme as some of its competitors (gsx-r600 or R6 to name but two) and this means it is infinitely more comfortable on longer journeys. In this real world, the difference in performance between these bikes is judged on the difference in performance of the rider – the bikes themselves are very evenly matched.

We’ve now done just over 4,000 miles together now, including a trip to the south of France, never missed a beat, just keeps getting better & better. BT010’s are calling soon, as is a possible new tail unit from Rhencullen with integrated indicators. Goodridge braided hoses already fitted, and they work very well – no difference to braking at slow speed, but noticeably better when fast.

Lust is turning into love, which is slightly worrying, as my track record in this area is not good. However, the ZX6 performs the same the whole month long, and without the complex addition of emotions I feel confident this relationship will last longer than most of my previous ones. Its about commitment, evidently, and I feel very committed to my ZX6. The only danger may be Mr Kawasaki dealer saying ‘636 sir? Walk this way’. ‘Difficult with these legs