The MCN Test: Kawasaki’s reborn ZX-6R takes on its supersport rivals

There’s nothing quite like thrashing an old-school 600 to within an inch of its life. Here on a deserted airfield in Northamptonshire the new £10,599 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R wastes no time in reminding you just how rapid it is.

Throttle to the stop, the air is filled with the shrill sound of four tiny pistons screaming for mercy, as it dishes out acceleration in violent bursts through the gears.

Big-revving, highly strung supersport jewels like the ZX-6R need no introduction, apart from that one.

During their noughties peak they were the machine of choice for any self-respecting headbanger.

Fast, loud, raucous, but easy to ride and above all affordable, they offered racetrack speed and pin-sharp handling to the masses.

Their star soon faded, though. Riders became older and less inclined to contort themselves on a Sunday morning and turned to the new wave of adventure, naked, retro and superbikes instead…