1996 ZX6R F

[simpss774]

This is a review in progress.

Good points

Picked mine up for £1000. Mates rates so got a load of spares but can get a nice package for £1200 - 1300 on ebay.

Even with 32000 on the engine (42 on the clock) still goes very well. Aftermarket straight though exhaust and Beowulf can with a K&N in the box to replace escaped horses. Max so far is 137 on the clock so about 130 - 135 at the back wheel.

Plastics seem to have aged well few scraps but no fading or brittleness.

Handles very well, not much to compare it to but quite flickable.

Give a lot of new bikes with all their fancy tech a fright.

Bad points.

Like a lot of Kawasaki's about as much get up and go in the mid-range as my gran and she’s dead. Great at 4000 to 6500 dies off and really does not come back in till 8500/9500 when it suddenly takes off with a lurch.

Quite heavy compared the modern bikes of this size about 230KG when wet probably 235 - 240 with a full tank.

The front mud guard is a weak point the snap where there bolted on and rattle at slow speed.

Plastics are very hard to come by, in fact over all original parts are not that common.

The current review in MCN is rather harsh considering its 20 years old. If you want a cheap bike to put a grin on your face every time it’s hard to pass up. If buying one check the breaks specifically the callipers, split them and look for corrosion in and around the pistons. You will also have consider re-coning the suspension front and rear, if it’s not been done. Other than that there basic speed machines that beg to be thrashed.