Long overdue for an overhaul, Kawasaki’s ZX-6R was becoming the underdog of the class, despite significant success in supersport racing. Well, Kawasaki hasn’t been resting on its laurels.
Kawasaki has introduced the 2003 ZX-6R (displacing 636cc) and the limited edition ZX-6RR (displacing a supersport-legal 599cc).
The ZX-6R and RR feature, for the first time in the class, upside-down forks and radial brakes. The limited edition RR has a slipper clutch, which is very useful for racing, as well as an adjustable swingarm pivot point. Additionally, the RR has a close ratio transmission and shorter-stroke engine that produces a higher rev limit.
Both bikes feature a lightweight all-LCD instrument panel, LED tail light and new, lighter chassis.
Fuel injection replaces carburetors this year, and the engine features a more efficient RAM air system, and timing adjustable CAM sprockets.
In keeping with the sportier theme, the new instrument panel includes a lap timer and stopwatch. Kawasaki is trading its more comfortable seating position for a more aggressive one with the new ZX-6R and RR, to make the bike more track focused. U.S. MSRP and availability date for each model is unknown at this time.
