Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 does a 10.74 second Quarter Mile
The Kawasaki ZX-6R has been with us since 1995. It has enjoyed a long and successful reign at, or near, the top of the 600 cc supersport class for many years.
Over the decades, we have seen numerous variants of this excellent machine, and it can still be bought new today.
It has always been at the sharp end of the 600 cc supersport category, trading blows with its competitors and leaving many scars – both on the road and on the track.
In late 2002, Kawasaki released a larger version of the ZX-6R with an extra 37 cc over its 599 cc sibling.
Both models were sold alongside each other, as the smaller engine was required to remain under 600 cc for homologation purposes and eligibility in supersport racing.
While the 636 model was sold next to the smaller-engined variant, it quickly became the preferred choice for many road riders.
It is not entirely clear why Kawasaki chose to increase the engine capacity slightly.
A bigger engine naturally produces more power, so it certainly didn’t hurt performance.
What was clear, however, was that as 600 cc motorcycles became ever more extreme – with engines chasing higher revs and peak power, they were becoming less usable on the road.
That extra 37 cc, though small, had a dramatic effect on what was already arguably the strongest engine in the class.
There was more peak power, but more importantly, power and torque were significantly improved throughout the entire rev range compared with the 599 cc ZX-6R and its rivals.
This ensured the 636 retained far greater real-world usability on the road, while still delivering the top-end thrills expected of a 600 cc supersport machine.
Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 Dyno Curve
On the dyno, the ZX-6R produces 117 horsepower at 13,500 rpm and 48 ft-lb of torque at 11,500 rpm.
The ZX-6R 636 delivers its power in a very smooth and flexible manner, making it the most powerful motorcycle in the sub-650 cc four-cylinder class.
Unlike many four-cylinder supersport machines, the ZX-6R engine is remarkably flexible and offers exceptional drive compared with its rivals.
From as low as 4,000 rpm, it pulls strongly, but like all 600 cc supersports, it loves to rev.
The engine really starts to build serious thrust and acceleration from 7,000 rpm, followed by another purposeful kick at 9,500 rpm, where it drives hard all the way to 14,000 rpm and beyond.
The engine is brilliant. It delivers performance comparable to a 750 cc four-cylinder while being faster than many 1,000 cc superbike twins from years gone by.
Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 In-gear acceleration
The Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 has a fantastic engine for the road.
It delivers the wild, screaming top-end power we expect and love from a 600 cc supersport machine, yet without any major sacrifice in acceleration at more sensible revs.
Of course, it is still a 600 cc motorcycle, so you can never be quite as lazy with gear selection as you can on much larger-capacity machines.
What really surprises with the ZX-6R 636 is the strong drive it provides even when the revs drop below 6,000 rpm – a point at which most 600 cc supersports tend to run out of breath.
There is still a remarkable amount of usable drive available, more akin to that of a 750 cc engine, such as the Suzuki GSX-R750.
On very slow, tight corners, there is plenty of power to pull away in second gear from low revs and drive hard out of the corner. Rivals would often need first gear, otherwise they would bog down as if suffering from some form of turbo lag.
On many roads that mix faster and slower corners, the ZX-6R 636 can often stay in third gear throughout, using its wide usable speed range.
That single gear will comfortably take you well north of 110 mph.
You can let the revs drop as low as 6,000 rpm (around 45 mph), and the ZX-6R 636 will still pick up enthusiastically and drive strongly out of the corner.
Dropping a gear for extra acceleration is often unnecessary, whereas on rival bikes, you would almost certainly need second gear.
For highway and motorway duties, in sixth gear at 70 mph, the ZX-6R 636 sits at a relaxed 6,300 rpm.
For swift and safe overtakes, there is absolutely no need to drop a gear – the acceleration is responsive from the outset and builds progressively.
Before you know it, you are doing 100 mph, and the vehicle you have just passed is a distant memory.
In top gear, the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 actually delivers more acceleration from 70 mph than many litre-bike twins, past or present. It is genuinely impressive.
Even a Ducati Panigale V2 would not be safe and would need to drop to fifth gear to pull away from the Kawasaki.
Speeds in gear at 5000rpm
| Speed at 5000 rpm | ZX-6R 636 |
| Speed 1st Gear | 25.4 mph |
| Speed 2nd Gear | 32.8 mph |
| Speed 3rd Gear | 39 mph |
| Speed 4th Gear | 45.1 mph |
| Speed 5th Gear | 50.8 mph |
| Speed 6th Gear | 55.6 mph |
The Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 is geared almost perfectly for the road and for the power it has available.
Rivals such as the Yamaha YZF-R6 and Honda CBR600RR really struggle in comparison at any engine speed below 7,000 rpm.
In particular, the YZF-R6 generally only feels quick above 8,000–9,000 rpm and requires far more work with the gearbox than any other 600 cc supersport.
The only other motorcycle in the class that offers a similar engine character is the Triumph Daytona 675.
The Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 accelerates from 0–60 mph in 3.17 seconds.
It is arguably the fastest-accelerating stock supersport 600, posting quicker times than many larger-displacement motorcycles, both past and present.
For many years, its closest rival in a straight line was Yamaha’s YZF-R6. With an impressive 117 horsepower at the rear wheel and a lightweight package, the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 is undoubtedly a formidable machine in a straight line.
Thanks to a good clutch with a nice, progressive feel, launching the bike is straightforward, and it is very easy to achieve consistent times run after run.
The strong engine means there is little risk of bogging down, even if you do not slip the clutch perfectly and lose a few revs.
The ZX-6R 636 has more than enough drive in first gear from 5,000–6,000 rpm to avoid losing too much time on launch.
Ideally, of course, you want to be slipping the clutch from 7,000 rpm or higher for the best results.
With an optimal launch, the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 can reach 0–60 mph in just 3.17 seconds and 0–100 km/h in 3.23 seconds.
You do have to watch for wheelies, as the ZX-6R 636 will readily lift the front wheel in first gear from anywhere above 7,000 rpm.
However, it is much more controllable than many far more powerful motorcycles.
From there, the ZX-6R charges extremely hard, reaching 0–100 mph in just 6.02 seconds – a time that edges close to litre-bike territory.
The 0–200 km/h sprint is bang on 9 seconds flat, which is equally impressive.
The Kawasaki ZX-6R can also comfortably dip into the tens in the quarter-mile, recording a class-leading 10.74 seconds with a terminal speed of 134 mph.
That high terminal speed highlights just how strong the ZX-6R’s top end is for a 600 cc supersport.
This little pocket rocket can really give larger-capacity motorcycles a fright. GSX-R750s,
Triumph Daytona 675s, F3 800s (and even some 848s) are not entirely safe from a hard-charging ZX-6R 636.
The ZX-6R remains remarkably strong all the way to an indicated 150 mph (around 168 mph on the clocks) and can get there from a standing start in only 15.42 seconds. That is pretty wild for a 600.
The Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 has a top speed of 164 mph.
It is only beyond this point that the acceleration finally begins to ease as it edges towards its maximum.
That top speed is outstanding for what is, after all, a stock 600 cc supersport motorcycle.
In the hands of others, these ZX-6Rs have been known to reach a genuine 170 mph, and can nudge close to 180 mph with a full exhaust system and a tune.
The Dragy benchmark 60–130 mph time is also incredibly competitive at just 6.60 seconds and can be achieved starting in first gear.
Many litre-bikes struggle for consistency in this test because it is extremely difficult to use the full potential of their first gear without drama.
On the ZX-6R 636, however, you can nail first gear, control the wheelie with relative ease, then simply feed in second, third and fourth gears successively at around 14,500 rpm.
That 60–130 mph time is only around one to two seconds slower than the fastest litre-bikes and gets very close to -or even beats some older litre-bikes.
Kawasaki’s ZX-6R 636 is a missile and pretty much the fastest “600” you can buy. It will likely remain that way for a long time.
Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 Acceleration Curve
| Kawasaki ZX-6R Acceleration | |
| Speed | Time |
| 0-10 mph | 0.40 |
| 0-20 mph | 0.90 |
| 0-30 mph | 1.57 |
| 0-40 mph | 2.12 |
| 0-50 mph | 2.64 |
| 0-60 mph | 3.17 |
| 0-70 mph | 3.71 |
| 0-80 mph | 4.41 |
| 0-90 mph | 5.09 |
| 0-100 mph | 6.02 |
| 0-110 mph | 6.96 |
| 0-120 mph | 8.31 |
| 0-130 mph | 9.78 |
| 0-140 mph | 12.02 |
| 0-150 mph | 15.42 |
| 0-160 mph | 22.68 |
| 60-130 mph | 6.60 |
| 100-150 mph | 9.40 |
| SS/QM | 10.74@134 mph |
| SS/KM | 19.77@157 mph |
| SS/Mile | 28.14@162 mph |
| Top Speed | 164 mph |
