Just
recently I found myself locked in conversation with non-bikers. You know, the
type that get overly excited about watching a movie or baking a cake. Half way
through the conversation I had already drifted off. I was picturing myself
jumping into a small continental crack and hitting the earths burning core
until I heard the word Ninja. Somehow the conversation switched to bikes, and
although this person had no concept of a motorcycle, or even a bicycle for that
matter, she knew of the Ninja. Impressed.
The lime
green colours found on Kawasaki Ninja’s today have turned the Ninja into an
instantly recognizable machine. Non-bikers and bikers alike can spot you coming
from a mile away and the name Ninja itself has almost created a sub brand
amongst those not familiar with biking.
Today, the
Kawasaki Ninja is a formidable machine, in the superbike, and now Supersport
classes with the introduction of the 636.
The 636 has
been around before. It was last manufactured in 2006. This new 2013 model
features an array of electronic gizmos making it the most technologically
advanced supersport on the market. Although I might of forgotten about the MV
Agusta F3, which is also a Laptop with an engine.
The name
636 is derived from the uprated engine capacity which, as you might of guessed,
is 636cc’s. This is up from the standard ZX6R’s capacity of 599cc. As a result
there is more torque and improved get-up-and-go.
I’ve always
said that Suzuki’s GSX-R750 is an excellent choice of machine as some might
find the step from 600’s to 1000’s is a bike one. So the slightly increased
capacity of the 636 does provide (lighter) riders with increased performance.
Features:
Although we
could go on for days with the new additions found on the 636, here are the
important ones.
·
KTRC
This is
Kawasaki’s traction control system, of which there are 3 settings or you can
turn the system off all together. Kawasaki’s traction control system is
excellent however one will struggle to push the 636 to the point where it is
activated due to the large amount of grip already present. Does a Supersport
require traction control? Well maybe if you hit an oil spill or an ice patch,
or if your name is Kenan Sofuoglu.
·
Selectable
power modes
Output at low- rpm is the
same in both modes, but “Low” mode limits engine output to approximately 80%
and gives a milder throttle response.
·
F.C.C Slipper
clutch with assist.
Essentially the engineers at
Kawasaki have improved the clutch so it has a lighter action making it easier
for the rider.
·
Showa Big Piston –
Separate Function Fork (SSF)
The BP –SFF features
springs on both sides, with dedicated preload adjustability in the left tube
and dedicated damping pistons and adjustability in the right tube. The BP-SFF
design offers much easier adjustability, by locating all adjusters in the caps
at the top of the two fork tubes: preload on the left, compression and rebound
damping on the right.
All these additions have
made the 636 a formidable middleweight machine. The 636 is really easy to ride
and one can have a tremendous amount of fun on-board the 636.
Criticisms of the 636
include the aggressive riding position which puts a lot of strain on your
hands. Stomp grips will be a prerequisite for owners of the 636. Also there is
a snappy throttle response which unsettles the bike mid corner at low speeds.
So for town riding it is recommended to leave the bike in the L power mode.
Another problem with the 636
comes in the form of Honda’s ever popular CBR600RR which has just been
released. Expect to see a shootout between these two models soon.
Thanks KMSA.
Pros
·
Huge styling
improvement from the previous squint ZX6R
·
Electronic
gizmos makes geeks and weekend warriors smile from ear to ear
·
Increased
capacity helps with torque and power increase
·
Easy to ride
Cons
·
Expected price
·
Aggressive
riding position
·
Snappy power
delivery in H power mode (mid corner at low speed)
No comments:
Post a Comment