| | | | 2007 Honda CBR600RR and Kawasaki ZX6R |  Written: 14/06/2006 : 12:57. Read 67019 times (76/day). | It never comes as a bomb-shell when one of the 600 supersport machines gets updates and improvements to make them more capable on the roadracing track. However both Yamaha R6 and Suzuki GSX-R 600 got some serious and radical changes in 2006.
The CBR600 and the ZX6R wasn't here...
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2007 Honda CBR600RR
Not that we would ever think that Honda would go as radical as the R6 with Fly by wire and a complete redesign. But now that both Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha feature a slipper clutch as standard this is the first thing Honda will change on the 07 600RR.
The current RR only weighs 163kg dry so Honda only have to shave off a couple of kilos by using new wheels, redesigned underseat exhaust and higher quality suspension to bring it to the standards set by the GSX-R and R6. Honda can either increase the rev-ceiling radically like the R6 or go the safe Honda route similar to the latest Fireblade. The benefits by not looking for an extreme redline on the roadbike is that Honda can adjust the midrange to be meatier than the rivalling R6 and be able to keep up with the K6 GSX-R600 and 2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R. None of the Japanese manufacturers will take too much notice of the 675 Triple yet as it is unlikely Triumph will stay competitive other than on the roads for the next few years. Technology and racing heritage is king in this class where Yamaha is leading the technology race whilst Honda leads the exotic HRC component trickery that allows them race win after race win. The 1395mm wheelbase could become even shorter in 2007 if Honda decides to use its electronic steering damper. The damper would allow for a more aggressive rake for super quick steering. The tall gearing will probably stay as it also helps with sound tests as well as preventing wheelies at the start line and in first gear corners on the racetrack. And finally more power as particularly Yamaha and Kawasaki are now claiming astronomical (that’s probably what they are too) figures including ice-cold ram-air feed. We would not be very surprised if the new claimed figure is between 5-10 more bhp.
Kawasaki ZX6r6 2007
Kawasaki on the other hand will almost certainly have a brand new 599cc engine with space shuttle technology. Kawasaki is more likely to have a go at the whole Fly By Wire throttle thing and other exotic solutions to benefit both the race teams and the techno freaks, that now is the potential buyers of the new breed of 600s, than Honda. Things went wrong in the styling department for the 2006 ZX-10R and Kawasaki will not make the same mistake with the even more important ZX-6R. It is still believed that the new ZX-6R will get some similarities with the 10, but not many. A new exhaust system is on the table for the smallest ZX as it only conforms to Euro 2. We expect MotoGP style exhaust on the new Ninja and whilst both Suzuki and Yamaha has opted for a completely new solution we are unsure about whether Kawasaki will find this solution beneficial too. Kawasaki needs a brand new engine to take the firm firmly into the Euro 3 with room to compete and improve on horsepower and other important sales points in this class in the next three years. Currently Kawasaki is staying afloat with a 636cc engine and it is believed that this engine has reached the end of the development and that a new one will replace it. And that could just be the 599 now that Kawasaki has launched the ER6F that should allow Kawasaki to attack in full on sports mode again. To explain, Kawasaki needs the ZX-6R to win supersport races and it can’t continue developing the 636 separately. With a brand new engine it is doubtful that Kawasaki will launch both a new Euro 3 ZX-6RR and ZX-636R. The 636 was a nice trick, but we believe that Kawasaki wants you to buy the ER6F and N if you want strong midrange and torque whilst the ZX-6R goes back to being a technological showpiece and potential race winning machine. We can’t wait to see the new 600s even though they have a mountain to climb to be quite as ground braking as the latest offerings from Yamaha and Suzuki.
By Tor Sagen/CG by Luc1
Honorary Members: the Hi res pictures are in your forum.
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