[Triker]

I have not experienced any tank slapper although I am 6'1" 190lbs. Yes my wrists hurt the first few times riding it, but I got used to it quick. It is a little uncomfortable but hey if you want to rid a couch then stay home. I love it I absolutley love it. the last bike that was this fun to ride, to me was when I rolled off teh lot with a new 92 CBR 900R. This by far is absolutely mny favorite bike to date. I have over 2500 miles on it and I love it! It eats the mountain twisties of AZ right up. I have owned every sportbikes from 600 to 1100cc's and I have owned kawi NINJA's suzuki GSXR's and hondas CBR's and I can truly say this bike is my favorite of all of them. The suspension was a little stiff but after adjustment I am completely happy

 

[jmickle11]

I've got 230 miles on my 636 and haven't even come close to a tank slapper yet. I weigh 170 and had to soften up the suspension quite a bit. This settled down the handling a lot over bumps. It seemed to slow the quick steering a bit also. I rode 60 miles straight yesterday and after that, I think I'll be looking into a Corbin seat! But, so far, the bike handles great.

 

[Rrider]

I raced my 636 without a steering damper this weekend and had some fun with head shakes. Luckily they weren't alarming, so I just stayed in the gas and it straightened itself out. Riding the 636 without a damper on the street could get someone into trouble if they came across uneven pavement on corner exits and were hard on the gas. BTW, I do think a steering damper is manditory for the 636. All we need is someone to make the brackets!!!!!!!!

Gary Milcheck
'03 Kawi ZX636R
'00 Duc 748R

 

[Flachbau]

I have to agree with the other posters. The 636 is an awesome bike. No one will be disappointed.

As to the steering dampner/mounting (I'm currently waiting for my Ohlins) ...

According to my source .. the damper needs to have a 120mm stroke to allow full sweep of the steering. The fork clamp mounting bracket needs to be a 50mm diameter size.

Originally posted by Rrider

I raced my 636 without a steering damper this weekend and had some fun with head shakes. Luckily they weren't alarming, so I just stayed in the gas and it straightened itself out. Riding the 636 without a damper on the street could get someone into trouble if they came across uneven pavement on corner exits and were hard on the gas. BTW, I do think a steering damper is manditory for the 636. All we need is someone to make the brackets!!!!!!!!

Gary Milcheck
'03 Kawi ZX636R
'00 Duc 748R

 

[micty]

Re MO's review, I'd take it with a grain of salt because in Part 1 of the 600 shootout, they complemented the 636's ergos and handling: "Don't let my description scare you away though, the bike is actually surprisingly comfortable in every day life and doesn't feel like it is going to bite you ... That seat may be too steeply raked, but it's still comfortable to your tailbone after over an hour on the freeway." and "The riding position feels natural, could even be OK for day-long sport touring."

I say there's no substitute for sitting on it and reaching your own conclusions.

I was looking for a streetbike, and I was thisclose to buying a leftover '02 but I sat on the '03 for a while, and it wasn't as uncomfortable as I thought. Certainly, it wasn't too uncomfortable for me. I eventually chose it over the '02 as a streetbike because I thought the powerband would be more useful on the street than the 02's. (Plus, it will have a much better resale value, and it has extra stuff that I would have otherwise had to buy for the 02 like the rear hugger and the solo cowl).

So far I've only ridden the 636 for all of 29 miles (it started raining the day after I got it) but I haven't regretted the ergos in a half hour of riding (both freeway and street). Of course, the motor needs no further elaboration.

To be fair, here some things you might not like about it as a streetbike:
1. Taller seat height than the 02. (I'm only 5'8) I can flat-foot the 02 but not the 03 (my heel is up by about an inch).
2. Forward sloping seat (doesn't bother me too much).
3. If the steering is turned all the way to the right, it's hard to roll the throttle.
4. Stock settings on the suspension might be too firm for comfort on bumpy roads.

 

[micty]

Some more comments re MO's review:

Re R6 vs. 636 ergos from Part 1 of shootout: "Overall, aside from the ultra steep seat on the ZX-6R, the Yamaha feels quite similar to the Kawasaki in ergonomics. The funny thing is, in the real world, even with a flatter seat, it doesn't seem to be quite as comfortable to ride."

Also, while they criticized the 636's so-called tendency for tank-slappers in Part 2, it seems that Part 1 of the shootout criticized the R6's stability even more harshly.

So I dunno how the R6 beat the 636 in Part 2.

 

[scum182]

I ride (commute) 120 to 150 miles per day freeway miles on my '03....it is not bad at all...I was at the track last weekend...I didn't have any head shakes but I am not the fastest of the bunch.....I have had it at 120 and it was fine....

 

[necrojaz]

Ok Ive put my 98 in the paper cause I really want a new 636 but i am reading motorcycle.com's review of it as a street bike and they are saying alot of nasty things about it, such as its a tank slapper machine and how alot of its advantages on the track make it a really bad street bike. I dont put 100% into magazines and sites so I'm going to go straight to the people that own the things. How does the bike do on the street? How long can you ride before you are numb? Is it as painfull as everyone says it is?

 

[both ends up]

I picked my 636 up today. I'm breaking it in hard (mototuneusa way). So my riding impressions are fairly close. First of all I weigh 140 pounds. So the suspension was very firm for my liking. No big deal, that can be fixed. This bike is an all out racer. So my ass started to hurt after a hundred km or so. (I have a boney ass) and my wrists are a bit sore but that's about it. It will take time to get used to.
I had a few head shakes but no full out tank slappers. Not sure if I need a steering damper yet. First I'll experiment with the ride heights and suspension settings.
Now the good stuff. The brakes are amazing. So powerful and the engine pulls so hard even in the midrange.
My buddy picked up his '03 R6 today as well and I could out muscle him on the staights and brake later for the corners. Can't say much about the cornering abiliaties because the tyres are not fully worn in yet. Overall, I love it. Better than my stolen '01 GSX-R 600.

www.bothendsup.com

 

[dj dunzie]

And I am afraid I don't have ANY of the makeup of both ends up (140 pounds and "boney" ass... I go at 215 pounds...), but I can honestly say I don't find this bike uncomfortable at ALL anymore. I did a couple decent-length rides this past weekend with no (NONE!) stiffness at all afterwards...

It's aggressive, yes, but after riding this bike and then sitting on a buddy's '02... I wouldn't go back again, at least 'till I get old. (Some say I'm already there...)

It's all in what you like, and more importantly what kind of RIDING you do. If you are into 2-up cruising on interstates for hours at a time... nah, look elsewhere... this ain't your bike.

But if you like riding hard, strafing apexes, carving canyons, or (insert whatever over-used phrase you want for all out sport riding), you won't beat it. I honestly am head over heels in love with the bike.

"Keep yer feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked."

 

[Centrix]

well im 6 foot 7 inches..

still think it will be confortable for me as well. ive sat on it, and it feels fine. i know its not a harley/couch to ride around on, but it really doesnt feel unconfortable! i was actually shocked that i even fit on such a bike, since i was always beeing told i would never bee able to own one due to my size.

any of you guys know some tall riders like me?

---lett'r rip---

 

[ZX636Skiv]

I am 6'0", 190 lbs, and have been riding a '91 ZX6d for over 10 years (couch) and absolutly love my '03. As others have said, it does have some downfalls. I will be putting a Sargent seat on mine (cheaper, lighter, more comfy than the Corbin, and not filing bankruptcy)and a steering damper. The stock suspension sucks, and unfortunatly, while sorting is out, got me in trouble (/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3781). The ergos do hurt for highway/ stop & go traffic, but once you hit the twisties, all is fine. The power is awesome (/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3081)it will pull up in first by rolling on it, and second will stand straight up with a slight tug on the bars. I now have around 1500 miles and wouldn't trade it for the world. I love keeping up with (stock) 750s and out handling bigger cc bikes. This is why we must buy the latest, greatest, equiptment out there. I have had a passenger on the back for mostly highway riding and didn't find it completely uncomfortable, and she told me that she had been on worse bikes. Granted she was a tiny thing, probably only 100 to 120 lbs and around 5'5" or so. I am happy with the battleaxes over the previous BTs, but I will probably go with some Pilots or D208s before these wear out, since I have had them slide on me already, usually when the roads were cooler. If you get one, adjust the clutch and brake levers so that they are more comfy for you, and you will be happier. But if you plan on cruising thru traffic for honeys all day long, don't get it, but for twisties, it can't be replaced!
As far as I can tell everyone who owns one has minor complaints that can be fixxed, so I say go for it, you won't be unhappy. I absoulutly love mine and am actually anxious to now sell my '91.

C-Ya.....Skiv
http://www.SportbikeLinks.net
'03 ZX6r
'91 ZX6d
http://www.geocities.com/skiv_here/6r.html

 

[inca_jones]

My $.02... the Kawi 636 and the Yamaha R6 feel *identical* when you sit on them at the dealer. They did to me, at least. The clip-ons for both bikes are under the triple tree. The reach to the clip-ons is just about the same length. The footpegs are nearly in the same position. Seat height felt the same. Weight of both bikes is very similar. The biggest difference (and one may not notice until riding them on the street) is that the 636's seat is sloped downward (toward the tank) much more than the R6. While this is really nice when going *fast* and in the twisties, it does become a pain in the ass (and more so in the wrists) when going slow (e.g. stuck in traffic, etc.) You'll find that you keep having to "scoot back" on the seat to avoid squashing your "man-parts" (lol) against the tank. [disclaimer: I can't tell from your screename whether you have "man-parts" or "girl-parts". [8D]] But then again, sitting so far forward is what you want when in the twisties - to maintain a forward-weight bias for better handling. In that regard, the bike helps you out!

All I can suggest is *sit on as many bikes* as you can at the dealer (or your friends') for *as long as you can*. And realistically try to determine what the bulk of your riding will be. If it's mainly city driving, you may not be as happy with the 636. If it's a lot of fast/highway riding, then the 636 will make you a very happy person.

inca jones
2003 636 Black

 

[necrojaz]

I do ride with the cars sometimes but that is just on the way to work. Otherwise I'm usually zoomin around the back roads here in PA to pass the time on my weekends. I like to ride around for a few hours pack a lil sandwhich or somethin in my rear seat and find a nice place to relax after a long ride lookin over a lake or somethin, good ol motorcycle ridin. So this sounds like the bike for me. I'm probably going to go for it in red.

 

[micty]

necrojaz, I suggest looking at the red (and blue) in person. To me, both colors look different in real life compared to the pictures. I was gonna get the red one until I saw one at the dealer.

(Sorry if this is old news)

 

[Centrix]

im gonna get the laser blue one.
i could of gotten a nice r6 2002 model, but, i cant fool the cops with it. (has a carborator, not an electronical injection. i have to ride around with max 34 bhp. so i want to build a switch to short circuit the blackbox... obviously doesnt work if you have a mechanical limitation)

the blue one is just hardcore. just dont like the green as much. just more flashy tomorrow ill order one!!!

---lett'r rip---

 

[necrojaz]

oh I did see the red, My shop has all the colors. I thought red was the nicest looking

 

[winders]

Originally posted by Flachbau

According to my source .. the damper needs to have a 120mm stroke to allow full sweep of the steering. The fork clamp mounting bracket needs to be a 50mm diameter size.

The fork clamp needs to be 52mm or 48mm, depending on where you put the clamp. 50mm is for the clip-ons and there is no room for the clamp on that part of the fork.

With the 120mm Ohlins damper, I needed to restrict the steering lock a bit to prevent the damper from using all of its stroke and becoming the steering lock. For now, I put one self-adhesive wheel weight on each steering stop tab on the frame.

Scott

 

[Flachbau]

Thanks for the tips. I should be getting my Ohlins in soon .. so I'll adjust accordingly.

Originally posted by winders

Originally posted by Flachbau

According to my source .. the damper needs to have a 120mm stroke to allow full sweep of the steering. The fork clamp mounting bracket needs to be a 50mm diameter size.

The fork clamp needs to be 52mm or 48mm, depending on where you put the clamp. 50mm is for the clip-ons and there is no room for the clamp on that part of the fork.

With the 120mm Ohlins damper, I needed to restrict the steering lock a bit to prevent the damper from using all of its stroke and becoming the steering lock. For now, I put one self-adhesive wheel weight on each steering stop tab on the frame.

Scott

 

[ZX636Skiv]

Originally posted by necrojaz

I'm probably going to go for it in red.

Oh great, another red one on the street, so much for it being the rare color the dealer told me, then tried to jack the price up! I didn't go for the price but I did get my bike. BTW, the red is the fastest[}]

C-Ya.....Skiv
http://www.SportbikeLinks.net
'03 ZX6r
'91 ZX6d
http://www.geocities.com/skiv_here/6r.html