• Sport bikes offer top performance.sport bike image by ann triling from Fotolia.com
  
  The "Ninja" name has become almost synonymous with the Kawasaki brand. The Ninja line has been the flagship of the Kawasaki motorcycle lineup for many years, and the 2006 Ninja ZX-6R 636 was another entry from a long-lasting and well-respected brand. As with all Ninjas, this bike was appreciated for its power, responsiveness and attractive styling. The original suggested retail price of the ZX-6R was $8,699.
  
  

Aerodynamics

• The Ninja ZX-6R is classified as a middle-weight sports bike. Design alterations were made to the 2006 version to create the the lowest-possible drag coefficient. This includes an aerodynamically advantageous cowling, and an exhaust system placed under the seat and made completely from stainless steel. The improvement this creates can equal as much as a 10-horsepower gain.
  
  

Engine

• The bike's 636 cc engine utilizes a Ram Air system for increased power. The bike is fuel injected and utilizes a twin injection system with Keihin 38 mm throttle bodies. The engine bore and stroke is 68-by-43.8 mm. It operates with a compression ratio of 12.9:1, and delivers 52 lb.-ft. of torque at 11,500 rpm and 130 horsepower. The bike is fed by a 4.5-gallon capacity tank and is rated to get up to 54 mpg.
  
  

Brakes and Tires

• The 2006 Ninja 636 has dual disc brakes on the front, and disc brakes on the rear of the bike. The front brakes are opposed with four-piston calipers, and are floating discs that are 300 mm in size. The rear brakes are 220 mm. The front tire is a 120/65-ZR17 while the rear wheel is equipped with a 180/55-ZR17.
  
  

Drivetrain

• The 2006 ZX-6R Ninja 636 is an x-ring chain-driven bike with a six-speed transmission.
  
  

Suspension

• The adjustable front Showa fork has been reviewed well for providing good cornering performance and an enjoyable ride. The fork has 4.7 inches of travel, and is a 41 mm inverted cartridge fork. Compression damping and stepless rebound help ensure a smooth ride. The rear fork also features compression damping and stepless rebound. It is a UNI-TRAK fork with 5.3 inches of travel.