John Zamora: Associate Ed...
John Zamora: Associate Editor
2008 Kawasaki ZX-6R
John Zamora: Associate EditorAfter riding last year's ZX-14 for so long, I must admit I was a little teary-eyed to see it go. For several months, the editors of the other magazines at the office would eagerly await each obscure shiny item I would bolt on it next (mostly to make fun of me). In the end, I achieved the hot-rod look I was going for, but was definitely ready to ride something smaller.
I was excited when I heard I was getting a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-6R for my next longtermer. The bike has been on the market for a year, which means aftermarket accessories are already available.
Kawasakis should only be offered in one color, and I was stoked when a green bike with green wheels was unloaded from the truck.
On a recent trip to Florida, I had the opportunity to ride a replica of the Project H bike (see page CBR1). The experience completely changed my outlook on custom bikes. Never before had I ridden a machine with so much power that also handled and looked trick! It reminded me of what a super streetbike was supposed to be.
When I arrived back at the office, it was days before the perma-grin was removed from my face. I wanted a Project H of my own.
Unfortunately, adding a turbo to a longterm bike wasn't an option, but the idea of creating a great-looking bike that handles as good as it looks was the route I wanted to go.
I relinquished my crown as the King of Chrome, and now I want a bike that I can actually ride hard. Riding a full-blown custom bike on the track turns heads, but it eventually sucks getting your paint ripped off (even color-changing paint) while being passed repeatedly. I'm definitely ready to build my riding skills back up again with a real performance bike while not forgetting that looks are just as important.
My plans for the ZX-6R include performance modifications to make the high-revving screamer more suitable for the street. A Sport Chrome single-sided swingarm is currently in production, as well as a host of gold performance accessories waiting to be bolted on.
Plans are in place to add a full exhaust system, fuel management and whatever other mods I can to make the bike the sickest six possible.
Some may worry that Super Streetbike has forgotten the fans of the stretched and slammed, but that's not the case. Our goal is to set the trends for the custom bike world, not follow them. I hope to show that style and performance can play equal roles in building a custom motorcycle for the do-it-yourselfer.