Are 600 sportsbikes back?

Kawasaki is bringing back the ZX6R

Last year we gushed over the Honda CBR650 R and how it appeared to be the saviour of the 600 sportsbike. But perhaps our excitement was a bit premature.

We were so sad that bikes like the ZX6R had been put out to pasture that we even went and bought one. It was a crashed garage-find bike and you’ll be able to watch the video on our YouTube channel.

But lo and behold, not only are Kawasaki bringing back the ZX6R, they’re bringing back the Ninja 400 too.

While there’s no sign of Yamaha bringing back the R6 just yet, and Suzuki has killed off the GSXR 600… it’s a start.

But one of the arguments against the 600cc sportsbike was whether or not there was enough interest in them these days. However, we think that all that was needed was a short hiatus. Some absence to make our hearts grow fonder. And Michael Dunlop setting a 130mph lap around the Isle of Man on a Supersport back probably helps too.