or the “Ultimate Track Day Bike” project we picked a 2005 Kawasaki ZX-6R in the ‘must have’ Lime Green color. Our goal was to create the perfect combination of every day commute and the perfect track day weapon. We took the stock ZX-6R to Moon’s Super Cycle in Milwaukee, WI for the installation of the full titanium Akrapovic exhaust as well as the DynoJet Power Commander.      Moon’s Super Cycle uses a DynoJet 250i dynamometer for high performance projects like ours. Owner and AMA Superbike tuner Greg Moon performed several dyno runs before and after the installation to insure a maximum performance gain. He then built a custom map for our Power Commander based on maps provided by Dynojet.      The bike now runs smoothly without dips or unwanted peaks in the powerband and showed a significant gain in peak horsepower as well as a beefy midrange. It is truly amazing to see how a minor change in the fuel injection mapping will show in form of a changed power curve. It is no coincidence that most factory road racing teams use Dynojet Power Commanders.
      We took the opportunity to also install our Ohlins suspension components in Moon’s workshop. The 25mm Supersport fork cartridge kit has to be the easiest install of any high-performance suspension upgrade on the market. The kit comes preassembled and only has to have the top cap and main spring removed for installation. Then after ensuring the correct oil height just reinstall the spring and top cap and the fork upgrade is finished. The rear shock installation is similarly simple since each unit is tested and pre set for the specific motorcycle. Just make sure the sag numbers are correct and the bike is now transformed.
      All Ohlins products come with a 5 year warranty and recommended service intervals of 12- 15,000 miles if used on the street and every 6-8,000 miles of track riding.
      The rest of our upgrades were done over a period of time as the latest products trickled in to the Parts Unlimited warehouse. The GPR steering damper install took all of 10 minutes and did wonders for the ZX-6R on the race track. The fact that it comes in a variety of colors is only more appealing to the eye.
      All in all these upgrades can easily be done over time and by average skilled mechanics. The only item that requires special attention is the Ohlins fork cartridge kits. We recommend having an authorized Ohlins Service Center install these.
      After installing these upgrades we took the Kawasaki to Grattan Raceway in Michigan and Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama to test out the new and improved ZX6R. CCS/ASRA, WERA and AHRMA rider Rhiannon Lucente was the test rider. Here’s what she had to say:
      “After throwing a leg over the stock 2005 Kawasaki ZX6R, it seemed like a nice street bike…nothing more. It handled fairly well, braking wasn’t too much of a chore, and the instability of the under damped front end kept me on my toes. That was before I got to ride it with the Parts Unlimited special performance makeover.”
     “Once I got the opportunity to stretch the legs of the upgraded parts, it was a totally different machine. First and foremost was the suspension. The unnerving front-end chatter, and vague rear end feel, was instantly gone. Between the GPR steering stabilizer, Ohlins fork cartridge kit, and the Ohlins rear shock, the ZX6R was stable and predictable all the way around the track. That gave me the confidence I needed to really see what this machine could do!”
     “The choreless braking I had experienced earlier became an exciting test of how well the SBS brake pads, and Goodridge brake lines, would respond. The initial bite was just right, and entry into the corner was smooth and late. The feel and stopping capability was so much better!”
     "As I transitioned into the corner, I noticed how mucheasier it was to position myself on the bike, thanks to the adjustable Vortex rearsets. We had to adjust them all the way forward and up (I am only 5’3”). That adjustment allowed me to grip the tank with my knees, and weight the pegs…not sprawl or stretch.”
     “When it came time to exit the corner I was pleasantly surprised by the increase in power,
across the entire powerband. The throttle response was much quicker, and the roll-on had a very positive increase. The Dynojet Power Commander
really woke up a few sleeping ponies. It also had a sweet growl from the Akrapovic full exhaust when I wound it up.”
      “The final thing that I really enjoyed was the ability to make full-throttle upshifts. The Dynojet Quickshifter made upshifting so much more efficient. No more worrying about manipulating
the throttle on the straightaway… pin it to win it!”
     “Overall, every modification implemented really improved this already fun machine. No matter your budget, or riding ability, there are definitely changes that can be made to increase the ‘fun-meter’ reading
on the ZX6R. This test just proved, with the right
touch, a great street bike can be transformed into a wicked track day toy. Personally, I think it was the super-funky green lens covers that made me go way faster!”

–Rhiannon Lucente CCS/ASRA #66, WERA #166, AHRMA #90