Preparing a ZX636 03-04 for Stunt Riding

A stunt bike is not just a motorcycle, it is a piece of sports equipment. The most popular stunt bike today is the 2003–2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX636. This motorcycle is easy to handle, has excellent low-end drive, doesn't suffer from oil starvation, has a strong stock subframe, and all the necessary solutions from well-known stunt brands exist for it. The downside is a frame that isn't the strongest, so the bike is used by experienced stunters who drop the motorcycle rarely and skillfully. There have been cases of burned-out pistons and cracked fork tubes, but there are plenty of such tales about the competition too. The fact is that most professionals prefer it to the legendary F4i. Below is an example of proper Ninja preparation. So, step by step:

1) Buy a brand-new Kawasaki. A real sweetheart. Of course, brand-new ones are bought by pro riders. To start with, you can pick up something wrecked to restore.

2) Remove the wheels, plastics, lights, clip-ons, and don't forget the tank and seats. It's great if all this happens in a warm, clean garage.

3) Go on a serious shopping spree. You will have to invest money, unless of course you bend tubes with your hands and weld steel with your gaze. Even DIY craftsmen charge a lot, not to mention brand-name companies. It's also clear that DIY craftsmen won't weld like the brands do. If money is tight, it is highly recommended to copy brand-name cages (geometry and design). This motorcycle was prepared by a professional. Very high-quality components and parts are used. No backyard bodges, comrades.

• A handlebar and its components: risers, grips, levers, and a part for an easy clutch pull. Not all stunters use a handlebar. In the USA clip-ons are much more popular. This modification is optional. It has pros and cons. In general it's a matter of habit and doesn't affect speed :) A handlebar is definitely more expensive, since you need risers and, preferably, a triple clamp.

  

• A cage so you don't ruin the paint. A round bar so you don't smash the tail light. As you can see, this is top-quality gear, made in the USA. The cage is the most important element of a stunt bike. One cage is enough for training. The safety of the motorcycle depends on its geometry and design. By the way, many now use a round bar instead of a 12 o'clock bar, since it sticks out less and lets you ride past the balance point and scrape when doing circle wheelies. But a long scrape is harder to do with it. One thing is certain: nobody uses a 12 o'clock bar to put their foot on anymore.

• Sprockets and a chain. They help the engine run more steadily and smoothly at low revs for slow wheelies. It's better to learn on stock ones. You can master all the basic tricks on them. A big sprocket is needed for difficult slow wheelies. It provides smooth, confident low-end drive.

  

• Routing the rear brake to the handlebar. A brake master cylinder and an adapter for two calipers. Beginners don't need this mod at all. First you need to master the foot brake. A single-piston caliper and a Brembo master cylinder are a professional's choice. The photo shows that the stunter doesn't skimp. The kit is very expensive.

• Stunt lights. In this case an ACERBIS motard headlight fairing. Obviously lights aren't needed, but if you use the bike in the city, it's better to have them. Night stunts without lights into a pole are not our style. This headlight will easily get you to the garage after dark, but keep in mind that the bulbs keep burning out, and there's no guarantee it will work after training :)

  

• Don't forget to cut down the muffler. The more compact it is, the less it suffers in crashes.

  

• Steel pegs. Another useful but optional thing. If the cage is well designed, pegs are practically useless, and they cost a fair amount. Of course, it's better when the motorcycle is protected as much as possible, but if the look of the tail plastics doesn't matter much, you can easily do without them.

  

• Oil starvation. A liter of oil above the norm, and you'll be happy :) In training mode, oil starvation is the last thing that will kill your motorcycle.

4) Since all the tuning parts are very high quality, everything installs and assembles easily. The stunt bike is ready. Beautiful! Don't drop it.

5) Action photos. Comrades, stop drooling, you'll ruin your keyboard. The most important thing is the beauty of your stunts. And beautiful stunts on a beautiful bike are professionalism. Enjoy.