For Sale: 1997 Kawasaki ZX6 600 Ninja Kinkos sponsored Supersport racebike
If you want to learn to ride like Jamie “The Hacker” Hacking, why not start where he did? This 1997 ZX6 is reportedly the same bike that Jamie rode in the 1997 AMA Supersport series – his first major AMA season – where he scored a pole at Phoenix. He went on to score Rookie of the Year in Superbike in ’98, and continued to ride both Superbike and Supersport through the close of the ’90s. With two Supersport titles to his name, a stint in Moto GP (Kawasaki, ’08) and a Superbike World Championship (’09), Hacking has had a long and storied career. And this is where it really started.
This bike, mileage unknown, is noted to be slightly different than as it came off the track. The seller notes suspension and exhaust changes – the racebike using Fox products in the day, and the Kawasaki-Muzzy relationship is well known. But there are likely more changes. The instrument cluster looks to be out of place – a stock unit probably tacked on when the racing data logger/instrument panel was removed. Hence, mileage is not what is shown here. There might also be other changes beneath the plastics – but there is no reason to believe the seller is not being completely candid. Depending upon the condition of the engine internals, this could still be a nice rider.
From the seller:
ZX6 EX-KINKO KAWASAKI JAMIE HACKING SUPERSPORT RACE BIKE
The bike is “as raced” except shock and exhaust.
Raced with Fox shock and Muzzy exhaust.
Currently has stock shock and D&D exhaust.
Good track bike or for a Collector!!!
And what kind mad riding skills do you need to emulate Jamie Hacking? Well, the video below shows a great save when Jamie loses both ends of his Kawasaki. He was able to collect it up and get back into the fight. Despite losing a bunch of places, he still managed to finish 3rd! Imagine if you pulled off this stunt during your next track day! There is also a great interview with Jamie following the clip.
I’m really not sure what kind of value an ex-Jamie Hacking bike AMA bike might have. In some ways, this is a really neat piece of history, suitable for simply parking in your man cave or even for some riding. It is inexpensive enough to make a unique collectable, but there is no real good “market price” listing for an old racebike. Some internet research revealed suggestions that are all over the map, from insultingly low recommendations to figures that can only be advised for the rabid Jamie Hacking fan that *must* have everything Hacker related.
This auction is on right now, with an opening ask of $3,500. So far there have been no takers, but there are still a few days left to go. Interested parties should check out the auction, look at the pictures, and maybe contact the seller to see if there is room to move. This a pretty cool opportunity that we don’t see often – an actual factory racebike as campaigned by someone you’ve actually heard of!
For more information, . Good luck!
MI
A few notes- Ben Spies won the ’09 WSBK Championship. Also, being a Supersport bike, I doubt it would have had a a datalogging dash mounted on the bike.
Hi Sean Jordan – thanks for the comments! You may be right about the data logger, but I will bet dollars to donuts that this stock dash was not in use. No way somebody could have resisted the urge to peel off that sticker!
As for WSB, you are correct. I meant to indicate that Jamie *participated* in the ’09 championship season. Sorry for the poor wording on my part.
Thanks for keeping us honest, and enjoy the site!
Ha! – I had not noticed the static-cling vinyl stickers on the tach! You’re right – I imagine that is something that was added later.