IT happens to everyone who has ever slung their leg over a bike. At some point, they will make a complete ass of themselves in front of an appreciative audience, writes John Gilbride.

Whether it's an inadvertent leg-flapping wheelie away from the traffic lights or that stomach-churning moment when you realise there's no way you can stop 200 kilos of metal toppling slooooooowlly to the ground.

At this point you will wish you collected stamps for a hobby instead.

But paradoxically and this is the beauty of motorbikes you will also reap myriad golden moments to treasure in your dotage.

Which leads us neatly to Kawasaki's amazing new ZX-6R, a bike which will allow you to notch up enough ego-boosts in a few brief hours to last you a biking lifetime.

The zed-ecks has always been a hugely popular bike in the 600cc supersport class, consistently praised for its power, looks, handling and all-round capability.

Operating on the 'if it ain't broke, fix it anyway' rule, Kawasaki took the old model and has completely revolutionised it, creating one of the sexiest, best performing bikes on the road whatever class you care to mention.

As befits any supermodel, the Kwak was put on a rigid diet. The burly 1995 model weighed in at 182kg, its baby brother tips the scales at a minuscule 171kg, thanks to chassis and engine revisions.

The front forks have stiffer springs and damping, finally putting paid to years of carping over 'wallowing' Kawasakis.

Cosmetically, there have also been changes.

The distinctive headlamp has been replaced by 'fox-eyes', giving the bike a lean, raptor-like appearance.

And the old shellsuit paintjobs have also been ditched, instead chosen from tasteful combinations of lime/black, red/ or silver/black.

On the speed front, this is one extremely kwik Kwak. Power is oomphed up to a claimed 109bhp at 12,5000rpm and torque improved.

These figures translate to make the ZX-6R faster, sharper and more responsive than ever, a dream machine that is utterly impressive.

It's as keen a sports tool as you'll find yet is totally practical and fun, and the despite its polish and smoothness manages to retain the characteristic Kawasaki revvy growl.

Shorties might find it a bit of a toe-stretch to the Tarmac, but with its light handling and perfect balance, the bike is a doddle to pilot through heavy traffic.

It makes even more sense on the open road agile and responsive, sinuously snaking into the curves and accelerating strongly out the other side.

This bike attracted more interest in one test ride than any other I have ridden.

Motorists filling up with petrol strolled nonchalantly over to check out this impossibly beautiful, gleaming machine.

Workmen busily engaged in digging up one motorway roundabout nodded appreciatively as the bike grunted past, fellow bikers did envious double takes as the distinctive red and black beastie roared by.

Kawasaki has taken an already excellent bike and turned it into one of the most sought-after motorcycles on the market, a flying machine that makes sense whether you tour, commute or enjoy weekend blasts.

Let the good times roll indeed. On the road price: 6,880.