Ask any hard-core tourer what they are looking for when it comes to choosing a new machine and top of the list will be comfort, great weather protection and luggage capacity - with no compromise on performance.
Kawasaki's ZZ-R600 might be only a 600, but it effortlessly manages to hit the button - and there's a big plus. At just 195kg it is a lot lighter than most sports tourers.
When it was introduced in the early 1990s the ZZ-R was the fastest 600 on the road. Then Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha all put out better supersports 600, leaving the ZZ-R600 trailing. But as a sports tourer it excels, and Kawasaki later hit back with the ZX6-RR.
The ZZ-R600 is a bike for the real world, easily capable of covering big mileage in a day or getting you to work on time every morning - without a pain in the neck.
Like its bigger stablemate the ZZ-R1200, the 600 is loaded with high-tech features, with all the hallmarks of legendary ZZ-R performance in a lightweight, compact and stylish package. The generous and plush seat is just as comfortable on the way to work as it is on a trip round Europe.
Super sweet, slick and responsive, the 599cc liquid cooled, 16-valve motor combines a sporting nature with touring torque and flexibility for a fulfilling ride. The six-speeder pumps out a claimed 100bhp - 11 less than the full-on ZX6-RR Ninja supersports.
Front fork has 41mm stanchions, while there's the familiar bottom-link Uni-Trak at the rear, with an extruded aluminium swingarm.
The brakes are easily good enough for such a lightweight - even fully loaded - with 300mm twin discs and opposed four-piston calipers up front, and a 240mm disc with single piston caliper at the rear. A fuel gauge and clock come as standard.
The fairing is a lot more effective than what is available on the current batch of supersports 600s, so you get practical weather protection. This sporty tourer may be the perfect all-around middleweight sports bike. One that's nimble enough to take on city traffic but with the solid big-bike credentials necessary for that big trip whenever you are ready.
