Introduction

To truly push the envelope, a rider needs a calm yet responsive sportbike with precision control feel and confidence-inspiring manners. That machine is perfectly embodied by the new 2009 Ninja® ZX-6R. Thanks to an extensive overhaul by the Kawasaki engineers; weight shaving, improving mass centralization, refining engine and chassis behavior, adding a revolutionary front fork design; the new leaner, more precise Ninja ZX-6R delivers the elusive calm and confident handling that top racers need.
 
Details & Features

Key Feature
• New leaner physique with a major reduction in weight and improved power delivery offer more precise control, lighter handling and better acceleration
Lightweight engine
• Camshafts are now made of SCM
• saving approximately 400g
• Lightweight magnesium engine covers are standard and save approximately 610g over aluminum units
• Revised top injector mounting plate saves approximately 80g
• Narrower transmission gears and revised gear dog shape provide a 170g weight savings, without compromising rigidity
• Oil pump and starter gears are machined to use less metal, shedding approximately 70g
• New inlet pressure pulse monitor enables deletion of the cam angle sensor, further contributing to engine weight reduction
• Coolant reservoir relocated and redesigned, the new shape and shorter tube save approximately 150g
• Revised and relocated heat pads contribute another 170g to weight savings
• Reshaped secondary air passages through the cylinder head contribute to more efficient cleaning of exhaust emissions
• Cassette-type transmission makes it easy to quickly swap gear ratios, reducing set-up time at the track
Increased mid-range performance
• New double bore velocity stacks feature inlets at two different heights, increasing performance in both the mid
• and high-rpm ranges
• Increased durability from optimized cam nitriding and tappets enable high-load cam profiles, which improve overall performance
• Pistons have new profiles and improved crown finishing
• Molybdenum coated piston skirts reduce friction and help with engine break-in
• Piston rings with less tension reduce mechanical loss
• Revised cam chain guides stabilize chain motion, further reduce mechanical loss
• New exhaust collector layout contributes to improved low and mid-range performance while maintaining high-rpm performance
More precise throttle control
• Cylindrical guides added to the top of the air cleaner box ensure more accurately sprayed fuel mist from the secondary injectors into the intake funnels, improving combustion efficiency
• Longer throttle bodies increase the distance between oval sub-throttles and round main throttles 10mm, yielding a smoother transition, which reduces inlet turbulence and increases efficiency
• Revised cylinder porting delivers improved cylinder-filling and scavenging
• New ignition coils have 12% greater secondary coil current for improved combustion efficiency, adding to the improved performance
Lightweight chassis
• The sub-frame is a 2-piece aluminum die-casting consisting of a front and rear section
• The new lightweight sub-frame is very narrow, for a compact and slim rear end
• Intake resonator box and supports for the instrument panel and mirrors are unitized with the Ram Air duct, contributing to weight savings and increased rigidity
• Frame brackets revised to reduce overall number of parts, which also contributes weight savings.
• New throttle housing material saves approximately 30g
Revised chassis balance and mass centralization
• Revised frame stiffness around the swingarm pivot and the rear engine mounts optimizes front-rear rigidity balance
• Engine is mounted with a steeper cylinder bank angle. Rotated around the output shaft, the engine’s CG is 16mm higher
• New exhaust layout with a short side muffler lowers weight previously located under the seat
• An exhaust pre-chamber further contributes to mass centralization
Ergonomics and chassis feedback
• Seat-pegs-bar relationship was adjusted slightly, with the handlebars moved closer to the rider and turned in slightly for a more intuitive riding position
• Fuel tank profile is more flared around its top, similar to the ZX-10R, providing a larger contact patch which contributes to improved rider feedback
• Slim, waist on fuel tank makes it easy for the rider to grip the tank with his knees or to hang off in turns
• Front to back, the new seat is shorter, allowing the rider to shift his body farther back on the rear seat step, helping to reduce rider fatigue
• Steeper rake angle quickens steering response and enhances communication from the front tire
• Relocating the rear brake master cylinder reservoir forward of the swingarm mount frees up space around the footpeg, enabling a reduction of parts and contributing to weight savings
Lower seat height
• New rear sub-frame is narrower, making it easier to reach the ground
• Front of seat is narrower and seat height is approximately 5mm lower, for a slimmer riding position and a shorter reach to the pavement
Advanced suspension
• ZX-6R features the first production-use of Showa’s new Big Piston Front fork (BPF) design
• The BPF eliminates many of the internal components used in a cartridge-type fork, simplifying construction and resulting in lighter overall fork weight
• The large-diameter of the BPF’s internal piston allows a reduction in damping pressure, for better feedback and smoother action
• The ZX-6R swingarm uses many of the same parts as the ZX-10R; both left and right inner plates, the left outer plate, rear stand bosses, brake caliper stopper, chain guard and swingarm pivot shaft
• Greatly improves braking and initial corner turn-in
Brakes
• New 220mm rear petal disc is 10mm larger
• Revised rear brake lever is now mounted coaxially with the footpeg for increased mid-stroke braking efficiency and improved feeling
Race-quality steering damper
• A race quality adjustable Öhlins steering damper with relief valve and twin-tube design is fitted as standard equipment
Additional Features
• New fairing offers better wind protection and was designed to minimize the effects of cross winds
• Position lamps are now integral with the projector beam headlights; the new Ninja ZX-6R now features dual position lamps like the ZX-10R
• New one-piece fender (previously a three-piece construction) offers improved aerodynamics
• New inner fender above the swingarm helps to reduce turbulence and keep the undertail clean
• Revised front brake hose routing with a three-way joint at the lower triple-clamp facilitates bleeding air from the brake lines
• Similar in design to that of the ZX-10R, the new instrument panel gives at-a-glance information to the rider
 

Specifications

Engine Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement 599 cc
Bore x Stroke 67.0 x 42.5mm
Maximum Torque 66.7 Nm {6.8 kgf/m} 49.1 lb-ft @ 11,800 rpm
Compression Ratio 13.3:1
Fuel System DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles, two injectors per throttle body
Ignition TCBI with digital advance
Transmission 6-Speed
Final Drive X-Ring Chain
Rake/Trail 24 deg / 4.0 in.
Frame type Aluminum perimeter
Front Tire Size 120/70-ZR17
Rear Tire Size 180/55-ZR17
Wheelbase 55.1 in.
Front Suspension / wheel travel 41 mm inverted Showa Big Piston Front fork with top-out springs, stepless compression and rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload / 4.7 in.
Rear Suspension / wheel travel Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® with gas-charged shock, top-out spring and pillow ball upper mount, dual-range (high/low-speed) stepless compression damping, 25-way adjustable rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload / 5.3 in.
Front Brakes Dual 300mm petal rotors with dual radial-mounted, four-piston, four-pad calipers
Rear Brakes Single 220mm petal rotor with single-piston caliper
Fuel Capacity 4.5 gal.
Seat Height 32.1 in.
Curb Weight 421.1 lbs.
Color Choices Lime Green, Metallic Diablo Black / Flat Super Black, Candy Surf Blue / Flat Super Black
Warranty 12 months
Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36 or 48 months