Every bike enthusiast has once dreamt of walking into a showroom and legally get their hands on a racy Japanese 600cc supersport motorbike. Over the years, we have witnessed an array of bikes in all prices and specifications but aside from the now-defunct Triumph Daytona 675 and Panigale 959 (which is quite expensive), there isn’t anything in the supersport segment to capture our hearts. Now, this scenario has finally changed as Kawasaki has given the country something to talk about and finally, legally buy 600cc supersport. Wondering what all the fuss is about? It’s Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the superbike!
Talking About The Design
It was Ninja 400 that came with the new H2-inspired design language. Ninja ZX-6R is the one who has bought back the same. The headlamp hood has twin LED units which are pretty similar to the one in Ninja 400. The design is more or less the same as we have witnessed in the previous-gen bike but a few changes have been made around the vent to give it a new look. For comfortable ergonomics, the bike’s seat is shorter and narrower, allowing the biker to easily touch his/her feet on the ground without any difficulty. The brake and clutch levers are adjustable, a better fit for the rider. The part-digital, part-analog instrument cluster has been updated too.
Complemented by 180-section rubber, the rear is dominated by a high-set tail section. The license plate and indicators are mounted on a single unit, which can be entirely removed. In case, you are wondering what new is in this superbike, it is the inclusion of a fuel gauge and the remaining range of features. One can say that Kawasaki has taken up the bottom-up approach in redesigning their motorcycles.
Engine and Performance
Powered by a 636 cc, the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has an in-line four-cylinder engine which was available in the international market since 2002. The same has been revised for better low-end torque, which makes 70.5 Nm of peak torque at 11,500 rpm. You can take the bike up to 126 bhp. Kawasaki offers a peak power figure of 134 horsepower at 13,500 rpm in their new offering. The revised model launched in 2019 is claimed to have better low and mid-range power, which further makes it more practical to ride it on the streets than on a race track. Fuel mappings are also revised to meet the latest emission regulations. The up-only quick shifter allows quick acceleration. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is lightweight, weighing 195 kg and a manageable performance bike.
Suspension and Electronics
A fully adjustable 41 mm Showa Balance Free Forks up front, and a uni-trak gas charged monoshock with 25 clicks of rebound damping makes Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R a desirable bike. You can handle the break by dual 310 mm front disks gripped by Nissin Monobloc calipers. The wheels equipped with Bridgestone Battlax S22 tyres offer improved grip. The rider is also assisted with a three-way adjustable traction control, standard ABS and two power modes. The ‘low’ power mode is suitable for inexperienced riders, giving them time to get used to the bike’s power delivery and acceleration.
Pricing and Competition
Kawasaki ZX-6R is launched at an ex-showroom price of 10.49 lakh and receives no competition with the kind of performance and usability they are offering. But you can find several other options in the market in this price bracket. If Triumph Daytona 675 was still up for sale, it would have been ZX-6R’s closed rival but fortunately for Kawasaki, there’s no threat against their new and powerful offering. At 10.49 lakh, Kawasaki ZX-6R stands against the Triumph Street Triple RS, the Ducati Monster 821, the Triumph Bonneville T120 and the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight.
