Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 R

Kawasaki ZX-6 R
Photo: Model 2007 Technical data: Model 2009
Manufacturer	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production period	from 1995
class	motorcycle
design type	Super athlete
Motor data
Liquid-cooled four-stroke inline four-cylinder
Displacement  (cm³)	599
Power  (kW / PS )	94/128
Torque  ( N m )	66.7
transmission	Six-speed
drive	Chain
Brakes	Disc brakes, mounted radially
Wheelbase  (mm)	1,400
Dimensions (L × W × H, mm):	2,090 mm × 705 mm × 1,115 mm (L × W × H)
Seat height (cm)	81.5
Previous model	ZX600P

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 R , often just called "Ninja", is a super sports motorcycle from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki with initially 599 cc, later also 636 cc.

The ZX-6 R has been built since 1995 and has been continuously developed since then. In some countries in Europe, Asia and Australia, the version developed in 2002 is called "636cc"; The internal type designation ZX6xxX is internationally uniform.

technology

Common features of all models are:

• Four-cylinder petrol engine with 2 overhead camshafts (DOHC) and 4 valves per cylinder , installed transversely.
• Telescopic fork or upside-down fork at the front, two-arm swing arm with central spring strut at the rear.
• Frame made of welded aluminum profiles, six-speed gearbox , electronic ignition .
• Ram-Air air intake that allows for increased performance at high speed.

Series

ZX600F

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 R, built in 1997

In 1995, Kawasaki brought out the world's first 600cc super sports car with an aluminum frame, the ZX-6 R Ninja. The ZX600-F, as it is called internally, sprints from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.6 seconds, weighs 206 kg with a full tank (182 kg dry), has an engine output of 74 kW / 100 PS (version for the German market) and was manufactured until 1997. For the global market, the ZX600-F had an output of 77 kW / 105 PS; For insurance reasons, the throttled version with 72 kW / 98 PS is often found on the German market. In this generation the Ninja was still equipped with four carburetors, a fuel tap and a choke lever. The price of the ZX-6R in Germany in 1995 was 16,160 DM including transport costs.

The design of the parking light, which is integrated into the front mask as an additional lamp unit above the main headlight, was somewhat unusual. Except for the engine, the ZX-6R was almost identical to the more powerful ZX-9 R (1994–1997), which was essentially characterized by a slightly different design pattern, a main headlight with a lens insert (also fits ZX 600 F) as well as an instrument cluster with fuel gauge. Various test reports confirm that the motorcycle has a package of chassis and engine that has never been seen in mass production and is equally suitable for the road and the racetrack. As is usual with many Kawasaki models, this vehicle was also available in different color variants and concepts (e.g. red with white "Ninja" lettering, silver with black and red "Ninja" lettering) depending on the year of manufacture. The Ninja series is particularly well-known for the typical, intense "lime green" that Kawasaki introduced and offered for the first time with these models (from 1994 on the ZX-9R ) and that (in modifications) is still typical of the entire product range today. A plastic cover was available as an accessory for this model to replace the passenger seat. There is a small compartment under the passenger seat, which is equipped with on-board tools. This can be used to remove the driver's seat to gain access to the battery.

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  1997 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 R rear view

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  Instrument cluster Ninja ZX-6 R

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  "Ninja" lettering illuminated

ZX 600 G

Model ZX 600 G from 1999

After the Japanese competition caught up with similarly powerful models, a new model was presented in 1998 that was somewhat lighter and more powerful with 79 kW and 176 kg dry weight. The design was slightly changed, a 6-piston brake was used at the front instead of the previous 4-piston version.

ZX 600 J

The 2000 model differs only slightly from its predecessor in terms of performance; another 3 kg are saved in weight. The handlebar stubs are now attached under the fork bridge, which results in a sportier seating position. The cladding was given a new color scheme, the shape of the pulpit and the headlight was changed.

ZX 636 A

Model ZX 636 A from 2002

After the competition with the Yamaha YZF-R6 , the Honda CBR600 and the Suzuki GSX-R 600 served the 600 class just as successfully, Kawasaki decided to make an unusual move in 2002: the displacement was increased by 6 percent to 636 cm³. For sports drivers who want to compete in the 600 racing classes, a ZX-6RR with 600 cm³, a slightly different chassis and a higher price is also available.

In fact, tests confirm that the new engine has noticeably better torque and power delivery. The magazine MOTORRAD writes in the 6/2002 issue: "Delivers [...] pull-through values ​​that [...] make the entire 600 competition look stone old."

ZX636B

Model ZX636B from 2003

Just a year later, many elements were redesigned: The engine had intake manifold injection , which, unlike many other engines with intake manifold injection, has shown good response behavior in tests. Two throttle valves are used for this, the lower one controlled by the throttle cable, the upper one controlled by the electronics.

Furthermore, the nominal speed is increased by 500 / min which results in 6 HP more and the gearbox is stepped closer. Radially mounted 4-piston brakes with four individual pads replace the previous 6-piston system and improve responsiveness and control. An upside-down fork is now used at the front, the chassis can still be adjusted within wider limits and the motorcycle is 9 kg lighter in total. The compact instrument package includes one-to-read poorly when exposed to sunlight, LCD - Perimeter -Drehzahlmesser, a digital speedometer with large digits, adjustable gear shift indicator and a lap timer. In addition, the ram air inlet moves in the middle over the headlights.

In the 2004 model, only the rear suspension strut is being renewed, which can be better adapted to lighter drivers; the color silver is still available.

ZX 636 C

Model ZX636C from 2005

In order to catch up with the competition in terms of performance, the nominal speed of the 2005 model was increased again by 1,000 / min, the engine develops 130 hp at 14,000 / min or 136 hp when charged by the RAM-Air system; Frame and swing arm have been modified. Following the current trend, the aluminum frame is painted matt black and the fairing has more curves and integrated indicators.

The exhaust is now led out in the middle under the seat and so-called wave brake discs are used. Furthermore, an anti-hopping clutch is installed to reduce the braking torque that occurs when downshifting , which can lead to the rear wheel stamping at high speed.

Another significant change to the previous model, the ZX636B, concerned the intake manifold injection of the engine. The ZX 636 C model has a double injection bank. In addition to the duct nozzles, the ZX636 C has a so-called shower nozzle bank installed above the suction funnel. These are designed as 3-hole nozzles and are activated at higher engine speeds in order to improve the degree of filling of the cylinder. On the other hand, the fuel metering can be improved at lower speeds with only the channel nozzles. In addition, the intake funnels are oval, which enables a larger intake cross-section with the same width of the intake housing.

ZX600P

Model ZX6 RP from 2008

For 2007, a new development was implemented which, according to the manufacturer, was "consistently developed for ... race track suitability ...". There is no split into two displacement variants, the engine has 599 cm³ and achieves 125 hp at 14,000 rpm. In addition, it had been completely redesigned in order to achieve a particularly “wide range of performance”; At 13.9: 1, the compression achieved a value never seen before in series engines. The Euro3 emissions standard is also met. The frame and fork are also new and the rear shock is now mounted on a uniball joint.

Also new is the gearbox, which is now, unusually for a mass-produced motorcycle, designed as a cassette gearbox and thus enables the reduction ratios to be changed to adapt to a race track. The design of the fairing and front is matched to the big sister Ninja ZX-10R, the exhaust leads out in a tailpipe with two openings under the rear, the swing arm and rear are constructed a little more filigree.

ZX6R 636E

Technical specifications

	1995 ZX 600 F	1998 ZX 600 G	2000 ZX 600 J	2002 ZX 636 A	2003/2004 ZX 636 B	2005/2006 ZX 636 C	2007/2008 ZX 600 P	2009/2012 ZX 600 R	2013-2017 ZX6R 636E
Engine type	Liquid-cooled 4-stroke inline four-cylinder
Displacement	599 cc			636 cc			599 cc		636 cc
Bore × stroke	66.0 mm × 43.8 mm			68.0 mm × 43.8 mm			67.0 mm × 42.5 mm		67 x 45.1 mm
power	74 kW (100 PS) at 12,500 rpm	79 kW (107 PS) at 12,000 rpm	82 kW (111 PS) at 12,500 rpm	83 kW (113 hp) at 12,500 rpm	87 kW (118 PS) at 13,000 rpm 91 kW with Ram-Air	95.5 kW (129 PS) at 14,000 rpm 100 kW with Ram-Air	91.9 kW (124 hp) at 14,000 rpm 96.4 kW with Ram-Air	94.1 kW (128 PS) at 14,000 rpm 98.5 kW with Ram-Air	96.4 kW (131 PS) at 13,500 rpm 101 kW (137PS) with Ram-Air
maximum torque	64 Nm at 10,000 rpm	65 Nm at 10,000 rpm	66 Nm at 10,000 rpm	71 Nm at 9,800 rpm	67 Nm at 11,000 rpm	70.5 Nm at 11,500 rpm	66 Nm at 11,700 rpm	66.7 Nm at 11,800 rpm	71 Nm at 11,500 rpm
compression	11.8: 1			nb	12.8: 1	12.9: 1	13.9: 1	13.3: 1	12.9: 1
transmission	6-speed
Final drive	X-ring chain
Steering head angle / caster	nb				25 ° / 106 mm		25 ° / 110 mm	24 ° / 103 mm	27 ° / 101 mm
Front tire dimension	120/60 ZR17		120/65 ZR17 (56W)				120/70 ZR17		120 / 70ZR17M / C (58W)
Rear tire dimension	160/60 ZR17	170/60 ZR17	180/55 ZR17 (73W)				180/55 ZR17		180 / 55ZR17M / C (73W)
wheelbase	nb				1400 mm	1390 mm	1405 mm	1400 mm	1,395 mm
Dry weight	182 kg	176 kg	172 kg		161 kg	164 kg	167 kg	nb	-
Empty weight	206 kg	200 kg	197 kg	nb	188 kg	192 kg	200 kg	191 kg	194 kg ready to drive

Logos

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  The former Kawasaki ninja logo

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  The current Kawasaki ninja logo

Web links

Commons : Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Website of the German distributor
• Driving report Kawasaki ZX-6 R 2006 on moto-resort.de
• Kawasaki ZX-6 R 2007 on 1000ps.at
• Kawasaki ZX-6 R 2009 on 1000ps.de
• 17 models of the ZX-6 R from 1995 to today

Individual evidence

1. ↑ 2004 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Technical Data ( Memento of the original from March 25, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on www.kawasaki.de 
2. ↑ 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Technical Data ( Memento of the original from March 25, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on www.kawasaki.de 
3. ↑ 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Technical Data ( Memento of the original from February 12, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on www.kawasaki.de 
4. ↑ 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R technical data  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on www.kawasaki.de