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Ninja ZX6-R
MSRP: $10,499 |
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Introduction
The Middleweight Sportbike That
Won Just About Every Magazine Comparo!
When it comes to performance, no class is more competitive than
middleweight sportbikes. To stand out in this crowd, a motorcycle
needs to do everything better than well - it needs to kick serious
tail in every department. Hats off to the Kawasaki Ninja®
ZX™-6R then, winner of 600cc comparison tests in just about
every publication and website of note on the planet. With an
engine the critics agree feels bigger than 599cc, and a chassis
that out handles all others, the ZX-6R returns as the bike to
beat in 2010.
With a fine-tuned chassis including a class-exclusive Big Piston
Fork and fully adjustable shock out back, razor-sharp handling
sets the ZX-6R apart. To optimize front-rear rigidity balance,
frame stiffness around the swingarm pivot and the rear engine
mounts is carefully tuned, with the compact engine rotated forward
around the output shaft for a steep cylinder bank angle and optimal
center of gravity. An exhaust layout with a short side muffler
keeps the weight low, and an exhaust pre-chamber further contributes
to the ZX-6R's mass centralization.
The Ninja ZX-6R's lean physique is fundamental to its light handling,
with every component on the bike carefully scrutinized for minimal
weight. The intake resonator box and supports for the instrument
panel and mirrors are unitized with the enlarged -to optimize
intake volume - Ram Air duct, contributing to weight savings
and improving rigidity. Camshafts are made of lightweight chrome-moly
steel, and light, magnesium engine covers all add up to big weight
savings, along with transmission, oil pump and starter gears
carefully engineered for maximum strength and minimal weight.
Along with its light weight and compact design, the ZX-6R engine
is packed with details to give it precise throttle control and
amazing performance, particularly in the mid-range. Smooth power
delivery is achieved through outstanding combustion efficiency.
Cylindrical guides in the top of the airbox guide the fuel charge
into the intake funnels to reduce buffeting and improve cylinder
filling, along with advanced cylinder porting techniques. High-current
secondaries in the ignition coils provide hot, consistent sparks
at all rpm.
In addition to its more than healthy bottom-end torque and smooth
throttle response, the engine's mid-range performance benefits
from a similar number of refinements, including double-bore velocity
stacks with inlets at two different heights, special-profile
pistons with low piston-ring tension for reduced friction, and
advanced cam chain guides for excellent cam-chain stabilization.
That strong mid-range provides great drive out of corners and
is harmonized with the engine's silky smooth high-rpm performance.
This linear throttle torque delivery results in unparalleled
controllability and offers the rider precise throttle control
at all rpm. This predictability pays dividends when making mid-corner
power adjustments. When combined with the reduced need to downshift
provided by its healthy mid-range performance, the predictable
throttle response makes it easier for riders to maintain their
rhythm when stringing corners together.
In keeping with its racing heritage, the ZX-6R employs a cassette-type
transmission that simplifies gearing changes at the track, reducing
set-up time and allowing more time for riding. A slipper clutch
allows quick downshifts without upsetting the rest of the chassis
when reducing speed on corner entry.
Corner-entry controllability is yet another ZX-6R strong suit,
thanks to the use of Showa's revolutionary BPF (Big Piston Front
fork). The BPF utilizes a large-diameter internal piston, which
permits a reduction in damping pressure, for smoother action
and better front end feedback - especially under braking and
initial corner turn-in. Additionally, the BPF eliminates many
of the internal components used in a cartridge-type fork, simplifying
construction and resulting in a lighter overall fork weight.
Having already designed a lighter and more rigid swingarm for
the Ninja ZX-10R sportbike, the Kawasaki engineers utilized many
of the same design components for the ZX-6R's swingarm. Shared
swingarm parts include both left and right inner plates, the
left outer plate, rear stand bosses, brake caliper stopper, chain
guard and swingarm pivot shaft.
The response from Kawasaki's acclaimed triple petal disc brake
package with radial calipers is as refined and powerful as ever.
Radial-mounted four-piston calipers and 300mm petal rotors up
front provide awesome power and excellent feel. The 220mm rear
petal disc features a pedal coaxially mounted with the footpeg
for increased mid-stroke braking efficiency and optimum feel.
Its master cylinder reservoir mounts forward of the swingarm
- freeing up space around the footpeg, reducing parts and contributing
to weight savings. It all adds up to unflappable composure under
braking, and helps provide the precise control and feel that
allows Supersport racers to enter corners harder.
To better capitalize on this lighter machine and its precise
control response, the rider interface is appropriately fine-tuned
to enhance feedback from bike to rider and vice versa. The relationship
of the seat-to-pegs-to-bar "rider triangle" places
the handlebars close to the rider and angled for a highly intuitive
riding position. The fuel tank cover is flared just so around
its top edge, providing a large contact patch and contributing
to excellent rider feedback - similar to the ZX-10R. A narrow
rear sub-frame and seat leading edge provide a slim, highly flexible
riding position for moving around the bike, as well as a shorter
reach to the pavement.
A highly refined fairing and one-piece front fender provide excellent
aerodynamics and airflow to the radiator, along with great wind
protection and minimal crosswind buffeting. An inner rear fender
above the swingarm also reduces turbulence and helps keep the
tail clean. The ZX-6R's instrument panel provides information
at-a-glance, and a race-quality adjustable twin-tube Öhlins
steering damper with relief valve completes the track-ready package.
Highly confidence inspiring, the engine and chassis control precision
offered by the Ninja ZX-6R enables riders to push harder and
maximize the excitement that comes from actively controlling
such a high-performance track-focused machine.
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Features
Key Feature
· Lean physique, low-mass, awesome power delivery and
precise control
Lightweight Engine
· Camshafts are made of chrome-moly steel
· Lightweight magnesium engine covers are standard
· Lightweight top injector mounting plate
· Lightweight transmission gears and gear dogs
· Lightweight oil pump and starter gears
· Inlet pressure pulse monitor does away with cam angle
sensor, further contributing to lightness
· Cassette-type transmission makes it easy to quickly
swap gear ratios, reducing set-up time at the track
Massive Mid-Range Performance
· Double bore velocity stacks feature inlets at two different
heights, for increased performance in both the mid
· and high-rpm ranges
· Cam and tappets nitriding enables high-load cam profiles,
for maximum performance
· Crown-finished pistons
· Molybdenum-coated piston skirts for reduced friction
and engine break-in
· Low-tension piston rings reduce mechanical loss
· Advanced cam chain guides stabilize chain motion and
further reduce mechanical loss
· Exhaust collector layout contributes to superb low and
mid-range performance while maintaining high-rpm performance
More Precise Throttle Control
· Cylindrical guides in the top of the air cleaner box
ensure accurately sprayed fuel mist from the secondary injectors
into the intake funnels, improving combustion efficiency
· Long throttle bodies between oval sub-throttles and
round main throttles yield a smooth intake transition, for reduced
inlet turbulence and increased efficiency
· Advanced cylinder porting delivers excellent cylinder-filling
and scavenging
· High-current secondary coil circuitry for optimum combustion
efficiency
Lightweight Chassis
· The sub-frame is a 2-piece aluminum die-casting consisting
of a front and rear section
· The 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
Tuned Chassis Balance and Mass Centralization
· Frame stiffness around the swingarm pivot and the rear
engine mounts optimizes front-rear rigidity balance
· Engine is rotated forward around the output shaft for
steeper intake angle and excellent CG
· Exhaust layout with a short side muffler keeps the weight
low
· Exhaust pre-chamber further contributes to mass centralization
Ergonomics and Chassis Feedback
· Seat-pegs-bar relationship places handlebars close to
the rider and turned in slightly for a highly intuitive riding
position
· Fuel tank profile is flared around its top, similar
to the ZX-10R, providing a large contact patch for excellent
rider feedback
· Slim-waisted fuel tank makes it easy for the rider to
grip the tank with his knees or to hang off in turns
· Sculpted seat allows the rider to shift his body far
back on the rear seat step, helping to reduce rider fatigue
· Steep rake angle for quick steering response and enhanced
communication from the front tire
· Rear brake master cylinder reservoir forward of the
swingarm mount frees up space around the footpeg, for simplicity
and weight savings
Low Seat Height
· Narrow rear sub-frame makes it easy to reach the ground
· Front of seat is narrow and low, for a slim riding position
and a short reach to the pavement
Advanced Suspension
· ZX-6R features Showa⤙s Big Piston
Front fork (BPF) design, for fantastic braking and initial corner
turn-in
· 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
Brakes
· 220mm rear petal disc
· Rear brake lever is mounted coaxially with the footpeg
for excellent mid-stroke braking efficiency and optimum feel
Race-Quality Steering Damper
· A race-quality adjustable Ãhlins steering
damper with relief valve and twin-tube design is fitted as standard
equipment
Additional Features
· Highly evolved fairing for great wind protection, minimal
cross-wind effects
· Position lamps are integral with the projector beam
headlights; the Ninja ZX-6R features dual position lamps like
the ZX-10R
· One-piece fender offers excellent aerodynamics
· Inner fender above the swingarm helps to reduce turbulence
and keeps the undertail clean
· 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 instrument
panel gives at-a-glance information to the rider
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Technical Specifications
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled,
DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 599cc
Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 42.5mm
Compression ratio: 13.3:1
Fuel injection: DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies,
oval sub-throttles, two injectors per throttle body
Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
Transmission: Six speed
Final drive: X-ring chain
Rake / trail: 24 deg / 4.1 in.
Frame type: Aluminum perimeter
Front tire: 120/70 ZR17
Rear tire: 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 brake: Single 220mm petal rotor with single-piston caliper
Overall length: 82.3 in.
Overall width: 28.0 in.
Overall height: 43.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Seat height: 32.1 in.
Curb weight: 421.2 lbs.
Color choices: Passion Red, Metallic Spark Black, Lime Green/Metallic
Spark Black
MSRP: $10,499
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