Introduction
Precise control and abundant midrange
torque provide maximum excitement
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.
Fine-tuning the chassis and tightening its mass centralization
resulted in lighter handling to make it even easier to tip this
ZX-6R into a corner. To optimize front-rear rigidity balance,
the engineers revised frame stiffness around the swingarm pivot
and the rear engine mounts. The engine was rotated around the
output shaft to offer a steeper cylinder bank angle and raise
its CG by 16mm. A new exhaust layout with a short side muffler
lowers the weight previously located under the seat and an exhaust
pre-chamber further contributes to the new ZX-6R's mass centralization.
The new Ninja ZX-6R's leaner physique is fundamental to its lighter
handling. Both the engine and chassis were evaluated to reduce
weight. The intake resonator box and supports for the instrument
panel and mirrors are now unitized with the enlarged to
optimize intake volume Ram Air duct, contributing to weight
savings and improving rigidity. New camshafts are now made of
lighter SCM, and lightweight magnesium replaces aluminum for
the engine covers. Revised internal gears transmission,
oil pump and starter are lighter without compromising strength.
Adjusting several mounting plates and the coolant reservoir locations
helped shave additional weight.
Handling wasn't the only area of improvement on the new Ninja
ZX-6R; its lighter engine received a host of changes focused
on delivering precise throttle control and increased performance,
particularly in the mid-range. A smoother power delivery was
achieved through better combustion efficiency. The changes include;
adding cylindrical guides to the top of the airbox to better
guide the fuel charge into the intake funnels, increasing the
distance between the main and sub-throttles by 10mm to reduce
inlet turbulence, revised cylinder porting to improve cylinder
filling and increasing secondary coil current in the ignition
coils.
In addition to healthier bottom-end torque and smoother throttle
response, the engine's mid-range performance was increased via
a similar number of refinements, including; new double-bore velocity
stacks with inlets at two different heights, pistons with new
profiles and improved crown finishing, and reduced mechanical
loss by decreasing piston ring tension and revising the cam chain
guides to better stabilize the motion of the chain. A new exhaust
collector layout rounds out the major changes.
The stronger mid-range torque provides greater drive out of corners
and is harmonized with the engine's silky smooth high-rpm performance.
This linear throttle torque delivery results in improved controllability
and offers the rider more 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 receives a major performance boost,
thanks to the first production-use of Showa's revolutionary new
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 new 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 was improved as well. The 220mm
rear petal disc is now 10mm larger and features a revised brake
lever that's now coaxially mounted with the footpeg for increased
mid-stroke braking efficiency and improved feeling. Its master
cylinder reservoir was relocated forward of the swingarm
freeing up space around the footpeg, reducing parts and contributing
to weight savings. Trackside maintenance is easier too, thanks
to the revised front brake hose routing with a three-way joint
at the lower triple-clamp to simplify bleeding the brake lines.
All of these revisions give the Ninja ZX-6R unflappable composure
under braking and help 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 was appropriately fine-tuned to enhance feedback
from the bike to the rider.
The relationship of the seat-to-pegs-to-bar "rider triangle"
was adjusted slightly, with the handlebars moved closer to the
rider and turned in slightly for a more intuitive riding position.
The fuel tank cover is more flared around its top edge, providing
a larger contact patch and contributing to improved rider feedback
similar to the ZX-10R. A new narrower rear sub-frame and
seat leading edge, plus a 10mm lower seat height provide a slimmer
riding position and a shorter reach to the pavement.
A new fairing and a less-complex one-piece front fender
previously a three-piece unit offer improved aerodynamics
and airflow to the radiator, better wind protection and help
minimize the effect of crosswinds. The new inner rear fender,
mounted above the swingarm, reduces turbulence and helps keep
the tail clean. Like its bigger ZX-10R sibling, the ZX-6R received
a new instrument panel that provides information at-a-glance
and a race-quality adjustable Öhlins steering damper with
relief valve and twin-tube design.
Highly confidence inspiring, the engine and chassis control precision
offered by the new 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
- 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
10mm 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
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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 / 4.0 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 /
5.2 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: 27.8 in.
Overall height: 43.9 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Seat height: 32.3 in.
Curb weight: 421.2 lbs.
Color choices: Lime Green
Metallic Diablo Black / Flat Super Black
Candy Surf Blue / Flat Super Black
* Price and specifications subject to change
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