Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/159279
VOL. 50 ISSUE 34 AUGUST 27, 2013 WHAT THEY SAID: P103 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Specs ADAM WAHEED, 34, Road Test Editor "The Kawasaki glides over bumps real nice and gives a real easy ride. The seat is comfortable and the handlebars aren't as crazy forward anymore. It's just a really, really comfortable motorcycle." ADEY BENNETT, 38, Test Rider The ZX-6R in stock trim is probably the most confidence inspiring bike out of the entire group. Whether a tight technical road or fast sweeping road, the Kawasaki feels planted and balanced in either environment." MASSIMO BRUZZI, 34, Orange County Ducati Club secretary "There's not too much stress on your wrists and the seat makes it great for small riders like me, being able to easily put both feet on the ground and the light/compact feel gives her a huge plus." NATHON VERDUGO, 34, Test Rider "I love the engine in this bike. It's a lot peppier yet still plenty manageable. It rides really nice over bumpy roads and it's cool that it comes with traction control." Ninja revisions make for a more Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R versatile and street-friendly package that relates to a wide array of rider body types. "I fit my 6'3" frame on the •Cheaters really do prosper, or at least cheater engines sure do! ZX-6R quite comfortably," says Adey, offering the tall-guy ap•Chassis improvements merit as much credit as the much-hyped praisal. "I felt like I could ride all engine boost day in thru the city in comfort and •Ergonomics and rider interface get aggressive with my stance in improved the canyons." Kawasaki has aggressively priced its supersport offering the •Engine powerful, but sound not past two years, notably $9999 in distinctive 2011 and $10,299 the following rid•Styling and colorway not the ing season. And for a completely most fetching new design, which includes traction control as standard kit, this new ZX-6R's MSRP isn't gratuitous and the revamped Honda $200 at $11,699. The three-year-old less. Like the CBR, an ABSGSX-R600 is only $100 cheaper, equipped ZX-6 model is offered for HIGHS LOWS Engine: 636cc liquid-cooled Inline Four 16-valve Bore x Stroke: 67.0 x 45.1mm Compression Ratio: 12.9:1 Fueling: Fuel-injection, 38mm Keihin throttle bodies w/ one injector per cylinder Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type Clutch: Wet, F.C.C. w/ cable actuation Final Drive: Chain; 16/43 gearing Frame: Twin spar aluminum Front Suspension: 41mm Showa BPSFF with spring preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.7 in. travel Rear Suspension: Uni-Trak equipped gas-charged shock with spring preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 5.3 in. travel Front Brakes: 310mm petal discs, radial-mount monobloc-style fourpiston Nissin calipers Rear Brake: Single 220mm petal disc, single-piston Nissin caliper Tires: Bridgestone Battlax S20 120/70R17, 180/55R17 Curb Weight: 421 lbs. Wheelbase: 54.9 in. Rake: 23.5 deg. Trail: 4.0 in. Seat Height: 32.7 in. Fuel Tank: 4.5 gal. MSRP: $11,699 ($12,699 with ABS) Colors: Pearl Flat Stardust White; Flat Ebony Metallic Spark Black; Flat Ebony Lime Green Warranty: One year, unlimited mileage the same $1000 premium. The ZX-6R engine is justifiably labeled a cheater, as those extra cubes proffer better performance than its 600 rivals. But the chassis upgrades prove just as pivotal in vaulting the Ninja up the rankings. The re-imagined Ninja impresses enough to climb into second on the 2013 Supersport Street scoresheet.