Kawasaki ZX-6 and ZZR600

Last updated
Kawasaki ZX-6/ZZR600
Red Kawasaki ZX6E.JPG
Manufacturer Kawasaki
Production1990-2008
Successor Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Class Sport bike
Engine 599 cc (36.6 cu in), four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 16-valve DOHC, inline-four
Bore / stroke 66.0 mm × 43.8 mm (2.60 in × 1.72 in)
Top speed153 mph (246 km/h) [1]
Power 99 hp (74 kW) (claimed) [2]
88 hp (66 kW) (rear wheel) [1]
Transmission six speed
Rake, trail 23.5 degrees / 3.7 in (94 mm)
Wheelbase 1,399 mm (55.1 in)
DimensionsL: 2,029 mm (79.9 in)
W: 728 mm (28.7 in)
H: 1,176 mm (46.3 in)
Seat height780 mm (31 in)
Fuel capacity18 L (4.0 imp gal; 4.8 US gal)
Related Kawasaki Ninja 600R
Early 90s ZX6D with squared signal lights integrated into the fairing ZZ-R600D3.jpg
Early 90s ZX6D with squared signal lights integrated into the fairing
ZX6E instrument cluster with fuel gauge on the bottom left ZX6E Instrument cluster.JPG
ZX6E instrument cluster with fuel gauge on the bottom left

The Kawasaki ZX-6 (ZZR600) was a sport bike manufactured by Kawasaki. The ZX-6 series motorcycle was Kawasaki's flagship 600 cc model from 1990 to 1994. It was then replaced in 1995 with the ZX-6R is the brand's 600 cc race replica.

Contents

In Europe the model designation differed, and was introduced in 1990 as the ZZR600. The same 599 cc engine powered the bike from 1990 to 2004, then from 2005 to 2008 it used the engine from the 2004 ZX-6R.

1990–2002

The first generation ZZR600 (ZX-6 Ninja in different continents/markets) was updated in 1993 with lighter and bigger valves and intake-exhaust ducts, more permanence in the cams timing, lighter pistons, ram air. The two parts chassis (aluminium frame and steel sub-frame) changed to a one piece full aluminium chassis, and aesthetic changes.

Analogue instrumentation included standard speedometer on the left that rose in single MPH increments up to 170. Unlike the Suzuki competitor, the Katana, signal lights on the Kawasaki's cluster were amber instead of green. Owners could also rely on a fuel gauge on the left (missing on D series) and a temperature gauge on the right which many motorcycles in the same class did not have at the time. Storage was minimal, but better than most sport bikes. There was room beneath the seat for the manual and registration, but not much else. An additional compartment could be found on the left side of the fairing and the ignition key was needed to open it.

2007 ZZR600 Kawiandgixxer.JPG
2007 ZZR600

2003–2004

ZZR600 in North America, marketed during model years 2003 and 2004 (as well as 2005 in Canada), was based upon a previous generation sportbike (Ninja ZX-6). This indicates the motorcycle is mechanically identical to the earlier motorcycle, and differs only in paint schemes.

2005–2008

In North America, the updated 2005 ZZR600 was a reissue of the 2001 (ZX-6R) model and remains unchanged save for a new, less invasive fairing stay. It is powered by the same 599 cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, inline four cylinder engine.

Notably, the ZZR600 uses a carbureted engine, even in its later model years, as it retains its similarity to the 2001 ZX-6R model. As such, the ZZR600's choke control sits near the left handle grip. Most modern Japanese sportbikes employ fuel injection.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R</span> Type of motorcycle

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R was a 750cc motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki produced from 1989 until 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R</span> Type of motorcycle

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series made by Kawasaki from 2000 through 2006. The 1,199 cc (73.2 cu in) inline-four engine produced 178 hp (133 kW) at low speed, and increased to 190 hp (140 kW) at high speed due to its ram-air intake, making it the most powerful production motorcycle up to 2006 and the release of the ZX-14. It was a contender to be the fastest production motorcycle, and played a role in bringing to a truce the escalating competition to build an ever-faster motorcycle. Its top speed was electronically limited to 186 mph (300 km/h), tying it with the Suzuki Hayabusa and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 as the fastest production motorcycle on the market, after the 303–312 km/h (188–194 mph) 1999 Hayabusa was replaced with a speed-limited version as part of a gentlemen's agreement between motorcycle manufacturers that lasted until the 298–311 km/h (185.4–193.24 mph) 2007 MV Agusta F4 R 312.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja 250R</span> Sport bike manufactured by Kawasaki

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki originally introduced in 1986. As the marque's entry-level sport bike, the motorcycle has undergone few changes throughout its quarter-century lifetime, having received only three substantial redesigns. In some markets the Ninja 250R has been succeeded by the Ninja 300.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R</span> Sport bike

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki, the successor to the Ninja ZX-9R. It was originally released in 2004 and has been updated and revised throughout the years. It combines an ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes. In 2004 and 2005 the ZX-10R won Best Superbike from Cycle World magazine, and the international Masterbike competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modenas</span> Malaysian national motorcycle company

Syarikat Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn. Bhd, or known as Modenas for short is a Malaysian national motorcycle company producing various small motorcycle models below 400cc targeted for local market and export. The company's headquarters and factory are located at the small town of Gurun, Kedah, Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R</span> Model of Kawasaki motorcycle

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is a 600 cc class motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki. It was introduced in 1995, and has been constantly updated throughout the years in response to new products from Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. The ZX series is what was known as the Ninja line of Kawasaki motorcycles in the 1980s and still carries the name today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Bandit series</span> Type of motorcycle

The Suzuki Bandit is a series of standard motorcycles produced by Suzuki since 1989. The Bandit series includes the following models:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14</span> Type of motorcycle

The ZZR1400 or Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 and ZX-14R (2006–present), is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki that was their most powerful sport bike as of 2006. It was introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show and released for the 2006 model year as a replacement for the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 (2002-2005). The ZZR1400 is capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 186 mph (299 km/h) as a result of an agreement between the major Japanese and European motorcycle manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja 650R</span> Japanese motorcycle produced 2006-2017

The Kawasaki Ninja 650R, also called ER-6f or EХ-6, is a motorcycle in the Ninja series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki Motors sold since 2006. In 2012, the R suffix was dropped from its name. It is a middleweight, parallel-twin engined motorcycle, designed for normal use on paved roads. They have modern styling and features, with low-seating ergonomics and a low center of gravity. The engine has a 180° crankshaft, resulting in an uneven firing interval of 180° and 540°.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport touring motorcycle</span> Performance, long-distance motorcycle

A sport touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle that combines the performance of a sport bike with the long-distance capabilities and comfort of a touring motorcycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda CBR600RR</span> Sport bike

The Honda CBR600RR is a 599 cc (36.6 cu in) sport bike made by Honda since 2003, part of the CBR series. The CBR600RR was marketed as Honda's top-of-the-line middleweight sport bike, succeeding the 2002 Supersport World Champion 2001–2006 CBR600F4i, which was then repositioned as the tamer, more street-oriented sport bike behind the technically more advanced and uncompromising race-replica CBR600RR. It carried the Supersport World Championship winning streak into 2003, and on through 2008, and won in 2010 and 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda RC51</span> Type of motorcycle

The Honda RC51, also known as the RVT1000R or VTR1000 SP1, is a 90° V-twin motorcycle produced by Honda from 2000 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triumph Daytona 675</span> British motorcycle

The Triumph Daytona 675 is a three-cylinder sport bike built by Triumph Motorcycles. It replaced the four-cylinder Daytona 650. The 675 proved to be remarkably light, nimble and powerful; at a maximum of 128 bhp it was also very quick, and it was very successful against the Japanese 600 cc competition. In 2016, Triumph ceased production of the base model Daytona 675 citing diminishing demand for super sport bikes and increasingly strict European emission standards. Triumph continued to produce the up-spec Triumph Daytona 675R model until the 2018 model year. Triumph filed a new trademark for the Daytona, fuelling rumors that there may be a future version sporting the new 765 cc engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki GSX-R600</span> Sports motorcycle

The Suzuki GSX-R600 is a 599 cc sports motorcycle in Suzuki's GSX-R series of motorcycles.

The Kawasaki Z1000 is a four-cylinder motorcycle introduced in 2003 with streetfighter or standard styling. The Z1000 was first introduced in 1977 superseding the previous 903 cc capacity Z1/Z900. Some countries like Australia and Thailand are still receiving current models of the Z1000 with Australia currently selling the new 2025 model citation {https://www.kawasaki.com.au/en-au/motorcycle/z/supernaked/z1000/2025-z1000}

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja</span> Motorcycle model series

The Kawasaki Ninja is a name given to several series of Kawasaki sport bikes that started with the 1984 GPZ900R. Kawasaki Heavy Industries trademarked a version of the word Ninja in the form of a wordmark, a stylised script, for use on "motorcycles and spare parts thereof".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R</span> Motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki, produced from 1994 until 2003. There were five model incarnations across two basic designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle frame</span> Frame of a motorcycle

A motorcycle frame is a motorcycle's core structure. It supports the engine, provides a location for the steering and rear suspension, and supports the rider and any passenger or luggage. Also attached to the frame are the fuel tank and battery. At the front of the frame is found the steering head tube that holds the pivoting front fork, while at the rear there is a pivot point for the swingarm suspension motion. Some motorcycles include the engine as a load-bearing stressed member; while some other bikes do not use a single frame, but instead have a front and a rear subframe attached to the engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Tomcat ZX-10</span> Type of motorcycle

The Ninja ZX-10 was a sport motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki Motorcycles between 1988 and 1990, part of the Kawasaki Ninja line. With a top speed of 165 miles per hour (266 km/h), it was the fastest production motorcycle in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja 400</span> Type of motorcycle

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is a 399 cc Ninja series sport bike introduced by Kawasaki in 2018, as a successor to the Ninja 300. It launched with the 2018 model year.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kawasaki ZX-6 and ZZR600 - Best Used Bikes". Cycle World. September 3, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  2. "KAWASAKI ZZR600 (1990-2007) Review". Motorcycle News. November 24, 2006. Retrieved May 31, 2017.