Introduced the ZX-6R in 1995 and won Supersport category award for MasterBike 2004 and 2005, Kawasaki improved The ZX-6R every year to compete with CBR600RR, GSX-6R and YZF-R6.
Using a former 125 cc GP racer as the ZX-6R's chief development rider, Tomomi Manako, Kawasaki claims a focus has been put on track usage. Frame, swingarm, suspension, brakes, and body are completely redesigned and the bike shares very few parts from the previous model since 2008.
The greatest changes for 2009 were the redesign of the exhaust, now carried low and not requiring the thick under-seat construction of 2008 and especially the introduction of the BPF (Big Piston Fork) suspension from SHOWA for a more progressive brake-dive imported from MotoGP technology.
2009 ZX-6R 10kg lighter than last year with the same basic construction (resulting in 191 kg dry as opposed to 205 kg in 2008)and certainly feels lighter, more lively and turns in much easier.
Specifications
Engine Type | Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four |
Displacement | 599 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 67.0 x 42.5mm |
Maximum Torque | 66.7 Nm {6.8 kgf/m} 49.1 lb-ft @ 11,800 rpm |
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 | 6-Speed |
Final Drive | X-Ring Chain |
Rake/Trail | 24 deg / 4.0 in. |
Frame type | Aluminum perimeter |
Front Tire Size | 120/70-ZR17 |
Rear Tire Size | 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 Brake Type | Dual 300mm petal rotors with dual radial-mounted, four-piston, four-pad calipers |
Rear Brake Type | Single 220mm petal rotor with single-piston caliper |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 4.5 gal. |
Seat Height | 32.1 in. |
Curb Weight | 421.1 lbs. |
Color | Lime Green, Metallic Diablo Black / Flat Super Black, Candy Surf Blue / Flat Super Black |
Warranty | 12 months |
Good Timesâ„¢ Protection Plan | 12, 24, 36 or 48 months |