Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 2020

PRESSED-ALUMINIUM PERIMETER FRAME

Race-developed perimeter frame is the key to the Ninja ZX-6R’s superb balance of flickable handling, mid-corner stability and an ability to change lines on command, coupled with excellent chassis feedback. 

NINJA STYLING

Design appears to flow from front to rear. Front cowl sharp nose, fairings minimalist design with large openings that provide increased airflow and new LED headlamps and tail-light contribute to to the New Ninja ZX-6R aggressive image.

NATURALLY AGGRESSIVE ERGONOMICS

Riding position ideal for sport riding offers intuitive fit that puts riders instantly at ease. Tank, seat and rear frame offer good contact with the bike for enhanced rider feedback. Seat is short front-to-back, allowing the rider to rest his tailbone on the rear seat step, further contributing to the excellent feedback the rider gets from the chassis.

636 CM3 LIQUID-COOLED, 4-STROKE IN-LINE FOUR

The Advantage offered by the new Ninja ZX-6R's 37cm3 displacement increase is significant for real world riding exhilaration. Enhanced performance across the rpm range is welcome when sport riding, both in the hills and on the racetrack. But increased low and mid-range torque also offers increased usability in everyday street-riding situations, like riding in stop-and-go traffic, or accelerating to pass another vehicle on the highway.

LIGHTER HANDLING

Frame, rear frame and swingarm provide a hightly balanced chassis package. Revised caster angle and fork tube height, and a new steering stem oil seal all contribute to lighter handling. 

INSTRUMENTATION

Instrument panel gives at-a-glance information to the rider. An analogue-style tachometer is complementred by a multi-function LCD screen. New functions include KTRC, Power Mode and the Economical Riding Indicator. Large numerical gear position indicator gives instant information to the rider - especially useful should a mis-shift occur.

SHORT-STYLE SILENCER

Larger volume silencer helps reduce noise levels. Its triangular cross-section enables the requisite volume while ensuring a high lean angle and a compact image. Exhaust pre-chamber helps minimise silencer volume, contributing to mass centralization.

SFF-BP (SEPARATE FUNCTION FORK – BIG PISTON)

Combining the concepts of Showa SFF and BPF, this next-generation fork offers both racetrack performance and everyday usability. Preload and damping (rebound & compression) are separated, facilitating setup. All the adjusters are located at the top of the fork tubes: preload on the left; compression and rebound dumping on the right.

SUSPENSION SETTINGS TUNED FOR WINDING ROADS

Spring rates and damping settings chosen to maximise performance on winding roads enable riders to enjoy the Ninja ZX-6R’s sporty performance in a wide range of situations. Greater control as the fork begins to compress and very calm attitude change as the vehicle weight shifts forward when reducing speed, offer greater chassis stability on corner entry.

MONOBLOC CALIPERS AND LARGER DISCS

Highly rigid, radial-mount monobloc calipers deliver a firmer feel at the lever for enhanced control. Larger 310 mm petal disc brakes and a radial-pump front brake master cylinder complete the front brake package, ensuring powerful braking with excellent feel. 220 mm petal disc brake and lighter caliper slow the rear.

KIBS

Kawasaki developed KIBS to take into account the particular handling characteristics of supersport motorcycles, ensuring highly efficient braking with minimal intrusion during hard sport riding. It is the first mass-production brake system to link the ABS ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and engine ECU.

In addition front and rear wheel speed, KIBS monitors front brake caliper hydraulic pressure, throttle position, engine speed, clutch actuation and gear position. This diverse information is analysed to determine the ideal front brake hydraulic pressure. Through precise control, the large drops in hydraulic pressure seen on standard ABS systems can be avoided. Additionally, the tendency on supersport models for the rear wheel to lift under heavy braking can be suppressed and rear brake controllability can be maintained when downshifting.

ASSIST & SLIPPER CLUTCH

Based on feedback from racing activities, the Assist & Slipper Clutch uses two types of cams (an assist cam and a slipper cam) to either drive the clutch hub and operating plate together or apart.

Under normal operation, the assist cam functions as a self-servo mechanism, pulling the clutch hub and operating plate together to compress the clutch plates. This allows the total clutch spring load to be reduced, resulting in a lighter clutch lever feel when operating the clutch.

When excessive engine braking occurs – as a result of quick downshifts (or an accidental downshift) – the slipper cam comes into play, forcing the clutch hub and operating plate apart. This relieves pressure on the clutch plates to reduce back-torque and help prevent the rear tyre from hopping and skidding.

KTRC (3-MODE)

3-mode KTRC combines the traction control technology of both 1-mode KTRC, which provides enhanced stability in slippery situations by preventing wheel slip, and S-KTRC, which helps maintain optimum traction in sport riding situations by predicting the rear wheel slip ratio during acceleration, into a single system.

The convenient handle switch allows the type of traction control to be changed instantly by selecting one of the three modes, even while riding. Modes 1 and 2 maintain optimum traction during cornering, like S-KTRC. Designed with sport riding in mind, they enable sharp acceleration out of corners by maximising forward drive from the rear wheel. Modes 1 and 2 differ in the amount that they intervene. Mode 1, set for dry, good-grip road conditions, maintains the ideal slip ratio to ensure optimum traction.

Mode 3 operates like 1-mode KTRC, reducing power to allow grip to be regained when rear wheel spin is detected. It is ideal when riding in slippery conditions or in the wet. Enabling riders to easily change traction control character, 3-mode KTRC is Kawasaki's most advanced engine management system.

POWER MODES

Power modes offer riders an easily selectable choice between Full and Low Power. While Full Power is unrestricted, in Low Power mode maximum power is limited to approximately 75-80% of Full. Response is also milder in Low Power mode. Riders may opt to use Low Power mode for rainy conditions or city riding, and Full Power when sport riding.

Available on the Ninja ZX-14R / ZZR1400, Versys 1000 and other key models, when combined with the 3-mode KTRC (+ OFF) traction control system, Power Mode selection offers a total of eight combinations (KTRC: Mode 1/2/3+OFF x Power Mode: Full/Low) to suit a wide range of riding situations. For example, an experienced rider enjoying sport riding on dry pavement might choose Full Power and Mode 1. On a wet or slippery surface, choosing Low Power and Mode 3 would yield the lowest chance of incurring wheel spin, and with the milder throttle response would offer a high level of riding safety.

DUAL THROTTLE VALVES

Late-model sport bikes often use large-bore throttle bodies to generate high levels of power. However, with large diameter throttles, when a rider suddenly opens the throttle, the unrestricted torque response is anything but gentle and often more than the rider can handle. Dual throttle valve technology was designed to tame engine response while contributing to performance.

On fuel-injected models, throttle bodies generally have only one throttle valve per cylinder. On models with dual throttle valves, there are two throttle valves per cylinder: in addition to the main valves, which are physically linked to the throttle grip and controlled by the rider, a second set of valves, opened and closed by the ECU, precisely regulates intake airflow to ensure a natural, linear response. With the air passing through the throttle bodies becoming smoother, combustion efficiency in improved and power is increased.

Like other Kawasaki engine management technology, Dual Throttle Valves were designed with the philosophy of "following the rider's intention, while providing natural-feeling support." They are featured on many Kawasaki models.

ECONOMICAL RIDING INDICATOR

Using high-precision electronic control for engine management, Kawasaki models can achieve a high level of fuel efficiency.

However, fuel consumption is greatly affected by throttle use, gear selection, and other elements under the rider's control. The Economical Riding Indicator is a function that indicates when current riding conditions are consuming a low amount of fuel. The system continuously monitors fuel consumption, regardless of vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle position and other riding conditions. When fuel consumption is low for a given speed (i.e. fuel efficiency is high), an "ECO" mark appears on the instrument panel's LCD screen. By riding so that the "ECO" mark remains on, fuel consumption can be reduced.

While effective vehicle speed and engine speed may vary by model, paying attention to conditions that cause the "ECO" mark to appear can help riders improve their fuel efficiency – a handy way to increase cruising range. Further, keeping fuel consumption low also helps minimise negative impact on the environment.