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Thursday, September 13, 2012
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Kawasaki is bringing back a cult classic
with its 636-powered 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ($11,699). The
middleweight sportbike features a slightly larger displacement engine
for added mid-range punch which provide a more enjoyable ride on the
street and racetrack.
Based off the existing ’12 ZX-6R
Inline Four engine, the 2013 configuration makes use of the same bore
(67mm) but a 2.6mm-longer stroke (45.1mm). A number of other
enhancements were also made including updated cylinder head porting and
camshafts. Refinements were also made to the intake and exhaust systems
to work with the new engine spec. The design of the wet-style slipper
clutch is new as well.
The chassis received some love highlighted by the use of a new Showa big piston fork that features separate function technology similar to what Team Green employs on its 2011-plus KX250F motocrosser. For the sportbike application however, it uses springs in each fork leg but preload adjustment is made on the left leg while compression and rebound damping is handled on the right side. The ZX-6R also gets new monobloc-style (machined from a solid piece of aluminum for added rigidity) radial-mount braking calipers sourced from Nissin.
The ’13 ZX-6R is the first Japanese middleweight to offer traction control. Derived from the systems used on the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-14R/Concours, the electronics offer three levels of adjustment based on road conditions or rider preference. Two different engine power modes (Low/Hi) are offered. The shape of the body panels has also been revised for more efficient aerodynamics. The improvements come at a substantial cost with the 2013 ZX-6R costing $1400 more than this year’s model.
Engine: Liquid-cooled 636cc Inline-Four, 16-valves
Bore and Stroke: 67.0 x 45.1mm
Compression Ratio: 12.9.0:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel-injection
Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper clutch; Cable actuation Transmission: Six-speed
Frame: Twin-spar aluminum
Front Suspension: 43mm inverted Showa BPF; 3-way adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 4.7 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Showa gas-charged shock; 4-way adjustable for spring preload, high/low-speed compression and rebound damping; 5.3 in. travel
Front Brakes: 310mm petal discs with radial-mount Nissin four-piston calipers
Rear Brake: 220mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tires: Bridgestone BT-016; 120/70R17, 190/55R17
Curb Weight: 423 lbs.
Wheelbase: 56.1 in.
Seat Height: 32.7 in.
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallon
MSRP: $11,699
Colors: Pearl Flat Stardust White / Flat Ebony, Metallic Spark Black / Flat Ebony, Lime Green / Metallic Spark Black
Warranty: 12-month, unlimted mileage
Bore and Stroke: 67.0 x 45.1mm
Compression Ratio: 12.9.0:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel-injection
Clutch: Wet multi-plate slipper clutch; Cable actuation Transmission: Six-speed
Frame: Twin-spar aluminum
Front Suspension: 43mm inverted Showa BPF; 3-way adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 4.7 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Showa gas-charged shock; 4-way adjustable for spring preload, high/low-speed compression and rebound damping; 5.3 in. travel
Front Brakes: 310mm petal discs with radial-mount Nissin four-piston calipers
Rear Brake: 220mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tires: Bridgestone BT-016; 120/70R17, 190/55R17
Curb Weight: 423 lbs.
Wheelbase: 56.1 in.
Seat Height: 32.7 in.
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallon
MSRP: $11,699
Colors: Pearl Flat Stardust White / Flat Ebony, Metallic Spark Black / Flat Ebony, Lime Green / Metallic Spark Black
Warranty: 12-month, unlimted mileage
The chassis received some love highlighted by the use of a new Showa big piston fork that features separate function technology similar to what Team Green employs on its 2011-plus KX250F motocrosser. For the sportbike application however, it uses springs in each fork leg but preload adjustment is made on the left leg while compression and rebound damping is handled on the right side. The ZX-6R also gets new monobloc-style (machined from a solid piece of aluminum for added rigidity) radial-mount braking calipers sourced from Nissin.
The ’13 ZX-6R is the first Japanese middleweight to offer traction control. Derived from the systems used on the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-14R/Concours, the electronics offer three levels of adjustment based on road conditions or rider preference. Two different engine power modes (Low/Hi) are offered. The shape of the body panels has also been revised for more efficient aerodynamics. The improvements come at a substantial cost with the 2013 ZX-6R costing $1400 more than this year’s model.
Aprilia upgrades its championship-winning RSV4 sportbike with ABS, more power and better brakes for 2013.
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