New ZX-6R breaks cover
Kawasaki’s sporty 600 gets more power and a major makeover for 2019
Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-6R is back for 2019 with more power, a major styling makeover and a host of go-faster electronic gadgetry. The new bike’s newgeneration styling makes it look remarkably similar to the firm’s 400 at a glance.
The same but different
Kawasaki haven’t released full details of the new model, but they have confirmed that the new Ninja is still a 636cc inlinefour, while they claim that there’s improved power and torque ‘feel’, which suggests tweaks to the fuelling and gearing are highly likely, while any significant improvement in claimed peak output on either score seems equally unlikely. The similarities between the last ‘current’ model from 2016, and this 2019 model are abundantly clear if you can divert your eyes from the redesigned nose cowl, fairings and sleeker tail unit and look closely at what lies beneath.
The wheels appear to be identical, as do the Showa BFF fork, swingarm, shock, fuel tank, petal brake discs, Nissin radial calipers, rearsets, main frame and the engine cradled in it (while it’s crucially now Euro4 compliant). The exhaust system is clearly all-new, presumably in order to get that Euro greencard, while its positioning is identical.
So what’s new?
The headline changes include that new frock with LED headlights and a new tail unit. There’s also now a KQS quickshifter for slicker upshifts as standard, but there’s no autoblipper, which seems a real shame on a supersport screamer. The dash has given way to an all-new item with big analogue tacho and LCD panels that add a fuel gauge and range indicator, the highlight being an ‘economical riding’ indicator. There’s also a 12V power socket which Kawasaki say shows its potential for ‘longer weekend excursions’.
More usefully, there’s an assist and slip clutch, KTRC traction control, KIBS anti-lock brakes, and two-stage power modes. And it now comes on top-notch Bridgestone Hypersport S22 rubber now, replacing the old S20s. The ZX-6R should perform well on track, although Kawasaki purists may have been hoping for more significant upgrades. There’s no word on price yet, but we’d expect a small(ish) increase over the current bike’s £8999 price tag. With Yamaha’s screaming R6 commanding a sky-high asking price of £10,999, Kawasaki could steal sales if they can keep it comfortably under the £10k mark. The price should be revealed in the next few weeks.