Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, they say, belongs to a category which is on the brink of extinction. Ever-tightening emission norms and people’s changing preferences have made it hard for mid-size supersport bikes to exist. Particularly in India, after the demise of the Triumph Daytona and the Aprilia RS660’s price reaching unobtainium heights, the Ninja ZX-6R is the only sensible middle-weight supersport we are left with. We recently got fortunate enough to spend some quality time with the motorcycle and it turned out to be a largely amazing and slightly painful experience.

If it’s not obvious from the pictures, the Ninja ZX-6R is an aggressive, sporty, and, in my opinion, beautiful-looking motorcycle. The front squatting stance, sharp design lines, and a long, upswept, and pointed tail section make it look like it is in motion even at a standstill. The front fascia looks angry and ferocious and the huge ‘6R’ branding adorning its fuel tank and fairing add to the visual drama. A lot of times, I just stood and stared at the 6R for minutes, admiring its breathtaking stance and meticulously crafted design lines. Further, complementing its looks is the top-notch build quality and impressive fit and finish.

Let’s start with its screamer of an engine. Powering the ZX-6R is the same old 636cc, inline-four cylinder engine that has received some internal changes for 2024 like revised cam profiles for a punchier low to mid-range performance and other alterations to meet the stricter emission norms. It produces around 122bhp at 13,000rpm and 69Nm of peak torque at 11,000rpm. These numbers are marginally lower than its predecessor but I bet you wouldn’t be able to figure that out on the road.

By today’s standard, the ZX-6R is a bit underequipped in terms of rider aids. It gets four-level traction control, two power levels, and four riding modes; three preset and a customisable mode. It also gets a quick shifter (only for upshifts) and a colour TFT screen which shows a decent amount of information and offers Bluetooth connectivity.

The riders also have the option to tailor the ride quality to their liking, courtesy of fully adjustable Showa suspension front and rear. For braking, it comes equipped with dual discs up front and a single rotor at the rear, both being bitten by Nissin calipers. Underpinned by a pressed aluminium frame, it rides on 17-inch wheels that are shod with Diablo Rosso 4 tyres.

The behaviour of the 6R’s engine is outright dramatic. Under 6,000rpm, it gives you a trailer of what lies ahead with a profoundly strong pull. But once you cross the 6,000rpm mark, it starts wreaking havoc with a brutal acceleration and the soundtrack attaining a higher pitch. If you still keep revving it and get past 8,000rpm, it charges ahead like a starving predator chasing its prey. The far-looking things start getting closer at a ridiculous pace and the scenery around just blurs past. And if you are courageous enough to keep the throttle pinned, it reaches its redline of close to 14,000rpm much sooner than you realise. All of that unfolds while the exhaust is letting out a high-pitch howl which might give you goosebumps. When on the 6R, it’s difficult to not keep revving the guts out of that engine. It’s so addictive and intoxicating.

At times, you might feel that the engine is shouting more than it is going but that’s what makes things insanely dramatic and engaging. What adds to the overall experience is the seamless quickshifter which changes cogs with a slight touch of your toe. The absence of an auto blipper is a downer and it means you have to use the clutch to downshift. But that’s acceptable considering the clutch is light and the gearbox itself is super slick. What may act as a grouse for some is the slightly snappy on/off throttle response, especially in full power mode, but that’s negligible.

When you hit the corners while enjoying the inline-four nirvana, the ZX-6R continues to boggle your mind. It responds with such precision even to the slightest of inputs that many a times I ended up taking a much tighter line than I should have. Once leaned over into a corner, it feels profoundly composed and rock solid and inspires oodles of confidence to push your limits and up your skill level. The entire combination of the beautifully engineered perimeter frame, Showa suspension, decently sticky Diablo Rosso 4 tyres, and sharp geometry concertedly deliver a handling package that truly belongs to a racetrack.

Complementing the overall package are Nissin brakes which shed speed incredibly quickly from any given speed. The dual discs up front and single rotor at the rear deliver a strong bite with great progression.

Just like a quintessential supersport, the 6R is physically demanding. The riding triangle is super aggressive with your knees acutely bent and the reach to the handlebar quite far. It’s also tall so shorter riders might have trouble getting their feet on the ground. Overall, the seating ergos feel profoundly uncomfortable at slow speeds in traffic. But it all starts making sense when you hit the open road, whack open the throttle, and tuck behind that windscreen. You blend into the motorcycle and become one with it. Even at 200kmph, you aren’t scared or nervous.

Things aren’t quite as rosy in city traffic though. Constant braking means your wrists start hurting soon due to the pressure applied to them. Spend a few minutes in traffic and your back also takes a toll. And if you happen to get your feet up and down the pegs intermittently, your knees may start hurting too due to the high and rear-set footpegs. Not to forget, the large turning radius makes flicking your way through gaps difficult.

If you live in a city with broken and uneven roads in abundance, you might find the ride quality to be slightly on the stiffer side in the suspension’s stock setting. However, the presence of adjustable suspension means you have the flexibility to tweak the ride.

The ZX-6R is a missile on an open road, a ballerina around corners, and a supermodel visually. I would say it’s outright entertaining. While it goes fast, it reaches high speeds with a dramatic and loud soundtrack which evokes joyous laughter every time you wring the throttle. And that inline-four engine is not just potent but also very tractable and friendly.

Although the Ninja ZX-6R doesn’t come loaded with electronic aids and hasn’t received significant updates for many years now, it has all the crucial bits that a rider, who is just entering the supersport category, might need. Multiple power levels and traction control settings along with adjustable suspension deliver enough flexibility to change the bike’s behavior as per the riding condition and your skill level.

The ZX-6R is not for everyone though. With committed ergonomics and a loud and high-revving engine, it’s a profoundly focused machine. It’s meant for people who have a special place for sportbikes in their hearts, like me, but don’t want something as intimidating as a litre-class behemoth. Plus, you get the bragging rights of owning a motorcycle which doesn’t have real competition in India right now. All of that for Rs. 11.20 lakh (ex-showroom), despite it being a CBU product, sounds like a dream!

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi