Motorcycle "Kawasaki Ninja 600" (Kawasaki Ninja): technical characteristics, description, reviews

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For questions regarding the purchase of this equipment (Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2007) Kawasaki Ninja super sport motorcycle 600 cc), terms of credit and leasing, service and warranty, please contact the factory dealers or official representative offices. Delivery of Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2007) Kawasaki Ninja super sport motorcycle 600 cc can be carried out either directly from the manufacturer or from sites in Moscow and other regions of the Russian Federation.

Competitors

Japanese engineers set themselves the goal of creating a bike that could have truly sprinting capabilities. At that time there was huge competition among manufacturers of racing and sports motorcycles.


And although the Japanese brand Kawasaki is the most dominant manufacturer, in many ways the Italians or the Germans from BMW were breathing in the back of the Japanese, introducing two-cylinder boxer engines. The latter had the ability to double the speed at the right moment.

Appearance

The car looks like a typical representative of the class. The original coloring combines light green, white, gray and black colors, which are intricately intertwined with each other. All the filling, as expected, is closed for aerodynamics and compliance with the sports class standard.

Judging by the reviews of those who have never been interested in sportbikes before, it was this technique, along with some other models from Kawasaki, that impressed them most with its design. I especially liked the light green rims that matched the frame color.

Looking at the photos and videos, the conclusion suggests itself that the equipment looks best at night. However, in the sun it also looks bright, just not so contrasting and exotic. Perhaps this is the most colorful model of all Kawasaki sportbikes. However, her appearance is not the most aggressive.

Kawasaki has bikes with a more aggressive appearance. This is achieved through highly protruding mirrors, which themselves are small and oblong. Here the mirrors are large and set low, so the sportbike looks more moderate and not so sporty.

Weight reduction

And so, in 1985, the Kawasaki Ninja 600 was born, the technical characteristics of which are still quite high. The initial stage of work went quite well, and the designers were already anticipating victory. But after the first copies performed well on the track, it became clear that the model was a little heavy in terms of mass in turns and steep turns. But for racing equipment this is a serious disadvantage.


The engineers did not stop the assembly line and, at the same time, were developing a program that would gradually reduce the weight of the car. At the same time, they tried to position the center of gravity of the car as low as possible. The results were noticeable immediately. It was possible to reduce the curb weight from 190 kg to 180 kg. The motorcycle received the maneuverability that it so lacked. But the improvements didn't end there.

In addition to reducing weight, engineers have improved handling. The model had steering responsiveness that was only available in light vehicles up to 125 cc./cm. Thus, the first generation Kawasaki Ninja 600 began to emerge from the industrial assembly stream, which could definitely guarantee victory in competitions. But this was not enough for the engineering corps, and they continued to further improve the technical characteristics of the motorcycle.

Repair and tuning

The flagship model of the Kawasaki company is extremely reliable, and, judging by the reviews of its owners, it does not have any common problems. This is undoubtedly pleasing, since any intervention in the design of this ultra-expensive motorcycle costs a pretty penny.

Repair

It is almost impossible to repair the H2R Kawasaki yourself. This model uses all the technological achievements of the Japanese company, and it is not easy to understand the structure of the sports bike. Any operation more complex than an oil change requires a visit to an authorized dealer.

Spare parts

There are practically no non-original spare parts, and the quality of those that are available is questionable. At speeds under 300 km/h, the slightest defect in any part can lead to fatal consequences, so you shouldn’t skimp on spare parts. Dealers usually have everything they need in stock; in extreme cases, any part can be brought to order. The cost is quite high.

Tuning

On the Kawasaki Ninja H2R, tuning is practically absent due to its unnecessaryness. Already from the factory, this bike is equipped with the latest technology, and there is simply nothing to improve in it. Some owners modify some small things like steering wheel grips or footrests, but usually that’s all.

Model description

When creating this car, Japanese engineers did a good job and assembled a device that perfectly combines and complements each other with enormous power and extraordinary maneuverability. Due to the 0.6-liter engine, this bike is capable of achieving enormous speed: the Kawasaki Ninja 600 easily accelerates to 280 km/h. Thanks to its low weight, it handles well and easily overcomes even the most difficult turns.

This model is built on the basis of the Ninja ZX-6RR, from which it received not only ideal weight and good speed performance, but also other basic parameters.

The frame of the racing car is created as harmoniously as possible - there is both a rigid landing and fairly flexible control. Due to the design features, at the beginning of a turn you can observe absolute synchronization with the steering wheel. To create such a balance, Japanese engineers very accurately and carefully calculated the location of the pendulum, as well as the position of the engine.


The frame is a solid block. This feature makes it possible to move weight more evenly, while gaining maximum speed.

As for the power plant of the Kawasaki Ninja 600, the slipper clutch can be identified as the main aspect of the design. At the moment of a sharp jerk on a turn, the pilot does not have to worry about falling.

The suspension is adjusted depending on the type of road on which this Japanese speed monster will be driven. Also included are very powerful brakes and a sporty riding position.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R on the track

The next day I head to the track hoping for rain - that is, for the opportunity to test the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R on wet asphalt. I leave at dawn, with a photo backpack, happily using the cruise control. I travel 120 km and feel fresh and invigorated.

True, the rain is annoying. Yes, I wanted to test the bike in the wet, and I consider this a mandatory part of any test, but I would have preferred the rain to catch me on the track rather than follow me all the way. On the track, rain is like the first wave on a surf, breathtaking and invigorating. Along the way he interferes with life.

The standard Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R tires, with all its advantages, are not rain tires, but they still allow you to lean quite deeply (judging by the tread pattern). This means you need to hang yourself more strongly. I set the Rain mode and went for the first lap. Surprisingly, the grip is quite good, considering that the track surface is frankly dirty. I continue, went to the next circle.

In Rain mode, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R's power is noticeably muted and response is softer, but there is a tug at the start of the throttle that is absent in other modes. At steady gas around 4000 rpm, the engine can twitch quite sharply - remembering that there is an explosion here, it is better to keep the steady gas a little higher. I try between 4 and 5 thousand.

Even at the maximum level of traction control, the tire sometimes blows off, especially at the exit of an uphill turn, the engine increases speed, then KTRAC slows it down, and then blows the tire off again.

It’s surprising, because yesterday on the road, either in Rain or in Road mode, the traction control intervened long before the tire blew off - it’s unclear why it was turning it on the track.

The brakes are ideal in these conditions - and again it's nice that the M50's initial grip isn't too grippy. Often the large 330mm discs provide such sensitivity that just breathing on the brake lever will lift you out of your seat. I prefer to brake hard when I want to - knowing that I always have a progressive and powerful braking reserve. At least on a more or less road bike, on all-purpose tires and on a wet track.


Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

In general, five sessions in the pouring rain showed that the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R copes quite well - with a clear, safe ride and in order to give positive emotions. Of course, when I was already tired and handed the motorcycle over to my colleagues, the sun came out.

I took a break, drank coffee and did a few more laps, feeling almost not tired. Such is the fun nature of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

A couple of days later I’ll find myself on it on a flat and free track in excellent sunny weather, I’ll try to configure the Custom mode for myself and spend several hours with the power set to full and the traction control turned off. The engine in this form is incredibly powerful and brutal; two hundred horses must be handled carefully, especially at the top.

The front wheel tries to take off in any gear over 8000rpm, and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R shoots out of corners like a rocket. I settled on full power and the second level of traction control, which mutes it a little and gives some feeling of security. Then I tried the opposite option - maximum traction control and low power, and tried it on a couple of muddy sections of the road. Traction control intervenes quite noticeably and makes the ride quite safe - an excellent option for bad weather.

Which brings us back to the fact that despite its track riding position, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R can be a pretty good everyday road bike. My first impression about its purely track purpose turned out to be wrong, because two weeks of everyday driving on it gave me the warmest impressions. Pleasant little things like a convenient side stand, excellent headlights, a loud signal, a high windshield, a chic TFT instrument panel (which lacks only a power reserve), a chic design with excellent graphics make it even more pleasant. If I were younger and richer, I would fully consider this option as an everyday motorcycle.

Design

The Kawasaki Ninja 600 motorcycle, in addition to technical characteristics, is distinguished by impressive external data. Naturally, the style is completely sporty. The first thing your eye immediately catches is the high-brightness front optics. The sporty style is also complemented by an air intake system - it is located in the center of the front part.

Direction indicators are installed in the front fairing. The front wing has an aerodynamic shape. As for the rear turn signals, they are small, cone-shaped. Even then, the Japanese equipped the rear light with LEDs.


On the instrument panel, which is also made in a sporty racing design, you can see gear adjustment indicators, a speedometer, a tachometer, and a thermometer. Also for the convenience of the rider, there is a clock and a stopwatch on the dashboard. To monitor the condition of the main engine components, there are indicator lamps on the panel.

The exhaust system is made of stainless steel. Elements of sporty style can be seen in the passenger footrests.

Brake system

The brake discs are large here.
Their width is 6 mm and diameter is 300 mm. They are made of stainless steel. Thus, the brake force will be very strong each time you apply them.

It often happens that even experienced riders find it difficult to discern which gear is currently in use while riding.

To prevent such situations, the digital display is installed in a large size.

It is able to instantly display all the most important information for the rider - speed and gear number.

The ZX-6R model has cylindrical airbox guides. They help ensure accurate spraying from the fuel injectors.

As a result, better fuel atomization improves combustion efficiency. Accordingly, the engine output will be greater.

Controllability

"Kawasaki Ninja" (600cc) has a very bold and aggressive design. Its weight was reduced, and the length of the exhaust pipe was shortened. The frame design has been changed and modernized many times. As for the engine, it was also modified many times.

Maximum engine balance makes it possible to transmit power much better in different operating modes and at different speeds. It must be said that the unit is made only for competitions. This is evidenced by the newest equipment details. Thus, some engine elements are made of magnesium alloy. This has a positive effect on the weight of the unit.


Due to the unique design, which was developed by the best engineers, the biker gets the opportunity to easily overcome turns and bends of any complexity at high speeds.

The Kawasaki Ninja 600 motorcycle responds quickly. This is achieved by the perfect balance between frame rigidity and suspension characteristics. The design used the newest fork at that time with the possibility of adjustments and a specially assembled steering damper. High-capacity radial brake calipers coupled with a slipper clutch make it even easier to control this monster on two wheels.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R On the Go


Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

When you sit on it for the first time, you immediately notice changes in the fit. The new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is definitely closer to a superbike than a civilian motorcycle. A high tail, a racing-style hard seat, more distant clip-ons, also lower and horizontal, and the footpegs are even higher than on the previous model. Typical track fit, no more and no less.

Even more track-ready than some of the sportbikes of the past. It is clear that this will be great at races, but in the city, perhaps, it may be inconvenient. I’m more or less comfortable, but only because I’m used to this kind of seating, but even then it’s a little tight on my legs.

We start the fire-breathing monster (it happened on the fifth turn, and in many attempts I have never done it faster), and it starts up its low, rough, ragged song until it warms up and reaches stable operation. Reminiscent of track mufflers, which are made to the limit of what is permissible. While the engine of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is warming up, I study the new TFT panel and remote controls that are standard on premium Kawasaki models. I select Road mode, reset tripmeter B, adjust the mirrors and brake (the clutch lever is not adjustable) - and off we go.

Still, his landing position is too radical for the road. I’m not short, but I’m far from the clip-ons, so I have to either lie down on the tank or reach with straight arms. If I lie down, I don’t have enough visibility forward and to the sides, but only in this position can I see anything in the mirrors. The footrests are high, but tolerable, but higher up it would be uncomfortable. The clip-ons are pleasantly wide.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R engine is smooth and elastic, a true liter four. In Road mode, the gas is gentle at the beginning of the stick stroke, up to 4000 the engine is soft and polite. The clutch is a little stiffer than the previous model, which is strange, but you don't have to use it very often thanks to the KQS quickshifter. In theory, it should only work above 2500, but, oddly enough, it shifts perfectly without a clutch already at 1000 rpm, both up and down. The engine already pulls well from the same thousand, picks up at 4000 and again at 6000, and is excellent for the city.

The gears are high, but not too high, and first or second in the city is quite enough, sometimes I stick in third for fun. The cooling is well thought out and doesn’t get your feet hot. It brakes, as you'd expect, with just one finger or a noticeable press of the pedal. The rear brake is another indicator of the directionality of the bike, it is quite tight because the overly sensitive rear brake at track speeds and in track shoes easily locks up. I even deliberately aired the rear brake or put a thick rubber band on the lever so as not to fly off the track in stiletto heels.

And here I am on the highway.

I could have chosen serpentine, but I wanted to try the cruise control - very convenient, activated by a button on the left remote control. In addition to it, there are “+” and “-” buttons for selecting speed, as well as Select and Reset. 110 km/h Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R goes at 4500 rpm, practically without vibration, only slightly tingling hands on the grips and feet on the pegs.

By 120 km/h the vibration increases and your hands begin to go numb, although not immediately. Everything is visible in the mirrors, which distinguishes them favorably from the mirrors of the 2016 generation, especially at speed. The motorcycle sets the selected cruise control speed slowly, reacting to changes within a few seconds, which is perhaps even good in order to avoid jerks.

In general, modern electronics on motorcycles evokes mixed feelings. On the one hand, all this is convenient and safe. But on the other hand, that feeling of unity with the motorcycle and its obedience is lost - sometimes even to the detriment of common sense, the sharpness of the motorcycle’s reaction to the actions of the rider is lost, and a certain flair of risk disappears.

But the motorcycle becomes more convenient for long trips. Where the sportbike of the past drained adrenaline, modern models allow you to ride calmly, without fear or anxiety. I was returning home along this road - fast, familiar, but uneven. However, thanks to the excellent grip of the standard tires, I drove faster than before - despite the wet and muddy sections. In Sport mode, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is very peppy, has a clearer connection between the throttle and engine speed, picks up noticeably from 4000 and even more sharply from 6000.

The meaning of such a landing becomes clear at high speeds, when the tilt angle indicator exceeds 50 degrees. The fork is one of the best among road sportbikes; unevenness is almost not felt and does not reverberate through the grips at all, but at the same time it has excellent braking control.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R's steering became noticeably sharper at the beginning of the turn, especially without trail braking: the previous model preferred to enter a fast turn with a loaded fork. A new stance, updated fork settings and a spring change in the rear suspension make the 10R feel nimbler when it comes to steering. It's incredible at making sudden changes of direction - even deep into a corner - while remaining stable and predictable. The operation of the steering damper remains unnoticeable - the steering column turns freely, but without unnecessary compliance; in turns it remains composed even at full tilt and on uneven surfaces - thanks to the increased wheelbase and updated pendulum geometry.

In such a ride, the landing and position of the clip-ons justify themselves 100%, the motorcycle willingly lies down and rises with a light effort on the grips, the front brake is ideal - clear, progressive and can be pressed with one or two fingers, with good response and information content and optimal initial grip for road riding, without unbalancing the motorcycle. This is probably facilitated by KCMF - a set of electronic assistants that work so softly that you don’t notice them.

But still, the position of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R pegs is not suitable for me: my knees are almost completely bent, so I have virtually no control over the weight distribution on the pegs and the levers. For myself, I would move them at least 5mm lower.

The rear suspension is as magical as the fork - smoothing out almost all types of unevenness, while simultaneously supporting the bike even with sharp throttle opening at high speeds. The perfect balance of two excellent suspensions - even on frankly bad roads.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R engine was and remains gorgeous, but for those who prefer low-end thrust and power wheelies from the gas out of a turn, it will most likely not suit you. Down low it's the softest of the modern superbikes, ideal for road riding, with a pleasant mid-range handling character that wakes up from 6000.

Opening the gas in a timely manner so that the kick falls just at the exit of the turn, straightening the motorcycle and smiling broadly, I change gears with the quickshifter. It's comfortable, crisp and fast - the quickshifter and the bike in general. One of those that doesn't give the impression of being very fast, even when you're going really fast.


Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Motorcycle Specifications

The unit has a digital dashboard. With a power of 128 horsepower, it reaches a top speed of 280 kilometers per hour. The torque of this engine is 67 Nm at 13,500 rpm (the engine is very high-speed). At the same time, fuel consumption is up to 6 liters per 100 kilometers. The fuel tank has a volume of 18 liters. Cruising range without refueling is 300 kilometers. A gear starter is responsible for starting the engine. A four-stroke injection engine is used as a power unit. The front brake system is equipped with two discs. The rear suspension has only one shock absorber to reduce weight.

The motorcycle engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The box has a cassette design and is switched by a foot mechanism. The clutch system is multi-disc, sliding type.


The suspension uses mechanisms with increased strokes. Thus, the front suspension is represented by a telescopic fork of the reverse system with a standard offset. The rear suspension is a pendulum design with a hydraulic shock absorber and springs, the task of which is to dampen vibrations. As reviews note, the motorcycle is very rigid. But it is precisely because of this that it pleases with its controllability and maneuverability. The high-speed unit is not suitable for rough roads. His element is circuit racing. This is where the Japanese reveals his full potential.

Repair and tuning

In terms of maintenance costs, new Kawasaki motorcycles are comparable to old ones. In some ways, the situation with them is even simpler - there is a lot of tuning, and spare parts are not difficult to find. Representatives of the first generations also have everything they need, but sometimes you have to look hard.

Repair

Self-repair is possible, and in motorcycle repair shops workers are usually very familiar with this model. If you don’t have a lot of money, of course, go to the dealer to change the oil, but in practice there is no need for this. So most owners stop visiting dealerships as soon as the warranty expires.

Spare parts

The cost of spare parts for the ZX600R of all generations is approximately the same. Usually everything is in stock, except for some rare parts that rarely fail. And on numerous owner forums you can often find extensive flea markets where you can buy and sell everything, from elements of a plastic body kit to an assembled engine.

Tuning

The amount of tuning officially released for this model is small, and it is quite expensive. But this is only if you look at the official Kawasaki catalog! But there is a lot of different stuff from third-party manufacturers from the USA, China, Japan and other countries, and it usually costs moderate money.

Price

For the Kawasaki Ninja 600 model, the price is determined by the year of manufacture, as well as the technical condition. On average, for a copy in good condition they ask from 100 to 300 thousand rubles. A new modern generation motorcycle will cost 615 thousand rubles.


When purchasing used models, it is important to review the Kawasaki Ninja 600 as thoroughly as possible. After all, the engine's life may already be at its limit.

Advantages and disadvantages

Most sports 600s are characterized by sluggish traction at the bottom, an uneven torque curve and other features characteristic of powerful forced engines of small cubic capacity. But the Kawasaki Ninja 600R is somewhat different from its competitors in this matter.

Advantages

  • Excellent brakes, especially on new models equipped with ABS.
  • Efficient suspensions, energy-intensive and reliable.
  • Good dynamics and decent traction even at low revs.
  • Sturdy frame making the Kawasaki ZX6R suitable for stunt use.

Flaws

  • Front fork seals often begin to leak. The problem is eliminated by replacing them with new ones (complete with anthers).
  • The ergonomics are poorly thought out; when braking sharply, the pilot immediately slides forward due to the noticeable angle of inclination of the upper surface of the gas tank.
  • The exhaust pipe heats up my right leg very much, which causes discomfort.
  • The timing chain hydraulic tensioner requires attention from time to time, as it sometimes fails.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any highly specialized technology has strengths and weaknesses. Thus, the technical characteristics of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R make this model simply dangerous for use on public roads, which is why only civilian modifications are allowed on roads.

Advantages

  • Incredible power and crazy dynamics. Even the civilian modification of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is capable of reaching a speed of almost 340 km/h, and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes no more than 2.6 seconds.
  • Capacious gas tank. This is especially true for the SX and SX SE versions, designed for long trips.
  • Fully adjustable suspension, efficient and energy efficient.
  • Excellent combined braking system with ABS.
  • Ergonomics thought out to the smallest detail. The Kawasaki Ninja H2R is equally comfortable for both tall and short bikers.
  • Modest fuel consumption, especially for a model with such impressive power.

Flaws

  • High cost of maintenance. But, if you buy a motorcycle for 2-5 million rubles, you are unlikely to care much about money, right?
  • Extremely complicated design. For repairs and maintenance you will have to go to official Kawasaki dealers.
  • Considerable mass. In terms of dynamics, this is compensated by the enormous power, but purely physically the motorcycle seems heavy.
  • Low ground clearance, only 130 mm. On bad roads this disadvantage can become critical.

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