2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R First Look

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Kawasaki’s ZX-6R returns for 2024 with changes that allow it to meet strict Euro 5 emissions and therefore be sold in Europe and around the world. (Kawasaki/)

It doesn’t seem long ago that the 600cc-supersport class was the flagship category for Japanese brands, getting huge model updates every couple of years and pioneering technology that would later filter down to other models. Now those days are gone and the current crop of supersport machines increasingly lag behind superbikes and adventure models in terms of technology, but there are still few motorcycling experiences as pure as enjoying a highly tuned, four-cylinder middleweight on the right piece of road or track, so the launch of a new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is a significant event even if the changes are incremental rather than revolutionary.

In fact, the new 2024 ZX-6R is more of a landmark in Europe than the US. Kawasaki dropped the model from European markets back in 2021 with the adoption of the current Euro 5 emissions rules. The mechanical changes made to the 2024 bike mean it now complies with those rules—the only Japanese supersport-class bike to do so—and will be returning to Euro markets, where it will face no direct competition from the other Japanese brands in the 600cc class unless they’re prepared to make similar emissions improvements.

Changes to the engine’s tune are key to meeting emissions requirements. (Kawasaki/)

The engine keeps the existing 636cc capacity, but mechanical tweaks include new cam profiles, a redesigned intake, new exhaust headers and a reshaped exhaust collector and catalyst. Allied to electronic tweaks, these changes drop the peak power a fraction, from 127 hp to 122 hp, but mean the maximum arrives 500 rpm lower in the rev range at 13,000 rpm instead of 13,500 rpm. There’s a tiny dip in torque, too, from 52 lb.-ft. at 11,500 rpm to 51 at 11,800 rpm (according to European figures), but the tweaks are intended to boost the low- and midrange performance, so in real-world use the 2024 bike is unlikely to feel less powerful than the 2023 version.

The 2024 ZX-6R gets an all-new nose with intake ducting that also serves as winglets. (Kawasaki/)

Visually, the 2024 bike is a substantial step forward from the previous model, even though the changes are limited to the nose and side fairings, with the tank and seat unit unaltered. Although an evolution of the earlier look, the new LED headlights, a reshaped air intake, and a more pronounced spoiler below the lights combine to give the 2024 ZX-6R a much more contemporary look than its predecessor. While not comparable to the side-mounted protrusions seen on most of today’s liter-class superbikes, Kawasaki refers to the sections below the lights as “winglets,” and they’re intended to produce downforce by channeling air through tunnels in the sides of the fairing.

Gone are the old analog instruments replaced by a 4.3-inch TFT display. (Kawasaki/)

Helping to bring the 2024 ZX-6R up to date, the old-school analog instruments of the past are gone and an 4.3-inch, full-color, TFT screen takes in their place. From here you can select one of four power modes—Sport, Rain, Road, and Rider-adaptable—which also tweak the settings of the traction-control system to match, though it’s not as advanced as the IMU-assisted cornering TC systems used on most of today’s larger superbikes. The new dash also gives access to phone connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology app.

The chassis remains largely the same with an identical frame and suspension. (Kawasaki/)

The frame and suspension are unchanged, with the familiar aluminum twin-spar chassis fronted by a 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork and Uni-Trak monoshock rear end, both fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound damping. The only notable tweak here are the brakes, with the old 310mm petal discs swapped for conventional round ones, gripped by Nissin four-piston radial-mount calipers. Kawasaki offers both ABS and non-ABS versions, the former adding 4.4 pounds to the weight (434.4 pounds with ABS, 430 pounds without). The wheels are unchanged, but for 2024 wear 120/70-17 and 180/55-17 Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber.

The front brake calipers are the same four-piston, radial-mount Nissins, but the petal discs of old are gone. (Kawasaki/)

Prices start at $11,299 for a non-ABS model, rising by $1,000 if you add antilock, regardless of whether you pick the all-black paint scheme, the white/gray option with red wheels, or the lime green, graphic-laden KRT Edition version.

The updated exhaust system. (Kawasaki/)
View of the cockpit. (Kawasaki/)
The swingarm and suspension at the rear remain unchanged. (Kawasaki/)
Bird’s-eye view. (Kawasaki/)
The 2024 ZX-6R in Metallic Flat Spark Black/Ebony, better known as black. (Kawasaki/)
The 2024 ZX-6R in Pearl Robotic White/Metallic Graphite Gray. (Kawasaki/)
The 2024 ZX-6R in Lime Green/Ebony. (Kawa/)

2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R Specs

MSRP:	$11,299 (non-ABS) / $12,299 (ABS)
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled inline-four; 16 valves
Displacement:	636cc
Bore x Stroke:	67.0 x 45.1mm
Compression Ratio:	12.9:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:	122.0 hp @ 13,000 rpm
Claimed Torque:	51.0 lb.-ft. @ 11,800 rpm
Fuel System:	DFI w/ 38mm Keihin throttle bodies (4) and oval sub-throttles
Clutch:	FCC slipper/assist
Engine Management/Ignition:	TCBI w/ electronic advance
Frame:	Twin-spar aluminum
Front Suspension:	41mm inverted Showa SFF-BP fork, rebound, compression damping, spring preload adjustable; 4.7 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Bottom-link Uni-Trak w/ gas-charged shock, piggyback reservoir, compression, rebound damping, spring preload adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin radial-mount 4-piston calipers, semi-floating 310mm discs; available ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston caliper, 220mm petal disc; available ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Cast aluminum; 17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	120/70-17 / 180/55-17
Rake/Trail:	23.5°/4.0 in.
Wheelbase:	55.1 in.
Ground Clearance:	5.1 in.
Seat Height:	32.7 in.
Fuel Capacity:	4.5 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	430 lb. (non-ABS) / 434 lb. (ABS)
Contact:	kawasaki.com

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