2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition

- 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition Review

Only we could sharpen a scalpel further still. The 2012 Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition features a while host of extra touches making it look, sound and perform like no other.

Power. Speed. Handling. Dominance. The Ninja® ZX™-6R Performance Edition packs all this and more underneath its 599cc engine, twin spar aluminum frame and advanced Showa suspension. Whether you're a street rider or a racer, this bike packs the kind of potent strength that will satisfy even the most discriminating enthusiasts.

The 2012 ZX-6R Performance Edition carries on the tradition of middleweight dominance – started back in 1985 with the revolutionary ZX600-A1 – to a staggering level. And in today’s ultra-competitive 600 supersport market, where technology, racetrack success and streetbike acumen can change dramatically year by year, that’s saying a lot. Don’t believe us? Then ask the many top-level magazines and web sites that picked the current-spec ZX-6R as Best Middleweight. It was an absolutely dominating 600 shootout performance – and one sure to be replicated in 2012 due to the ZX-6R’s track-honed DNA and seamless all-around capability.

2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition Features and Benefits

Same as 2012 Ninja ZX-6R plus:

Bubble screen

Scratch resistant screen designed to reduce wind pressure and to improve aerodynamics.

Seat cover

Enhances the sporting appearance of the bike. All factory standard colours available. Replaces the passenger seat.

Akrapovic exhaust

The dynamic ZX-6R offers a great tuning platform for motorcyclists who desire something special. The sporty and lightweight slip-on system offers great performance and represents the first step in exhaust system tuning.

*Akrapovic: Non Kawasaki branded product, produced and developed by Akrapovic, fully road legal and comes with 2 year warranty.

Key Features

• Lean physique, low mass, forceful power, controllable power delivery and precise overall control
• 599cc inline-four with DFI® is lightweight yet powerful
• Fully adjustable front and rear suspension includes the Showa Big Piston Front fork (BPF), which offers fantastic wheel and chassis control
• Lightweight aluminum chassis places the engine in the ideal location for excellent handling and rider feedback
• Radial-mounted front brake calipers and radial-pump front brake master cylinder offer superb braking power and control
• Race-quality adjustable Öhlins steering damper comes standard
• Slipper-type back torque-limiting clutch offers quick downshifts without chassis agitation
• Named one of Cycle World magazine’s 10 best bikes

Lightweight Engine

• Camshafts are made of chrome-moly steel
• Lightweight magnesium engine covers are standard
• Lightweight top injector mounting plate
• Lightweight transmission gears and gear dogs
• Lightweight oil pump and starter gears
• Inlet pressure pulse monitor does away with cam angle sensor, further contributing to lightness
• Cassette-type transmission makes it easy to quickly swap gear ratios, reducing set-up time at the track

Massive Mid-range Performance

• Double-bore velocity stacks feature inlets at two different heights for increased performance in both the mid
• and high-rpm ranges
• Cam and tappet nitriding enables high-load cam profiles for maximum performance
• Crown-finished pistons
• Molybdenum-coated piston skirts for reduced friction and engine break-in
• Low-tension piston rings reduce mechanical losses
• Advanced cam chain guides stabilize chain motion and further reduce mechanical losses
• Exhaust collector layout contributes to superb low
• and mid-range performance while maintaining high-rpm performance

Precise Throttle Control

• Cylindrical guides in the top of the air cleaner box ensure accurately sprayed fuel mist from the secondary injectors into the intake funnels, improving combustion efficiency
• Long throttle bodies between oval sub-throttles and round main throttles yield a smooth intake transition for reduced inlet turbulence and increased efficiency
• Advanced cylinder porting delivers excellent cylinder filling and scavenging
• High-current secondary coil circuitry for optimum combustion efficiency

Lightweight Chassis

• Twin spar aluminum frame is both lightweight and rigid, and places the engine in the optimum position for superb handling and rider feedback
• The sub-frame is a two-piece aluminum die-casting consisting of a front and rear section
• The lightweight sub-frame is very narrow for a compact and slim rear end
• Intake resonator box and supports for the instrument panel and mirrors are unitized with the ram air duct, contributing to weight savings and increased rigidity

Tuned Chassis Balance and Mass Centralization

• Frame stiffness around the swingarm pivot and the rear engine mounts optimizes front-rear rigidity balance
• Engine is rotated forward around the output shaft for steeper intake angle and excellent CG
• Exhaust layout with a short side muffler keeps the weight low
• Exhaust pre-chamber further contributes to mass centralization

Ergonomics and Chassis Feedback

• Seat-peg-bar relationship places handlebars close to the rider; bars are angled for a highly intuitive and comfortable riding position
• Fuel tank is flared around its top, similar to the ZX™-10R, providing a large contact patch for excellent rider feedback
• Slim-waisted fuel tank makes it easy for the rider to grip the tank with their knees, or to hang off in turns
• Sculpted seat allows the rider to shift their body far back on the rear seat step, helping to reduce rider fatigue
• Steep rake angle for quick steering response and enhanced communication from the front tire
• Rear brake master cylinder reservoir forward of the swingarm mount frees up space around the footpeg for simplicity and weight savings

Low Seat Height

• Narrow rear sub-frame makes it easy to reach the ground
• Front of seat is narrow and low for a slim riding position and a short reach to the pavement

Advanced Suspension

• ZX-6R features Showa’s Big Piston Front fork (BPF) design for fantastic wheel and chassis control
• The BPF eliminates many of the internal components used in a cartridge-type fork, simplifying construction and resulting in lighter overall fork weight
• The large diameter of the BPF’s internal piston allows a reduction in damping pressure for better feedback and smoother action

Brakes

• Radial calipers and 300mm petal-type discs up front offer superb braking power and control
• 220mm rear petal-type disc
• Rear brake lever is mounted coaxially with the footpeg for excellent mid-stroke braking efficiency and optimum feel

Race-quality Steering Damper

• A race-quality adjustable Öhlins steering damper with relief valve and twin-tube design is fitted as standard equipment

Additional Features

• Highly evolved fairing offers great wind protection and minimizes cross-wind effects
• Position lamps are integral to the projector beam headlights
• One-piece fender offers excellent aerodynamics
• Inner fender above the swingarm helps to reduce turbulence and keeps the undertail clean
• Front brake hose routing with a three-way joint at the lower triple clamp facilitates bleeding air from the brake lines
• Instrument panel gives the rider plenty of information at a glance

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2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition - USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $NA USD

NA

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2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition - Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: NA

NA

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2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition - UK/European Specifications/Technical Details
UK/EU MSRP Price: See UK/European Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.

Engine

Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four

Displacement
599 cm³

Bore x stroke
67.0 x 42.5 mm

Compression ratio
13.3:1

Valve/Induction system
DOHC, 16 valves

Fuel system
Fuel injection: ø38 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles, dual injection

Ignition
Digital

Starting
Electric

Lubrication
Forced lubrication, wet sump
Transmission

Transmission
6-speed, return, cassette

Final Drive
Sealed chain

Primary reduction ratio
1.900 (76/40)

Gear ratios: 1st
2.714 (38/14)

Gear ratios: 2nd
2.200 (33/15)

Gear ratios: 3rd
1.850 (37/20)

Gear ratios: 4th
1.600 (32/20)

Gear ratios: 5th
1.421 (27/19)

Gear ratios: 6th
1.300 (26/20)

Final reduction ratio
2.688 (43/16)

Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame

Frame type
Perimeter, pressed-aluminium

Rake/Trail
24? / 103 mm

Wheel travel, front
120 mm

Wheel travel, rear
134 mm

Tyre, front
120/70ZR17M/C (58W)

Tyre, rear
180/55ZR17M/C (73W)

Steering angle, left / right
27? / 27?
Suspension

Suspension, front
41 mm inverted fork with top-out springs
Compression damping: Stepless
Rebound damping: Stepless
Spring preload: Fully adjustable (0-15 mm)

Suspension, rear
Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, top-out spring and pillow ball upper mount
Compression damping: Stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed)
Rebound damping: 25-way
Spring preload:Fully adjustable (5.5-15.5 mm)
Brakes

Brakes, front
Dual semi-floating 300 mm (x t6 mm) petal discs
Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston (aluminium), 4-pad, Nissin

Brakes, rear
Single 220 mm (x t5 mm) petal disc
Single-bore pin-slide, aluminium piston, Tokico
Dimensions

Dimensions (L x W x H)
2,090 mm x 710 mm x 1,115 mm

Wheelbase
1,400 mm

Ground Clearance
120 mm

Seat height
815 mm

Fuel capacity
17 litres

Curb Mass
191 kg
Performance

Maximum power
94.1 kW {128 PS} / 14,000 rpm

Maximum power with RAM Air
98.5 kW {134 PS} / 14,000 rpm

Maximum torque
66.7 N.m {6.8 kgf.m} / 11,800 rpm

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2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance Edition - Australian Specifications/Technical Details
Australia MSRP Price: See Australian Kawasaki Dealer for pricing.