The new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R->ke1738 is being described as one of the finest super sports bikes in the market today. With the kind of tradition that it has, it's no secret why Kawasaki has high hopes for their latest offering.

Built on the tradition of offering middleweight dominance in the ultra-competitive 600 supersport market, the ZX-6R comes packed with sleek styling, top-notch technology, and a racing tradition that makes it a cut above the rest. Everything about the bike has been constructed with the kind of laborious detail and excellent craftsmanship that Kawasaki->ke299 has come to be known for. It certainly doesn't pull back any punches with this model, and even goes so far as to provide just about everything a rider needs - and wants - in a super sports bike.

As far as complete packages go, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R offers plenty of it for a price that isn't too steep for avid riders everywhere.

Find out more about the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R after the jump.

2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Specifications
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  • Model: 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
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Exterior Design

The lean ZX-6R offers superior handling capabilities, thanks to the painstaking detail Kawasaki went to just so the bike weighs as little as it does. Weight savings was an important part in the design of the bike, including the intake resonator box and supports for the instrument panel and mirrors, all of which were unitized with the enlarged ram air duct to reduce weight and improve the bike's rigidity. The camshafts are also made out of lightweight chrome steel, while magnesium engine covers also shed even more weight for the bike. Even the internal engine parts such as transmission, oil pump, and starter gears are carefully engineered for maximum strength and minimal weight.

In addition to being lightweight, the Ninja ZX-6R also offers precise control response. For starters, the bike's seat and peg is placed close to the handlebars and angled for a highly intuitive riding position. Likewise, the bike's fuel tank cover is flared around its top edge to provide a large contact patch, thus contributing to a highly efficiency rider feedback while a narrow rear sub-frame and seat leading edge were designed to establish a slim, highly flexible riding position for moving around the bike.

The one-piece front fender features a refined fairing, providing excellent aerodynamics and airflow to the radiator. An inner rear fender that has been mounted just above the swingarm was also added to significantly cut down turbulence, keeping the bike's rear from receiving any aerodynamic distractions. The ZX-6R’s instrument panel also provides plenty of at-a-glance information, while a race-spec adjustable twin-tube Öhlins steering damper with relief valve completes the track-ready package.

Performance

Power begets power, and the ZX-6R has a pretty imposing source of it in the form of a 599cc assemblage of everything Kawasaki is known for in all their years in the business. As a brand that specializes on producing powerful output from small packages, the ZX-6R is just the latest in a long line of sportsbikes that carries this tradition.

The engine carries dual-cams, 16 valves, a 13.3:1 compression, and 38mm throttle offers plenty of smooth low-end and mid-range power that makes the bike stand out in terms of versatility. The bike offers top-level throttle response that allows it to unleash its unbridled power anytime the situation calls for it.

But power is just one aspect of the ZX-6R's overall set-up. The bike also offers the little things that make it such a complete package. Unparalleled controllability and precise throttle control allows the bike to adjust to the driver's whims instantaneously, especially in tricky road situations.

Mated to this engine is a cassette-type transmission that simplifies the gearing changes, allowing for effortless downshifts when diving into slower corners from big speed without upsetting the chassis.

Suspension And Brakes

The Ninja ZX-6R offer's top-of-the-line suspension technology with its revolutionary Showa-built BPF (Big Piston Front fork) front suspension. This new wave tool offers a striking technological advancement to the cartridge-type fork used on other 600s. This new suspension features a larger-diameter internal piston that significantly reduces damping pressure, resulting in smoother action and better front end feedback under braking and initial corner turn-ins. Moreover, the BPF front suspension also comes in a simplified structure, making for a lighter and easier to control bike. At the rear, the suspension set-up includes a gas-charged shock with dual-range stepless compression damping, 25-way adjustable rebound damping and fully adjustable spring preload that has been mated to a bottom-link Uni-Trak system.

For braking, Kawasaki opted to give the Ninja ZX-6R its very own triple petal disc brake package with radial-mount calipers up front. These provide tremendous power and excellent feel at the front wheel, allowing for efficient braking and optimum pedal feedback. Similarly, the 220mm rear petal-type disc that comes with a pedal coaxially mounted with the footpeg offers the same level of strength and efficiency as its front-end counterpart, allowing riders the benefit of slowing down their bikes safely and comfortably.

Pricing

Kawasaki is pricing the new Ninja ZX-6R at a pretty affordable sticker of $10,699. It won't cost much to own a pretty slick sports bike that offers plenty of punch too.