Ahead of the official launch at the AIMExpo show in Las Vegas, US, Kawasaki has released details of the 2019 Kawasaki ZX-6R, its supersports offering that goes up against the Yamaha YZF-R6. More of a model update than an entirely new machine, the 2019 ZX-6R does bring a number of improvements to the table.

The mill on the ZX-6R is a liquid-cooled, 636 cc four-cylinder that produces 130 PS at 13,000 rpm, 136 PS when Ram Air kicks in. Torque is rated at 70.8 Nm at 11,000 rpm with fuelling done with 38 mm diameter individual throttle bodies and oval sub-throttles.


A new feature on the ZX-6R is Kawasaki’s Assist and Slipper clutch, which reduces hand effort at the clutch lever and rear wheel hop during hard downshifting. Also new is the upshift-only quickshifter on the six-speed gearbox, with gear ratios adjusted for better response lower down the rev-range.

On the suspension side of things, 41 mm diameter Showa Separate Function Fork – Big Piston (SFF-BP) fully-adjustable upside-down forks are fitted, combined with a fully-adjustable monoshock mated to Kawasaki-s bottom link Uni Trak rear suspension. Braking uses twin Nissin four-piston monoblock callipers in front, clamping 310 mm diameter semi-floating discs, with ABS.


With the ZX-6R’s DOHC, 16-valve engine now Euro 4 compliant, Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) has been added into the mix, giving three ride modes. Lighting uses LED elements throughout and inside the cockpit is a combination analogue/LCD display.

The 2019 Kawasaki ZX-6R ties everything together with a twin-spar cast aluminium frame and fuel is carried in a 17-litre tank. Seat height is set at 830 mm and curb weight for the ZX-6R is claimed to be 196 kg.


According to the Kawasaki US website, the 2019 Kawasaki ZX-6R is set to retail at 10,999 USD for the ABS-equipped version. From specifications posted on the Kawasaki Europe website, there are two colour choices for the ZX-6R – Lime Green/Ebony/Metallic Graphite Gray and Metallic Flat Spark Black/Ebony.