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.
