Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Review & Buying Guide

Throughout the 2000s, supersport bikes’ sales lived or died on their sporting abilities. Once the do-it-alls of the middleweight world, after Honda unleashed the CBR600RR in 2003 (which even lacked a centre stand or any provisions for one!!!), the whole philosophy of the class changed as practicality took a decided back seat to sporting prowess. And Honda were leading the charge on this front, dominating the World Supersport championship with the RR securing an impressive six straight titles from 2003-2008 when Yamaha’s all-new YZF-R6 eventually brought their domination to an end (although the RR won again in 2010...). Against this backdrop, Kawasaki were struggling to get their Ninja ZX-6R noticed. The radical 2003 B1H had caused a stir but its successor, which arrived in 2005, didn’t quite cut the mustard and so a new generation of middleweight Ninja was required. In 2009 it arrived and as well as new look and no underseat exhaust, the Ninja ZX-6R stayed at 599cc (the 2003-2006 bikes were 636cc, only the RR models were 599cc) but gained some much-needed chassis and engine upgrades. Was it enough? Well, the Ninja took the 2012 WSS title and this generation effectively formed the base for the updated 2013 model which went on to become the current Ninja ZX-6R, so you have to say it certainly played an important part in the development and history of the Ninja ZX-6R.

Pros & Cons

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Prices

Remember the days when supersport bikes were good value? In 2009 the Ninja ZX-6R would have set you back £7400, which seems a bargain when you consider the current model has an RRP of £10,599. However as the price of the new bike is quite high, used models tend to hold their value and you need to pay between £4500 and £5999 to get a good used example. There are a few ‘projects’ out there for £3500 but ‘project’ often translates as ‘track bike’ and unless that’s what you are after, they are best avoided. Set yourself a budget of £5000 and you should be able to secure a good example that hasn’t been too badly molested – which is always a bit of an issue with the Ninja...

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Engine & Performance

Ok, here is where it can get a bit confusing! The 2009-2012 Ninja ZX-6R has a 599cc capacity, which is the same as the previous generation but smaller than the two before that, which were 636cc. And in 2013 the Ninja reverted back to 636cc...

Although not an all-new motor, the 2009 Ninja’s inline four was thoroughly revised in an effort to give it more mid-range and a better throttle connection. To be fair to Kawasaki they hit the nail on the head as the Ninja’s new pistons, upgraded throttle bodies, revised cam profiles and more made it the most powerful of the 599cc supersport models with a claimed 126bhp, which equated to around 111bhp at the rear wheel on a dyno. And it is a lovely engine to use.

Happy to be ridden gently, the Ninja’s motor pulls well through its mid-range and you never get the feeling you need to rev the heck out of it to gain proper forward momentum. This trait makes it less demanding than some more rev-happy rivals and that’s always a good thing if you only plan to do the majority of your riding on the road. However don’t think it is at all slow, far from it...

Let the Ninja off its leash and it will merrily scream its way to over 14,000rpm in a flurry of revs like a supersport bike should. And while doing so the growl from the airbox is intoxicating and the wail from the exhaust reminiscent of a WSS racer – which will probably drive all those within earshot wild...

When it comes to buying used, the engine has a reputation for robustness and it is only really if any extras have been added (quickshifter, traction control) you need to be at all wary. Valve-clearance checks are every 15,000 miles (service intervals are 4000 and 7500 miles, most round these up to 4000 intervals) and aside from ensuring the fluids have been changed regularly (oil, coolant, brake fluid) alongside the filters (oil, air and fuel) there is little to worry about. Obviously check for any warning lights on the dash during a test ride and ensure the gearbox is slick and the clutch isn’t slipping but that’s about it.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The big technical highlight of the Ninja was the fact it came with Showa Big Piston Forks (BPF), the first time for a supersport bike. Claimed to offer better damping than ‘conventional’ forks thanks to their, err, big piston design, the BPF were aligned with a new frame featuring revised rigidity, altered geometry and a new centre of gravity. The Ninja’s swingarm was also new and an Öhlins steering damper added.

All of these changes make the 2009 Ninja a delight to ride – both on the road and track. Effortlessly balanced, the Ninja feels wonderfully composed to ride briskly and while its suspension is firm, it deals with undulations and harsh kicks from the road’s surface with precision and not too many unpleasant jolts. It’s the kind of bike you instantly feel assured riding and that means you are happy to push a bit harder when it comes to cornering and braking. And that’s another strong area for the Ninja.

The four-piston radial brakes are more than up to the job and while age might have blunted their initial bite slightly, a new set of pads and some braided lines is generally all that is required to restore them to their former glory. It is always worth looking at the clarity of the bike’s brake fluid when buying used as a clue to the previous owner’s level of care, it’s an area that is often overlooked.

Chassis-wise, aside from the usual suspension linkage checks and ensuring that the shock and forks are functioning well and not leaking in any way, the Ninja is robust. The black finish on the frame and swingarm can rub off if the rider’s boots are pushed against it (many owners fit protective stickers on these areas) and be a bit cautious of any grippy material added to the tank as it often peels the paint off when removed.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Comfort & Economy

Roomier and more comfortable than rivals such as the CBR600RR, Triumph Daytona 675 or Yamaha YZF-R6, the Ninja isn’t quite as relaxed to ride as the Suzuki GSX-R600 but it isn’t bad at all. A double-bubble screen is a welcome addition if you are planning on doing a few miles but overall it is about as relaxed as a supersport bike can ever be. Economy-wise the news isn’t quite as good and owners report low 40mpg figures are common with the reserve light illuminating before 130 miles have been covered. To be fair, that’s also pretty standard for a supersport bike and owners know what they are letting themselves in for.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Equipment

This generation was the last of the ‘analogue’ Ninja ZX-6R models and while the 2013-onwards bikes feature traction control and ABS, the 2009-2012 model lacks all fussy electronics. To be honest, with a claimed 126bhp (genuine 111bhp at the rear wheel) it doesn’t really require them so they aren’t missed. At least you get a gear indicator on this generation’s dash – although not a fuel gauge...

A lot of owners like to modify their Ninjas and that can be a bit of an issue when buying used. Almost every used bike has a race can fitted and some can make the bike horribly loud, so always check if the original exhaust is included in the deal. Track days are now very restricted when it comes to sound, so bear this in mind if you are considering taking it into its natural environment. Crash damage is always a bit of a worry, so check around the exhaust end can. The plastic cover is replaceable, so inspect it to see if it looks suspiciously new or is hiding any scrapes. Under the Ninja’s engine is a fairly big catalytic converter while just before the end can is an exhaust valve, which you need to check is functioning correctly and not seized. Aftermarket pipes often join directly to the downpipes (they are very unrestrictive), removing both the cat and the exhaust valve, but if this is the case, ensure the engine has been set-up to match as that’s quite a lot of restrictions removed and it might be running lean, especially if a free-flowing air filter is also fitted. Crash protection is another common addition, which is good to see but always check around where it is mounted in case it has been poorly fitted or has transmitted an impact through to the frame, and inspect the quality (and legality) of any wiring modifications such as an aftermarket undertray with mini indicators. Technically it is possible to add traction control to the 2009-2012 Ninja ZX-6R through aftermarket fuelling modules but it’s not a great system as the Ninja lacks wheel speed sensors so it is only picking up on a spike in engine revs, so isn’t really recommended. And the same is true of aftermarket quickshifters, which can cause premature wear to the gearbox.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Rivals

In 2009 the supersport market was buzzing and the Ninja had a lot of rivals. Generally, Ninja buyers tend to want to go towards the extreme end of the market, which means the Triumph, Honda and Yamaha...

Yamaha YZF-R6 (2008-2016) | Price: £5000-£9500

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Power/Torque

127bhp / 51lb-ft

Weight

188kg

Honda CBR600RR (2007-2012) | Price: £3000-£6000

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Power/Torque

118bhp / 48lb-ft

Weight

186kg

Triumph Daytona 675 (2009-2011) | Price: £3500-£7000

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Power/Torque

126bhp / 54lb-ft

Weight

162kg

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Verdict

The 2009-2012 Ninja ZX-6R is a charming supersport bike that while still more than happy to be revved hard, is actually also surprisingly easy-going with a decent amount of mid-range, making it feel far less demanding and frantic to ride as some rivals. The look is oddly appealing and on a supersport bike you don’t really miss its lack of modern tech. If you can find a good one for around the £5000 mark, that represents a 50% saving on the new model, which makes a used one extremely tempting. Just watch out for heavily modified bikes, ideally get a fairly standard one and you won’t be disappointed.

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Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (2009-2012) - Technical Specification

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