Engine and underpinnings are largely the same as the earlier model.
02 Jan 2024 | 3170 Views | By Dinshaw Magol, Autocar India
After being showcased at the 2023 iteration of the India Bike Week, the 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R has been launched at Rs 11.09 lakh. At this price, this updated model is pricier by Rs 60,000 compared to the last time it was on sale prior to the BS6 emission norms kicking in.
The 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R is more an evolution than a revolution, with the biggest visual change being the new face. The LED headlights have been redesigned, and the 6R’s face has been brought more in line with the current-gen ZX-10R. Another major departure from the earlier bike’s (old-school but aesthetically pleasing) digi-analogue dash is a new TFT dash, which is the same unit found on most Kawasakis these days.
The ZX-6R now gets four riding modes – Sport, Road, Rain and Rider (customisable) – which each have a preset level of power and traction control, except the Rider mode. Like the earlier model, the 2024 6R gets a quickshifter although the Kawasaki website doesn’t specify whether or not this is a bidirectional unit. Considering that the bike still uses a cable actuated throttle, this unit is likely to be upshift only.
The liquid-cooled, 636cc, inline-four engine is now rated for a maximum of 129hp at 13,000rpm and 69Nm of torque at 11,000rpm, which is a decrease of 1hp and 1.8Nm over the BS4 bike. Weight has also gone up to 198kg, an increase of 2 kilos over its predecessor.
The main frame, subframe, suspension and braking hardware have been carried over largely unchanged. What has changed are the tyres with the 2024 bike running on Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 rubber, replacing the earlier bike’s Bridgestone S22 hoops.
At Rs 11.09 lakh, the Kawasaki ZX-6R’s closest rival in terms of price, capability and performance is the Rs 11.81 lakh Street Triple RS. In Kawasaki’s lineup, the ZX-6R is positioned in between the Z900 (Rs 9.29 lakh) and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX (Rs 12.20 lakh). The bike can be had in two colours – the signature Kawasaki green or a stealthier black and green option.
All prices ex-showroom, India.