2024 autoX Award: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance, Quality

2024 autoX Awards: If anyone tells you that the fastest and most practical “big” bikes in India have to be bikes in the 600cc-700cc middleweight category or above, feel free to correct them. In any category, a well-made middleweight can outperform anything else in terms of agility, usable power, and, of course, price. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R has always piqued my interest in this area. It’s light, easy to ride, sounds great, and is very manageable. However, I have never ridden it in its natural habitat – a track. So I’m very excited to get behind the wheel of the latest 2024 model at the Buddh International Circuit, with its long straights, flowing corners and technical hairpins. This seems to be the perfect stage for the ZX-6R to compete for top honors at the 2024 autoX Awards.

The Ninja ZX-6R is powered by a 636cc inline four-cylinder engine that produces 128bhp and 69Nm of torque. The outstanding feature of its performance is its controllability in various scenarios, with the speed reaching an astonishing 13,000rpm. No matter what rev range you’re in or what gear you’re in, there’s always plenty of power and torque available. Even cruising at 20km/h in fourth gear, twisting the throttle delivers a quick, progressive burst of acceleration that leaves you with an exciting tingle in your stomach as the speed picks up. It’s fast and dramatic, but what really impressed the jury was its approachable ride.

Manav was even ready to fight me for the keys and to be honest, I was tempted too. Don’t worry, we solved it peacefully. In addition to the Stellar engine, what impressed the jury even more was its simplicity of operation.

The new ZX-6R is equipped with a Showa independent function large piston fork at the front and a Showa monotube shock absorber at the rear. Combined with the bike’s 198kg curb weight, this setup enables it to corner incredibly quickly, with impressive sharpness and predictability. I admit that the front end of our setup is stiffer than I like, but that’s rider preference for setting lap times. Now, it may not be the lightest in its class, but it does have a well-balanced chassis. Once you get into a rhythm, you really feel connected to the motorcycle. A point-and-shoot camera, that’s exactly how I would describe its dynamic capabilities. However, what impressed us was not just the ZX-6R’s track prowess, but also its comfort during daily riding.

Also read: Kawasaki KLX 230 review: More powerful than Hero Xpulse 200 and RE Himalayan 450?

While most members of the motorcycle jury agree that the ZX-6R’s biggest drawback is its practicality, I beg to differ. The bike I always choose to zip around the track “as fast as I can” during filming is the ZX-6R. Yes, I may have been a little greedy and a little too much, but that’s how friendly the ride is. For me, this versatility is the deal-breaker, and for that, the bike wins my vote. Now, I’ve always dreamed of having one in my garage.