How2Day: The 1990 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 Specifications

The ZX6 was the most powerful 600cc sportsbike of 1990. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The ZX6 is a class of motorcycles first made by Kawasaki in 1990. These bikes are also known by the designation ZX600, and by the "Ninja" moniker. The bike was a sportsbike, with plenty of exterior plastic bodywork, i.e. fairings, for aerodynamics, although the fairings did expose some of the engine. The ZX6 replaced the 600R in 1990 as Kawasaki's supersports model, and the updated model line is now called the ZZR600.

The 1990 ZX6 engine had 598 cubic centimeters of engine displacement, with four inline cylinders and four valves per cylinder. The engine had a double overhead cam design, which meant that both the intake and exhaust valves were directly controlled by a camshaft without the use of pushrods. The bike was four-stroke, with pistons taking four strokes to complete an engine cycle, and was liquid-cooled. The ZX6 engine had a bore and stroke of 2.5 by 1.8 inches and a compression ratio of 11.5:1. The fuel system used four 36-mm Keihin CVKD36 carburetors, and the bike had digital ignition and electric start.

The front suspension of the ZX6 used Showa telescopic forks of 1.6 inches in diameter. The rear suspension used a Showa single shock and was adjustable. The bike's transmission used a chain final drive system to transfer power to the rear wheel. It had six manual gears. The front brakes of the bike were dual discs of 10.6 inches in diameter, and the rear brake was a single disc of 5.1 inches in diameter.

The 1990 ZX-6 weighed 489 pounds loaded and had a low seat at a height of 30.3 inches. The front tire was 120/60 V16 size and the rear tire was 170/60 V16 size. The bike had a top speed of 147 miles per hour and produced a torque of 47 ft-lbs. at 10,000 rpm. The maximum horsepower of 105 hp was produced at 12,500 rpm, making the ZX6 the most powerful of all the 600--cc production bikes of 1990.

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