Report: 2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R to Return to 636cc Displacement

Kawasaki is reportedly set to unveil an updated Ninja ZX-6R for he 2013 model year with a return to a 636cc engine displacement.

According to Motorcycle News, the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R will receive a styling refresh to resemble the ZX-10R while bringing back the larger 636cc engine displacement used from 2002 to 2006 (the 2003 ZX-6R is pictured above).

The British publication has gotten a hold of spy photos of the new ZX-6R being filmed for a Kawasaki promotional video on the Isle of Man. The photographs published online are grainy and shot from a distance, but the print edition shows a more detailed image revealing the new fairings, longer headlights and the larger displacement.

The immediate question is whether Kawasaki will produce a 600cc (or 599cc like the current ZX-6R) version for supersport racing homologation. From 2003 to 2006, Kawasaki produced two versions, the 636cc ZX-6R which was the primary production model, and a limited production 599cc ZX-6RR. The extra 37cc provided a bit more horsepower and torque while the RR had more track-oriented gearing, a steering damper and revised suspension.

[Source: Motorcycle News]

By Dennis Chung