Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a versatile riding machine for city roads and racetracks. But the Ninja ZX-6R is a track-focused motorbike that boasts higher power figures. From cylinder configurations to tire sizes, these machines have several notable differences.
So, which one is the best between Kawasaki Ninja 650 vs ZX-6R? Though the engine displacement of the ZX-6R is lower than the Ninja 650, it has more power and torque than its competitor. So, it is better for racing purposes. But if you frequently do city rides, Ninja 650 is better in terms of comfort and control.
Let’s see these two sports bikes in a head-to-head comparison and figure out which one you should choose.
Kawasaki Ninja 650 vs. ZX-6R: Quick Comparison
The following chart will show you the key differences between these two models from Kawasaki.
| Specifications | Ninja 650 | Ninja ZX-6R |
| Displacement | 649 cc | 636 cc |
| Max Power | 67.3 bhp @ 8,000 rpm | 128.2 bhp @ 13,500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 64 Nm @ 6,700 rpm | 70.8 Nm @ 11,000 rpm |
| Number of Cylinders | 2 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.8:1 | 12.9:1 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Front Suspension | 41 mm telescopic fork | 41 mm inverted fork |
| Rear Suspension | Horizontal back-link | Bottom-link uni trak |
| Front Tire Size | 120/70 | 120/70 |
| Rear Tire Size | 160/60 | 180/55 |
| Front Brake Size | 300 mm disc | 310 mm disc |
| Rear Brake Size | 220 mm disc | 220 mm disc |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15 liters | 17 liters |
| Curb Weight | 196 Kg | 196 Kg |
| Ground Clearance | 130 mm | 130 mm |
| Seat Height | 790 mm | 830 mm |
Detailed Comparison Between Kawasaki ZX-6R vs. Ninja 650
I will break the key aspects of these motorbikes down to help you choose the best. Keep reading.
● Engine Power & Performance
Both bikes fall into the 600cc class, but they don’t have the same displacement. Ninja 650 has a slightly higher displacement at 649cc. But the ZX-6R has a displacement of 636cc. These figures can be misleading, and let me tell you why.
Ninja 650 can produce a maximum power of 67.3 bhp, which is much lower than the ZX-6R. This is because the ZX-6R is tuned to extract as much power from the engine. It will produce a maximum of 128.2 bhp at 13,500 rpm. As a result, the top speed of the ZX-6R is 260 km/h.
On the other hand, the Ninja 650 has a top speed of 210 km/h. The compression ratio on ZX-6R is also higher than on the Ninja 650. As a result, the engine of ZX-6R is more efficient than its competitor. And if I talk about the torque figures, the ZX-6R is slightly better.
It has a maximum torque of 70.8 Nm, but the Ninja 650 has only 64 Nm. So, if these two bikes go head-to-head, the ZX-6R is definitely going to win. However, there can be some exceptions depending on the driving conditions, riders, etc.
But ZX-6R is a better-performing bike on a final note. It unleashes that thrilling acceleration whenever you want. Ninja 650 is also quick, but not as much to compete with the ZX-6R.
Ninja 650 takes about 3.92 seconds to reach from no to a hundred, but the ZX-6R does the same in about 3.47 seconds.
Here is a video of the acceleration test on Ninja 650. Check it out.
● Brakes, Wheels & Suspension
Riding a bike isn’t just about revving it to the highest position. Instead, it needs to have powerful controls to handle the bike. And the ride should be comfortable, no matter whether the bike wins the race or not.
As you may have already seen, the difference between the brakes on these two bikes isn’t very protruding. Ninja 650 has got dual-channel ABS, and so does the ZX-6R. It means you get an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) on both the front and rear wheels of these bikes.
ABS makes braking much safer, especially when you are riding on wet, muddy, or rocky terrains. Ninja 650 has a 300mm petal disc on the front and a 220mm disc on the rear. ZX-6R has the same disc on the rear, but the front disc of this bike is 10mm larger.
So, you can expect a slightly better braking performance from this bike. But I didn’t find any notable difference between their braking power. Both bikes have a similar braking distance and performance. You could feel the bite very well.
Both bikes have the same tire size in the front. They have 120/70 tubeless tires on the front. Ninja 650 has 160/60 tires in the rear, but ZX-6R has larger 180/55 tires. So, the ZX-6R has better stability than the Ninja 650.
Accordingly, suspensions on these bikes are slightly different. Though both bikes have 41 mm suspensions on the front, the ZX-6R has inverted forks. But the Ninja 650 has regular forks. On the rear, the Ninja 650 has a horizontal back-link suspension.
But the ZX-6R has bottom-link Uni Trak suspension, which seems to be a bit stiffer. And that is completely normal for a track-focused bike. The Ninja 650 suspension felt more comfortable to me, with its long-enough travel.
● Dimensions & Chassis
Though dimensions don’t matter much when riding the bike on a racetrack, it matters a lot on the road. Especially if you are driving on city roads, the bike should be easily maneuverable. The overall length of the Ninja 650 is 2,115 mm, but the ZX-6R is 90 mm shorter.
And when we consider the wheelbase, ZX-6R is 10 mm shorter than the Ninja 650. As a result, the ZX-6R has a smaller turning radius than the Ninja 650. Though the bike is track-focused, it will be easier to handle in the city crowd.
The seat height on Ninja 650 is 790 mm, but it gets 830 mm on the ZX-6R. As a result, it will be difficult for shorter riders to handle the bike. Both bikes have the same curb weight. Though these bikes may look a bit bulky, they are not that difficult to control.
Overall, both bikes have the same ground clearance of 130 mm. So, if you ever think of taking them off-road, these bikes might handle slightly rough terrains without any problems.
● Safety
Bikes with larger engines need a lot of safety measures to harness the power. As Ninja 650 is meant to be used on paved roads, it doesn’t have a traction control system.
But the ZX-6R has a traction control system, allowing you to increase or decrease traction depending on the road conditions.
You also have different power modes in the ZX-6R. Selecting these power modes will give you the necessary performance for the terrain. This bike also has a quick shifter, which makes shifting gears easier and safer. When you are throttling up the bike on racetracks, fractions of seconds are crucial.
The bike has twin LED headlights, which are more powerful than the single LED headlight on Ninja 650. As a result, this will be safer to drive in the dark.
Besides, it has a digital speedometer, odometer, trip meter, fuel gauge, etc., to give you all the necessary metrics. Ninja 650 also has these meters in digital.
Another safety feature important for the pillion is the grab rail. Ninja 650 has grab rails to make the ride safer for pillions. But the ZX-6R has no grab rails.
● Notable Features
A unique feature of the ZX-6R is the adjustable windshield. You can adjust it depending on your course so that the wind blast doesn’t affect you while riding. The aerodynamics also get improved.
Ninja 650 has a color TFT display, which looks so cool. Though it’s not as good as you see on KTM or Ducati bikes, the display provides all the necessary information.
The ZX-6R comes with body graphics, but you won’t find this in the Ninja 650. It comes in a solid color.
Comparison Overview
I want to give a disclaimer before announcing the winner. As these two bikes might have slightly different customer bases, the performance will be judged accordingly. And the final verdict goes down to one’s personal preference.
If you are buying a bike for sheer performance, the ZX-6R is undoubtedly the winner. But if you want a versatile bike that has standard performance figures with good handling and braking, the Ninja 650 is the one for you.
You can ride it with better confidence due to its lower stance, powerful brakes, and smooth power delivery.
Overall, you should consider your needs first and then determine which fits your requirements better.
Final Verdict
You might already know which bike to choose, but here are a few reminders. Ninja ZX-6R has a more powerful engine to accelerate faster and achieve a higher top speed. The thicker tires on the rear will keep you stable enough.
But the Ninja 650 has a smoother power delivery throughout the range, which is more suitable for new riders. Though ZX-6R has a smaller turning radius, Ninja 650 is easier to handle due to its lower overall height and seat height. So, I would suggest you buy Ninja 650 unless you are buying a bike for racing.