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2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R Overview
Kawasaki ZX-6R is a sport motorcycle, displacing 599 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 13.3:1. On the performance side, it delivers 94.1 kW @ 14000 rpm of peak power and 66.7 Nm @ 11800 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 257.8 km/h. On the road, the 2012 ZX-6R tips the scales at 191 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 815 mm and spans a 1400 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 11.7 kg lighter than the average sport motorcycle in our database. The full 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2012 ZX-6R - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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Strong power output: With 94.1 kW @ 14000 rpm and 66.7 Nm @ 11800 rpm of torque on tap, the ZX-6R is no slouch for its class.
Considerations
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Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
ZX-6R's Liquid cooled, setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The ZX-6R's suspension runs 41 mm inverted Showa Big Piston Front fork with top-out springs, stepless compression and rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload, at the front. The rear uses Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® with gas-charged shock, top-out spring and pillow ball upper mount, dual-range. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The ZX-6R uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Aluminium perimeter, the ZX-6R's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
ZX-6R - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy ZX-6R should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a ZX-6R's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the ZX-6R needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R have?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R uses a Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 599 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled,.
What is the top speed of the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R has a factory-quoted top speed of 257.8 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R weigh?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R weighs 191 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R make?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R produces 94.1 kW @ 14000 rpm of power and 66.7 Nm @ 11800 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.
Is the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R suitable for shorter riders?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R has a seat height of 815 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R have?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R uses 2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers at the front and Single 220mm disc, 1 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R use?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R runs 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R have?
The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Kawasaki ZX-6R Spec Evolution
The Kawasaki ZX-6R was produced across 5 model years (2007-2012). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2007 |
2008 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
| Max Power |
91.9 kW /125 hp @ 14000 rpm |
91.9 kW /125 hp @ 14000 rpm |
94.1 kW / 128 hp @ 14000 rpm |
94.1 kW / 128 hp @ 14000 rpm |
94.1 kW / 128 hp @ 14000 rpm |
| Wet Weight |
190 kg / 418 lbs |
190 kg / 418 lbs |
191 kg / 421 lbs |
191 kg / 421 lbs |
191 kg / 421 lbs |
| Top Speed |
252.1 km/h / 156.4 mph |
252.1 km/h / 156.4 mph |
257.8 km/h / 160.2 mph |
257.8 km/h / 160.2 mph |
257.8 km/h / 160.2 mph |
| Frame Type |
Perimeter, pressed-aluminium |
Perimeter, pressed-aluminium |
Aluminum perimeter |
Aluminium perimeter |
Aluminium perimeter |
| Wheelbase |
1405 mm / 55.3 in. |
1405 mm / 55.3 in. |
1400 mm / 5.1 in |
1400 mm / 5.1 in |
1400 mm / 5.1 in |
| Brakes - Front |
2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers |
2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers |
2x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers |
2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers |
2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single 210mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Single 210mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Single 220mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Single 220mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
Single 220mm disc, 1 piston caliper |
| Suspension - Front |
41 mm inverted cartridge fork with top-out springs, stepless rebound damping, stepless compression damping, fully-adjustable spring preload |
41 mm inverted cartridge fork with top-out springs, stepless rebound damping, stepless compression damping, fully-adjustable spring preload |
41 mm inverted Showa Big Piston Front fork with top-out springs, stepless compression and rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload, |
41 mm inverted Showa Big Piston Front fork with top-out springs, stepless compression and rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload, |
41 mm inverted Showa Big Piston Front fork with top-out springs, stepless compression and rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload, |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Power
94.1 kW / 128 hp @ 14000 rpm
Torque
66.7 Nm / 6.8 kgf-m / 49.2 lb-ft @ 11800 rpm
Top Speed
257.8 km/h / 160.2 mph
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal
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Full 2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R Specifications
Year
2012
Make Model
Kawasaki ZX-6R
Seat Height
815 mm / 32.3 in.
Wheelbase
1400 mm / 5.1 in
Ground Clearance
120 mm / 4.72 in
Height
1115 mm /43.9 in
Length
2090 mm / 2.3 in
Width
705 mm / 28.0 in
Fuel Capacity
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal
Wet Weight
191 kg / 421 lbs
Displacement
599 cc / 36.6 cub in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
67 x 42.5mm
Compression Ratio
13.3:1
Cooling System
Liquid cooled,
Fuel Consumption
5.3 L/100 km / 18.9 km/l 44.5 US mpg
Fuel Induction
DFIØ with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles, two injectors per throttle body
Ignition
TCBI with digital advance
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Final Drive
Sealed Chain
Gear Ratios
1st 2.714 (38/14) / 2nd 2.200 (33/15) / 3rd 1.850 (37/20) / 4th 1.600 (32/20) / 5th 1.421 (27/19) / 6th 1.300 (26/20) Final reduction ratio 2.688 (43/16)
Primary Drive Ratios
1.900 (76/40)
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Aluminium perimeter
Suspension - Front
41 mm inverted Showa Big Piston Front fork with top-out springs, stepless compression and rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload,
Suspension - Rear
Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® with gas-charged shock, top-out spring and pillow ball upper mount, dual-range (high/low-speed) stepless compression damping, 25-way adjustable rebound damping, fully-adjustable spring preload
Rake
24°
Trail
102 mm / 4.0 in.
Wheel Travel - Front
120 mm / 4.7 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
134 mm / 5.2 in.
Brakes - Front
2 x 300mm discs, 4 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 220mm disc, 1 piston caliper
Tyres - Front
120/70 ZR17
Tyres - Rear
180/55 ZR17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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