2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R First Ride Photo Gallery

The extra mid-range power allows the rider to carry a higher gear through many corners.

A shorter first gear and new clutch design that offers reduced cable tension makes the Ninja a better street bike.

Although it changes gears easily we wish it had the speed of an electronic quickshifter.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

The ZX-6R steers easier and is much more precise than ever before.

Increased piston stroke boosts the engine’s capacity to 636cc.

Both the European and U.S. spec ZX-6Rs are in the same state of engine tune for 2013.

Kawasaki is the first Japanese brand to outfit its middleweight bike with traction control. It also comes with two engine power modes.

The influence of Kawasaki’s aerospace group is obvious in the Ninja’s new styling.

2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

The Ninja still handles great but it lost a small degree of feel and cornering prowess near maximum lean.

Kawasaki’s traction control system continues to evolve positively. The latest system can make the bike friendlier to ride on the street and track.

The new brake/fork combination allowed the rider to trail brake aggressively into turns.

Nissin has developed an alternative to Brembo’s ultra-popular monobloc caliper. The Japanese version performed as advertised.

The new BP-SFF Showa fork separates spring preload and damping adjustment between legs.

Kudos to Kawasaki for stepping outside of conventional engine displacement category with the reintroduction of its 636.