Sportbikes
2006Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
35 fields on record
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R is a high-performance sport bike designed for experienced riders seeking extreme speed and power. Its 1198cc inline-four engine and aggressive styling made it one of the fastest production motorcycles of its era. Best known for its top-speed capability and track-focused handling, it appeals to riders who demand maximum performance and precision engineering.
- Capacity
- 1198.0 ccm
- Engine
- In-line four
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 210.0 kg
- Seat height
- 820 mm
- Power
- 215.0 HP (158.1 kW)
What’s new for the 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R
vs the 2005| Spec | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 178.0 HP (131.3 kW) @ 10500 RPM | 215.0 HP (158.1 kW) |
| Front suspension | 43mm inverted hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload | 43 mm inverted hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload. |
| Rear suspension | UNI-TRAK® system with single shock, adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable ride height, and adjustable preload | UNI-TRAK® system with single shock, adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable ride height, and adjustable preload . |
| Front brakes | Double disc. Hydralic. | Double disc |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Hydraulic. | Single disc |
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built primarily as a high-speed sport and hypersport machine for open roads and track days rather than commuting or exploring.
- Built for
- A brutally fast, big-bore in-line four with a stiff aluminum monocoque frame and premium adjustable suspension, delivering top-tier straight-line performance and confident high-speed stability.
- Not ideal for
- Not a good fit for new riders, those wanting an upright relaxed commuter, or anyone seeking off-road capability or long-distance touring comfort.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →83
out of 100Excellent
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 88.3% of the time, 7.2 points above expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 83% of models.
All years of this model: 73 / 100 (good) from 33,923 tests.
88.3%Passed first time
5.7%Failed outright
6.0%Fixed during test
16,000Typical miles
546Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Score by year first registered
64
71
75
77
77
84
83
2000200120022003200420052006
Against its rivals · ranks 5 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW K 1200 S | 97 Excellent | 628 |
| 2 | BMW R 1200 S | 91 Excellent | 1,740 |
| 3 | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 | 86 Excellent | 148 |
| 4 | Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa | 76 Good | 12,111 |
| 5 | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R | 73 Good | 33,923 |
| 6 | Buell Firebolt XB12R | 60 Good | 3,073 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 1198.0 ccm
- Power
- 215.0 HP (158.1 kW)
- Engine type
- In-line four
- Power/weight ratio
- 1.0238 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 83.0 x 55.4 mm
- Compression
- 12.2:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Injection
- Starting
- Electric
- Ignition
- Digital
- Valves per cylinder
- 4
- Torque
- Not on record - add it
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1450 mm
- Overall length
- 2085 mm
- Overall width
- 739 mm
- Overall height
- 1199 mm
- Seat height
- 820 mm
- Dry weight
- 210.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 18.90 litres
- Ground clearance
- 119 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Frame
- Aluminum monocoque
- Front suspension
- 43 mm inverted hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload.
- Rear suspension
- UNI-TRAK® system with single shock, adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable ride height, and adjustable preload .
- Front wheel travel
- 43 mm
- Rear wheel travel
- 140 mm
- Rake (fork angle)
- 23.5°
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Double disc
- Front brakes diameter
- 320 mm
- Rear brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes diameter
- 230 mm
- Front tyre
- 120/70-17
- Rear tyre
- 200/50-17
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1198 cc | 1199 cc | 1198 cc |
| Dry weight | — | 210 kg | 210 kg |
| Seat height | 818 mm | 820 mm | 820 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 18.9 L | 18.9 L | 18.9 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | 77 Good | 84 Excellent | 83 Excellent |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R?
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R has a Capacity of 1198.0 ccm (73.11 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R have?
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R has a Power of 215.0 HP (158.1 kW).
How many gears does the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R have?
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
How much does the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R weigh?
The 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R has a Dry weight of 210.0 kg (463.0 pounds).
Shop this bike
Affiliate linksWe may earn a commission from qualifying eBay or Amazon purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Please log in or register if you'd like to leave a comment.
Own one? Add it to My Garage and write an owner review with an Owner badge.