Sportbikes

2016Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance

38 fields on record

The 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance is a supersport bike with extra accessories as standard. Its liquid-cooled 636cc inline four makes 131 hp and 71 Nm through a six-speed gearbox and chain. An 830 mm seat, 192 kg wet weight and 17-litre tank suit fast road and track riding.

Capacity: 636.0 ccm
Engine: In-line four, four-stroke
Gearbox: 6-speed
Wet weight: 192.0 kg
Seat height: 830 mm
Power: 131.0 HP (96.4 kW)

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How it rides

Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested

Off-road & trail5%

Cornering95%

City riding45%

Daily riding40%

Touring30%

Two-up25%

Track95%

Best for: Built primarily for track days and aggressive cornering, with road use as a secondary, less comfortable compromise.
Built for: A precise, revvy middleweight supersport that thrives on corner speed, sharp inputs, and a howling inline-four soundtrack near redline.
Not ideal for: This is not the right bike for riders wanting a relaxed commute, long-distance touring comfort, or any kind of off-road capability.

Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.

Will it fit you?

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Your height

Inseam (optional)

Units

At 830mm, a rider of 68.9" with a 31" (estimated) inseam will reach the ground with balls of both feet on the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Performance, with a cramped knee angle of around 75 degrees and a forward-leaning riding position.

Assumes about 30mm of suspension sag once seated. This is an approximation from category-typical geometry, not a measurement of this bike or of you - sit on one before you buy.

More bikes at 821-900 mm — Long Legs →

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Full specifications

Engine

Capacity: 636.0 ccm
Power: 131.0 HP (96.4 kW)
Torque: 71.0 Nm (7.2 kgf-m) @ 11500 RPM
Engine type: In-line four, four-stroke
Power/weight ratio: 0.6823 HP/kg (wet)
Bore x stroke: 67.0 x 45.1 mm
Compression: 12.9:1
Cooling system: Liquid
Fuel system: Injection
Starting: Electric
Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
Valves per cylinder: 4
Lubrication system: Forced lubrication, wet sump

Transmission

Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type: Manual
Final drive: Chain

Dimensions & weight

Wheelbase: 1395 mm
Overall length: 2090 mm
Overall width: 711 mm
Overall height: 1115 mm
Seat height: 830 mm
Wet weight: 192.0 kg
Fuel capacity: 17.00 litres
Ground clearance: 130 mm
Dry weight: Not on record - add it

Chassis & suspension

Frame: Perimeter, pressed-aluminium
Front suspension: 41 mm inverted fork with top-out springs Compression damping: Stepless Rebound damping: Stepless Spring preload: Fully adjustable (0-15 mm)
Rear suspension: Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, top-out spring and pillow ball upper mount Compression damping: Stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) Rebound damping: 25-way Spring preload:Fully adjustable (5.5-15.5 mm)
Rake (fork angle): 24.0°
Trail: 103 mm

Brakes & wheels

Front brakes: Double disc
Front brakes diameter: 300 mm
Rear brakes: Single disc
Rear brakes diameter: 220 mm
Front tyre: 120/70-ZR17
Rear tyre: 180/55-ZR17

Other

Color options: Lime Green/ Metallic Spark Black, Passion Red/ Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Spark Black/Flat Ebony
Warranty: 12

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	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2026
Capacity	599 cc	636 cc	636 cc	636 cc	636 cc	636 cc
Dry weight	—	—	—	—	—	179 kg
Seat height	815 mm	830 mm	830 mm	830 mm	830 mm	831 mm
Fuel capacity	17 L	17 L	17 L	17 L	17 L	17 L