The 2024 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is the last model standing in the traditional middleweight supersport category. Its 2024 updates recognize that most owners ride on the street, with engine tweaks, a TFT display, and new bodywork.
Its 636cc inline-4 has 36cc more than a classic 600, giving it stronger low-end and midrange pull. For 2024, new intake funnels, camshaft profiles with lower lift and shorter duration, a redesigned header, and a relocated O2 sensor arrive with a revised fuel map that promotes low-to-midrange punch. Some top-end power is lost, with output trailing off above 12,500 rpm.
The 6-speed transmission is unchanged, with an assist-and-slipper clutch and an up-only quickshifter. The cable throttle can’t accept an autoblipper for clutchless downshifts.
Kawasaki’s 4.3-inch TFT display adds Bluetooth connectivity to the Rideology The App for ride logs, vehicle information, and notifications. Sport, Road, and Rain modes set traction control (three levels) and power (full or low), and a customizable Rider mode allows traction control to be turned off. There is no IMU, so cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control aren’t available.
A short 55.1-inch wheelbase and steep 24.5-degree rake make the ZX-6R agile, yet it stays planted when pushed into a corner. A fully adjustable 41mm Showa Big Piston Separate Function fork and fully adjustable Showa shock handle suspension, and Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires replace Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22s. Clip-ons, rearsets, and a tight cockpit set an aggressive riding position.
Round 310mm front discs replace the petal-style rotors, gripped by radially mounted 4-piston Nissin monobloc calipers. ABS, using a Bosch 9.3MP unit, is a $1000 option.
New front and side fairings carry vertical winglet-style inlets and chin spoilers inspired by the ZX-10R, and the windscreen has cutouts intended to reduce buffeting. The low beams and turn signals are LED.
The 2024 Ninja ZX-6R is $11,299, or $12,299 with ABS. Colors are Metallic Flat Spark Black / Ebony, Pearl Robotic White / Metallic Graphite Gray, and the KRT Edition’s Lime Green / Ebony, which costs nothing extra.
Benda motorcycles are beginning to make a ripple on US shores with four intriguing and competitive models, courtesy of its partnership with Keeway Group. We were impressed with the Napoleonbob 500 and have now gotten our gloves on the persuasive, entry-level 2026 Benda Chinchilla 300, with its modest MSRP of $4999. It would be difficult to design a more welcoming entry-level cruiser than this easy-handling, visually appealing boulevard bobber. Editor Don Williams and Associate Editor Kelly Callan discuss the Benda Chinchilla 300 and how it actually rode for them.
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Our guest this episode is Jesse Merriman, Chief Technician for Jeremy McWilliams at the Arch Motorcycle racing project. Arch Racing was founded by Gard Hollinger and Keanu Reevs to compete in the Moto America Super Hooligan race series. Teejay Adams chats with Jesse about the Arch motorcycle and the challenges of extracting the absolute most from an air-cooled V-Twin racing engine and custom chassis.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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