Category:
Mid-weight sport-touring motorcycle
Target Audience:
Riders seeking a balance of performance, comfort, and value for commuting and touring
Key Competitors:
Suzuki SV650S, Yamaha FZ6R, Honda CBR500R (later models)
Styling:
Aggressive Ninja sportbike styling with a more upright and comfortable ergonomics
Versatility:
Suitable for daily commuting, sport riding, and light touring
ABS:
Available ABS variant for enhanced braking safety
Value Proposition:
Essential resource for owners and technicians to maintain, diagnose, and repair the motorcycle, saving time and money
Engine:
Engine overhaul, fuel injection, ignition, lubrication, cooling, starting system
Drivetrain:
Clutch, transmission, final drive (chain, sprockets)
Chassis:
Frame, suspension (front forks, rear shock), steering, wheels, tires
Brakes:
Hydraulic system, calipers, master cylinders, ABS unit (if equipped), bleeding procedures
Electrical:
Wiring diagrams, lighting, instrumentation, battery, charging system, starter, ECU diagnostics
Bodywork:
Fairings, body panels, seat, fuel tank, exhaust system
Maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements, chain adjustment, brake pad replacement, fluid checks
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic charts, common fault finding, symptom-based troubleshooting
Repair:
Component removal and installation, rebuild procedures, specific adjustments
Technical Data:
Torque specifications, clearances, electrical resistance values, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)
Depth:
Comprehensive, from basic user maintenance to full engine and chassis rebuilds
Compatibility:
PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat, etc.), viewable on PC, Mac, tablet, smartphone
Clarity:
High-resolution scans, clear text and diagrams, printable
Binding:
N/A (Digital Download)
Paper Type:
N/A (Digital Download)
Engine Type:
Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, parallel-twin
Bore X Stroke:
83.0 x 60.0 mm
Compression Ratio:
11.3:1
Valve Train:
DOHC, 8 valves (4 per cylinder)
Horsepower Est Peak:
Approx. 70-75 hp @ 8000 rpm (varies slightly by market and tune)
Torque Est Peak:
Approx. 47-50 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm (varies slightly by market and tune)
Fuel Delivery:
Fuel Injection (DFI) with dual 38mm throttle bodies
Fuel Type:
Unleaded gasoline, minimum 87 octane (AKI)
Coolant Type:
Kawasaki Coolant 50% or equivalent ethylene glycol based coolant
Oil Type:
SAE 10W-40 API SG or SH with JASO MA
Oil Capacity W Filter Change:
2.7 L (2.8 US qt)
Oil Capacity W O Filter Change:
2.5 L (2.6 US qt)
Oil Capacity Engine Washout:
3.2 L (3.4 US qt)
Type:
Constant mesh, 6-speed sequential
Clutch Type:
Wet, multi-disc, cable operated
Final Drive:
Sealed chain, 15T front sprocket, 46T rear sprocket (typical)
Transmission Oil Type:
Kawasaki Genuine Gear Oil GL-4 (SAE 75W-85) or equivalent
Transmission Oil Capacity:
0.7 L (0.7 US qt)
Length Overall:
Approx. 2,105 mm (82.9 in)
Width Overall:
Approx. 760 mm (29.9 in)
Height Overall:
Approx. 1,165 mm (45.9 in)
Wheelbase:
Approx. 1,410 mm (55.5 in)
Ground Clearance:
Approx. 150 mm (5.9 in)
Seat Height:
Approx. 805 mm (31.7 in)
Dry Weight:
Approx. 172 kg (379.2 lbs)
Curb Weight ABS:
Approx. 177 kg (390.2 lbs)
Fuel Tank Capacity:
15.5 L (4.1 US gal)
ABS Availability:
Available as an optional feature
Braking System Front:
Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs, dual piston calipers
Braking System Rear:
Single 220 mm petal disc, single piston caliper
Lighting:
Dual multi-reflector headlights
Instrument Cluster:
Digital speedometer, analog tachometer, fuel gauge, clock, odometer, trip meters, gear position indicator (on some versions)
ABS:
Bosch Anti-lock Braking System (optional)
Diagnostic Port:
Under-seat diagnostic connector for ECU access
Oil And Filter Change:
Every 6,000 km (3,700 mi) or 6 months
Air Filter Inspection:
Every 6,000 km (3,700 mi)
Spark Plug Replacement:
Every 12,000 km (7,500 mi)
Coolant Change:
Every 24,000 km (15,000 mi) or 2 years
Chain Lubrication And Adjustment:
Every 1,000 km (600 mi) or after riding in rain/wet conditions
Clutch Fluid Type:
DOT 4 (hydraulic clutch system)
Common Wear Items:
Chain and sprockets, brake pads, tires due to relatively aggressive riding profile
Potential Issues:
Stalling at low RPMs (can be related to FI mapping, air filter condition, or throttle body sync), regulator/rectifier failures (common on many Kawasakis of this era, though less prevalent on this model compared to some others)
Required Tools:
Standard metric tool set, torque wrench, multimeter, diagnostic connector (for ECU reading)
Manufacturer:
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine Company
Predecessor:
ER-5 (in some markets)
Lineage:
Part of Kawasaki's successful ER series, building on the ER-6n platform
Production Years Range:
2005-2016 (for the ER-6F/Ninja 650R platform, with significant updates over the years)
Manufacturing Locations:
Japan (primarily), some assembly may occur in other regions