5 Reasons We'd Buy The Yamaha R9 Over The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (And 5 Reasons We Won't)

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The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R and the Yamaha YZF-R9 represent two distinct interpretations of the supersport segment. The ZX-6R is a classic, no-nonsense 600 inline-four that sticks to the purist vision of what a supersport should be — raw, single-minded, and aggressive. It’s one of the last of its kind, a dying breed in a class that’s evolving fast. In contrast, the R9 represents the evolution of the category, offering a more practical, do-it-all approach without losing its track-worthiness.

With such contrasting approaches, each motorcycle brings something the other doesn't, making the choice more personal than technical. Do you want the single-minded, screaming supersport thrill of the ZX-6R or the everyday usability of a modern supersport with the R9? To help you decide, let’s look at where the R9 flies past the ZX-6R (and where it loses out).

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Yamaha, Kawasaki, and authoritative sources.

The new Yamaha R9 costs about the same as the R6 did but promises a lot more everywhere

The flagship YZF-R1 features the best Yamaha has to offer on this side of the race fence, and, fortunately, the R9 borrows a lot from it. It brings six-axis IMU-based rider aids, including everything that will keep the rubber side down. The comprehensive rider aids also help you fine-tune your bike’s manners, including power delivery, engine braking, and slide control.

On the other hand, the Kawasaki ZX-6R, being the last of a dying breed, doesn’t feature much. Yes, it comes with the Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC), power modes, and a quickshifter. But that’s about it. It ain’t much, and everything else comes down to your skill set.

Electronics aren’t always everything, especially if you’re looking for a focused track-weapon with not many distractions. That’s where the ZX-6R wins you over since it’s one of the last 600 inline-four supersports. Yes, it demands precision and won’t easily forgive rider mistakes, but that’s part of its charm. The R9, as tech-savvy as it may be, will never come close to the bare bones, screamer experience of the Ninja.

The Yamaha R9 brings a top-tier Brembo brake package, including Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers, a radial master cylinder, and stainless steel brake lines. The highlight here is the Stylema calipers, known for their sharp bite and exceptional feedback for tire-shredding stopping power. These calipers are also significantly lighter than conventional ones, reducing unsprung mass and (marginally) improving handling.

In contrast, the ZX-6R uses Nissin radial-mounted monobloc calipers with a radial master cylinder. While these are still excellent brakes with ample stopping power, they aren’t as advanced as the Stylemas. The bigger concern here is the pricing: the base ZX-6R lacks ABS, and the ABS variant is only a hundred dollars cheaper than the R9, which comes with a superior braking system.

Details

Yamaha R9

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Chassis Type

Advanced Gravity-Cast Deltabox Frame, Aluminum

Aluminum perimeter

Front Suspension

43 mm KYB USD with preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustable, 4.7 in

41 mm Showa SFF-BP with rebound and compression damping adjustable, 4.7 in

Rear Suspension

KYB single shock with adjustable preload, compression, and rebound damping, 4.6 in

Bottom-link Uni-Trak shock with stepless compression and rebound damping adjustable, 5.9 in

Front Brakes

Dual 320 mm discs with dual radial-mounted Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers

Dual semi-floating 310 mm discs with dual radial-mounted Nissin monobloc calipers

Rear Brakes

Single 220 mm disc with single-piston caliper

Single 220 mm petal disc with single-piston caliper

Curb Weight

430 pounds

436.6 pounds (ABS)

Seat Height

32.7 in

32.7 in

Keeping things tight, this list begins from under $5,500 and goes all the way to just $11,750

With the ZX-6R, you get to enjoy the wicked supersport performance with striking color options and liveries. The base ZX-6R comes with matte gray and matte white, while the KRT Edition brings Kawasaki’s iconic green livery with bold yellow and white streaks. Our favorite is the 40th Anniversary Edition, featuring a retro-inspired livery that’s absolutely stunning.

In contrast, the Yamaha R9 offers more subdued, minimalistic color options. You get to choose between Yamaha blue, matte black, and white/red options. While these colors give the R9 a sharp look, they lack the visual impact that the ZX-6R offers, especially in the higher variants.

The Yamaha R9 is a versatile sports bike, and that’s thanks to its CP3 inline-triple engine, borrowed from the MT-09. Despite its different state of tune and gear ratios, the inline-triple formula by design offers usable power for the road. Yamaha says it produces a searing top end without losing out on low-end torque, making it suitable for both the track and the streets. And of course, there’s the cross-plane soundtrack that’s music to the ears!

The CP3 engine is perkier on the R9, but it’s nowhere close to a high-revving inline-four engine on the ZX-6R. Granted, the Ninja has lost some of its top-end perkiness due to Euro5 norms, so don’t expect the 15,000 RPM drama that its predecessors were known for. Still, the engine is aggressive and addictive when revved out, which is perfect for an exhilarating track day. Plus, it's more powerful than the R9. The only thing missing is the low-end grunt, which can make the bike feel boring at a sedate pace. Nothing a sprocket change won't fix, though.

Details

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Yamaha R9

Engine Type

Inline-four, liquid-cooled, DOHC

CP3 inline-triple, liquid-cooled, DOHC

Displacement

636cc

890cc

Compression Ratio

12.9:1

11.5:1

Torque Output

52.1 LB-FT @ 10,800 RPM

68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM

Top Speed

144 MPH

TBA

You need at least $11,550 to enjoy a European sports bike with at least 100 horsepower in 2024

The Yamaha R9 pairs its tractable nature with relatively comfortable ergonomics. Yamaha claims the R9’s riding position sits between the aggressive R6 and the more relaxed R7. It’s sporty enough to help you tune in with the motorcycle on the track while being roomy enough for everyday riding. Don’t worry, the riding triangle is still track-focused, only more comfortable than the average supersport.

The Ninja ZX-6R’s riding position is nowhere close to the R9’s. Its low-set clip-ons and rear, high-set pegs create a committed riding triangle, which can be particularly cramped for taller riders. However, this aggressive posture works in your favor on the racetrack, providing excellent control and stability, especially in the corners. If you’re looking to carve corners and chase personal lap times, the ZX-6R’s focused approach is what you need.

The Yamaha R9 ticks all the right boxes for an everyday sports bike. It’s versatile enough for your daily commute, weekend trips up the mountains, and even track days — all without much fuss. While it’s not a pure supersport, it’s still one of the best iterations of the new-age supersport segment.

The best part? It brings so much to the table for such good pricing — Brembo Stylemas, fully adjustable KYB suspension, a comprehensive electronics package, functional winglets, and more! It’s better value for money than the barebones ZX-6R that only focuses on the basics.

One of the motorcycles has 33 horsepower more than the YZF-R9 while costing $800 less

The ZX-6R may not have all the bells and whistles like the R9 — it’s more barebones. Still, it comes with the essentials you’d expect from a supersport, including monobloc calipers and adjustable suspension. Let’s not forget that it delivers a purer supersport experience with its inline-four engine.

Honestly, that’s all you’d ever need if you’re a serious track junkie. If you’re focused on improving your riding skills, you will soon find yourself disabling many of the rider aids anyway — beyond a certain point, the bells and whistles start looking like gimmicks. In that case, the ZX-6R, which saves you around a thousand bucks, starts to look like the smart choice.

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