Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 599 (2007-2012) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 599cc, made between 2007 and 2012. It was just known as the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R in this period, but because that name has been given to a few different generations of motorcycle, we’ll call it the ZX-6R 599.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R was introduced in 1995 and has been constantly updated throughout the years. At times, the ZX-6R meant a 599cc motorcycle, and at times it meant a 636 cc one.
The 2007-2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R 599 is powered by a 599 cc liquid-cooled DOHC fuel-injected inline four-cylinder engine. It runs a high compression ratio of 13.3:1 and revs very high due to its low-friction design. It makes peak power of 92 kW (125 hp) at 14000 rpm, and peak torque of 66 Nm (49 ft-lb) at 11700 rpm.
The main generations of Kawasaki ZX-6R we have are:
- 1998-2002: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, a 599cc sport bike
- 2003-2006: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636, a higher displacement sport bike than earlier generations
- 2003-2006: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6RR, a 599cc race class motorcycle
- 2007-2012: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, only available in 599cc
- 2013-2023: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636, second generation with much more rider aids
- 2024+ Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636, with updated breathing, gearing, TFT display, and modified maintenance requirements
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Things you need to maintain the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 599
If you own a ZX-6R 599 and you plan to do your own maintenance, here are some things you’ll need.
| Item | Kawasaki ZX-6R 599 Spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | You need 3.6L (3.8 US qt) of SAE 10W-40 engine oil “with API SG, SH, SJ, SL or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2 rating”, preferably Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil. You can also use another high-quality oil like Motul 7100 10W-40. Don’t over-torque the drain bolt (spec is 30 Nm/22 lb-ft per the manual) — use a torque wrench if you don’t have experience with how much torque is enough. |
| Oil filter | Oil filter is part 16097-0008, or you can Hiflofiltro performance oil filter HF303RC. Torque for oil filter is 17 Nm (13 ft-lb) (use a torque wrench, and it’s easier on the aftermarket one) |
| Front brake pads | 2 pairs EBC brake pads (double hardened): part number FA417/4HH. |
| Rear brake pads | 1 pair EBC brake pads (double hardened) for the rear: part number FA192HH. |
| Spark plugs | NGK CR9E, with a spark plug gap of 0.7-0.8mm (use a spark plug gapping tool), torqued to 13 Nm or 9 ft-lb (use a torque wrench) |
| Air filter | Use K&N air filter KA-6007 for a drop-in replacement. |
| Cable lubricant | Remember to lubricate your clutch cable (and brake cables if you have them) with a cable lubricant. Protect All Cable Life is a good general-purpose lubricant. |
| Chain lubricant | The chain needs to be lubricated every 600 km/400 miles (or more, if it gets wet/dirty). Motul chain paste is cheap and well-loved. |
| Brake fluid | Spec is to use DOT-4 brake fluid, e.g. Castrol DOT 4. |
| Coolant | Use 2.5L (about 2.6 US qt) of nitrate-free, phosphate-free, ethylene glycol-based coolant with anti-corrosion inhibitors. A popular choice is Valvoline Zerex G05. |
| Grease | Use a lithium soap based grease for all the important greasing points. |
Maintenance Schedule for Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 599
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 599.
The maintenance for the 2007-2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R is broken into three sections:
- Change/Replacement Items
- Engine-related Items
- Chassis-related Items
Notes:
- For higher odometer readings, repeat at the frequency interval established here.
- # (Air cleaner, chain): Service more frequently when operating in severe conditions: dusty, wet, muddy, high speed, or frequent starting/stopping.
- The break-in schedule is omitted as these motorcycles are not current.
- The original manual recommends many items be done by a dealer (including oil changes). These are omitted here.
Change/replacement items
| mi x 1000 | 7.5 | 15 | 22.5 | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | Every |
| Air cleaner element # – replace — K&N KA-6007 | 11250 mi (18000 km) | ||||
| Engine oil # – change (Kawasaki 10W-40 Engine Oil or Motul 7100 10W-40 synthetic) | • | • | • | • | year |
| Oil filter – replace (HF303RC) | • | • | • | • | year |
| Fuel hoses – replace | 5 years | ||||
| Coolant – change (Zerex G05) | • | 3 years | |||
| Radiator hoses and O-rings – replace | • | 3 years | |||
| Brake hoses – replace | • | 4 years | |||
| Brake fluid (front and rear) – change (Castrol DOT 4) | • | • | 2 years | ||
| Rubber parts of master cylinder and caliper | • | 4 years | |||
| Spark plug (e) (NGK CR9E) | • | • | • | • |
Engine related items
| mi x 1000 | 3.75 | 7.5 | 11.25 | 15 | 18.75 | 22.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 | Every |
| Valve clearance – inspect | • | ||||||
| Throttle control system (play, smooth return, no drag) – inspect (e) | • | • | • | year | |||
| Engine vacuum synchronization – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Idle speed – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Fuel leak (fuel hose and pipe) – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Fuel hoses damage – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Fuel hoses installation condition – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Coolant level – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Coolant leak – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Radiator hose damage – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Radiator hoses installation condition – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Evaporative emission control system – function check | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| Air suction system damage – inspect | • | • | • |
Chassis-related items
| mi x 1000 | 3.75 | 7.5 | 11.25 | 15 | 18.75 | 22.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 | Every |
| Clutch and drive train: | |||||||
| Clutch operation (play, engagement, disengagement) – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Drive chain lubrication condition – inspect # (Motul chain paste) | 400 mi (600 km) | ||||||
| Drive chain slack – inspect # | 600 mi (1000 km) | ||||||
| Drive chain wear – inspect # | • | • | • | ||||
| Drive chain guide wear – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Wheels and tires: | |||||||
| Tire air pressure – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Wheels/tires damage – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Tire tread wear, abnormal wear – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Wheel bearings damage – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Brake system: | |||||||
| Brake fluid leak – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | year |
| Brake hoses damage – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | year |
| Brake pad wear – inspect # | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| Brake hose installation condition – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | year |
| Brake fluid level – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | 6 months |
| Brake operation (effectiveness, play, drag) – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | year |
| Brake light switch operation – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| Suspension: | |||||||
| Front forks/rear shock absorber operation (damping and smooth stroke) – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Front forks/rear shock absorber oil leak – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Uni-trak rocker arm operation – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Uni-trak tie rods operation – inspect | • | • | • | ||||
| Steering System: | |||||||
| Steering play – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Steering stem bearings – lubricate | • | 2 years | |||||
| Steering damper oil leak – inspect | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| Electrical System: | |||||||
| Lights and switches operation – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Headlight aiming – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Side stand switch operation – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Engine stop switch operation – inspect | • | • | • | year | |||
| Chassis: | |||||||
| Chassis parts – lubricate | • | • | • | year | |||
| Bolts and nuts tightness – inspect | • | • | • |
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (599)
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 599 (2007-2012) has the following tyre sizes standard in the manual, as well as the following recommended tyre pressures:
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W) | 250 kPa/36psi |
| Rear | 180/55 ZR17 M/C (73W) | 290 kPa/42psi |
The ZX-6R shipped with Bridgestone Battlax tyres, but of course fit the sport/sport touring tyres of your choice.
About the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (599, 2007-2012)
In 2007, Kawasaki decided to stop making a cheater 636cc Ninja ZX-6R as they had been in the last four years and just make one motorcycle, the 599.
The result was a bike that was great — many of Kawasaki’s supersports are just that, great — but which didn’t really stand out from the competition on the street.
The 2007-2012 Kawasaki ZX-6R 599 is powered by a 599cc 16-valve DOHC inline four that has great middleweight power, but a little less midrange than the previous generation 636. Like most 600cc bikes (and also like the 636, to be frank), the 599cc 2007-20012 ZX-6R really needs to be ridden hard, with the tachometer at the high end of the range, to feel its grunt.
The engine still makes a formidable amount of power, reaching 92 kW (125 hp) @ 14,000 rpm, and max torque of 66 Nm (49 ft-lb) @ 11,700 rpm. The problem is that down low, figures are less impressive.
It doesn’t help either that Kawasaki dropped the under-seat exhausts after just two short years. It makes sense why. The under-seat exhaust is unnecessarily heavy, and it gets hot. But it looks cool, and some pundits who favoured the aesthetics miss it.
Many other aspects of the ZX-6R 599 are excellent. The engine was redesigned from the crankcase up to be compact, responsive, and to have plenty of overrun.
It’s a very small motorcycle, and doesn’t immediately feel like it’s as powerful as it is. But get the engine over 9000 rpm and it will remind you.
The ZX-6R 599 has some great ride gear considering its vintage — radial-mounted brake calipers, fully adjustable front and rear suspension, and a slipper clutch.
After 2012, Kawasaki went back to making a “cheater” 636 with the 2013 ZX-6R 636.
Manual for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, which is available here.
