Kawasaki has issued a recall for the Ninja ZX6R globally. The Japanese superbike brand has recalled certain units of its middleweight sports bike manufactured in 2024 and 2025 on account of a critical enginerelated defect. The company has issued a notification for existing users of Ninja ZX6R asking them not to ride their bike until the issue is addressed after the recall procedures.
The engine defect has reportedly been caused due to a potential manufacturing defect where the crankshaft bolts may have been overtorqued. In other words, the bolds might have been tightened more than necessary which can affect how the engine functions and may even create safety hazards for riders.
Overtorquing the bolts can reduce oil clearance around the crankshaft bearing, leading to increased wear and a higher risk of component failure. In some extreme cases, this may cause the engine to seize abruptly while riding, posing a serious safety hazard to both the rider and others on the road.
All variants of the Ninja ZX6R, including the KRT and 40th Anniversary editions, have been affected by this issue. The units affected have mostly been sold in the USA, UK and Europe. In the USA alone, 17,800 units of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R have been affected. Affected customers will receive direct communication from the company regarding next steps.
They will be instructed to visit a local authorised service centre for inspection and necessary repairs. Technicians will check the torque levels of the crankshaft bolts and replace any parts if required. All work will be performed free of charge by Kawasaki. This approach ensures affected motorcycles meet safety and performance standards moving forward. All repair work will be carried out free of charge.
As of now, Kawasaki hasn’t issued any recall in India with regard to this issue. The Ninja ZX6R has been on sale in the country since early 2024. It is currently priced at Rs 11.53 lakh (exshowroom). In terms of specs, Kawasaki Ninja ZX6R is powered by a 636cc inline four DOHC engine, which is mated to a 6speed gearbox. It develops a peak power and torque output of 129 hp and 69 Nm, respectively.
