Please Note: As detailed in the “Maintenance” section below, this bike cranks over and can hold an idle on choke but it runs poorly:
Motorcyclist magazine summed it up perfectly: the new-for-1985 Kawasaki Ninja 600R was, “The bike that essentially invented the modern 600 middleweight category.” Cycle World called the first year of the bike a milestone and said, “when you get right down to it, the Ninja is so exotic that if you were to peel off its decals, construct the frame of aluminum rather than of silver-painted steel, and clean up its globby welds, the bike could just as easily have been hand-built at the Italian Bimota workshop instead of on the assembly line at Akashi.”
The twin cam 16-valve 592cc engine produced a claimed 76 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 38.3 ft-lbs of torque at 9,000 rpm. Fed by four 32mm Keihin CV carbs, the Ninja offered livable range thanks to a 4.9 gallon fuel tank and roughly 49 mpg of consumption. Cycle World tested acceleration of 0-60 at 4.1 seconds and the quarter-mile at 12.45 seconds/107.14 mph – in a 1989 review they said “the Ninja is a wonderful all-around streetbike, one with a charming engine, great low-speed handling and a reasonably comfortable seating position, despite a small, firm seat.”
By 1989, Kawasaki had updated the Ninja with a new double cradle frame, a slight bump in power, and an upgraded anti-dive system: ESCS (Electronic Suspension Control System).
This example is VIN: JKAZX4C17KB502732. The seller acquired this bike in 2017 from White Knuckle Motorsports.
The odometer shows 253 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Engine Oil Level: OK
Engine Oil Quality: OK
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: OK
Coolant Quality: FAIL REC REPLACE
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: FAIL MORE THAN 3% H20
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: FAIL MORE THAN 3% H20
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: OK
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: FAIL MORE THAN 3% H2O
Final Drive Condition: OK
Headlight High Beam: PASS
Headlight Low Beam: PASS
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: PASS
Turn Signals: PASS
Tail Light: PASS
Brake Light (Front Switch): PASS
Brake Light (Rear Switch): PASS
Plate Light: PASS
Horn: PASS
Kill Switch: PASS
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 95
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 95
Forks: GOOD
Shock/s: GOOD
Tire Date Code Front: 4020
Tire Date Code Rear: 2921
Tire % Remaining Front: 95
Tire % Remaining Rear: 95
Tire Press. Front: 31
Tire Press. Rear: 32
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.4V BAD FAILED LOAD
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.8V
Running Condition: RUNS POOR ON BOTTLE
Test Ride Completed: NO
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
-BATTERY WEAK FAILED LOAD TEST
-DARK COOLANT
-ALL 3 HYDROS FAILED MOISTURE TEST
-CARBS RUNNING ROUGH
-VACUUM HOSE TO PETCOCK FOLDED
-OIL LEAK FROM LEFT MUFFLER
Recommended repairs:
-Replace Battery
-Replace coolant
-Bleed all 3 hydraulic lines
-Service Carb(s)
-Replace vacuum hose to petcock
-Diagnose left muffler oil leak
-Needs Valve Guide Seals
PLACEHOLDER: CONDITION REPORT
Modifications:
This motorcycle appears to be completely stock except for a battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Bridgestone Battlax BT45 (front) and Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 (rear) tires with date codes of 4020 and 2921.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Kawasaki is offered on a clean Utah title. Have any Ninja 600 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
