Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC - [1989] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC - [1989]

Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC - [1989] image

Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC - [1989]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC
  • Year: 1989 | Type: Sport-Touring
  • Engine: 599 cc (36.5 ci) 16 Valve
  • Engine Type: V4 | Cylinders: 4
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Liquid | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 6 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Chain
  • Wet Weight: 216 kgs (476 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 198 kgs (436 lbs)
  • Power: 98 bhp (73 kW) @ 11500 rpm
  • Torque: 47.2 lb-ft (63.9 Nm) @ 9500 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 453.7 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 218.5 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 8.2 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 8.3 secs
  • Top Speed: 153 mph (246.2 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 13.13 secs @ 0 mph
  • Frame: Aluminium
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Kawasaki ZZR 600 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC is the 6 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Suzuki GS 500 E and the 1990 Norton Commander Police.This particular Kawasaki ZZR 600 has a 599cc Liquid cooled, Two stroke, V4 Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders and Carburettor.

Yamaha Tracer 9 GT - [2025] image

An alternative V4 engine, Sport-Touring style motorbike includes the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT - [2025]

The 1989 ZZR 600 shares its V4 engine and Sport-Touring style configuration with the likes of the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT and the 2020 Yamaha MXT 850 Niken. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the ZZR 600's Sport-Touring style with a similar size of engine then how about the 2009 Yamaha FZ6 S Fazer | 2009cc.2009 Yamaha FZ6 S 2 Fazer | 2009cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 216 kgs (476 lbs) this makes the Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC in the same weight category as the 2025 Yamaha Ténéré 700 or the 2025 Honda X-ADV 745, give or take 50kg.

Yamaha MT-07 Twin Cylinder  - [2025] image

The 1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 shares the same bhp with the Yamaha MT-07 Twin Cylinder - [2025]

In terms of power the 599cc 16 valve V4 4 cylinder engine produces 98 bhp (73 kW) @ 11500 rpm similar to the 2025 Yamaha MT-07 Twin Cylinder [73.4 bhp (54 kW) @ 8750 rpm] or the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ [119 bhp (88 kW) @ 10000 rpm].

The DOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 47.2 lb-ft (63.9 Nm) @ 9500 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 Triple [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Kawasaki ZZR 600 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Honda VFR 750 F-II-H - [1987] image

The 1987 Honda VFR 750 F-II-H has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC.

The 1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC has a Power to weight ratio of 453.7 bhp per ton and 218.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 ZZR 600 competing with the 1987 Honda VFR 750 F-II-H [477.4 bhp\ton] and the 2001 Yamaha YZF-600 R Thundercat [476.1 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Kawasaki ZZR 600 generating around 218.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1986 Suzuki DR 600 S [243.3 lb-ft per ton] and the 2007 Kawasaki ER-6 f [243.3 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.2 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.3 secs, this makes the Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC similar in acceleration to the 2023 Honda CB 1300 Super Four 30th Anniversary (8.2 secs) and the 2015 Kawasaki ZRX 1200 R DAEG Special Edition (8.2 secs). This Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Kawasaki Gpz 900 Ninja - [2000] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC and the 2000 Kawasaki Gpz 900 Ninja

When talking about the performance of the 1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.3 secs @ 0 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 2000 Kawasaki Gpz 900 Ninja (11.3 secs) and the 1994 Kawasaki ZR 1100 DOHC (11.3 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1989 version of the Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC has a maximum speed of 153mph.

Kawasaki ZX-6 R - [2006] image

Top Speed of the 1989 ZZR 600 equals the 2006 Kawasaki ZX-6 R

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 DOHC then how about a 2006 Kawasaki ZX-6 R (164 mph) and the 2005 Kawasaki ZX-6 R (164 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Kawasaki ZZR 600 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Kawasaki

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Kawasaki Models:

Edition:

A1 250

AR 125

AR 50

AR 80

BJ 250

BR 250

EL 125

EL 250

EL 252

Eliminator 400

Eliminator 500

EN 400

EN 450

EN 500

ER-4

ER-5

ER-6

EX 250

EX 400

EX 500

F9 350

FX 400

G3-SS

GPX 250

GPX 400

GPX 600

GPX 750

Gpz 1000

Gpz 1100

Gpz 250

Gpz 305

Gpz 400

Gpz 500

GPZ 550

Gpz 600

Gpz 750

Gpz 900

GTO 125

GTR 1000

GTR 1400

H1 500

H2 750

KDX 125

KDX 175

KDX 200

KDX 220

KDX 250

KDX 400

KDX 450

KE 125

KE 175

KH 125

KH 250

KH 400

KH 500

KL 250

KLE 250

KLE 400

KLE 500

KLR 250

KLR 600

KLR 650

KLV 1000

KLX 125

KLX 230

KLX 250

KLX 300

KLX 400

KLX 450

KLX 650

KMX 125

KMX 200

KR 1

KR 250

KRR

KX 500

KZ 1000

KZ 1100

KZ 650

Ninja 1000

Ninja 125

Ninja 250

Ninja 300

Ninja 400

Ninja 650

Ninja 7

Ninja H2

RMX 250

S1 250

S2 350

S3 400

SL 250

Versys 1000

Versys 650

Versys-X

VN 1500

VN 1600

VN 1700

VN 2000

VN 250

VN 400

VN 500

VN 650

VN 750

VN 800

VN 900

W 250

W 400

W 650

W 800

W1

W2

W3

Xanthus 400

Z 1000

Z 1100

Z 125

Z 1300

Z 200

Z 250

Z 300

Z 305

Z 400

Z 440

Z 450

Z 500

Z 550

Z 650

Z 750

Z 800

Z 900

Z H2

Z1

Z2 750

Z7

Zephyr 1100

Zephyr 400

Zephyr 550

Zephyr 750

ZG 1000

ZG 1200

ZG 1300

ZL 1000

ZL 250

ZL 400

ZL 600

ZL 750

ZL 900

ZN 1300

ZN 700

ZN 750

ZR 1100

ZR-250

ZR-7

ZRX 1100

ZRX 1200

ZRX 400

ZX 1000

ZX 1100

ZX 400

ZX 600

ZX 750

ZX 900

ZX-10

ZX-12

ZX-14

ZX-25

ZX-4

ZX-6

ZX-7

ZX-9

ZX-R 250

ZX-R 400

ZX-R 750

ZZR 1100

ZZR 1200

ZZR 1400

ZZR 250

ZZR 400

ZZR 600


More Bikes:

Bike Figures:

Suzuki GSX 250 L

Suzuki GSX 250 L
Engine Capacity: 249cc
Top Speed: 87 mph
Power: 29 bhp


Yamaha YZF-R3 DOHC

Yamaha YZF-R3 DOHC
Engine Capacity: 321 cc
Top Speed: 112 mph
Quarter Mile: 14.8 secs @ 95 mph


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Quarter Mile List

Quarter Mile | Random Figures and Specs

Edition
Quarter Mile Time
16.2 seconds
11.2 seconds
12.4 seconds

Top Speed List

Top Speed | Random Figures & Specs

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Top Speed

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