AI DamageKawasaki ZX600: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Kawasaki ZX600 across 5 model years: 9 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 22% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 22% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 22% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Attorney writes to request information concerning defects or recalls on 2011 kawasaki ninja zx600 motorcycles the consumer stated his client went around a curve, after crossing a speed bump and when he shifted from first to second gear, the motorcycle revved to full throttle and he crashed into a guardrail.
During a low speed (left) u-turn, handle bar on right side (throttle) snapped at clamp causing acceleration and crash.
Stator (generator) assembly failed causing motor and gauges to stop functioning while in motion.
I looked down to see smoke billowing out from under the right side of my motorcycle. I shut off the engine, yet the smoke continued for 2 minutes. I removed the right lower body panel to reveal a 10 mm smoldering piece of wood (or tree bark) on the lower exhaust headers.
When bike is started up the engine seizes and then makes a very loud noise. Tt
Consumer had recall fix #94v231000 was driving home and apply the brake the foot level broken. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.