There was never much hope of Kawasaki having a new ZX-6R in the wings for a 2018 launch, but by type-approving its existing 636cc ZX-6R in the American market for the 2018 model year, any lingering hope has been dashed.
Once again the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has given the game away. On 8 June, Kawasaki’s 2018-spec ZX-6R got the green light for sale in the emissions-conscious state, and the official documents show that there are no changes from the current model, at least in terms of weight and exhaust emissions.
Since the ZX-6R is one of the many bikes that do not meet the latest Euro 4 emissions standards, it is currently sold in Europe under derogation rules designed to let manufacturers sell small numbers of non-compliant machines, ostensibly to clear out existing stocks.
The time limit for such sales is the end of 2018.
By Ben Purvis
