Brand new 2023 ZX-6R mechanical/technical issue

314 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Scumbag, 7 d ago

CN8DNBacon

Discussion Starter · 8 d ago

I bought a brand new 2023 ZX-6R this weekend, and it ran like a dream for the first 100 miles. I've been really careful to keep the revs low for the break in period, but tonight it decided to start having issues. I've had the bike for 3 DAYS. I've ridden it 3 times and put 148 miles on it. Tonight, I was in neutral at a full stop at a gas station and started the bike. I slightly revved before putting it into first, but before I had the chance, as soon as I barely touched the throttle for a slight rev, there was a very loud pop and the bike shut off. My friends said there was a 6 inch flame that shot out of my exhaust. Now the mode indicator (F/L), KCM setting, and mode setting are all flashing with an accompanying check engine light. No matter what buttons I press I cannot change the main modes anymore. The bike boggs down past a few thousand RPM, and dies when I come to a complete stop without giving it gas.

It still runs fine, but the bike should be too new to be having issues like this. It's under warranty so it will get fixed, but I'm new to the bike world, and would like some insight as to what caused this, and how I can prevent it in the future. Thanks!

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Scumbag

· #2 · 8 d ago

What is KCM?
in the future don’t buy a full fledge race bike and ride it like you’re afraid it’s gonna break the engine by revving it hard for the first 100 miles. Or 600 miles whatever the manual bs says. It probably hates you for it and decided to just check out.

did you run the code sequence on your dash and see what code it’s actually throwing?

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RJ2112

· #3 · 8 d ago

This shouldn’t be something you need to deal with…. Use your warranty.

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Rich T

· #4 · 8 d ago

Agreed about the warranty.

Which warning light is on exactly, #4 or #7 in this picture: Please help! | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum (zx6r.com)

If it is #4, you can retrieve codes like this: Please help! | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum (zx6r.com)

But if it is #7 (as I suspect), then there is no engine code.

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Brandon35

· #5 · 8 d ago

Scumbag said:
What is KCM?
in the future don’t buy a full fledge race bike and ride it like you’re afraid it’s gonna break the engine by revving it hard for the first 100 miles. Or 600 miles whatever the manual bs says. It probably hates you for it and decided to just check out.

did you run the code sequence on your dash and see what code it’s actually throwing?

Hey man, the guy bought a brand new bike, had an issue and just today created an account to seek help. Cheer the guy on, welcome him in, gauge his technical/mechanical knowledge and provide recommendations first. Maybe wait to be abrasive until after his/her second or third reply lmao. Also - following the manual is totally fine to do, the engine's have had their rings seated at the factory anyway.

OP, welcome to the show. As others above stated, use your warranty. Maybe ask the guys at the shop what caused the issue once you get her back, and keep note of it.

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Scumbag

· #6 · 8 d ago

Brandon35 said:
Hey man, the guy bought a brand new bike, had an issue and just today created an account to seek help. Cheer the guy on, welcome him in, gauge his technical/mechanical knowledge and provide recommendations first. Maybe wait to be abrasive until after his/her second or third reply lmao. Also - following the manual is totally fine to do, the engine's have had their rings seated at the factory anyway.

OP, welcome to the show. As others above stated, use your warranty. Maybe ask the guys at the shop what caused the issue once you get her back, and keep note of it.

Lol. Yea it was just a joke. Sort of. they are 75% seated at the QC run in the factory but still hard break ins always show higher HP numbers. And it’s pointless to baby them for 600 miles. . I did asked valid questions that should be answered. For sure an odd problem.
We had one a
where KIBS was flashing at 75 miles and had to replace a bunch of the abs and traction stuff. There never was a backfire reported but the system was constantly triggering slip conditions so there was no acceleration. But then when all that was replaced the power mode stayed locked on low traction stayed locked on 3 and the QS woudnt engage. Ended up having to change the ecu out.
Kawi said the original abs failure damaged the ecu but i can’t really understand how.
Since then the bike has came back several more times with servo issues and randomly electrical stuff that’s never happening when he brings it. It’s also drained the battery dead a few times. Out of a few hundred new gens that’s been sold this one is the only one with issues. It’s a rare enough problem that only his dealership is going to be able to give him any usable solutions. But I suspect it’s going to be related to the abs/traction control crap.

this is what a warranty is for. Now fingers crossed he has a decent dealership to deal with. And if they give you the run around find another one. Any kawi dealership can and will do the warranty work. You are not stuck with where you bought the bike

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CN8DNBacon

Discussion Starter · #7 · 8 d ago

Rich T said:
Agreed about the warranty.

Which warning light is on exactly, #4 or #7 in this picture: Please help! | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum (zx6r.com)

If it is #4, you can retrieve codes like this: Please help! | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum (zx6r.com)

But if it is #7 (as I suspect), then there is no engine code.

View attachment 115118

It's #7, second one down. There is a solid check engine light while on/riding. My dealer is closed until tomorrow, so I haven't been able to make an appointment to have it fixed yet. To reply to the other comments, I haven't babied the bike for the break in period, but I'm also not redlining it.

See attached photo if someone want's to try and troubleshoot some more (Though I will get it resolved through the dealer). I did not see that notification in my manual (Probably just missed it).

The circled indicators on the right are constantly flashing while the bike is on. My bike does not have ABS.

Vehicle Speedometer Car Motor vehicle Automotive design

I believe I mistyped the KTRC as KCM as I was going off of memory when I made the original post. Either way, I realize the solution is just to take it in, as it sounds like a factory issue.

Either way I appreciate the responses! I'm not really worried about it, I was just looking for some experienced riders to let me know how that happened, and how I can prevent it in the future. If it's a factory issue with the bike then I'm not worried. If it's user error I wanted to know how to prevent that. I rode into work this morning to see if it would resolve itself, and the bike still runs fine, but it dies when I come to a complete stop without giving it gas. When I hear back from the dealer I will update the thread on what they say to hopefully enlighten others with similar issues!

Thank you to everyone who responded!

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Rich T

· #8 · 8 d ago

That makes it sound like your power mode system, ktrc system, and kqs system have failed -- from the snip above.

(I thought ktrc was the power mode system -- now I am confused!)

Have you checked to see if you have any codes? (Since you do have a check engine light while riding!)

See: (1) Please help! | Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum (zx6r.com)

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Scumbag

· #9 · 8 d ago

The power modes and traction control are powered off the same module. I miss spoke when I said earlier we had to replace just the ecu. It was 2 modules and the ecu we had to replace. I’d almost bet his problem will be the same issues. Maybe they had a few bad ones get through the line. Least his will get documented and reported also. We could be seeing the first steps of a recall 😲😲😲. I doubt enough is effected for concern tho. And his problem and the problem we ran into may not even be related. Our bike did the same exact thing tho. Same lights and the controls flashing so.

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Scumbag

· #10 · 8 d ago

Try and remember to update this post when you hear from the dealer tomorrow. I’m curious.

in the mean time why don’t you unhook your battery and let it set for 10-15 minutes and hook it back up and see if the problem stays. Very well could just be an ecu hick up. My 2020 once had a blinking quick shift and woudnt turn on. I did the battery reset and it’s been fine sense. That was about 8k miles and a year ago so.

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