Detail
Packed with advanced technology and rider focused features, the new ZX-10R represents another massive performance step for the Ninja brand.
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- Free six month MCN subscription with every test ride.
Prices are subject to government charges.
Features
Fuel Tank
Design of the sculpted fuel tank follows the same theme of "curves." Fuel tank capacity is 17 litres.
New Engine
The new engine offers linear power delivery right to its heady peak power. Great care was taken to ensure ideal engine manageability during all parts of the corner: getting off the throttle in corner entry, getting back on the throttle mid-corner, opening the throttle on corner exit. Peak torque was moved to the higher rpm range, eliminating the torque peaks and valleys that made it difficult for racers to open the throttle with confidence. Keeping mid-range torque at a level no more than necessary further facilitates getting back on the gas.
Bodywork
Completely revised bodywork uses curved rather than edged surfaces. Coloured and black pieces work together to create a sharp, aggressive image.
Headlamps
Line-beam headlamps enable front cowl to be made shorter, contributing to the sharp, aggressive design.
Brakes
Radial-pump front brake master cylinder operates Tokico radial-mount brake calipers with dual pads for formidable stopping performance, superb initial bite characteristics and a high level of control care of progressive feel after the initial bite.
Horizontal Back-link Rear Suspension
New rear suspension positions the shock unit and linkage above the swingarm. The new arrangement offers a number of benefits, including increased road holding (especially in the final third of the stroke range), smoother suspension action from initial through mid-stroke (even with hard settings), increased stability and feedback when cornering, as well as contributing to mass centralisation. The fully adjustable shock features a piggyback reservoir and dual (lowand high-speed) compression damping, which enables the fine-tuning needed for circuit riding.
BPF (Big Piston Front fork)
The new BPF with ø43 mm inner tubes is one of the great contributing factors to the new Ninja ZX-10R's enhanced composure under braking. Compared to a cartridge-type fork of the same size, the BPF features a main piston almost twice the size (ø39.6 mm vs ø20 mm on ZX1000F); oil inside the BPF acts on a surface area almost four times the size. The larger surface area allows the damping pressure to be reduced while ensuring the damping force remains the same. Reducing the damping pressure allows the slide pipe to move more smoothly, which is especially noticeable at the initial part of the stroke. The result is greater control as the fork begins to compress and very calm attitude change as vehicle weight shifts forward when reducing speed, and thus greater chassis stability on corner entry.
Compression and rebound damping adjustment are located at the top of each fork tube. Preload adjustment is at the bottom.
LED Taillight
Compact tail cowl culminates with an elegant LED (9-bulb) taillight.
Aluminium Twin-spar Frame
The new twin-spar frame traces a more direct line from the head pipe to the swingarm pivot. This delivers more linear behaviour, translating to greater control. Frame twist was designed to be as close to the main pipes as possible, which further facilitates rider control. Frame also offers increases cornering stability and a high level of feedback.
Öhlins Steering Damper
Adjustable Öhlins steering damper with twin-tube design is fitted as standard equipment. The second tube, which acts like a reservoir tank, and the damper internals, ensure stable damping performance even under racing conditions. This race-quality unit was developed in collaboration with Öhlins specially for the Ninja ZX-10R.
Instrumentation
The centrepiece of the new instrument panel is the highly visibly LED-backlit bar-graph tachometer - a mass-production first.
The multi-function LCD features two display modes: Standard and Race. Switching to Race Mode alters the display as follows:
Main LCD: Speed => Gear position
Right side: Clock => Speed
To switch to Race Mode, toggle the multi-mode display on the left side to Lap Timer.
Aluminium Swingarm
Like the frame, the swingarm is an all-cast (3-piece) construction. The swingarm's rigidity balance was designed to complement the frame. Complex design contributes to appearance and a high-quality image.
Mirrors with Integrated LED Signals
Cowl-mounted mirrors features integrated LED (2-bulb) turn signals (a first on a Japanese mass-production model). The turn signals are connected via couplers, facilitating mirror removal for trackday use.
S-KTRC (Sport-Kawasaki TRaction Control)
Highly sophisticated system is based on MotoGP racing technology. Unlike the KTRC system used on the 1400GTR, which was designed to offer rider reassurance when traversing slippery surfaces, S-KTRC, which was designed to maximise forward motion, allows riding at the edge of traction. The quickest acceleration requires a certain amount of slip, so, in order to optimise traction, S-KTRC actually allows slip. The ideal slip ratio varies according to conditions. The system looks at a number of parameters to get an accurate real-time picture of what is going on: front and rear wheel speed (slippage), Δ engine rpm, Δ throttle position, Δ slippage, Δ acceleration, etc.
S-KTRC confirms conditions every 5 milliseconds and governs ignition, which allows extremely quick reaction.
There are three available modes, which riders can set according to preference (and skill level).
Power Mode Selection with Variable Middle Mode
In addition to Full power mode, the Ninja ZX-10R comes with two additional modes (Middle, Low), allowing riders to select power delivery to suit preference and conditions.
Full - Full power operation
Middle - Variable operation depending on throttle application
Low - Limited operation (about 60% of full)
KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System)
ONLY ON ABS MODEL. KIBS is a multi-sensing system, using the input from numerous sources. In addition to front and rear wheel speed sensors (standard for any ABS system), KIBS also monitors front caliper hydraulic pressure and various information from the engine ECU (throttle position, engine speed, clutch actuation and gear position). It is the first mass-production motorcycle system to feature communication between the engine ECU and ABS ECU.
This high-precision brake pressure control enables the system to avoid reduced brake performance due to excessive pressure drops, allows lever feel to be maintained when KIBS is active, and ensures ABS pulses feel smooth (not heavy).
New Exhaust
New exhaust header pipes, formed from heat-resistant titanium alloy, have almost the same length and diameter as their race-use counterparts. (This feature makes it easier for riders to increase exhaust performance (for track applications) without having to replace the entire exhaust system.)
Tech Specs
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Fuel system | Fuel injection: ø47 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles, dual injection |
| Ignition | Digital |
| Starting | Electric |
| Lubrication | Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four |
| Displacement | 998 cm³ |
| Bore x stroke | 76.0 x 55.0 mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.0:1 |
| Valve/Induction system | DOHC, 16 valves |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 6-speed, return |
| Final Drive | Sealed chain |
| Primary reduction ratio | 1.681 (79/47) |
| Gear ratios: 1st | 2.600 (39/15) |
| Gear ratios: 2nd | 2.053 (39/19) |
| Gear ratios: 3rd | 1.737 (33/19) |
| Gear ratios: 4th | 1.571 (33/21) |
| Gear ratios: 5th | 1.444 (26/18) |
| Gear ratios: 6th | 1.348 (31/23) |
| Final reduction ratio | 2.294 (39/17) |
| Clutch | Wet multi-disc, manual |
| Frame | |
| Frame type | Twin spar, cast aluminium |
| Rake/Trail | 25.5˚ / 110 mm |
| Wheel travel, front | 120 mm |
| Wheel travel, rear | 125 mm |
| Tyre, front | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) |
| Tyre, rear | 190/55ZR17M/C (75W) |
| Steering angle, left / right | 27˚ / 27˚ |
| Suspension | |
| Suspension, front | 43 mm inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs. |
| Suspension, rear | Horizontal Back-link with gas-charged shock and top-out spring Compression damping: Stepless, dual-range (high/low speed) Rebound damping: Stepless Spring preload: Fully adjustable |
| Brakes | |
| Brakes, front | Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs, 10-button aluminium rotor carrier Caliper: Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-(aluminium) piston |
| Brakes, rear | Single 220 mm petal disc Caliper: Single-bore pin-slide, aluminium piston |
| Dimensions | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 2,075 mm x 715 mm x 1,115 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 135 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,425 mm |
| Seat height | 813 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
| Curb Mass | 198kg / 201kg (ABS) |
| Performance | |
| Maximum power | 147.1kW (200.1PS) / 13,000rpm |
| Maximum torque | 114.3Nm (11.7kgfm) / 11,500rpm |
| Maximum power with RAM Air | TBC |
Videos
Press Reviews
MCN Review ZX-10R 2011 - MCN
Kawasaki’s ZX-10R evokes thoughts of rip-roaring power and handling best suited to race circuits. While that may have been the case of the original 2004 model, subsequent models have been diluted to the point where ZX-10R is regarded as a decent on the road superbike but not quite in touch with the competition of the latest Blade, techno-laden R1 and BMW’s S1000RR.
The 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R is the bike to change this. It is the first of the Japanese bikes to come out fighting against the storming BMW and, based on MCN’s first ride (at Qatar’s Losail circuit), the Kawasaki’s superb blend of handling, braking, usable power and decent suspension will make it a better road bike than the BMW. As for track use? At 198kg fully gassed, the ZX-10R has the best power to weight ratio, and it isn’t as intense to ride as the BMW and so will suit a lot more riders. Good one, Kawasaki.
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