Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Kawasaki ZX-10R

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	Since 2004
Predecessor	ZX-9R
Class	Sport bike
Engine	998 cc (60.9 cu in), 4-stroke, inline four, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16 valves
Transmission	6-speed
Wheelbase	54.7 in (1,390 mm)
Seat height	32.5 in (830 mm)
Weight	386 lb (175 kg) (dry) 432 lb (196 kg) (wet)
Fuel capacity	17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
Related	Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a Kawasaki sport bike, and the follow-up to the ZX-9R. It was originally released in 2004 with minor revisions in 2005. It combines an ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes. In 2004 and 2005 the ZX-10R won Best Superbike from Cycle World magazine and the prestigious international Masterbike competition.

According to data published in 2007 by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety in the USA, the ZX-10R has that country's highest collision damage loss claim rate of any motorcycle registered between 2000 and 2006.

Engine

Kawasaki engineers utilized a "stack" design for a liquid-cooled, 998 cc inline four-cylinder engine. The crank axis, input shaft and output shaft of the "Ninja" ZX-10R engine are positioned in a triangular layout to reduce engine length, while the high-speed generator is placed behind the cylinder bank to reduce engine width. With a bore and stroke of 76 mm × 55 mm (3.0 in × 2.2 in), the ZX-10R engine's one-piece cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity. The DOHC are machined from chromoly steel built for strength, four valves per cylinder improve high-rpm breathing, and the forged, lightweight pistons offer high heat resistance to further enhance the bike's power-to-weight ratio.

Cooling system

In addition to liquid cooling, the ZX-10R engine features an oil cooler adjacent to the oil filter to reduce oil temperatures. "Slosh" analysis was also used to design the internal structure of the oil pan, thereby reducing windage losses and helping to maintain low oil temperatures.

Clutch

A multi-plate wet slipper clutch transfers power to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission ideal for closed-course competition. The back-torque limiter automatically disengages the clutch (partially) under hard downshifting at high engine speeds to prevent rear wheel hop during corner entry.

Wheels

A new six spoke wheel design is claimed to be almost as light as special purpose race wheels. Since the 2006 model the sidewall profile of the rear tire has been increased from 190/50/ZR17 to 190/55/ZR17.

2004-2005 model

This was the debut of the Ninja ZX-10R. It was compact, with a short wheelbase and a high power-to-weight ratio, which helped the handling. The exhaust system was fully titanium with single muffler.

2006-2007 model

Among other changes, the 2006 model featured twin underseat exhausts which contributed to a 5 kg (11 lb) increase in dry weight. The engine remained largely unchanged.

The 2006 ZX1000D6F model carried over to the 2007 model year, with only color scheme changes. The most noticeable difference between 2006 and 2007, is that the heat-shields on the exhaust pipes are black on the 2007 ZX10R, and 2006 came with silver ones.

2008 model

The 2007 ZX-10R

The ZX-10R was all new for its launch for the 2008 model year. There was a dramatic change in appearance with the bike featuring a much more angular front end. Kawasaki moved away from the twin-underseat exhausts of the 2006–2007 model to a more conventional single side exhaust. The compression ratio of the engine was raised.

2009 model

Received only slight changes from the 2008 model.

2010 model

Received slight changes from the 2009 model, including: upgraded Öhlins steering damper, upgraded transmission, and revised bodywork.

2011-2012 model

The 2011 ZX-10R underwent major overhaul both mechanically and visually. Most notably, Kawasaki introduced their S-KTRC (Sport Kawasaki Traction Control) system as a standard feature; responsible for predicting when traction will be lost and adapting accordingly. Also new are KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent Braking System) as their optional ABS system, a completely new design, adjustable foot-pegs, larger throttle bodies, a horizontal rear suspension, lighter three-spoke wheels, Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) front suspension, and an LCD panel dashboard. The 2012 model is identical to the 2011 with the only exception being the slightly different paint schemes offered.

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed.

	2004/2005	2006/2007	2008/2009/2010	2011/2012
Engine
Engine Type	998 cc (60.9 cu in) liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore/Stroke	76.0 mm × 55.0 mm (2.99 in × 2.17 in)
Compression Ratio	12.7:1		12.9:1	13.0:1
Valve Train	DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery	Fuel Injection
Ignition	Computer-controlled digital transistorized			TCBI with digital advance and Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC)
Drivetrain
Transmission	close-ratio six-speed, slipper clutch
Final Drive	sealed chain
Chassis/Suspension/Brakes
Front Suspension	43 mm inverted fork with top-out springs			43 mm inverted fork with top-out springs (Big Piston Fork Design)
Rear Suspension	Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and top-out spring		Uni-Trak with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping.	Horizontal Back-link with gas-charged shock, stepless, dual-range compression damping, stepless rebound damping
Front Brakes	Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with semi-floating 300 mm (11.8 in) petal discs		Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with semi-floating 310 mm (12.2 in) petal discs
Rear Brakes	Single 220 mm (8.7 in) disc with single-piston caliper
Front Tire	120/70ZR-17
Rear Tire	190/50ZR-17	190/55ZR-17
Dimensions
Rake	24 degrees	24.5 degrees	25.5 degrees	25 degrees
Trail	102 mm (4.0 in)		110 mm (4.3 in)	107 mm (4.2 in)
Wheelbase	1,385 mm (54.5 in)	1,390 mm (55 in)	1,415 mm (55.7 in)	1,425 mm (56.1 in)
Seat Height	825 mm (32.5 in)		830 mm (33 in)	813 mm (32.0 in)
Dry Weight	170 kg (375 lb)	175 kg (386 lb)	179 kg (395 lb) - 2008 Model
Wet Weight			208 kg (459 lb) - 2009/2010 Models	198 kg (437 lb) / ABS (K.I.B.S.) 201 kg (443 lb)
Fuel Capacity	17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
Performance
0–60 mph (0–97 km/h)			2.84 seconds
0–100 mph (0–161 km/h)			5.22 seconds
0–150 mph (0–241 km/h)			10.00 seconds
0–180 mph (0–290 km/h)			17.21 seconds
100–150 mph (161–241 km/h)			4.78 seconds
100–180 mph (161–290 km/h)			11.99 seconds
1/4 mile			10.01 seconds @ 150.05 mph (241.48 km/h)
Fuel economy			32.4 mpg‑US (7.3 L/100 km; 38.9 mpg‑imp)

External links

• Kawasaki ZX-10R Road tests of all Kawasaki ZX-10R models
• Motorcycle USA 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R First Ride