Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/103458
..,.. .... the ~ IlClt-CI\IIlItundeNhe-aIet exhausls. They n-.d Here is a view of the new twin exhaust pipes. They are sure to be a cantroversial topic of conversation. The all-new swingarm is more rigid and has a shallower angle due to the lowered pivot point. to d1eIr MW location for Impl'Olle aerodynamics, while a second canister was added to recover the capacity lost to the new catalytic converters. Love 'em or leave 'em. the new exhaust canisters are supposed to reduce drag at speed. adding to the already slick new bodywork's reduced coefficient of drag. The tum signals are now cleanly integrated into the fairings. both front and rear. and are no longer the stalk variety. Uke the previous ZX-I OR, the new bike has a concave fuel tank to help the rider get their helmet out of the airflow. while the tank's side indents help the rider get their knees out of the wind as well. On the track at speed the new instrument panel is a huge improvement. Gone is the horrible LCD tach. and in its place is a new analog tach and digital speedometer/information screen. It's still not perfect, despite haVing four levels of backlit illumination (especially with a dark shield on). but it's a huge improvement and much welcomed. Before I left for Japan I spent the entire week commuting on our 2005 test bike, because we rarely get the chance to compare the bikes directly back-to-back. When 1 got back home I hopped back on the '05 bike straight away. and the differences are quite obvious. The new bike's engine is not only smoother. but it is far better in terms of throttle response. The power builds in a much more predictable and linear fashion. Another thing I noticed was how much quieter the new motor is. Gone is the gear whine that would drive me nuts when at a constant rpm while commuting. I can confidendy say that the 2006 ZXlOR will blow the doors off the '05 model in terms of pure performance. and it should be able to give the mighty GSX-R 1000 a run for its money in the 2006 Cycle News OpenClass Shootout. With an updated Honda CBRIOOORR thrown into the mix. it's going to be a war. 2006 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX·I OR LIST PRICE $11.199 DISPLACEMENT 998cc ENGINE TYPE .. Uquid-cooled. 16-valve. DOHC inline four-<:ylinder four-stroke BORE x STROKE 76 x 55mm COMPRESSION RATIO 12.7: 1 CARBURETION (4) 43mm Mikuni throttle bodies w/ single injector per cylinder IGNITION Digital TRANSMISSION Six-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY 4.42 gal. WHEELBASE 55.6 in. RAKE/TRAIL 24.5°/102mm SEAT HEIGHT 33 in. FRONT TIRE I20/70ZRI 7 Dunlop Qualifier REAR TIRE I90/55ZR17 Dunlop Qualifier FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL ..4.8 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 5 in. FRONT BRAKE Dual 300mm discs w/4-piston radial-mount calipers REAR BRAKE Single 220mm disc single-piston caliper FINAL DRIVE Chain CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT 385 Ibs. We look forward to it! The ZX-I OR will be available in three colors: Lime Green/Flat Stoic Black, Ebony and Pearl Solar Yellow/Flat Stoic Black. The ZXlOR will carry a suggested retail price of $11.199. eN The steering head was moved forward, while the rake was increased to 24.S degrees. The engine's bank angle WCis increase from 20 to 23 degrees, and the 5wingarm pivot was lowered 20mm, One of the first 2006 ZX-! ORs rolls off the assembly line at Kawasaki's Akashi Works plant. CYCLE NEWS • DECEMBER 14. 2005 29