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/1383227
RIDE REVIEW I 2021 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R P100 Kawasaki was nice/foolish enough to pull the fuse for the ABS, so we did not test out the KIBS feature of the electronics, but that didn't really matter as my- self and Zack Courts were having a whale of a time backing the 10R into turn six for BJN's camera. Even when doing some shenan- igans such as this, the ZX-10R's chassis was so predictable in its mannerisms I could keep pushing harder and harder on corner entry and know the bike wasn't going to do anything silly beneath me. It's easy to see why this has become the bike of choice for much of the Stock 1000 grids around the world, simply because the ZX-10R is ultra-fast but equally friendly, allowing a wide range of riders to get something out of it. When you really break it down, the new Kawasaki ZX-10R isn't all that new. And that's a good thing. When you win WorldSBK Cham- pionships like club races, there's no real need to totally revamp the production version of the bike, and the new ZX-10R is more a case of nip and tuck than a full facelift. Little additions like the preset riding modes, cruise control and the taller screen make for a better street bike, and the revised gear- ing and excellent traction control system make for a better track bike. And considering the price, Kawasaki has made a pretty com- pelling argument with the 2021 Ka- wasaki ZX-10R. Now, if only I can convince Michael Gilbert to let me have a go on his 200 horsepower 10R. CN 2021 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R ($16,399) ENGINE 4-stroke, inline 4 cylinder DRIVETRAIN DOHC, 16-valves DISPLACEMENT 998cc BORE X STROKE 76.0 x 55.0mm COMPRESSION RATIO 13.0:1 FUEL SYSTEM DFI w/47mm Mikuni throttle bodies (4) with oval sub-throttles, two injectors per cylinder IGNITION TCBI with digital advance and Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC) TRANSMISSION 6-speed, return shift FINAL DRIVE Sealed chain ELECTRONIC RIDER AIDS Electronic Cruise Control, Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS), Kawasaki Sport Traction Control (S-KTRC), Kawasaki Engine Braking Control, Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) (upshift & downshift), Kawasaki Corner Management Function (KCMF) FRAME TYPE Aluminum perimeter FRONT SUSPENSION 43mm inverted Showa Balance Free Fork, adjustable stepless rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability REAR SUSPENSION Horizontal back-link with Showa Balance Free gas-charged shock, stepless, dual-range (low-/ high-speed) compression damping, stepless rebound damping, fully adjustable spring preload FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 4.5 in. FRONT TIRE 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE 190/55 ZR17 FRONT BRAKES Intelligent Braking (KIBS) (ABS only), Brembo dual semi-floating 330mm discs with dual radial mounted monobloc 4-piston calipers REAR BRAKE KIBS-controlled (ABS only), single 220mm disc with aluminum single-piston caliper RAKE/TRAIL 25.0°/4.1 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 5.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT 32.9 in. CURB WEIGHT (CLAIMED) 456.4 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY 4.5 gal. WHEELBASE 57.1 in. SPECIAL FEATURES Aerodynamic Downforce Generating Devices, Rideology the App Smartphone Connectivity, TFT Instrumentation COLORS Metallic Spark Black / Metallic Matte Carbon Gray SPECIFICATIONS