RIDE REVIEW I 2021 KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-10R
P94
ELECTRONICS
New for 2021 are the integrated riding modes in
Sport, Road, Rain and the adjustable Rider mode.
This sounds odd to say, but the 2016-2020 ZX-10R
only had one mode built into the ECU. Granted,
this was basically the same as Rider, where you
can program the power (Full, Medium and Low)
and traction control levels (one to five plus off) to
suit the conditions. Now you've got three preset
modes, which brings the ZX-10R up to the same
spec as the rest of the Superbike class.
There's the ubiquitous Bosch IMU govern-
ing the electronics including traction control
and launch control, quickshifter and Kawasaki's
Cornering Management Function (KCMF) system,
which is the firm's own software that governs
braking when cranked over, much like Bosch's
own Cornering ABS. Working with the Kawasaki
Intelligent Anti-Lock Brake System (KIBS), the
KCMF helps modulate brake pressure by gently
releasing some line pressure if the rider over-
cooks the corner and applies too much brake,
which would cause a front-end tuck/crash.
Kawasaki has also given you cruise control as
standard which, if you've ever done touring on a
sport bike, is a godsend.
The crew at Kawasaki was enthusiastically
pumping the Rideology app at the Ninja ZX-10R
press launch, which tracks your ride performance
over the course of your track day, letting you
know things like gear, throttle position, speed,
(Left) A face only a mother
could love? Opinions are
divided on the looks, but if it
wins races—which it has been
doing with ease—history will
remember it as a beautiful
design. (Below) The seat is
taller at the back to push you
into the race tuck easier.
The 4.3-inch dash is new for the ZX-10R and
similar to what you'll get on the Versys 1000. It
makes the old dash look archaic in comparison.
