FIRST LOOK
P54
The 2016 998cc, 16-valve, four-
cylinder Ninja ZX-10R is claimed
to produce 200 hp (207 hp
with ram air) at 13,000 rpm, with
torque a claimed 83 lb-ft at 11,500
rpm. The extra ponies come via
a plethora of changes including a
lighter crankshaft, a redesigned
cylinder head and camshafts and
a massive new airbox.
But aside from the engine,
where the biggest gains have
been found are in the chassis.
The ZX-10R's steering head pipe
now sits 7.5mm closer to the
rider to put more weight on the
front, while the braced swingarm
has been lengthened 15.8mm.
Showa graces the Ninja with
its all-new Balance Free Fork.
The main feature of the Showa
BFF is that the design of the
hydraulic system eliminates
pressure balance fluctuations.
The shock is Showa's Balance
Free Rear Cushion (BFRC)
unit, which houses a separate
damping force chamber for
compression and rebound
damping.
The ZX-10R now gets the
same brakes as Ducati's
Panigale in the Brembo M50
monobloc calipers biting
330mm discs up front, with ABS
as an optional extra.
The 10R also gets the five-
axis Bosch IMU (same as
the YZF-R1), S-KTRC Sport
Kawasaki TRraction Control,
KIBS Kawasaki Intelligent
Braking System (ABS models
only), Cornering Management
Function (ECU modulates
brake pressure according to
lean angle, ABS models only),
Kawasaki Engine Braking
Control, and three variable
power modes.
The 2016 Kawasaki ZX-10R
will come with an MSRP of
$15,999, with a special edition
KRT model (different graphics)
for $16,299.
KRT edition with go-fast green graphics.
2016 KAWASAKI ZX-10R
