2016 KAWASAKI ZX-10R
FIRST RIDE
P80
eration, transverse acceleration,
vertical acceleration, roll rate
and pitch rate) to determine ev-
erything from what position the
bike is relative to, to lean angle,
slip, brake pressure, accelera-
tion, and more. But Kawasaki
has a sixth unit of measurement
up its sleeve, yaw, which mea-
sures rotation around a vertical
axis – take a pencil and circle
your finger around its middle like
an orbiting planet for a dem-
onstration. This sixth sense is
calculated by Kawasaki's own
proprietary software, and helps
the traction control predict avail-
able grip and thus the amount
of throttle you're allowed to have
when you slam open the gas.
Fancy stuff.
It all adds up to a motorcycle
that's a genuine generation apart
from the 2011 model. That's con-
firmed the moment you sit on the
new green meanie – the pegs
are higher and further back, the
bars closer to your chest and
the front wheel now weighted
with more rider and an engine
SUCKING IT ALL IN
The ram air intake is a small stroke
of genius. Aside from repositioning
the vent closer to the 25 percent
larger airbox, the sides of the top
frame rails have been hollowed out
so they act as resonators to quiet
down the ram air system. Air enters
through four holes in the front of
the frame rails, swelling the inside
of the frame and reducing the noise
the ram air system emits.
GEARBOX AND CLUTCH
Cassette-style transmission is now
quick-shifter-equipped. The gears
themselves are coated in the same
dry film lubricant for reduced friction
as the pistons for quicker, slicker
shifting. Slightly revised ratios are
aimed at producing a more stable
chassis on corner entry.
The clutch primary is 130.1g
lighter and 4mm thinner than the
2011 bike. Back-torque limiting
clutch automatically disengages
when needed. Kawasaki's race kit
parts allow you to change springs,
retainers and shims when required
at the track.
KAWASAKI
HAS STRUCK
A CHORD HERE
IN THAT IT'S
REMOVED MUCH
OF THE STUBBORN
IMMOBILITY OF
THE OLD BIKE
WITHOUT INDUCING
THE CONFIDENCE-
SAPPING
NERVOUSNESS OF A
CHASSIS TOO MUCH
THE OTHER WAY.
