Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Encyclopedia
The Ninja ZX-10R is a Kawasaki
sport bike
, and the follow-up to the ZX-9R
. It was originally released in 2004 with minor revisions in 2005. It combines an ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes. In 2004 and 2005 the ZX-10R won Best Superbike from Cycle World magazine and the prestigious international Masterbike
competition.
According to data published in 2007 by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety in the USA, the ZX-10R has that country's highest collision damage loss claim rate of any motorcycle registered between 2000 and 2006.
.
transfers power to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission ideal for closed-course competition. The back-torque limiter automatically disengages the clutch (partially) under hard downshifting at high engine speeds to prevent rear wheel hop during corner entry.
Since the 2006 model the sidewall profile of the rear tire has been increased from 190/50/ZR17 to 190/55/ZR17.
The 2006 ZX1000D6F model carried over to the 2007 model year, with only color scheme changes. The most noticeable difference between 2006 and 2007, is that the heat-shields on the exhaust pipes are black on the 2007 ZX10R, and 2006 came with silver ones.
The ZX-10R was all new for its launch for the 2008 model year. There was a dramatic change in appearance with the bike featuring a much more angular front end. Kawasaki moved away from the twin-underseat exhausts of the 2006–2007 model to a more conventional single side exhaust. The compression ratio of the engine was raised.
Kawasaki Motorcycle Corporation
Kawasaki motorycles are manufactured by the Motorcycle & Engine division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries at plants in Japan, USA, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. The motorcycles have been produced since 1954.-History:...
sport bike
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
, and the follow-up to the ZX-9R
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
The Kawasaki ZX-9R was a sport bike manufactured Japanese company Kawasaki from 1994 to 2003. There were five model incarnations across two basic designs.-Introduction:The ZX-9R debuted in 1994...
. It was originally released in 2004 with minor revisions in 2005. It combines an ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes. In 2004 and 2005 the ZX-10R won Best Superbike from Cycle World magazine and the prestigious international Masterbike
Masterbike
Masterbike is a contest held on an annual basis to determine the best sport bikes of the year. Motociclismo, a Spanish sport bike magazine, invites cooperating magazines from all over the world Masterbike is a contest held on an annual basis to determine the best sport bikes of the year....
competition.
According to data published in 2007 by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety in the USA, the ZX-10R has that country's highest collision damage loss claim rate of any motorcycle registered between 2000 and 2006.
Engine
Kawasaki engineers utilized a "stack" design for a liquid-cooled, 998 cc inline four-cylinder engine. The crank axis, input shaft and output shaft of the "Ninja" ZX-10R engine are positioned in a triangular layout to reduce engine length, while the high-speed generator is placed behind the cylinder bank to reduce engine width. With a bore and stroke of 76 millimetre, the ZX-10R engine's one-piece cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity. The DOHC are machined from chromoly steel built for strength, four valves per cylinder improve high-rpm breathing, and the forged, lightweight pistons offer high heat resistance to further enhance the bike's power-to-weight ratioPower-to-weight ratio
Power-to-weight ratio is a calculation commonly applied to engines and mobile power sources to enable the comparison of one unit or design to another. Power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of actual performance of any engine or power sources...
.
Cooling system
In addition to liquid cooling, the ZX-10R engine features an oil cooler adjacent to the oil filter to reduce oil temperatures. "Slosh" analysis was also used to design the internal structure of the oil pan, thereby reducing windage losses and helping to maintain low oil temperatures.Clutch
A multi-plate wet slipper clutchSlipper clutch
A slipper clutch is a specialized clutch developed for performance oriented motorcycles to mitigate the effects of engine braking when riders decelerate as they enter corners....
transfers power to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission ideal for closed-course competition. The back-torque limiter automatically disengages the clutch (partially) under hard downshifting at high engine speeds to prevent rear wheel hop during corner entry.
Wheels
A new six spoke wheel design is claimed to be almost as light as special purpose race wheels.Since the 2006 model the sidewall profile of the rear tire has been increased from 190/50/ZR17 to 190/55/ZR17.
2004 model
This was the debut of the Ninja ZX-10R. It was compact, with a short wheelbase and a high power-to-weight ratio, which helped the handling. The exhaust system was fully titanium with single muffler.2006 model
Among other changes, the 2006 model featured twin underseat exhausts which contributed to a 5 kg (11 lb) increase in dry weight. The engine remained largely unchanged.The 2006 ZX1000D6F model carried over to the 2007 model year, with only color scheme changes. The most noticeable difference between 2006 and 2007, is that the heat-shields on the exhaust pipes are black on the 2007 ZX10R, and 2006 came with silver ones.
2008 model
2010 model
Received slight changes from the 2009 model, including: upgraded Öhlins steering damper, upgraded transmission, and revised bodywork.2011 model
The 2011 ZX-10R underwent major overhaul both mechanically and visually. Most notably, Kawasaki introduced their S-KTRC (Sport Kawasaki Traction Control) system as a standard feature; responsible for predicting when traction will be lost and adapting accordingly. Also new are KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent Braking System) as their optional ABS system, a completely new design, adjustable foot-pegs, larger throttle bodies, a horizontal rear suspension, lighter three-spoke wheels, Showa Big Piston Fork front suspension, and an LCD panel dashboard.Specifications
All specifications are manufacturer claimed.| 2004/2005 | 2006/2007 | 2008/2009/2010 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||||
| Engine Type | 998 cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder | |||
| Bore/Stroke | 76 by 55 mm (3 by 2.2 ) | |||
| Compression Ratio | 12.7:1 | 12.9:1 | 13.0:1 | |
| Valve Train | DOHC; four valves per cylinder | |||
| Fuel Delivery | Fuel Injection | |||
| Ignition | Computer-controlled digital transistorized | TCBI with digital advance and Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC) | ||
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Transmission | close-ratio six-speed, slipper clutch | |||
| Final Drive | sealed chain | |||
| Chassis/Suspension/Brakes | ||||
| Front Suspension | 43 mm inverted fork with top-out springs | |||
| Rear Suspension | Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and top-out spring | Uni-Trak with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping. | Horizontal Back-link with gas-charged shock, stepless, dual-range compression damping, stepless rebound damping | |
| Front Brakes | Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with semi-floating 300 mm (11.8 in) petal discs | Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with semi-floating 310 mm (12.2 in) petal discs | ||
| Rear Brakes | Single 220 mm (8.7 in) disc with single-piston caliper | |||
| Front Tire | 120/70ZR-17 | |||
| Rear Tire | 190/50ZR-17 | 190/55ZR-17 | ||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Rake | 24 degrees | 24.5 degrees | 25.5 degrees | 25 degrees |
| Trail | 102 mm (4 in) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | |
| Wheelbase | 1385 mm (54.5 in) | 1390 mm (54.7 in) | 1415 mm (55.7 in) | 1425 mm (56.1 in) |
| Seat Height | 825 mm (32.5 in) | 830 mm (32.7 in) | 813 mm (32 in) | |
| Dry Weight | 170 kg (375 lb) | 175 kg (386 lb) | 179 kg (395 lb) | |
| Wet Weight | 197 kg (434 lb) | |||
| Fuel Capacity | 17 l (35.9 US pt) | |||
| Performance | ||||
| 2.84 seconds | ||||
| 5.22 seconds | ||||
| 10.00 seconds | ||||
| 17.21 seconds | ||||
| 4.78 seconds | ||||
| 11.99 seconds | ||||
| 1/4 mile | 10.01 seconds @ 150.05 mph (67.1 m/s) | |||
| Fuel economy | 32.4 mpgU.S. (13.8 km/L) | |||
External links
- Kawasaki ZX-10R Road tests of all Kawasaki ZX-10R models
- Motorcycle USA 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R First Ride