Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

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 internationalMasterbike competition.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, The ZX-10R has the highest theft and damage loss claim rate of any registered motorcycle.

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 × 55 mm (3.0 × 2.2 in), 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 ratio.

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 clutch with a back Torque limiter transfers power to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission ideal for closed-course competition. The back-torque limiter automatically disengages the clutch under hard braking and deceleration to prevent rear wheel hop during corner entry. This also ensures complete control under hard braking.

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.

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 '07 ZX10R, and '06 came with silver ones.

2008 model

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 '06-'07 model to a more conventional single side exhaust. The compression ratio of the engine was raised so that the engine now produces 188 PS (138 kW; 185 hp) @ 12,500 rpm and 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) @ 12,500 rpm with ram air.

2009 Model

Received only slight changes from the 2008 model.

2010 Model

Received slight changes from the 2009 model, including: upgraded Öhlins steering damper, upgraded transmission, and revised bodywork.

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed.

2004/2005	2006/2007	2008/2009/2010
Engine
Engine Type	998 cc (60.9 cu in) liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore/Stroke	76.0 × 55.0 mm (2.99 × 2.17 in)
Compression Ratio	12.7:1		12.9:1
Valve Train	DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Fuel Delivery	Fuel Injection
Ignition	Computer-controlled digital transistorized
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.
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	25 degrees	25.5 degrees
Trail	102 mm (4.0 in)	106 mm (4.2 in)	109 mm (4.3 in)
Wheelbase	1,385 mm (54.5 in)	1,389 mm (54.7 in)	1,415 mm (55.7 in)
Seat Height	825 mm (32.5 in)		830 mm
Dry Weight	170 kg (375 lb)	175 kg (386 lb)	179 kg (395 lb)
Wet Weight
Fuel Capacity	17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
Performance
Max. Power Output	175 PS (129 kW) @ 11,700 rpm 184 PS (135 kW) @ 11,700 rpm with ram air		188 PS (138 kW) @ 12,500 rpm 200 PS (147 kW) @ 12,500 rpm with ram air
Max. Torque			83.2 lbf·ft (112.8 N·m) @ 8,700 rpm