The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. I WANT one!!!
Somehow, Kawasakis have always had more street-cred than other Jap bikes. When it comes to power, styling and performance, Kawasaki bikes are right on top. From trendsetting Z1s and turbocharged GPZs to ZX-10s, ZX-11s and ZX-12Rs, Kawasakis have been the strongest, fastest and yes, the baddest bikes on the block. And in keeping with Kawasaki tradition, the latest ZX-10R is the meanest Ninja around. It’s even overshadowed its big brother, the ZX-12R, which was the king of quick until the 10 came along. Kawasaki’s own ZZR1400 is quicker and faster in a straight line, but when it comes to handling and cornering abilities, few bikes can live with the 10R.
There’s a massive ram-air intake feeding a pressurised airbox which boosts power at high speeds, a slipper clutch, a heavily braced swingarm that holds a six-spoke alloy wheel (wearing 190/50ZR-17 rubber) and a titanium exhaust system with underseat pipes. Whereas most superbikes have their twin-beam frames wrapped around the engine, the Ninja’s spars are routed over the top, which results in a more compact, manageable motorcycle. At the front, there’s a 43mm, USD fork that’s multi-adjustable for damping and spring preload. The ZX-10R’s 293kph top speed might be some way off the Shinkansen’s (the famed Japanese ‘Bullet Train’) top whack, but the big Ninja will blow the doors off your neighbour’s Porsche.
Power: 156bhp
0 to 100kph: 2.7 seconds
Top speed: 293kph
In a line: “So I just knocked down your pint and what’re you gonna do about it?”
Right click and download a motorcycle-usa.com roadtest video of the ZX-10R here
0 comments:
Post a Comment