25 reasons to buy the new Kawasaki ZX-10R in 2016
The stunning new Ninja ZX-10R for 2016 was unveiled last week by the newly crowned Kawasaki World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea.
The stunning new Ninja ZX-10R for 2016 was unveiled last week by the newly crowned Kawasaki World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea.
The current Kawasaki ZX-10R has dominated the racetracks of the world in Superbike and Superstock since its introduction in 2011 and in the UK has been the Superstock Championship winning bike for the last 4 seasons. Not forgetting Shakey Byrne who has taken the top spot twice on a Ninja ZX-10R so far. Not a bad starting point!
So just in case you need convincing, here's 25 reasons to buy the new Kawasaki ZX10-R in 2016:-
1. Starting with the engine, its massively re-engineered and fully Euro 4 compliant. Even with a new catalytic converter 2.6 times larger than the 2015 bike – power is 200ps.
2. Lighter crank has 20% less inertia – what does this mean? Rev pick up is faster but most importantly it aids handling making the bike far more “flickable” with the lower gyroscopic effect from the high revving engine.
3. Lighter pistons, Lighter balancer and lighter primary gear all aid the lower inertia too.
4. Larger titanium exhaust valves married to cams giving broader overlap aid breathing and contribute tomax power in the high rev zone.
5. Huge 25% increase to airbox volume with a free flowing airfilter that is 1.6 times bigger and offers 40%less resistance to the air flow.
6. New High grade titanium alloy headers and siliencer.
7. New 32 bit ECU control “Fly by Wire” electronic throttle valves.
Transmission changes….
8. Quick shifter fitted as standard (upshift only – race kit required for downshift).
9. New closer ratio gearbox. 2nd and 3rd gears lowered (2nd gear approximately half way between 2015 model 1st and 2nd ratio’s) give massive punch of the corner. 6th gear is also slightly lower to keep the drive at the maximum level.
Get ready for the electronics…..
10. New Kawasaki’s proprietary dynamic modelling program + Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
– Bosch IMU complements Kawasaki’s proprietary dynamic modelling program to determine precise chassis orientation.
– Operates in 6 DOF (degrees of freedom): 5 measured + 1 calculated- Increased chassis orientation awareness was the key component to bring Kawasaki electronics to thenext level
– Cornering Management function assists riders in tracing their intended line through the corner
11. New S-KTRC (Sport-Kawasaki TRaction Control) – Hybrid predictive/feedback-type evolution of the highly sophisticated traction control system helps riders push harder by maximising acceleration. 5 modes enable expert riders to get even more serious enjoyment on the circuit.
12. New KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode) 3 – mode system designed to help racers optimise acceleration from a launch by managing engine output to prevent wheelspin and minimise wheelies.
13. New KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System) Kawasaki’s supersport-grade high – precision multi-sensing brake management system uses high-precision control to modulate brake pressure during sport riding.
14. New Kawasaki Engine Brake Control – Facilitates smooth corner entry on the track. This system allows riders to set engine braking accordingto preference.
15. New Öhlins Electronic Steering Damper – Settings optimised for the racetrack and winding roads.
16. New Cornering management function (ABS only) – Input from the new IMU enables a new control function: cornering management, which assists riders in tracing their intended line through the corner.
A whole new level of suspension….
17. Showa’s advanced φ43 mm Balance Free Front Fork brings state-of-the-art WSB racing technology to a mass-production model. The high-spec fork offers numerous benefits:-
– increased ride comfort
– increased braking stability
– increased front-end feel
– independently adjustable compression and rebound damping.
18. Damping force is generated outside of the main tube (in the Damping Force Chamber). This allows the whole surface of the main piston to act as a pump, pushing oil towards the valves.
19. Compression and rebound damping are generated (and adjusted) completely independently from one another and give improved damping force responsiveness (compared to a conventional fork). This results in superb traction and absorption performance.
20. Geometry of the bike is changed too, the front forks are closer by 7.5mm effectively making the front end “shorter” and places more weight over the front tyre and gives great feedback to the rider. Overall the wheelbase is longer thanks to a new longer and stiffer swingarm that is matched with a new suspension linkage and Show “Balance Free” rear shock. With the race kit, riders now have the opportunity to change to fork position (+/- 4mm forward or backwards) and swingarm pivot (+/- 2mm up or down) for track conditions and layout.
And when it comes to stopping….
21. To further improve the Ninja ZX-10R’s corner entry performance on the circuit, a high-spec Brembo front brake system comes as standard. The Brembo system – very similar to the system used on the Ninja H2R – includes the best components available for a mass-production model. Special tuning at the Brembo factory ensures that all play has been removed from the system, so that when the brakes are called for, they respond immediately.
22. With a Brembo radial pump master cylinder, high grade stainless steel braided brake hoses and huge semi floating Brembo discs 330mm (up from 310mm on 2015 ZX10R) being gripped by Brembo M50 cast aluminium monobloc callipers you have the best brake system available for a production motorcycle.
23. The new look gives a tighter looking back end and a more aggressive and fuller front cowl, developed from KRT wind tunnel testing to give the best “work area” to concentrate on hitting braking markers and apex’s.
24. Both Kawasaki Superbike champions, Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes have had input in the development of the 2016 ZX10R.
25. It is the closest a rider can get to a factory superbike and still ride to the shops!
Whilst we don't know the price yet, it would be safe to assume given the electronics package and very high grade components (Showa, Brembo, titanium exhaust etc etc) that the 2016 Ninja ZX-10R will have a higher retail price than the current 30th Anniversary Ninja ZX-10R ABS of £13,349.
The price will be announced in due course, but first deliveries to due to reach us late January, early February 2016. So all that's left to do is choose what colour you want, the base model will be available in Metallic Matte Carbon Grey plus we have a special KRT Edition colour scheme.
Update January 2016 – Prices are £13,649 for Grey, £13,799 for KRT and the new Winter Test Edition is £14,399 all plus OTR costs – See all the latest info and deals on the Ninja ZX10-R at Seastar Superbikes.
Call us our Sales Team on 01508 471919 or email sales@seastarsuperbikes.co.ukto reserve your 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R today.