The 2016 incarnation has been comprehensively reworked. With 200hp, it makes the same power as the current bike although that figure climbs to 210hp with ram air. It makes 83.7lb/ft of torque at 11,500rpm. Kawasaki says its kerb mass is 206kg, which is 5kg more than the current model.
Kawasaki says that thanks to input from its World Superbike team, the 2016 ZX-10R is the closest thing its ever offered to a highly advanced factory superbike.
The gearbox has been given closer ratios for second to sixth gears, which Kawasaki says it also worked on to give the 2016 ZX-10 improved mid-low range acceleration, along with improved stability when downshifting.
Electronics
The ZX-10R’s electronics carries some of Kawasaki’s own software to measure across 6 axes of movement. The IMU talks to the other electronic systems in the bike, so the 10R’s traction control system is given more information about the bike’s behaviour and feeds back to the IMU. The traction control system, (called S-KTRC – Sport-Kawasaki TRaction Control) has five modes instead of the three on the current bike.
Three-mode launch control with Kawasaki’s KIBS ABS systems which owners will be able to deactivate with a dongle from Kawasaki. Engine braking can be controlled with the engine braking control system, and is designed to offer riders the amount of engine braking they prefer. The new ZX-10 will come with a quick shifter as standard, which will allow clutchless downshifts with a race kit ECU.
Ohlins electronic steering damper, which Kawasaki says has been optimized for the racetrack and winding roads, to match the characteristic bike.
Chassis, suspension and brakes
Kawasaki’s race kit parts also give the chassis some adjustability and a set of reversible offset collars will allows the steering stem to be adjusted by +/- 4mm from the standard position. Another set of reversible collars will allow the swingarm pivot position to be adjusted by +/- 2mm up or down from centre.
The Showa Balance Free front suspension is brand new and Kawasaki says it was developed with Showa in World Superbikes. This new gas fork makes its mass production debut on 2016 ZX-10R. It uses a Damping Force Chamber to generate damping force outside of the main fork tubes, has an external compression chamber filled with pressurized nitrogen gas to manage pressure increases in the damping force chamber and compression and rebound damping are generated and adjusted independently from one another. Kawasaki claims the improved damping force responsiveness offered by the new Showa fork results in superb traction and absortion performance.
For 2016, the ZX-10 gets a Brembo brake system that, so says Kawasaki, is very similar to the one on the Ninja H2R. At the front are a pair of 330mm semi-floating discs, gripped by Brembo M50 4-pot monobloc calipers. Kawasaki says the front master cylinder and reservoir ‘received extra attention before being shipped to Kawasaki’ with each part being examined and adjusted to remove ineffective stroke. At the rear, there’s a 220mm disc and single piston caliper and both front and rear brakes get braided steel lines.
Styling and instrumentation
The bodywork has been given some attention too, although it’s not a radical departure from the ZX-10s current styling. The main change being is a restyled, fuller front fairing. The seat unit is also wider and ‘more voluptuous’ and the tail light design has been changed to make the rear end look sharper.
The backlit LED dash has been updated to include all the necessary settings and data from the electronics, and will display engine braking information, IMU information, launch control settings, what power mode the bike is in. It even has an economical riding indicator, though how many owners will be interested in this is anyone’s guess. The dash will automatically adjust its brightness according to how light/dark it is.
Specifications:
Engine
998cc liquid cooled 4-stroke inline-four DOHC 16-valve
Frame
Twin-spar aluminium
Brakes
Twin Brembo M50 4-piston monobloc calipers, 330mm discs (f), Nissin singe piston caliper, 220mm disc
Suspension
Showa Balance Free fork, Showa BFRC Lite shock
Electronics
Inertial Measurement Unit, S-KTRC (Sport-Kawasaki TRaction control), KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode), KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System), engine braking control, quick shifter, Ohlins electronic steering damper, five power modes.
Power
200hp, 210hp with ram air, 83.7lb/ft torque at 11,500rpm
Dimensions
Length: 2,090mm
Width: 740mm
Height: 1,145mm
Wheelbase: 1,440mm
Ground clearance: 145mm
Seat height: 835mm
Kerb weight: 206kg
Fuel tank capacity: 17 litres
