News 22 Jan 2016

Review: 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS

CycleOnline.com.au tests the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS.

It was only a month ago that we attended the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R launch at Wakefield Park Raceway in New South Wales. And here we are, on the week of the international press launch, with the bike already on the street! It really does pay to live in Australia!

If you haven’t already read the launch report, you’ll find it here. There’s plenty there to say about the changes in detail and performance on the race track. In summary, this machine is very impressive. It doesn’t look too different in the metal from the previous model ZX-10R, but there’s been a host of changes to refine its performance on the race track.

The changes are in three key areas of the bike: styling, engine and chassis. The changes amount to a reshaped upper fairing cowl, front mudguard and seat to improve wind protection and make it easier to get around on the bike. In the engine and gearbox the updates have delivered better low to midrange performance, acceleration and handling on corner entry while the chassis improvements have delivered better and sharper feel on corner entry, feel under brakes and control.

There is also an upgrade to the latest version of electronics with Bosch’s 9M IMU the centerpiece to the overall traction control package. I say overall as it looks after power wheelies, rear wheel slides, launch control and the ABS – everything to do about traction and controlling it! It’s the industry leading electronics system for motorcycles and with its introduction brings the ZX-10R to the front of the field in terms of what it has to offer.

So with all these updates to the ZX-10R to improve its performance on the race track, how was this going to translate to its performance on the road?

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

“If you build a good bike for the racetrack, it will be good for the road,” said ZX-10R project leader Yoshimoto Matsuda at the Australian launch last month. After the way the ZX-10R performed on the track, the idea of the ZX-10R being a sharper handling, punchier machine on the road sounded like a recipe for success. So with an ABS-equipped model now at our disposal it was time to find out how well it translates between the two very different environs.

One thing is certain, if you want the easiest to use power characteristics for a sportsbike on the road, a 154kW superbike isn’t typically your first machine of choice. Still, many superbikes these days never see a racetrack and the updates to the ZX-10R are all things that have improve the machine’s nature making it much easier to use on the road.

Jump in the seat and it instantly feels more comfortable than the ZX-10R of old. Changes to the chassis have cast the seat position closer to the engine and the handlebars a tad closer to the rider. The changes to the upper fairing cowl have made it better at splitting the wind on the open road, and easier to tuck under on the racetrack. The best thing about it is the mirrors that have a very long reach and a good view of the road behind.

The changes in the engine have delivered quicker acceleration and deceleration with a stronger power delivery particularly in the low to mid rpm range. Off the line you need a bit of clutch to get the 10R away with speed, but there is always launch control if you are serious. You’ll move away quick enough but when the bike picks up a few thousand rpm it’ll start to pull your arms with ferocity.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

The smooth and predictable power delivery makes it a doddle to use in slow, tricky situations – like on wet or slippery roads. Slow speed corners can be done without any clutch, but not if you want to get away in a hurry. With all gears shorter aside from 4th and 5th, the 10R does delivers a hard-hitting punch lower in the rev range that makes for faster corner exits ultimately, but on the road that is a bit quicker than what is usually legal.

But this is a superbike, and built for speeds other than fumbling along in the wet. Where it revels is in the midrange, which translates to pretty fast road speeds. The predictable nature of the engine and smooth delivery make it the most fun on a fast, twisting road where the sharp and fast-turning chassis makes it a cinch to ride.

The bike now has a higher centre-of-gravity and, with the chassis changes in unison, deliver a better feel under brakes and turn-in as well as quicker steering on fast direction changes. Just as was proven on the racetrack, this is an aspect of the ZX-10R that shines through just as much on the road.

Turn-in is the best aspect of the 10R. It rolls fast and precisely into corners. The stability isn’t wavered even over the snottiest of roads with the Showa Balance Free Fork (BFF) and Balance Free Rear Chamber (BFRC) prove they aren’t a gimmick. I didn’t touch the base setting on the road, but know from experience on the track a little click makes a big difference.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

The ABS is an aspect of the chassis package that most riders will appreciate. Using an IMU, the system is designed to work in corners as well as stop rear wheel lift. While I never pushed it hard enough to use these features on the road, in a straight line it takes a lot front brake pressure to get it to intervene. The Brembo M50 Monoblocs give great feel and superb power with it only being in an emergency that you’ll use the ABS. With the turn of speed this bike generates so easily, it’s a nice back-up to have if you get things wrong.

The five traction control modes have three modes dedicated for trackday riding through to riding on the road in the wet. The two sportier modes are best left for the track, and there is good variation in the characteristics the other three modes deliver. Combine it with the variation of the power modes and engine control and you can tailor the 10R to many road conditions with an easy flick of the left switchblock.

In every other respect the ZX-10R is truly a superbike built for the track, not the road. The dash has a lot to say in a small space, pillions are best left at home and you are going to feel like you have gone 12 rounds after a full day in the saddle. The little wobble of the tips of the fairing make it feel like a race bike with race-glass on it which is kinda cool too.

Of course, this fifth generation of Ninja ZX-10R was built to be a better machine on the track. It is that, and on the road those aspects that Kawasaki bettered it for the closed circuit have, as project leader Yoshimoto Matsuda said, made the ZX-10R a better superbike on the road. It seems racers and road riders have won from the ZX-10R’s latest update and it’s a big win for all.

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Specifications

Capacity: 998cc
Power: 154kW @ 13,300rpm (with Ram Air)
Torque: 114Nm@ 11,500rpm
Wet weight: 206kg
Seat height: 835mm
Colours: Lime Green KRT and Flat Ebony Winter Test Edition (Metallic Matte Carbon Grey)
Price: $23,200+orc ($23,000+orc)
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited distance
Detailed specs: http://www.kawasaki.com.au/

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