Kawasaki Ninja ZX-2R PicturesThe Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is Kawasaki's follow-up to the ZX-9R sport bike. It was originally released in 2004 with minor revisions in 2005, it combines ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, radial brakes, and strong engine make it a very competitive package for its Japanese rivals: Suzuki's GSX-R 1000, Honda's CBR1000RR and Yamaha Motor Company's R1. In 2004 and 2005 the ZX-10R won Best Superbike from Cycle World magazine and the prestigious international Masterbike competition. It is known to be the most 'hard edged' or race oriented out of the Japanese one-liter inline four cylinder motorcycles, with relatively quick steering and a ferocious powerband.
A complete overhaul to the ZX-10R in 2006 sees the most comprehensive round of changes since the bike was introduced.
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 x 55 mm, the ZX-10R engine's one-piece cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity. The DOHC are machined from chromoly steel billet 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.
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. The radiator is provided by Denso and helps reduce weight.
A complete overhaul to the ZX-10R in 2006 sees the most comprehensive round of changes since the bike was introduced.
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 x 55 mm, the ZX-10R engine's one-piece cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity. The DOHC are machined from chromoly steel billet 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.
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. The radiator is provided by Denso and helps reduce weight.
