2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R breaks cover
With more power, less weight and a new look, the 2011 ZX-10R superbike could be a game-changer
It's low resolution, it's grainy, but what you see here is the first official image of the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja.
This particular photo shows the World Superbike version of the ZX-10R, sans headlights and indicators, but it still shows how the road bike will be styled.
With a fairly angular design, the new 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R retains its centrally mounted ram air intake and also features a traditional side-mount exhaust pipe.
As we predicted, the end product is a more conservative design than the teaser sketch Kawasaki revealed last month, but it's by no means a shrinking violet. Australian WSBK rider Chris Vermeulen will take the bike for a shakedown in August or possibly ealier, with modifications to follow based on his feedback.
As previously reported, Kawasaki says it is "...confident [the ZX-10R] will be at the front of the pack all over the world in 2011."
Of the four big Japanese motorcycle makers, Kawasaki currently has the smallest slice of the 1000cc superbike pie, but it hopes this new model can turn around its fortunes. Time will tell.
Expected to tip the scales at under 200kg wet, there is talk the big Ninja will output around 190hp (140kW), putting in the same performance ballpark as the BMW S 1000 RR. In other words, it'll be ultra fast -- possibly the quickest mass produced litre-class bike to come out of Japan.
Though exact specifications and pricing on the new ZX-10R Ninja are still a closely guarded secret, we'll publish more news on the big-bad Kwaka as we get it.
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