COLOGNE SHOW: 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Weighing less than the current horsepower king of the litre-class superbike, the BMW S 1000 RR, and outputting more power, the new 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R is shaping up to be a very sharp and desirable machine.

Arriving in Australia in early 2011, it's packed with plenty of techno-wizardry, including a new traction control system with three different modes that promises to slash tenths off your lap time.

The new King Kwaka is powered by a brand new 998cc four-cylinder engine that pumps out a massive 200hp (147kW) at 13,000rpm -- and that's without factoring in ram air induction forces.

Add to that 114Nm of torque at 11,500rpm and you have a recipe for the very addictive sensory delights.

It's also expected to be the lightest sports bike in its class, a kerb weight of 198kg a full 6kg lighter than the BMW S 1000 RR and 1kg lighter than the previous record holder, the Honda CBR1000RR.

So it's more powerful and it's lighter. That's a very good start for Kawasaki, whose ZX-10R has languished in the last few couple of years as its rivals became lighter and more agile. But there's much more to this green machine than just the best power-to-weight ratio in its class.

Take a closer look at some of the motorcycle's chassis components and the 2011 Ninja ZX-10R goes from jaw-dropping to face-slapping, with the Showa Big Piston Fork expected to give the front end a lot more feel. The new fork ditches the cartridge-type setup for a much simpler design, and the result is a reduction in unsprung weight and claimed improvements in damping control.

There's a new twin-spar frame and aluminium swingarm, and the rake and trail are steeper and more aggressive (25 degrees and 107mm) compared to the 2010 model (25.5 degrees and 110mm), which is said to "contribute to more flickable handling".

The 2011 ZX-10R also gets an Ohlins steering damper, while at the rear the piggyback shock is arranged almost horizontally, which Kawasaki reckons makes the rear end track more smoothly, while also improving mass centralisation.

On top of the suspension innovations, the green team has reduced unsprung weight by adopting new gravity-cast wheels that are 300g and 490g lighter at the front and rear respectively. Upgraded Tokico radial brake calipers grip twin 310mm twin front and single 220mm petal discs, and a slipper clutch is also added, while ABS will be an option.

See the bottom of the page for the full specifications.

One of the more intriguing aspects of the new model is its traction control system, known in Kwaka parlance as S-KTRC, or Sport Kawasaki Traction Control.

Standard on all models, the new system is an evolution of the traction control seen on the Kawasaki 1400GT tourer and, instead of being a reactive system that stops you from highsiding or sliding out, it's billed a proactive system that will help improve your lap times.

Sound too good to be true?

Rather than waiting for the rear wheel to spin or break traction before retarding engine power, the S-KTRC's sensors -- which monitor engine speed plus front and rear wheel speeds, throttle position, etc -- calculate exactly what the bike is doing and compares it to the rider's intention, and can respond almost instantaneously, every five milliseconds to be precise, to ensure optimum grip.

What this means is that instead of responding with a heavy hand and rebuking the rider for getting sideways or spinning the rear wheel by dramatically reducing power, the S-KRTC is far less intrusive and allows the rear wheel certain degrees of slippage. In effect, the system will allow acceleration to be maintained even in the face of some slippage and your rhythm won't be unduly affected. On paper it sounds absolutely compelling -- let's hope it translates to a rewarding experience in the real world.

There are three modes of operation, (likely to be wet, dry and off), with the system toggle switch on the left handlebar. As well as allowing give at the rear wheel, S-KTRC also handles wheelies, allowing minor lofting of the front wheel at higher speeds under full throttle, aka power wheelies, but will intervene during slow speed wheelies, aka shenanigan wheelies.

Kawasaki has also upgraded the ABS system, called KIBS, and like the traction control has tailored it for performance riding. It also uses the bike's array of sensors to decide when the bike is real danger or when it's just trying to wash off speed for turn one at Phillip Island.

All told, the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R looks like the real deal. It's got massive power, tempered with a number of clever systems that we can't wait to sink our teeth into.

As the most powerful, lightest and most technologically advanced motorcycle in its class, it's shaping up as the bike to beat in 2011. And the design? Impressively compact and suitably aggressive.

Kawasaki Australia says the new Ninja ZX-10R will be coming in early 2011.

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