New ZX-10R out on the track

It's full steam ahead for the brand-new 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja, with the first official tests of the race bike taking place the Sugo racetrack in Japan yesterday.

Boasting carbon fibre fairing, the Kawasaki ZX-10R race bike was piloted by factory guinea pig Hidemichi Takahashi, and word on the street is that he was happy with the way the bike performed. Then again, it's safe to say he was never going to call it a dog...

The new images also give us a better look at the fairing design of the new litre-class Ninja, which has a very hawkish appearance. The new litre-class sportsbike is expected to output around 190hp (140kW) in production trim.

Testing of the new ZX-10R race bike is continuing in Japan with Akira Yanagawa, former World Superbike rider, to throw a leg over the high-powered track tool. Having won three WSBK races, Yanagawa will be able to provide invaluable feedback ahead of Australian rider Chris Vermeulen's test of the bike next month.

With testing of the new race bike hitting overdrive, it's only a matter of time before the road-going version of the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R is officially launched, complete with all the tech specs for comparison with its rivals. And of course a traditional green paint scheme.

Should the Honda CBR1000RR, Yamaha YZF-R1 and Suzuki GSX-R1000 be worried? We'll know soon enough...

With the new ZX-10R model undergoing testing, there is an renewed air of positivity around Kawasaki's race and road programs at present, and if everything goes to plan, 2011 could be a markedly improved year for team green.