With their bikes dominating the WSBK championships, we can see the direct impact of this on their street products. With the integration of technology and electronics from their motorsport experience, they have continuously pushed the limits for better handling and a thrilling ride experience along with ground-breaking technology catering to the rider’s needs.

For 2019, the ZX-10R series is receiving major updates to slay the competition. New developments in the engine architecture will take the power figures to 200 hp+ to all three models. The RR will be a limited edition affair with even more fineness inside that 998cc mill.

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 201
  • Torque: 85
  • Transmission: 6
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

STYLING

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2018 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR


There hasn’t been any change on the skin of the new 2019 ZX-10RR except for that flashy Lime Green only color package replacing that Ebony black Winter Test paint scheme you see on top. It still does not receive the passenger footpeg mounts and a rear seat, all in the name of weight reduction.

The Ninja ZX-10RR comes with the same curvaceous headlamps and revamped front fairing which made their debut on the 2016 Ninja ZX-10R, which mimic that of the bigger Ninja ZX-14R. The central air scoop between both the headlamps has been kept intact, so is the LED pilot lamp above it. Keeping in mind the customer feedback, the front windshield was made larger than before, and a bit swooped out at the rear to deflect wind blasts at higher speeds.

The side fairing, as well as fuel tank, carry forward their respective designs from the standard Ninja ZX-10R. However, the wheels on both the ends are new lightweight Marchesini units, which look better than those of the standard Ninja ZX-10R. The revised tail section with new LED tail lamp and new fender which premiered with the standard Ninja ZX-10R has been retained on the Ninja ZX-10RR as well. The exhaust pipe too has been lifted off from the standard version of the Ninja ZX-10R.

Like the overall design language, the fully digital instrument console too has been shared with the standard Ninja ZX-10R. This particular unit comes with a rainbow shaped tachometer, below which sits a rectangular LCD panel which shows the readouts for speedometer, odometer, trip meters, engine temperature gauge, gear indicator, clock, selected ride mode, et al. The rear view mirrors are all new, but they still have integrated turn indicators in them.

Though the Marchesini wheels and a new paint job makes the RR look more striking than the standard Ninja ZX-10R, we would have liked to see more noticeable cosmetic changes on the new Ninja ZX-10RR; especially when it asks for a $ 4,000 markup from the standard ZX-10R.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

Yamaha YZF-R1M

Honda CBR1000RR SP

Length

82.3 in

80.9 in

81.3 in

Width

29.1 in

27.2 in

28.14 in

Height

45.1 in

45.3 in

44.30 in

Wheelbase

56.7 in

55.3 in

55.27 in

Seat height

32.9 in

33.9 in

32.2 in

Wet weight

458.6 lb

443 lb

429 lb

Fuel capacity

4.5 gal

4.5 gal

4.2 gal


POWERTRAIN

The engine is the same four stroke, liquid cooled, inline four, 998cc engine but with inputs from the WSBK experiences, Kawasaki has updated this already potent ZX-10R mill with new engine enhancements and stronger, reinforced engine cases to uplift the performance package across the range.

The 2019 mill will get a finger-follower valve train that is lighter than the ones used previously, allowing an aggressive cam profile to allow the motor to spin-up faster and sustain high rpm more reliably for long stress durations. The ZX-10RR will get further enhancements with the use of titanium connecting rods from Pankl dropping the mass by another pound and decrease the crankshaft moment of inertia by 5%.

This will take the redline to a further 600 rpm with max power at 201 hp, 1 hp more than the ZX-10R. Of course, using a ram air-intake will take it over 211 hp. Nonetheless, riders can set their preferred power delivery modes (Full: 100%, Middle: 80%, Low: 60%). It will now receive a revised KQS bi-directional quickshifter as standard. And to mark the upgrade, all bikes get a new red-painted ’Testarossa’ cam cover too.

The engine gets DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating for reduced friction loss along with lightweight crankshaft for a quick revving and increased throttle response configuration. Electronic throttle valve and Kawasaki Engine Brake Control (KEBC) contribute efficient sync of electronic rider aids for that precise feel and control. The bike comes equipped with a back torque limiting clutch and a bi-directional quick shifter for clutchless gear actions for aggressive riding situations above 2500 rpm.

It gets a large 10-liter airbox and air filter that improves engine response and eventually increase the low to mid-range power dispatch. The throttle body has also grown in size with 47 mm valves that are electronically operated to give the rider precise throttle response. Increasing the weight-reduction elements of the bike, lightweight crankshaft and piston, titanium-alloy inlet and exhaust valve system makes use of a special heat-resistant alloy proprietary to Kawasaki. It helps in improving the power-weight ratio and heighten the motorcycle’s styling as well as the engine’s peak performance while giving you a cracking exhaust note.

Engine Specification

Make Model

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

Yamaha YZF-R1M

Honda CBR1000RR SP

Capacity cc

998

998

999

Bore / Stroke in

76 / 55

76 / 55.1

76 / 55

Output

201 hp @ 13500 rpm

200 hp @ 13500 rpm

189 hp @ 13000 rpm

Torque

85 lb.-ft @ 11500 rpm

87 lb.-ft @ 10000 rpm

85.5 lb.-ft @ 11000 rpm

Type

4-stroke, Inline 4 cylinder, DOHC, 4-valve, Liquid-cooled

Liquid-cooled inline 4 cylinder DOHC; 16 valves

Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC Inline-4

Clutch type

Wet- Multiplate with slipper assist

Multiplate assist and slipper clutch

Wet- Multiplate with slipper assist

Transmission

6-speed, Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS)

6-speed with Quick Shift System (QSS) an “auto-blip” downshift

6-speed with quick shifter and auto-blipper


RIDE AND HANDLING

The chassis with an optimized geometry for ultimate feel and feedback has been carried over onto the 2019 edition as well. Both frame and the swingarm contribute to sharp handling and excellent cornering speeds. The steering stem and the swingarm can be adjusted as well to suit track and city riding conditions.

Showa’s WSBK tech makes its way into the bike with its 43mm Balanced Free Fork (BFF) suspension unit at the front benefit the rider with increased ride comfort and feel. Independently adjustable compression and rebound damping keep the bike planted when you hoon the track around with the ZX-10RR. At the rear, you will find the horizontal back-link suspension setup that also carries the Showa Balance Free Cushion (BFRC) shocks.

Top of the line Brembo brakes features dual 330 mm semi-floating discs that replace the petal ones used previously. Radially mounted aluminum calipers are the best ones available in any store that gives amazing braking force and feel to the rider. Confident stops are what they are all made of, and they deliver. Stainless steel braided lines provide the rider with a direct connection at the lever. Kawasaki’s Intelligent ABS (KIBS) system gives precision control to modulate brake pressures and ensure maximum traction to stop the beast.

Talking about electronics, this Japanese Green machine gets loads of it, all borrowed from the company’s WSBK stints. As expected, the new Ninja ZX-10R SE gets the same list of electronic aids as that of the Ninja ZX-10R. It includes a Bosch IMU that inputs 6 degrees of freedom to enable precise chassis orientation, corner management function, 3 level Kawasaki Launch control mode (KLCM), 5 level Kawasaki Sport Traction Control (S-KTRC), Kawasaki Engine Braking Control (KEBC), all of which work efficiently in making the riding as well as braking experience a bit more engaging in the part of the rider.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

Yamaha YZF-R1M

Honda CBR1000RR SP

Frame

Aluminum perimeter

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Semi-double cradle, high-tensile steel

Suspension / Front

43mm inverted Balance Free Fork, KECS controlled compression and rebound damping, manual spring preload adjustability

43mm Öhlins electronic suspension w/inverted fork; fully adjustable

Telescopic inverted fork with an inner tube diameter of 43mm, and an NIX30 Smart-EC (OHLINS) Front Fork with preload, compression and rebound adjustments

Suspension / Rear

Horizontal back-link with Balance Free gas-charged shock, controlled compression and rebound damping, manually adjustable spring preload

Öhlins electronic suspension w/single shock; fully adjustable

Unit Pro-Link with gas-charged TTX36 Smart-EC (Öhlins) damper featuring preload and compression and rebound damping adjustment

Brakes / Front

Intelligent Braking (KIBS), Dual semi-floating 330 mm Brembo discs. Caliper: Dual radial-mount, Brembo M50 monobloc, opposed 4-piston

Dual 320mm hydraulic disc; Unified Brake System and ABS

Brembo dual semi-floating 330mm discs with dual radial mounted monobloc 4-piston calipers, Gyro-Assisted ABS

Brakes / Rear

KIBS-controlled, Single 220 mm petal disc. Caliper: Single-bore pin-slide, aluminum piston

220mm disc; Unified Brake System and ABS

220mm dual piston Gyro-Assisted ABS

Tires / Front

120/70 ZR17

120/70ZR17

120/70ZR17 58W

Tires / Rear

190/55 ZR17

200/55ZR17

190/50ZR17 73W


PRICE

While Kawasaki has priced the 2018 Ninja ZX-10R starting at $ 15,099, the 2018 ZX-10RR was coming in at $ 18,899. Expect the 2019 edition to carry a price tag of over $ 19,000. The special ZX-10RR will be only available in Lime Green. Pricing and availability will be out soon.

You can also get accessories and Race Kit parts to make your machine really yours. You can equip your SE with frame slider sets, front axle sliders, knee pad sets, and an Akrapovic slip-on exhaust system.

Make Model

2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR

Yamaha YZF-R1M

Honda CBR1000RR SP

MSRP

$ 19,000 (Est)

$ 22,999

$ 19,999


COMPETITION

Yamaha YZF-R1M

Touted as the sharpest and most track-focused supersport bikes you could get your hands on, Yamaha has updated their mad YZF-R1M superbikes with recalibrated equipment and a couple of new features keeping the competition alive and well. Most of the updates are mostly underneath the skin, which itself gets a new Silver Blu Carbon paint job on the R1M.

The new Yamaha R1 comes bolstered with the same liquid-cooled, parallel four-cylinder engine which oozes out 197 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. The engine is coupled to a 6-speed gearbox with slick up-shifts on tap. For 2018, the folks at Yamaha have given the Quick Shift System (QSS) an “auto-blip” downshift technology that can now accommodate clutchless downshifts along with the up-shifts. And the best part of it all, the rider can disengage the function through the Yamaha Ride Control (YRC) settings found in the newly updated TFT instrumentation.

Another electronic gadget present to aid the rider called the Lift Control System (LIF) also gets further refinements to prevent the front end from lifting off the ground during those hard acceleration scenarios. Thanks to the new Bridgestone RS10 tires, the rider now gets a better grip and feedback to hoon the track around. The YZF-R1M has one another trick up its sleeve with the Öhlins Electronic Racing Suspension (ERS) getting updated with the latest Smart EC 2 ERS system. It can now be fine-tuned via the YRC settings using a smartphone app connected to the motorcycle’s Communication Control Unit (CCU).

Honda CBR1000RR SP

Honda’s SP is said to be an evolution rather than a revolution because close to 70 percent of the parts that make up this bike is completely new as opposed to the previous models. Although the overall geometry of the new blade remains similar to the previous model, the fairings have been thinned down by reducing the material around a few areas while exposing the motor surfaces.

Honda has continued its weight loss program with the engine as well by overhauling the motor for the 2017 CBR. The in-line four pot uses, for the first time, a throttle by wire control helping the power gain to 185-190 hp (11bhp more) while the red line now goes all the way up to 13000rpm from the previous 12250 rpm with peak torque of 81.79ftlb @ 10,500rpm. The compression ratio is up to 13.0:0 from 12.3:1. The power to weight ratio has increased by 14 percent. The new slip-assist clutch system makes use of the quick shifter for those clutchless upshifts and electronically assisted downshifts with auto-blipper.

The CBR1000RR is one of the few bikes that don’t go wrong in the handling department. They have always been touted as the best handling bike by enthusiasts. This updated model, however, ups the game by introducing a wide range of electronics aiding the rider into a more aggressive rideability and at the same time keeping him/her safer than ever. The brand new five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) works tirelessly to keep the bike under control in all situations the rider is capable of maneuvering. Other riding aids include traction control, ABS, slide control, engine brake control, rear lift control and wheelie control.

VERDICT

Within a year of its official launch, Kawasaki has mildly updated the motorcycle by giving in a few more equipment and mild changes to its powertrain. It will be a limited-edition affair of just 500 units to be sold world over. An aluminum plate with the production number will explain this exclusivity.

It promises to be sportier and more eager to roar than the standard ZX-10R with the Japanese Green team giving it WSBK hardware and software and has dropped all unwanted stuff to give you a competitive edge on the track and the streets.

Though the changes are very limited, as a periodic update, this has to be termed as quite praise-worthy, which explains the seriousness of Kawasaki towards modern engineering on two wheels.

With the integration of technology and electronics from their motorsport experience makes the rider feel the ultimate machine running on any tarmac across the world. Kawasaki has continuously pushed better handling, improved lap times and a thrilling riding experience with ground-breaking technology catering to the rider’s needs.