2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Technology
O v e r v i e w
MAXIMUM RIDER EXCITEMENTDesigned to offer a high-level base package with the stock engine and chassis performance to satisfy even professional racers, the already potent Ninja ZX-10R receives some fine-tuning and a revised styling package for 2010.
To maximize rider excitement on the circuit, the Ninja ZX-10R offers the following qualities:
High-powered EngineDelivering 192 PS with Ram Air and a super-wide powerband, the Ninja ZX-10R’s engine has a performance potential similar to Kawasaki factory superbike race machines.
Precise Engine ControlEngine settings and advanced technology like KIMS result in a silky smooth throttle response, ensuring a superb relationship between the rider’s wrist and the rear wheel. Power delivery is seamless and linear, facilitating control, yet the Ninja ZX-10R’s exhilarating engine feel, especially at high-rpm, is sure to have riders grinning in their helmets.
Flickable HandlingHighly responsive to rider input, the Ninja ZX-10R turns almost as quickly as a 600cc class machine. Confidence-inspiring front end, mid-corner stability, as well as the performance, control and feel offered by Kawasaki’s triple petal disc brake package all contribute to cornering pleasure.
Superb Rider FeedbackThe combination of an ultra-high feedback chassis and tactile ergonomics result in a highly communicative package that enables the two-way dialog between man and machine that is required to ride at the highest level. The main frame, rear frame and swingarm were designed to transmit information to the rider. Ergonomics, especially the tank and seat, maximize the rider’s contact with the bike. The handlebar/seat/pegs relationship offers a naturally aggressive riding position, ideal for riding on the track.
Other Winning FeaturesAdding to the Ninja ZX-10R’s potent circuit potential are features like its highly acclaimed back-torque limiter and highly visible instrument cluster. For 2010, the 10R receives a new-design Öhlins steering damper, and revisions to the transmission shift mechanism offer improved shift touch.
Sharper New StylingNew front cowl gives the Ninja ZX-10R a stronger family resemblance to its smaller sibling, the Ninja ZX-6R. Revisions to the minimalist bodywork and a new muffler design contribute to a lighter looking appearance.
Imbued with technology tried and tested on Kawasaki racers, the Ninja ZX-10R shines on the track, especially on fast, flowing circuits. Although designed to offer maximum rider excitement on the circuit, the same qualities that enable its high circuit performance make it fun for sport riding on the street.
E n g i n eHIGH-POWERED ENGINEDual injection• Secondary fuel injectors contribute to top-end power output and power characteristics in the high-rpm range. While the lower injectors operate all the time, operation of the upstream injectors is determined by the degree of throttle opening and engine rpm.
Ram Air / Airbox• The highly efficient, centrally mounted Ram Air intake duct was designed to reduce intake noise and improve intake efficiency. A passageway through the frame routes intake air from the Ram Air duct to either side of the steering head, giving the air a straight and very efficient path to the airbox.
• Large-volume airbox was possible thanks in part to a flat-type fuel pump (also used on the Ninja ZX-6R), which allowed fuel tank capacity to be maintained despite the additional space required for the secondary injectors.
• Oval intake funnels (velocity stacks) contribute to flow efficiency.
Cylinder head• Exhaust port shape designed for flow efficiency. This, and matching combustion chambers contribute to the high top-end power.
• Both intake and exhaust valves are titanium, reducing reciprocating weight.
• High-lift cams deliver more power at high rpm and make it easier to tune the engine for racing.
Exhaust system• Efficient exhaust system arrangement with pre-chamber and single right-side silencer contributes to the engine’s high power output.
PRECISE ENGINE CONTROL Oval sub-throttles• Complimenting the secondary injectors are oval cross-sectioned throttle bodies. The system allows very precise throttle control and also contributes to throttle response.
Cylinder head• Intake ports designed for optimal high rpm power characteristics.
• Optimized exhaust valve diameter (ø24.5 mm) contributes to driveability and power characteristics.
Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS)In order to offer riders precise control of its engine’s powerful output, the Ninja ZX-10R is equipped with an advanced ignition management system. Designed to deliver power according to the rider’s intentions, the system ensures smooth throttle response, curtails sudden spikes in engine speed, and also effectively protects the engine and catalysers from damage.
• In order to provide precise control, KIMS is constantly receiving input and sending power delivery instructions. What makes this system different is that in addition to standard FI system input data (engine speed, throttle position, vehicle speed, gear position and feedback from intake air temperature, intake air pressure, engine temperature and O2 sensors), this advanced ignition management system also monitors change in engine speed. Engine speed is checked every 0.02s.
• Should a significant sudden change in engine speed be detected, the above factors are taken into account and, when deemed necessary, ignition timing is slowed to protect the engine and catalysers from damage.
• Slowing the ignition timing sometimes has the effect of reducing rear wheel slippage.
However, as part of a rider-active package, KIMS was designed not to interfere with the rider’s intentions. The ECU’s complex program assumes that all rider input is intentional, so unless the change in engine speed exceeds the predicted response for the given parameters (throttle position, gear, etc), the system is designed NOT to act.
For example:
»When the throttle is being opened and the rear tire starts to slip, the system looks at how much (and how quickly) the throttle was opened.
»If it was being opened slowly, KIMS determines it was not the rider’s intention to initiate a rear wheel slide and slows ignition timing to avoid the sudden abnormal load on the engine and catalysers. Slowing the ignition may reduce the rear wheel slippage.
»If the throttle was opened widely and quickly, KIMS assumes the rider intended to initiate a rear wheel slide and does NOT act to slow the ignition timing.
»When equipped with a racing kit (for circuit-use only), it is possible to adjust the parameters.
C h a s s i s FLICKABLE HANDLINGFrame• In addition to contributing Ram Air efficiency, the Ram Air passageway through the frame optimizes rigidity around the head pipe.
• Changes in the frame’s wall thickness around the swingarm pivot increase the frame’s rigidity in this area, contributing to the 10R’s brilliant handling characteristics.
• The 2-piece sub-frame is an aluminium die-casting consisting of a front and rear section. This layout enables a very precise and very lightweight construction. The new sub-frame is also very narrow, allowing the rear of the bike to be very compact and slim.
Swingarm• Specially designed to match the optimized stiffness balance of the frame, the swingarm features a top-mounted stabilizer. This design contributes to the superb high-speed stability of the chassis.
Exhaust system• The exhaust system features a pre-chamber under the engine, which, in addition to reducing exhaust noise, helps minimize silencer volume.
• Along with the pre-chamber, the single titanium right-side silencer enables a low centre of gravity and centralizes mass, contributing to the bike’s flickable handling.
SUPERB RIDER FEEDBACK Kawasaki’s unique Backbone Twin-tube frame• The optimized stiffness balance of Kawasaki’s unique backbone twin-tube frame contributes to the 10R’s superb rider feedback. Some of the chassis technology used included shaping the frame’s pressed parts: the convex pieces, not really noticeable to the naked eye, help alleviate stress concentrations. Final fine-tuning was accomplished with welds added to the side rails (behind the side covers).
• The sub-frame is mounted to the frame’s upper cross member, allowing the rear suspension to transmit its loads more directly to the sub-frame, and then to the rider.
• Ribbing added on the interior of the pivot plate where it joins the frame’s upper cross member slightly slows down the feedback from the frame to the rider, giving the rider a more accurate feel for what the frame is doing.
Swingarm• The 10R’s swingarm uses pressed beams to deliver a level of feel and feedback unobtainable with a cast swingarm.
Öhlins steering damper• Adjustable Öhlins steering damper with twin-tube design is fitted as standard equipment. The second tube, which acts like a reservoir tank, and the damper internals, ensure stable damping performance even under racing conditions. This race-quality unit was developed in collaboration with Öhlins specifically for the Ninja ZX-10R.
• *NEW* Spring and free piston added to the reservoir contribute to stable damping performance.
• *NEW* New titanium colour and laser-etched logo add to appearance.
Best-in-class instrumentation• The 10R’s cluster instrument package features special UV-blocking glass, making the LED displays brighter and easier to read.
• The depth effect of the LCD screen is striking.
• Colour-coded tachometer indicates optimal operating range in green.
SHARPER NEW STYLING Bodywork• *NEW* Single-piece front cowl gives the 10R a similar look to its smaller sibling.
• *NEW* Inner fairings provide a tidier look around the handlebar area.
• Folding mirrors with adjustable, Talbot-type reflecting surfaces contribute to the 10R’s sharp image.
• The mirrors and stays with their integrated turn signals are easily removable, making it easy to prep the 10R for track riding. And because the mounting position is high, rearward visibility is excellent. This mounting location also helps to minimize damage if the bike falls over.
• *NEW* Adding to the effect of the minimalist bodywork, sharper new side panels use a greater amount of black to make the 10R appear even more compact.
• *NEW* The license plate holder and rear turn signals are also quickly detachable for circuit riding.
• A racy LED taillight makes the bike more visible to drivers and provides a final styling flourish to the evocative Ninja design.
Silencer design• Metallic gray paint, a dimpled finish and a minimalist end cover add a touch of class and contribute to the muffler’s smaller appearance.
SuspensionTrack-oriented suspension• The 43 mm inverted fork is fully adjustable and features bottom mounted springs. Mounting the springs at the bottom completely submerges them in oil, reducing frothing for improved damping performance, fork action and road-following ability.
• Fork tubes feature a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating. Not only does this high-tech low-friction coating improve fork action, it improves friction control: the initial part of the stroke is slowed, smoothing action for stable braking; once compressed, the reduced friction allows the stroke to move quickly for superb road holding.
• Uni-Trak rear suspension has a fully adjustable shock featuring dual (low- and high-speed) compression damping, which enables the fine-tuning needed for circuit riding. Ride feel is improved, and feedback and traction control are what riders expect from a competition-ready machine.
• The suspension system operates so well that even with the low-speed compression damping backed off, there is no “springy” feel, and road-following ability is excellent.
Brakes• Tokico radial mount brake calipers with dual offer formidable stopping performance, superb initial bite characteristics and a high level of control give a progressive feel after the initial bite.
• ø310 mm petal discs are 5.5 mm thick for efficient heat dissipation. Because these brakes are less influenced by heat, brake feel remains more consistent and more responsive during extended periods of heavy use – such as during a race or a trackday.
• Aluminium rotor carriers reduce unsprung weight, and feature 10 buttons which rigidly support the disc rotor and contribute to heat dissipation for stable braking performance.
• Slowing the rear is a ø220 mm disc gripped by a single-piston caliper.
• Both front and rear brake calipers use lightweight aluminium pistons.
Ergonomics• The riding position was specially designed to make the 10R as racer-friendly as possible. The handlebar/seat/peg relationship put the rider in a naturally aggressive position, ideal for the track.
• The narrow frame and engine create an overall narrow package, allowing the rider to keep his or her knees and feet close together.
• Sculpted fuel tank conforms to the rider’s legs and is narrow at the rear, allowing riders to hug the tank with their knees and keep out of the slipstream.
• Thin pads on the upper frame rails offer additional grip.
• The fuel tank’s flared design makes it easier for the rider to rest the inside of his arm on the tank when leaning into a turn. The larger contact patch contributes to the increased rider feedback.
• Front to back, the seat is compact, allowing the rider to rest his tailbone on the rear seat step. The snug “fit” also contributes to the excellent feedback the rider gets from the new chassis.
• The front of seat tapers inwards, contributing to the narrow riding position and offering a shorter reach to the pavement.
• The throttle grip has a special rib on its end (under the grip rubber), which adds to grip and feel.
OTHER WINNING FEATURESBack-torque limiter• Easily adjustable back-torque limiting clutch facilitates smooth downshifts. This highly acclaimed feature is one of the main contributors to the rear’s stable composure under hard braking.
Smooth-shifting transmission• Precise gearbox allows gears to click into place smoothly and firmly.
• *NEW* Revisions to the transmission shift mechanism, including a guide pawl plate with smoother contact surface for reduced friction, new change shaft shift mechanism arm with increased rigidity, larger diameter return spring pin, new change shaft collar with tighter clearance, and revised spring rates for the return and set (detent arm) springs, offer smoother shift touch and feel.
Aerodynamics• The slight step at the edge of the front cowling reduces windblast on the rider’s shoulders while allowing a design with an aerodynamically efficient small frontal area.
• Fuel tank has a recess in its top to accommodate the helmet’s chin area, making it easier to tuck in behind the windscreen when riding on the circuit. This allows the top of the screen to be set lower and enables more ideal aerodynamics when in a tucked position.
• The fairing’s minimalist side panels reduce the influence of side winds on the bike.
• Front fender directs air toward the radiator, increasing cooling efficiency, and contributes to the Ninja’s sharp looks.
• Sharp, minimalist tail cowl is further enhanced by the single side muffler – all of which gives the bike a more concentrated and condensed look and feel. The tail’s under cowl is a flush-surface item which reduces turbulence at the rear of the bike and ensures laminar airflow around the seat.
• A large rear inner fender helps keep the bike clean in the real world of street riding. The mud flap could consequently be made smaller and less obtrusive, improving aerodynamic qualities around the rear of the machine.
ColoursSpecial Edition Lime Green/Pearl Stardust White (ZX1000FAFA)
Metallic Spark Black (ZX1000FAF)
