With the assistance of ram-air, the ZX-10R motor produces 200hp peak-horsepower at the crank, making it a popular track weapon and canyon carver. For 2010, Kawasaki (like many of the motorcycle manufacturers) is choosing not to make any significant upgrades to its liter-bike offering, instead opting to freshen up the ZX-10R with styling cues from the ZX-6R.
Team Green loyalists will be glad to hear that the ZX-10R will get some upgrades beyond the 6R bodywork, in the form of an upgraded Öhlins steering damper, smoother gearbox, and redesigned blacked-out exhaust pipes. Videos, photos, and specs after the jump
The 2009 ZX-6R has one of the best transmissions found in any Kawasaki motorcycle. So for 2010, Kawasaki has copied the 6R’s transmission for the ZX-10R, allowing the liter-bike to benefit from smoother shifts, and more positive gear feel. Borrowing further from the 6R, Kawasaki has also molded the 6R’s bodywork to fit around the 10R chassis, making the two bikes look more related, and allowing for less wind resistant against the superbike and rider.
New for 2010 is an adjustable twin-tube Öhlins steering damper, that has received some internal modifications for improved performance. A separate spring and free piston were added to the reservoir tube to enhance damping stability, and a new titanium colored finish and laser-etched logo complete the damper’s external appearance.
A new exhaust setup completes the appearance updates, featuring a new dimpled surface pattern, metallic grey paint finish, and a compact end cap. Underneath all this styling though, is pretty much 2009’s ZX-10R as you can see from the technical spec’s below.
2010 Kawasaki ZX-10R Technical Specifications:
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 998cc
Bore x Stroke: 76.0 x 55.0mm
Compression Ratio: 12.9:1
Fuel System: DFI with four 43mm Keihin throttle bodies with oval sub-throttles, two injectors per cylinder
Ignition: TCBI with digital advance and Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS)
Transmission: Six-speed
Final drive:Chain
Rake / Trail: 25.5 degrees / 4.3 in.
Front Tire: 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire: 190/55 ZR17
Wheelbase: 55.7 in.
Front Suspension / Wheel Travel: 43mm inverted fork with DLC coating, adjustable rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs / 4.7 in.
Rear Suspension / Wheel Travel:UNI-TRAK® with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range (low-/high-speed) compression damping, stepless rebound damping, fully adjustable spring preload / 4.9 in.
Front Brakes: Dual semi-floating 310mm petal discs with dual four-piston radial-mount calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 220mm petal disc with aluminum single-piston caliper
Overall Length: 83.1 in.
Overall Width: 28.0 in.
Overall Height: 44.7 in.
Seat Height: 32.7 in.
Curb Weight: 458.6 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal.
Color Choices: Metallic Spark Black, Lime Green/Pearl Stardust White
MSRP Standard / Special Edition: $12,999 / $13,199
Warranty: 12 Months
Comments