Saturday 12 May 2012

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R



Describing the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R as totally manic might just be the best way to do it. At the twist of the throttle, it produces massive bouts of spontaneous power, the bike monstrously accelerating to large distances and big numbers in ridiculously short distances and time. And that mean green appearance just lends it that extra aura to its personality. Launched in 2004, scaring amateur riders ever since. It's main grudge is with the Honda Fireblade CBR1000RRSuzuki's Gixxer 1000, MV Agusta F4Suzuki Hayabusa, BMW S1000RR and the Yamaha R1. Kawasaki has also allowed its racing genes to trickle down into the smaller 250R.


Engine


Kawasaki engineers utilized a "stack" design for a liquid-cooled, 998 cc inline four-cylinder engine. The crank axis, input shaft and output shaft of the "Ninja" ZX-10R engine are positioned in a triangular layout to reduce engine length, while the high-speed generator is placed behind the cylinder bank to reduce engine width. With a bore and stroke of 76 × 55 mm (3.0 × 2.2 in), the ZX-10R engine's one-piece cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity. The DOHC are machined from chromoly steel built for strength, four valves per cylinder improve high-rpm breathing, and the forged, lightweight pistons offer high heat resistance to further enhance the bike's power-to-weight ratio.

Cooling system

In addition to liquid cooling, the ZX-10R engine features an oil cooler adjacent to the oil filter to reduce oil temperatures. "Slosh" analysis was also used to design the internal structure of the oil pan, thereby reducing windage losses and helping to maintain low oil temperatures.




Clutch

A multi-plate wet slipper clutch transfers power to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission ideal for closed-course competition. The back-torque limiter automatically disengages the clutch (partially) under hard downshifting at high engine speeds to prevent rear wheel hop during corner entry.

Wheels

A new six spoke wheel design is claimed to be almost as light as special purpose race wheels. Since the 2006 model the sidewall profile of the rear tire has been increased from 190/50/ZR17 to 190/55/ZR17.

2004 model

This was the debut of the Ninja ZX-10R. It was compact, with a short wheelbase and a high power-to-weight ratio, which helped the handling. The exhaust system was fully titanium with single muffler.

2006 model

Among other changes, the 2006 model featured twin underseat exhausts which contributed to a 5 kg (11 lb) increase in dry weight. The engine remained largely unchanged.
The 2006 ZX1000D6F model carried over to the 2007 model year, with only color scheme changes. The most noticeable difference between 2006 and 2007, is that the heat-shields on the exhaust pipes are black on the 2007 ZX10R, and 2006 came with silver ones.

2008 model



The 2007 ZX-10R
The ZX-10R was all new for its launch for the 2008 model year. There was a dramatic change in appearance with the bike featuring a much more angular front end. Kawasaki moved away from the twin-underseat exhausts of the 2006–2007 model to a more conventional single side exhaust. The compression ratio of the engine was raised.

2009 model

Received only slight changes from the 2008 model.

2010 model

Received slight changes from the 2009 model, including: upgraded Öhlins steering damper, upgraded transmission, and revised bodywork.


2011 model





The 2011 ZX-10R underwent major overhaul both mechanically and visually. Most notably, Kawasaki introduced their S-KTRC (Sport Kawasaki Traction Control) system as a standard feature; responsible for predicting when traction will be lost and adapting accordingly. Also new are KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent Braking System) as their optional ABS system, a completely new design, adjustable foot-pegs, larger throttle bodies, a horizontal rear suspension, lighter three-spoke wheels, Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) front suspension, and an LCD panel dashboard.

Specifications

All specifications are manufacturer claimed.




2004/20052006/20072008/2009/20102011
Engine
Engine Type998 cc (60.9 cu in) liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore/Stroke76.0 × 55.0 mm (2.99 × 2.17 in)
Compression Ratio12.7:112.9:113.0:1
Valve TrainDOHC; four valves per cylinder
Fuel DeliveryFuel Injection
IgnitionComputer-controlled digital transistorizedTCBI with digital advance and Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC)
Drivetrain
Transmissionclose-ratio six-speed, slipper clutch
Final Drivesealed chain
Chassis/Suspension/Brakes
Front Suspension43 mm inverted fork with top-out springs
Rear SuspensionBottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and top-out springUni-Trak with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping.Horizontal Back-link with gas-charged shock, stepless, dual-range compression damping, stepless rebound damping
Front BrakesDual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with semi-floating 300 mm (11.8 in) petal discsDual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with semi-floating 310 mm (12.2 in) petal discs
Rear BrakesSingle 220 mm (8.7 in) disc with single-piston caliper
Front Tire120/70ZR-17
Rear Tire190/50ZR-17190/55ZR-17
Dimensions
Rake24 degrees24.5 degrees25.5 degrees25 degrees
Trail102 mm (4.0 in)109 mm (4.3 in)106 mm (4.2 in)
Wheelbase1,385 mm (54.5 in)1,390 mm (55 in)1,415 mm (55.7 in)1,425 mm (56.1 in)
Seat Height825 mm (32.5 in)830 mm (33 in)813 mm (32.0 in)
Dry Weight170 kg (375 lb)175 kg (386 lb)179 kg (395 lb)
Wet Weight197 kg (434 lb)
Fuel Capacity17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
Performance
0–60 mph (0–97 km/h)2.84 seconds
0–100 mph (0–161 km/h)5.22 seconds
0–150 mph (0–241 km/h)10.00 seconds
0–180 mph (0–290 km/h)17.21 seconds
100–150 mph (161–241 km/h)4.78 seconds
100–180 mph (161–290 km/h)11.99 seconds
1/4 mile10.01 seconds @ 150.05 mph (241.48 km/h)
Fuel economy32.4 mpg-US (7.26 L/100 km; 38.9 mpg-imp)

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