Kawasaki recently went back to the future with a corporate move back to a traditional Kawasaki River Mark logo for the new business structure now termed Kawasaki Motors Ltd.
Jonathan Rea and the KRT ZX-10RR in retro livery
To celebrate the launch of Kawasaki Motors Ltd and the worldwide use of the River Mark logo, Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes and the whole Kawasaki Racing Team created replicas of two iconic models that represents this unique Kawasaki Heritage.
KRT ZX-10RR in retro livery
The green bike in particular is good enough to put a horn on a jellyfish…
KRT ZX-10RR in retro livery
Rea and Lowes are racing with this livery this weekend in Argentina for the penultimate round of the World Superbike Championship.
KRT ZX-10RR in retro liveryKRT ZX-10RR in retro liveryKRT ZX-10RR in retro liveryJonathan ReaKRT ZX-10RR in retro liveryKRT ZX-10RR in retro livery
Hot on the heels of a sixth consecutive WorldSBK title, the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR homologation special feature a number of highlights for 2021, some of which are easy for the eye to spot while a few others hide under the skin… Let’s take you through them.
New geometry moves the front-rear balance slightly forward (0.2%)
2021 Kawasaki ZX-10R at a glance
Chassis geometry and suspension settings changed
Next Generation aero with integrated Winglets
Ergonomic changes put rider in new position
New Power Mode selections
New Colour TFT instrumentation
Ohlins electronic steering damper
Kawasaki engine brake control
New Air-Cooled Oil Cooler
New Electronic Throttle Valves
New Exhaust System
New Transmission Gear Ratios
TPS relocated to bar eliminating throttle cable
Swingarm pivot is 1 mm lower
200 horsepower at 13,200 rpm for the ZX-10R
201 horsepower at 14,000 rpm for the ZX-10RR
With ram-air effect at speed Kawasaki claim an extra ten horsepower
Significantly improved drag resistance, increased downforce from sculpted front cowl with integrated winglets, and better wind protection from a taller screen
The striking new front end features integrated winglets. Kawasaki claim 17 per cent more downforce is achieved thanks to the new design.
Reversely slanted nose sees new LED headlights positioned on the underside of the upper cowl
Inside the new cowling a race style TFT dash (including Bluetooth connectivity), four handlebar button selectable rider modes, along with electronic cruise control and optional heated grips.
High-grade full colour display features TFT (thin-film transistor) technology, delivering a high level of visibility. The screen’s background colour is selectable (black or white), and screen brightness adjusts automatically to suit available light.Operation of the Electronic Cruise Control is done from the left bar.
A two-way quick-shifter is standard and the comprehensive electronics package takes its cues from a Bosch IMU.
Dual-direction KQS system allows both clutchless upshifts and downshifts Swingarm pivot is 1 mm lower Longer wheelbase (1,440 mm >> 1,450 mm) care of a 2 mm greater fork offset and an 8 mm longer swingarm offers greater overall stability. The revised fork offset results in a shorter trail, which facilitates changing direction, especially in the off-throttle phase of the corner (after tip-in, before apex).Revised collector pipe arrangement to help meet Euro5 along with one of the catalysers moved further upstream where it heats up quicker. To accommodate this the engine pre-chamber volume is decreased while the silencer itself is now 126 mm longer
A redesigned rear seat contributes to an area of low pressure behind the rider while a new foot-peg positioning, a 40 mm higher screen and handlebars have been adjusted according to KRT rider input.
Compact new 4.3” all-digital TFT colour instrumentation offers additional features unavailable on the previous model.
Chassis updates include a 1mm lower swing-arm pivot point (adjustable on the RR), 2mm greater front fork offset and an 8mm increase in actual swing-arm length all contributing to increased stability and greater traction.
More circuit-focused shock settings include a stiffer spring rate (91 N/mm >> 95 N/mm), complemented by softer compression damping, and softer rebound damping. Revised settings make it easier to induce pitching motion even when on the throttle while maintaining the rear height steady
Spring rates have changed too with the front now softer and the rear harder while a wider fork clamping area for the lower triple-clamp revises the rigidity balance for the fork outer tubes.
Wider fork clamping area for the lower triple-clamp and revised rigidity balance for the fork outer tubes. More circuit-focused settings in the forks include a lower spring rate (21.5 N/mm >> 21.0 N/mm), complemented by firmer compression damping and softer rebound damping to make it easier to weight front wheel
Brembo M50 monobloc calipers clamp 330 mm semi-floating front discs and a radial pump master cylinder complete the braking package.
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
All LED lighting utilises direct projection unit headlamps from Mitsubishi; their luminous optical modules being adopted for motorcycle use for the very first time.
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Gear ratios are refined with 1st, 2nd and 3rd lower than its predecessor while the rear sprocket has gained a couple of extra teeth with final drive now 17/41.
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
The inlet ports have been changed for more performance and are fed by new throttle valves while spent gases now exit via new exhaust system.
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR – a number of engine changes enable the the Ninja ZX-10RR’s rev limit to be increased from 14,300 to 14,700 rpm. Raising the rev limit not only moves the powerband 500 rpm higher, it enables an even wider powerband which helps with gearing flexibility.
A new KRT developed air-cooled oil cooler transfers straight from track to street reinforcing the link between race and road for Ninja fans.
Rather than routing coolant from the radiator to the oil cooler and back to the engine, the new oil cooler is air-cooled and has an independent circuit. Oil is routed from the left lower crankcase to the oil cooler, where it is cooled, then returned on the RHS.
For the RR homologation model new Pankl pistons and matched DLC coated piston pins are 20 g lighter each and mated to Pankl connecting rods which allow the RR to extend its rev capacity 400 rpm higher than the regular ZX-10R. Weighing 102 g less each, the lighter connecting rods contribute to reducing the crankshaft’s moment of inertia by 5 per cent. In addition to benefiting engine response and handling, this makes it easier for riders to weight the front wheel on corner entry. The RR pistons have one less piston ring than standard which enables a much shorter piston height at 33.7 mm and reduces friction.
The RR also sports new cams and valve springs while the intake funnels in the air-box has been dramatically reduced in height, they were 10-30-30-10 mm but are now an even 5 mm across the four intakes.
The RR rolls on Marchesini rims and adds braided brake lines.The RR is a limited-edition model with only 500 units produced worldwide.
2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is limited to only 500 units worldwide 7-spoke multi-directional forged aluminium wheels jointly developed with Marchesini contribute to quicker changes of direction
