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Preview: The 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja
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Cecilia writes on October 28, 2010 3:52PM

Our take on the upcoming Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja

Kawasaki is a brand synonymous with speed, adrenaline and high-octane excitement. Reputed for their incredible motorcycles, they are one of the leading manufacturers of fun-on-two-wheels in the world. Combining breathtaking design with rigorous and high tech engineering, it’s no wonder that they have built the reputation that they have.

Good reason, then, for the sharp intake of breath experienced when watching this preview video:

Behold: the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja.

Producing over 190bhp and weighing just over 200kg (with ABS), and just under without, the new superbike will have a large ram-air duct at the front centre of the bike, as well as a highly visible LED-backlit bar-graph tachometer in the instrument panel that can be set to both standard and race mode, depending on the mood (and location).  

In response to questions over whether the 2011 ZX-10R was chasing the BMW S1000RR, Rob Taylor of Kawasaki’s American Tech Services Department said:

“BMW raised the bar for everyone, but this ZX-10R has been in development for a long time, well before the BMW came along.

It’s always easy to give a bike more power; but if you’re going to put real racing technology in the hands of the public, every bit of it must be very highly refined. That’s what we’ve been doing with this bike.”

Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja

Maybe something to work up to, especially if you’ve just passed your CBT! What do you reckon, bike of the century? Better than the BMW S1000RR? Comments, as always, are welcome below...

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Your CBT stories
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Cecilia writes on October 26, 2010 11:04AM

A few weeks ago, we asked you if you passed your CBT on the first attempt. Here’s your CBT stories...

 

I started to ride a bike again in February this year after 35yrs of driving a car. I passed my bike test back in '68 but unfortunatly the DVLA have no record of me having passed the test so I must re-sit it. I took the CBT a couple of months ago in attrocious weather conditions and passed without any problem. Since passing the CBT I have bought a nearly-new AJS 125 Eos/chopper which I ride everywhere. It's great to be back on two wheels and it's far far cheaper than a car or train. (davy)

 

Yes, first time.  The CBT is the easiest bit.  Pass this (although they stress there is 'nothing to pass'), and you have it for 2 years.  It's the actual test that is the hard part.  Having said this, I passed my test some years ago now, thank goodness.  I feel desperately sorry for anyone having to go through the 'new' test now set to European Standards.  It is outrageously hard, having read up on it and spoken to many who have been through it.  We blatently need to bring back the good old British test.  We had our standards which were fine.  We should have stuck to them.  It seems they are trying to reduce the number of motorcycle riders on the road by making the test virtually unpassable, rather than encourage people to take it.(deblouise)

 

I passed my bike licence in 1994, i took my CBT at just 16 and remember the examiner asking if i'd ever been on a bike before, which i hadn't, as he said i looked like a natural, i guess biking was always in my blood as my dad had them. (FOGGY06)

 

I don't have the sort of arrogance that allows me to think that being an experienced (30yrs) car driver makes biking simple - it is NOT - all that muscle memory to overcome! It was well worth it in the end - great fun though knackering - and now I am trying to re-educate those muscle groups (maybe my right foot will stop working the throttle soon!) there's a great satisfaction to be gained from learning a new skill and even the feel of drizzle drilling into your flesh is refreshing - must put the visor down! Great times ahead!

Without "Get on" opening the door might never have done it! Channel Rider Training were great a good sense of humour, excellent knowledge and even when you were riding like a complete **** didn't make you feel bad - thanks guys! (Ian Goldsmith)

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