Kawasaki's return to Form has been long over due, but is now in Full swing .The all-new ZH-10R has the thousand-yard stare of a Fighter, but has it got the killer Nin ja punch to back it up?
Back in 1984. Kawasaki's GPZ900R was the ultimate superbike and the undisputed king of its class. Then Honda unleashed the FireBlade in '92, and blew everything else into the weeds. Six years later it was the turn of Yamaha to raise the bar with the incredible YZF-R1 . However. before most R1 owners had even paid the last instalment on their eagerlyattained loans. Suzuki had them choking on their EXUP valves with the amazing GSX-R1000 - the bike that has reigned supreme since its arrival in 2001
If Kawasaki can deliver on its huge power claims, then it could just be its turn to take the class to a new level, and restore the Ninja moniker as the original symbol of power - a real fighting force.
In the true spirit of journalism, and for the benefit of you lucky readers. I trudged off to Miami's Homestead Raceway to find out first-hand just how good the new green meanie really is. Hard life innit?
PROJECT LEADER
THKRGI SAN RESEARCH AND DEVLOPMENT
FB - How long has the ZX-10R been in development?
Takagi San - We have been working on this project for two years now.
FB - Did development work on the engine and chassis start at the same time?
Takagi San - Yes. This is the first time that we have integrated the chassis and engine departments. Before they worked independently of each other, but for the ZX-10R they worked very closely to achieve this motorcycle, we are very proud.
FB - Did you learn much from the competition?
Takagi San - Yes, very much. We looked at the other bikes and we are confident that the ZX-10R will be the best, particularly on the racetrack.
OKABE SAN CHASSIS DESIGNER
FB - The new bike is absolutely tiny for a lOOOcc motorcycle. What was the biggest problem you came up against making it so small?
Okabe San - Very big engine. On the GP bike the engine is smaller and there is no cooling fan or other road equipment so very easy to make small.
FB - The ZX-10R is now the only 1000cc machine not to use a steering damper. How did you manage to create a bike with such huge power and radical geometry with such stability?
Okabe San - Ha ha! Yes, very good stability. We worked very much on weight distribution, the bike is beautifully balanced. This is why it's not necessary for damper.
KANAZAWA SAN ENGINE DESIGNER
FB - The engine is incredible, but how much scope is there for tuning?
Kanazawa San - (long pause, followed by confused look) Why you want tune it?
FB - Well for the race teams…
Kanazawa San - We are not thinking about racing at the moment, it is road bike. It is already more powerful than our last World Superbike.
FB - The engine is impressively compact. How much smaller do you think engines can go before they become unreliable?
Kanazawa San - Ah yes, we are very proud of the weight of the bike. I think engines can still go smaller, but very expensive.