Kawasaki ZX10RR - 40th Anniversary edition motorcycle review

Crouch…. Engage…. Launch!

Rider: Jason Wessels; Story Glenn Foley; Pics: Black Rock Studio; Deon van der Linde

What? An actual superbike feature? Man, that’s cool! With the world focussed on economical transport, naked bikes, adventure machines and such, Kawasaki said bugger it and revamped their ZX10 – and we got to take it for a good ride…

It’s quite simple really…. All bikes are lekker, but there is something almost primaeval about swinging a leg over a big 998cc Japanese four and twisting that throttle on a wide open road. Diving through turns and making the engine howl with glee plants a fat smile on your kisser. You need to ride a bike that can easily do 140 kph in first gear to really understand it…

In many ways, it’s sad that superbike sales have taken such a knock over the last few years. In the current economy affordability and practicality often take precedence and many buyers are turning to more practical machines. This has had a knock on effect when it comes to what manufacturers choose to build, what importers choose to bring in and the choices that the biking public has. (The same can be said of the car market, essentially this ZX10 or any modern superbike for that matter is the motorcycle worlds version of a Ferrari or Lambo and with road conditions, traffic conditions and the way the world is changing SUV’s and big family cars are outselling M3’s and AMG’s all day long).

It also means less numbers at road racing events and track days. Think about it – 5 years ago there were a multitude of Track Day event organisers which have all fallen by the wayside, the last and one of the longest standing outfits, throwing in the towel in the last month or so. Road Racing events are seeing fewer numbers of entries.

Yet, despite all of that, happily Kawasaki decided to bring in a few of these gorgeous machines.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first Ninja model in 1984, Kawasaki dressed their bikes in a throwback livery from 1989 for all the 2024 ZX Ninja models. They do look mighty fine. The colour scheme available in SA right now is based on the 1989 model Ninja ZXR750.

Kawasaki updated the ZX-10R a lot in their most recent update of the model based upon racing development by riders like Johnny Rea. They revised intake ports, DLC-coated the finger followers in the valve train, gave the bike shorter ratios in the first three transmission gears, fitted a new oil cooler and redesigned the exhaust. The fairing was given integrated downforce winglets, a taller windscreen and LED lighting. Updates to the chassis included a lower swingarm pivot for improved corner grip, better axle adjustability in the swingarm. The forks got softer settings and the rear was stiffened up. The ZX-10RR comes with forged wheels, Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tyres, and suspension tuning developed by Showa specifically for Kawasaki’s WSBK effort.

The ZX 10 has a full electronics suite that utilises a five-axis IMU. This includes a quickshifter with autoblip, five-level traction control, wheelie control, engine-braking control, launch control, cruise control, cornering ABS, three engine power modes, and four ride modes. The 4.3-inch TFT dash display permits you to keep up to speed with all these adjustments, and features Bluetooth connectivity to your phone to use the Rideology app… Tech these days is pretty mind boggling. But how does it all work when it comes to riding the bike?

The couple of days that we had on this machine whizzed past in a blur. We wanted to put the bike onto the track, but Kawasaki SA asked that we rather focus on a road test. So we did just that.

To be absolutely honest, urban commuting was kept to a bare minimum. We chose, instead, to hit the long, fast winding quiet roads that we know where we were able to open her up and enjoy the bikes race DNA. Ok reading that back, it sounds seriously cheesy, but this really is a race focussed bike. In the last update, the bars were also moved lower and flatter for more aggressive seating and the pegs moved a bit higher. You get the picture?

If it’s a sports tourer that you are looking for, then, best you look elsewhere – this is, absolutely unashamedly a sport focussed bike, Kawasaki doesn’t expect you to negotiate GP’s manic traffic on this one.

You are crouched over as you peer over the screen and open the throttle. At low revs the ZX-10R is all tame and manageable and you can short shift your way through the creamy smooth gearbox to avoid the powerband. You’ll do that when filtering through traffic or making your way out of the suburbs to get to the open roads… and then you open her up, and that’s when the magic engages.

this bike is built to carve the curves with the seamless quickshifter hurtling you through the gears. At around 6,000 RPM, the bike really comes alive and talks to you as she streaks away. Riding the ZX-10R to its redline with the throttle wide open is not for the faint hearted, and you’ll need to find some open roads.

As far as rider aids go the ZX-10R has it all: KCMF (cornering ABS and traction control system), S-KTRC (traction control), KLCM (launch control), KIBS (ABS), KEBC (engine brake control), KQS (quickshifter), ESD (electronic steering damper) and KCC (cruise control), a top shelf electronics package to rival anything on the market. You really do feel connected to the ZX10 as you explore the limits of the tyres grip in the corners with all the electronics quietly working in the background with the brakes and suspension, all to keep you planted while carving the mountain passes.

We asked Jason to hoik the bike up onto the rear wheel. It took a few minutes to work out how to turn things off to make it happen, but once we did, that wheel was in the air quite often. “It’s been a long time since we’ve done a breakfast run on a superbike. Smooth power delivery, the restrictive pipes make the bikes seem tame, until you look at the clock, it’s very deceptive. It doesn’t feel like you are riding a 200HP superbike. The ZX10’s have always been a great choice, but the power on this bike just feels more refined. Compared to the previous model, the seat feels closer to the front, so you are not quite as stretched out as before.”

“Suspension for the road feels good, even on the often rough back roads we ride. The Brembo brakes are phenomenal. I had to use those frequently, she settles nicely, exactly what you need… No complaints through the corners either – everyone sets their own suspension up for track rides – but “Out Of The Box” the Showa suspension delivers very precise handling on the road. The Ohlins damper also keeps things really tidy”

“On the open roads, is where you want to ride it. Acceleration is quite simply too fast (Is there such a thing?), you need to keep your wits about you. 144 KPH in first gear is nothing to sneeze at and she is so deceptively smooth as she races to speeds that will get you jail time. A good indication… when the mirrors start to blur, you know that you are exceeding the speed limits.”

Spanked in anger she’s a beaut! Go in search of the corners and the average rider will be giddy with glee at the way this bike carves. That induction noise, that howl from the pipe…

Primordial.