Motorcycle specifications KawasakiZX-10 1000 TOMCAT 1988 TOP GUN generation

it's been a long time since Maverick (Top Gun) was fooling around in his F-14. Now an instructor-driver at Miramar, we can still see him hitting the red zone from his Kawa. But has he kept his GPZ or has he been seduced by the brand-new ZX-10 Tomcat?

that's the story we tell ourselves after watching the film. In reality, Maverick doesn't exist, but the ZX-10 does, and he would certainly have been happy to ride it when he stepped off his supersonic. Why Tomcat as a nickname? In reference to the American fighter jet, and surely because the film was a great advertisement for Kawasaki and its Ninja (Tom Cruise, a chick, a fighter jet, a motorcycle - what a poster!) This big sports bike is none other than the daughter of the 1000 RX and the descendant of the 900 Ninja. A profound evolution that makes it a muscular, respectable machine, a touch bourgeois and very attached to performance. Its design is wiser than that of the sultry Suzuki GSX-R 1100, with Kawa aiming for a wider customer base and more extensive capabilities.

the Tomcat takes few elements from the RX. Rather, almost everything has been changed or modified. Consider that between the two bikes, weight has dropped by 16 kilos. Engineers lost no less than 4 kilos on the engine. How did they achieve this? Thanks to a new cylinder head, lighter and more compact, a lightened vilo, revised moving parts, a valve train that loses grams, etc, etc.... Enough to write a book. Which brings us to number 12: the increased power of the boiler - it develops 137 bhp - and the reduced weight of the chassis and bodywork. The perimeter frame is relatively similar in design to that of the RX, but now uses aluminum. The manufacturer has long preferred steel, and this is a new stage in the development of its models. The eccentrically-adjustable swingarm is also made of aluminum. But performance does not mean excessive sacrifice. The new fairing is a winner on all fronts. In addition to enhancing the ZX-10's elegance, it improves both air penetration and rider protection. When complete, it weighs in at under 8 kg.

Svelte on paper, the Tomcat is no slimmer 600. Its shape is generous, its rear end wide, and its rear tire has a very nice cross-section (a 160 mm low-profile radial, for God's sake!). The bike has benefited from a great deal of attention, and is more attractive but less aggressive. This beautiful lady no longer has the viper-like quality of the 900 Ninja. The choice is yours...
Sporty to the core, the ZX-10 is also welcoming, teeming with little touches that you'll appreciate quickly or immediately. The frame's right-hand plate houses an ultra-simple, accessible knob for adjusting the rear shock absorber. It's the best we've ever done (and even after, not many models have done better). As on the RX, the passenger handlebar can be adjusted. However, the anti-dive function has disappeared, the front wheel has been increased to 17", the turn-signal reminder is a push-button function, and each control lever can be adjusted in distance... and there's also the retractable hooks inlaid in the rear shell, and a 4-piston caliper braking system with large discs, and pis too... Yeah, well, let's roll!

The engine's breath of fresh air delivers a hefty performance package, allowing you to wind up without getting bored thanks to its big torque. This is one of the Tomcat's great strengths. The powerful boiler also exudes a thrust that quickly becomes impressive. The needles don't settle and the bike goes into another dimension. It goes fast, very fast, and as long as you've got enough straight line (and no kepis around), the ZX-10 will let you get close to 270 km/h CHRONO. Amazing! Respect seems to be the order of the day.
The machine doesn't just boast supersonic acceleration. It also puts the rider at ease when it comes to speed. Too much, in fact! With excellent protection, the bike allows you to cruise along at top speed without you even realizing it.
As long as you're riding on a wide expanse of asphalt, the suspension and rider have no trouble understanding each other. But to ensure roadholding qualities, the damping is designed to be firm. This is noticeable on bumpy roads, especially when attacking, but the stiffness remains within acceptable limits. Handy and easy to handle in standard and sporty conditions, the Tomcat becomes less pleasant in town. Nothing insurmountable, but in low-speed evolutions, average agility is not helped by the reduced turning radius. The bike still requires a bit of effort to thread its way through town, and to be taken along on mountain roads.

In short, the ZX-10 only really enjoys "rolling" at higher speeds. The Tomcat is like a fighter plane. Superb in combat flight, impressive on take-off and in ultra-fast flight; and F-14 aero-brakes are sure to envy the ZX's braking. It's no longer as violent as the RX's, but powerful, durable and much more pleasant to use.

from the first Ninja, Kawasaki has refined, optimized and civilized its big sports bikes. With a more "samurai" spirit, the ZX-10 Tomcat appears as a skilful blend of performance, sporting elegance and road craft. It takes on the CBR 1000 for almost the same price. The nastiness has softened, but the optimization makes the Kawasaki Tomcat an excellent, fast tourer.

M.B - internet photos