Motorcycle specifications KawasakiNinja 1000 ZX-10RR 2018 2 seconds less... to get started

When you start seriously lowering your lap times, the standard sports bike you have in your hands just isn't enough. That's when you start thinking about more racing gear. And for Kawasaki, the ZX-10R is so thirsty for competition that it needs to be better prepared for the various championships, with national championships first and WSBK on the horizon. The result is a version capable of evolving towards pure efficiency: the ZX-10 RR. Just another R, but in fact a key to racing kits. But even before these, hypersport is already firing on all cylinders.

kawa has announced that, with this ZX-10RR, in-house drivers are gaining 1 to 2 seconds per lap on the Autopolis circuit (which belongs to the brand). How can this be achieved? By optimizing everything on board. Symbolically, the passenger equipment has been removed to make a strict single-seater. Without the rear footrests, and by opting for a lighter muffler support, the Ninja saves a kilo. Next, it's a question of gaining velocity, as for the time being, the engine retains the same power - a spirited 200 hp at 13,000 rpm. The chassis is also in the spotlight: the wheels alone are enough to push the lap times. Kawa and Marchesini have developed new forged aluminum rims, reducing unsprung mass and enabling faster angle changes. These rims are fitted with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires, and you know what a game-changer good tires and plenty of grip can be.
In case a buddy wants to try the ZX-10RR wheels on his standard ZX-10R, don't worry, the wheels are compatible. You'll just need to buy a kit to fit the brake discs and the speed sensor track.

with much higher-performance shoes, it's essential to review the suspension settings. The factory has therefore applied the appropriate screwdriver strokes, without changing the components of the Showa BFF inverted fork or rear shock absorber. Kawa's aim is to highlight the quality of its suspension systems. This is where the only differences in this 2018 vintage can be identified: in the fork. A silver-gray color for the additional cartridges and green for the tube caps, instead of the previous red.
Another time-saving feature is the shifter. It's already present on the standard ZX-10R, but only for upshifting. To get the up&down function, you need to use the racing ECU. Not so with the ZX-10RR, where on-the-fly upshifting and downshifting comes as standard. An asset on the track, but one that can also be used on the road, as long as you stay above 2,500 rpm.

but let me come to the main course. With the aforementioned modifications, this ZX-10R "+" is already a step ahead. Where it gets more interesting for racers is what kawasaki has changed in the guts. Born to race, this version is eager to get back out there. The engine-makers have reworked the cylinder head so that it can accommodate meaner camshafts. Also, the tappets receive an ultra-hard Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) surface treatment to facilitate engine running-in and reduce mechanical losses. Also in the spirit of race preparation, the crankcase has been reinforced to take the load intended to boost it. The vents between the cylinders have been narrowed and the wall thickened in this area.

The ZX-10 RR sports the Winter Replica color scheme , introduced last year as a special series for winter testing. This is the period of development when the machines are free of sponsors. A dark, stealthy color, with just a few snowflakes for decoration and a numbered plate to underline the exclusivity.

an exclusive for enthusiasts? Above all, it's a version designed to be grafted with a nice racing preparation, the better to take on the competition, which is giving itself the means to get back to the front. Miss Ninja doesn't seem too worried in this RR livery.

don't forget to check out the special racing parts kit. It includes high-profile camshafts and special valve springs to improve high-rpm perfs.

Recall campaign:

On February 20, 2018, Kawasaki launched a recall campaign on its ZX-10R and ZX-10RR (2016-2018) hypersport bikes. At issue was the strength of the transmission sprockets, which could sometimes not be sufficient to withstand certain impacts when shifting gears too 'manfully'. To avoid any risk of gearbox lock-up and the associated risks, Kawasaki has recalled certain ZX-10R and RR models from 2016 to 2018 to replace several driven sprockets (2nd, 3rd, 4th) and one driving sprocket (2nd).

Serial number range of the machines concerned:
Model Year Serial number range
ZX1000S (R) 2016 JKAZXT00SSA000089 to JKAZXT00SSA005375
ZX1000S (R) 2017 JKAZXT00SSA008003 to JKAZXT00SSA011870
ZX1000Z (RR) 2017 JKAZXT00SZA008532 to JKAZXT00SZA011731
ZX1000S (R) 2018 JKAZXT00SSA014003 to JKAZXT00SSA015556
ZX1000Z (RR) 2018 JKAZXT00SZA014035 to JKAZXT00SZA015331

M.B - Manufacturer's photos