This might be recognisable as a ZX-10R, but Kawasaki’s WSB winner gets a thorough shake-up for next year. 2016-spec ZX-10R is festooned with serious go-faster goodies... Everything from suspension to spark plugs and electronics is enhanced or replaced in search of quicker lap times. The 998cc inline four has a lighter crank, revised cams and ports, ride-by-wire, bigger airbox, plugs from the Ninja H2 and a new exhaust. Claimed power stays at 197bhp but with more low-down, and it meets Euro 4 regs.
Moving the steering head 17mm closer to the rider puts more weight on the front, a longer swingarm increases stability. Developed in WSB, the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R's "balance free" front fork has damping gubbins in a snazzy red tube; hydraulic action doesn’t cause pressure fluctuations, so gives better damping. More comfy on the road and more stable on track, they say. There’s a new balance-free rear cushion too (by which they mean shock), along with Brembo calipers, bigger discs and braided lines.
Bosch’s inertial measurement widget allows traction control that uses feedback, rather than just being predictive, with five levels instead of three. There’s launch control, engine braking control, a quickshifter and power modes, plus "cornering management" via traction and cornering ABS. And you’re more comfortable too thanks to less windblast from a more protective fairing. Official New Kawasaki ZX-10R First test in early 2016.