2012 Kawasaki Ninja® ZX™-10R

3-spoke Cast Aluminum Wheels

• Light wheels mean low unsprung weight, which allows the suspension system to work more efficiently
• Gravity-cast alloy wheels feature a three-spoke design

6-speed Transmission

• Close-ratio 4th, 5th, and 6th gears complement the ZX-10R’s circuit performance
• Primary and final reduction ratios minimize rear end movement (squat / lift) during acceleration and deceleration
• Race-style cassette transmission allows simple trackside gearing changes to suit individual circuits
• Overall gear ratios suit the power characteristics for ideal power delivery in all rpm ranges
• The “cassette” is located high enough that it can be accessed without having to drain engine oil
• An adjustable back-torque limiting clutch facilitates smooth downshifts, a main contributor to stability under heavy braking

Advanced Aerodynamic Bodywork

• Turn signals are electrically connected via couplers, which allows easy mirror removal for track day riding
• Taillight and turn signal stalks are mounted on a rear fender assembly that’s easily removable for track day riding
• Line-beam headlights and short fairing contributes to the aggressive styling
• Large ducting aids engine heat dissipation
• Compact tail section includes an elegant, nine-bulb taillight
• Compact, curved shape
• Fairing-mounted mirrors feature integrated, LED-type turn signals
• LED three-bulb position lamp at the top of the ram air duct offers enhanced visibility to drivers and pedestrians

Advanced Braking System

• Tokico radial-mount brake calipers use dual pads and offer a superb initial bite, increased control, progressive feel and a high degree of feedback to the rider
• A 220 mm rear petal disc gripped by a single-piston caliper provides excellent feel and feedback
• A radial-pump front master cylinder provides the ultimate in front brake feel and feedback
• A pair of 5.5 mm thick, 310 mm petal discs provides the heat dissipation needed to maintain brake feel and responsiveness during extended heavy use

Advanced Electronic Instrumentation

• The tachometer also functions as a shift indicator: LEDs flash when the pre-set rpm is reached, and riders can set shift rpm according to preference
• Instruments feature a high-visibility bar graph LED tachometer positioned above a multi-window LCD info panel that offers riders a massive quantity of information
• The multi-function LCD features two display modes: Standard and Race. Switching to Race Mode alters the speed display by changing it to gear position, and by changing the clock display to speed
• Additional functions include: odometer, dual trip meters, average fuel consumption, instant fuel consumption, Power Mode (x 3), S-KTRC (x 4), S-KTRC level indicator, low fuel indicator, Economical Riding indicator (shows most favorable fuel consumption), water temperature and a host of indicator lamps

Big Piston Fork (BPF)

• Compression and rebound damping adjustments are located at the top of each fork tube, while preload is now at the bottom
• The Big Piston Fork’s (BPF) 43 mm inner tubes is one of the contributing factors to the bike’s composure under braking
• Reducing damping pressure allows the inner fork tube to move more smoothly, which is especially noticeable at the initial part of the stroke. The result is greater control as the fork compresses and very calm attitude change as vehicle weight shifts forward under braking, and contributing to greater chassis stability on corner entry.
• Oil inside the BPF acts on a surface area almost four times the size of a conventional fork’s. The larger surface area allows damping pressure to be reduced while ensuring that damping force remains the same.
• Because the BPF eliminates many of the internal components of a traditional cartridge fork, construction is simplified and overall fork weight is reduced
• Compared to a cartridge-type fork of the same size, the BPF features a 39.6 mm main piston

Chassis / Frame

• Narrow subframe layout contributes to the compact and slim tail section
• Like the frame, the alloy swingarm is an all-cast design, with just three pieces
• Aluminum-alloy frame offers optimal flex and rigidity characteristics for balanced handling on street or track
• Modifying or removing the exhaust pre-chamber (for racetrack applications only) enables two chain links to be removed, which offers riders the opportunity to alter chassis geometry by shortening the wheelbase by up to 16 mm to suit different track layouts
• Frame is an all-cast construction of only seven pieces, with ideal wall thicknesses that provide adequate strength and optimized rigidity
• Front end weight aids aggressive, on-the-gas corner exits
• Chassis geometry allows sharp steering characteristics and crisp handling with no corresponding tradeoff in chassis stability at speed

Dual-injector Digital Fuel Injection

• Oval-shaped throttle bodies allow precise throttle control and instant response
• Secondary fuel injectors enhance power output and power characteristics at high rpm; the lower injectors are always on, while upper injectors come on as needed according to degree of throttle opening and engine rpm
• An Idle Speed Control (ISC) valve on the throttle body unit automatically adjusts idle speed, contributing to easier starts and off-idle throttle response
• Large 47 mm throttle bodies help with throttle control

Ergonomics

• Fuel tank shape offers a comfortable ergonomic fit with the rider’s forearms and inner thighs when riding
• 32-in. seat height makes it easy to reach the ground
• Adjustable foot pegs can be lowered an additional 15 mm when street riding or touring

Horizontal Back-link Rear Suspension

• The Big Piston Fork (BPF) and Back-link suspension system contribute to rider control and faster lap times
• The design offers excellent road-holding, smooth suspension action, and stability and feedback when cornering
• The design positions the shock’s upper link to spread out the load and contribute to enhanced overall frame rigidity and chassis balance
• Shock and linkage are positioned above the swingarm
• The fully adjustable shock features a piggyback reservoir and dual (high and low-speed) compression damping, which enables fine tuning for racing or track-day use

Key Features

• Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC) continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position, engine rpm and a host of other data to help ensure the optimal amount of traction
• Engine and chassis allow for linear power delivery
• Big Piston Fork (BPF) helps maintain composure under braking
• Slipper-type back-torque limiting clutch helps corner entry handling
• Race-oriented instrumentation offers riders a wealth of information
• Aluminum frame has ideal strength and rigidity
• Power Mode selector allows riders to select power level and power delivery
• Horizontal back-link rear suspension helps deliver smooth suspension action

Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 998 cc, Inline-4 Engine

• Single-shaft secondary balancer helps reduce vibration; its use allows several vibration-damping parts to be simplified and lightened
• A lightweight radiator with tightly packed cores provides efficient engine cooling
• ECU is small enough to be tucked away in a slot in the airbox assembly
• Strong connecting rods suit the power potential of this engine
• Camshafts, crankshaft, and pistons designed to complement the engine’s prodigious power production
• One-piece upper crankcase and cylinder casting offers maximum rigidity
• Intake and exhaust valves are titanium to reduce reciprocating weight and stress at high rpm
• Low-friction oil pump reduces parasitic power loss
• Design is compact, narrow, and lightweight
• Large intake valves, camshaft profiles and port shapes help maximize power production and smooth power delivery
• Chromoly camshafts enhance durability
• A liquid-cooled aluminum oil cooler promotes high-efficiency heat dissipation

Race-spec Steering Damper

• An adjustable twin-tube Öhlins steering damper is standard. The second tube acts like a reservoir, allowing the internals to ensure stable damping and excellent feedback even under racing conditions.

Ram-air Intake

• Oval-section intake funnels promote non-turbulent flow at all rpm
• A highly efficient and forward-positioned ram air intake is designed for low intake noise and good intake efficiency
• 9-liter airbox enhances breathing and power

Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control – S-KTRC

• Using complex analysis, the system is able to predict when traction conditions are about to become unfavorable. By acting before slippage exceeds the range for optimal traction, the system can quickly and smoothly reduce power slightly so the wheel regains traction.
• A highly sophisticated electronic system based on actual Kawasaki MotoGP experience that’s designed to maximize forward motion by allowing racers to ride closer to the edge of traction
• The quickest acceleration requires a certain amount of wheel slippage, so to optimize traction, S-KTRC actually allows for optimum wheelspin
• The system crunches a wide range of data, including throttle position, wheel speed, engine rpm, wheel slippage and acceleration, with help from a speed sensor fitted to each wheel
• Riders can choose between three operational modes, depending on skill level and conditions
• A level meter on the LCD instrument panel displays how much electronic intervention the system is providing, in real time
• S-KTRC confirms conditions 200 times per second and governs ignition, which allows extremely quick response to changing conditions

Titanium Exhaust System

• Dual catalyzers help the ZX-10R meet strict U.S. and Euro III exhaust emissions standards
• Titanium-header exhaust system with hydroformed header pipes and small, lightweight muffler assembly uses a pre-chamber that houses two catalyzers for emissions and sound
• Headers have nearly identical specs to their roadracing counterparts, which makes it easier for riders to increase track performance with the simple addition of a less-restrictive muffler; now there’s no need to replace the lightweight and race-spec header assembly