2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Racing crucible hardens this Ninja’s edge
Creating a superbike engine and chassis combination that is competent enough to delight professional racers, yet still possesses valuable streetbike qualities to satisfy mainstream riders is a delicate balancing act to say the least. However, Kawasaki sportbike engineers aren’t your average slide rule gang. They gathered an extensive amount of superbike racing knowledge and distilled it into the latest Ninja® ZX™-10R, to create a machine that dominates, regardless of the locale. Motivating this impressive package is a fearsome 998cc, four-cylinder engine that offers a strong mid-range punch followed by an eye-watering high-rpm crescendo. Part of the motor’s success is its efficient respiratory system – the bank of four 43mm Keihin throttle bodies with oval sub-throttles. Controlled by Kawasaki’s digital fuel injection (DFI®) system and featuring two injectors per cylinder, the throttle bodies utilize the airbox’s efficient design to maximize flow for improved cylinder filling and maximum power output. On par with the impressive intake side, the equally efficient exhaust system lets the engine exhale with ease, while generating less noise and minimizing emissions.
An excellent power delivery demands a top-notch transmission and the ZX-10R’s is no exception. With gearing optimized to match the engine output, the transmission and engine are essentially a race-ready team with performance similar to Kawasaki’s factory Superbikes. More racing heritage is found in its adjustable slipper clutch, which allows riders to dole out quick downshifts without upsetting the fine-tuned chassis.
The ZX-10R also has the Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS) to enhance the precision with which the engine reacts to throttle changes. The KIMS works to prevent engine and catalyzer damage from sudden spikes in engine speed, providing a smooth and controlled throttle response to the rider. The system works by monitoring the standard DFI system’s input data (engine speed, throttle position, vehicle speed, gear position and feedback from intake air temperature, intake air pressure, engine temperature and O2 sensors), and checking every 0.02 seconds for any sudden changes in RPM. It doesn’t interfere with normal operation and still allows the engine to rev freely under typical riding conditions.
A superb engine deserves an equally superb chassis, and this is where the ZX-10R really shines. Applying lessons learned in the unforgiving racing environment to its ?ber-sport bike, Kawasaki created an exceptionally communicative machine. It provides two-way rider/machine feedback with the precision professional racers demand and everyday riders crave.
The track oriented and fully-adjustable 43mm inverted fork and advanced rear suspension design supplement the ZX-10R’s chassis feedback capabilities. The fork tubes have Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating for less stiction and enhanced feedback, while locating the springs at the bottom of the fork legs helps reduce oil frothing for more consistent damping performance. The fully-adjustable rear shock includes low and high-speed compression damping for better fine-tuning capabilities and connects to the aluminum swingarm via the latest Uni-Trak® linkage design.
Light, stiff and precise squeeze-cast wheels keep unsprung weight down and improve suspension action. Their reduced rotational inertia further enhances the 10R’s quick steering and acceleration.
The ZX-10R is capable of slowing down every bit as fast as it can sprint ahead. Braking duties are handled by radial mounted Tokico brake calipers squeezing 310mm petal discs, while the rear 220mm petal disc is stopped by a single-piston caliper.
Shrink wrapping all of this Kawasaki wizardry is a sleek aerodynamic shape that flows from an aggressive front cowling to a sharp, minimalist tail cowl. The rear frame, tank and seat shape offer glove-like ergonomics and near form-fitted rider/bike contact spots. The result of these efforts is a clean, lithe and wiry package highlighted by superb fit and finish exuding the presence befitting its Ninja name.
Lessons learned on the race track translate to the road in the new Ninja ZX-10R. Responsive enough for the most demanding racer, yet with performance and handling that experienced road riders can make the most of too. An intelligent ignition management system controls power delivery. The perfect balance.
Authentic Kawasaki Accessories are available through Kawasaki dealers.
Features
Four-Cylinder, DOHC 998cc Engine- Very compact, narrow and lightweight design
- One-piece upper crankcase and cylinder casting saves weight and offers increased rigidity
- Oil is routed through channels milled into the cases on various parts of the engine, eliminating oil lines and saving weight
- Stacked triangular layout of crank axis, input shaft and output shaft reduces engine length and lowers the center of gravity
- Lightweight crankshaft maintains the same inertial moment as heavier design but saves about two pounds
- Low friction oil pump reduction ratio
- Water pump uses the same type impeller as the ZX-14 with pump rpm optimized for less friction
- Lightweight Denso radiator with tightly packed cores
- Specially designed internal fins on the liquid-cooled, aluminum oil cooler for highefficiency heat dissipation
Cylinder head
- Intake ports, exhaust ports and combustion chambers designed for optimum flow efficiency and top-end power
- Exhaust ports are narrower at the midpoint and larger at the opening to promote higher exhaust velocity
- 24.5mm diameter exhaust valves
- Lift profiles of the cam lobes are designed to deliver more power at high rpm and make it easier to tune the engine for racing
Fuel Injection
- Secondary fuel injectors improve top-end power output and power characteristics
- Oval cross-sectioned throttle bodies allow more precise throttle control and response
- Compact flat-type fuel pump takes up less fuel tank space
Air intake
- Ram air intake duct shaped for lower intake noise and higher intake efficiency
- Larger airbox offers accessibility and ease of maintenance
KIMS Ignition
- Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS) helps curtail sudden spikes in engine speed, enhancing the rider’s control of power delivery
- Designed not to interfere with the rider’s inputs, the complex ECU program remains passive, unless the change in engine speed exceeds the predicted response for the given parameters, the KIMS will not engage
- Monitors engine speed, throttle position, vehicle speed, gear position, FI input data (feedback from intake air temperature, intake air pressure, engine temperature and O2 sensors), and rate of RPM change, then adjusts ignition timing to help regulate power delivery
- Only possible to adjust the parameters with an accessory racing (circuit-use only) kit installed
Exhaust system
- Features a pre-chamber under the engine to reduce exhaust noise, and minimize silencer volume
- Palladium catalyzer helps the ZX-10R to meet strict Euro-III exhaust emissions standards
- Single orthogonal, titanium silencer, along with the pre-chamber, lowers the bike’s center of gravity and improves exhaust efficiency
Six-Speed Transmission
- Gear ratios suit the power characteristics for ideal power delivery in the low and high-rpm ranges
- Final reduction ratio of 17/41 intensifies the acceleration
- Features an adjustable back-torque limiting clutch
Chassis
- Unique twin-spar frame features an optimized stiffness balance through a mixture of materials, shapes and thicknesses, which alleviate critical stress concentrations
- Ribbing on the interior of the pivot plate where it joins the frame’s upper cross member slightly slows down the frame feedback for a more accurate feel
- Swingarm pivot located to aid with the front-rear weight balance
- Lightweight, two-piece, aluminum die-cast sub-frame is mounted to the frame’s upper cross member, so rear suspension feedback is transmitted more directly to the rider
- Narrow sub-frame layout contributes to the compact and slim rear of the bike
Swingarm
- Pressed beam swingarm delivers a level of feel and feedback unobtainable with a cast swingarm
- Swingarm features a top-mounted brace that contributes to the superb high-speed stability of the chassis
Suspension
- DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) fork tube coating on the fully adjustable 43mm inverted fork improves fork action with less friction, smoother action and better road holding
- Bottom mounted springs completely submerged in oil for reduced frothing and improved damping performance, fork action and road-following ability
- Fully adjustable shock features dual (low- and high-speed) compression damping, providing the fine-tuning needed for racing
Race-quality steering damper
- Adjustable Öhlins steering damper with relief valve and twin-tube design, developed specifically for the Ninja ZX-10R is fitted as standard equipment to ensure stable damping performance even under racing conditions
Brakes
- Tokico radial mount brake calipers fitted with dual pads for superb initial bite, increased control and a progressive feel
- 5.5mm thick 310mm petal discs provide the heat dispersion needed to maintain brake feel and responsiveness during extended periods of heavy use
- 220mm rear petal disc is gripped by a single-piston caliper
Wheels
- Squeeze-cast wheels offer more precise dimensions with less wall thickness and weight yet are stiffer than the gravity-cast units
Ergonomics
- Rear frame, tank and seat offer high levels of contact with the bike and provide the rider very accurate feedback regarding chassis performance and road surface
- Flared fuel tank top makes it easier for riders to rest the inside of their arm on the tank when leaning into a turn
- Narrow in the front and shorter, front to back, for a slimmer riding position, the seat offers a shorter reach to the pavement and excellent feedback from the chassis
- A special rib on the end of throttle tube, under the rubber, improves grip and feel
Aerodynamic Bodywork
- Top of the front cowl has a slight step at the front to reduce wind blast on the rider’s shoulders and generate a laminar flow around the rider’s helmet for less turbulence at higher speeds
- Front fender aids cooling efficiency by directing air toward the radiator
- Recess on the top of the fuel tank accommodates the helmet’s chin, so it’s easier to tuck in behind the windscreen
- High mounting position of mirrors, with integrated turn signals, provides excellent rearward visibility and helps to minimize damage if the bike falls over
- Flush-surface of the tail’s underside reduces turbulence at the rear of the bike and ensures laminar airflow around the seat
- Larger rear inner fender keeps the bike cleaner and allows the mud flap to be smaller and less obtrusive, further improving aerodynamic qualities around the rear of the machine
- The mirrors, license plate holder and rear turn signals are easily removable for track day prep
- LED tail light makes the bike more visible to drivers and provides the final styling flourish to the evocative Ninja design
Advanced Electronic Instrumentation
- Instrument cluster uses UV-blocking glass, so the LED displays are brighter and easier to read
- Multifunction odometer, tripmeter, clock and lap timer/stopwatch
2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - USA Specifications
MSRP standard / special edition: $11,799 / $11,999
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 998cc
Bore x stroke: 76.0 x 55.0mm
Maximum torque: 83.2 lb-ft @ 8,700 rpm
Compression ratio: 12.9:1
Fuel system: DFI with four 43mm Keihin throttle bodies with oval sub-throttles, two injectors per cylinder
Ignition: TCBI with digital advance and Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS)
Transmission: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Rake / trail: 25.5deg / 4.3 in.
Front tire: 120/70 ZR17
Rear tire: 190/55 ZR17
Wheelbase: 55.7 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel: 43mm inverted fork with DLC coating, adjustable rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs / 4.7 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel: Uni-Trak® with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, stepless rebound damping, fully adjustable spring preload / 4.9 in.
Front brakes: Dual semi-floating 310mm petal discs with dual four-piston radial-mount calipers
Rear brakes: Single 220mm petal disc with aluminum single piston caliper
Overall length: 83.1 in.
Overall width: 28.0 in.
Overall height: 44.7 in.
Seat height: 32.7 in.
Curb weight: 458.6 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Color choices: Ebony
Candy Burnt Orange / Flat Super Black
Special Edition Lime Green / Metallic Diablo Black
MSRP standard / special edition: $11,799 / $11,999
Warranty: 12 Months
Wholesale distributor: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road
Irvine, California 92618
(949) 770-0400
www.kawasaki.com
2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - Canada Specifications
TBA
2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - UK Specifications
Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
Displacement 998 cm³
Bore x stroke 76.0 x 55.0 mm
Compression ratio 12.9:1
Valve/Induction system DOHC, 16 valves
Maximum power 138.3 kW {188 PS} / 12,500 rpm
Maximum power with RAM Air 147.1 kW {200 PS} / 12,500 rpm
Maximum torque 113 N•m {11.5 kgf•m} / 8,700 rpm
Fuel system Fuel injection: ø43 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles, dual injection
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler
Transmission 6-speed, return
Final Drive Sealed chain
Primary reduction ratio 1.611 (87/54)
Gear ratios: 1st 2.600 (39/15)
Gear ratios: 2nd 2.053 (39/19)
Gear ratios: 3rd 1.737 (33/19)
Gear ratios: 4th 1.550 (31/20)
Gear ratios: 5th 1.400 (28/20)
Gear ratios: 6th 1.304 (30/23)
Final reduction ratio 2.412 (41/17)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame type Backbone/Twin-tube, aluminium (Pressed/die-cast composite structure)
Rake/Trail 25.5° / 110 mm
Suspension, front 43 mm inverted fork with DLC coating,rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs
Suspension, rear Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock and top-out spring.
Stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) Compression damping.
Stepless Rebound damping.
Fully adjustable Spring preload
Wheel travel, front 120 mm
Wheel travel, rear 125 mm
Tyre, front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Tyre, rear 190/55ZR17M/C (75W)
Brakes, front Dual semi-floating 310 mm petal discs, 10-button aluminium rotor carrier
Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-(aluminium) piston
Brakes, rear Single 220 mm petal disc
Single-bore pin-slide, aluminium piston
Steering angle, left / right 27° / 27°
Dimensions (L x W x H) 2,110 mm x 710 mm x 1,135 mm
Wheelbase 1,415 mm
Ground Clearance 125 mm
Seat height 830 mm
Fuel capacity 17 litres
Curb Mass 208 kg
Automatic Headlights On (AHO) n/a
Complies to EU emission limit EURO 3