The 200+bhp 2011 Ninja ZX-10R

[Route 66]

Kawasaki has stamped its foot; Team Green is sick of playing catch-up in World Superbikes, it will no longer be content to languish at the back of the field. But defeating the monstrous Aprilia RSV4 and the ominous BMW S1000RR is going to require a motorcycle leagues ahead of what Kawasaki has been rolling out in 2010.

Behold, motorcycle fans, the new king of the castle. Ripping out a terrifying 210 horsepower and weighing just 198kg full of fuel and fluids, the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R leap-frogs to the front of the power and power-to-weight charts. But it's not just muscles that make this bike so special, it sports a completely redesigned chassis aimed at improving handling and racetrack lap times – and a traction control/ABS setup that ditches all notions that such systems are for safety.

On the new Ninja, the intelligent electronics are all focused on making you faster than ever before on the road or track. Wouldn't it be an amazing turnaround if this machine could catapult Kawasaki back into World Superbike contention? Either way, this is one of the most exciting bikes we've seen in lime green for a lot of years, and it's a signal to the other Japanese manufacturers that near enough is no longer good enough.

 

[CliffnDallas]

Death trap.

 

[63echo]

I'm not really big on the Ninja line's styling (I'm a CBR guy, so my opinion is automatically suspect when it comes to styling according to most people), but that's a sexy bike.

And by way of comparison, the GSXR1300 (Hayabusa) pumps only 172bhp and weighs more than 150 lbs more than this Ninja. Absolutely sick.

Both bikes makes my CBR1K look positively wimpy.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Behold, motorcycle fans, the new king of the castle. Ripping out a terrifying 210 horsepower and weighing just 198kg full of fuel and fluids, the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R leap-frogs to the front of the power and power-to-weight charts. But it's not just muscles that make this bike so special, it sports a completely redesigned chassis aimed at improving handling and racetrack lap times – and a traction control/ABS setup that ditches all notions that such systems are for safety.

210hp? Thats it? The Boss Hoss "Stud Hoss" has a Corvette engine in it and it spits out 502hp! :laugh2:

 

[TheCount]

I ride, and even I wouldn't get a bike that fast. It doesn't take all that much power to have fun on two wheels.

 

[Route 66]

I agree with all saying its overkill. I might stick to a Hayabusa since it has less of a reach to the handlebars than a Ninja or an R1.

 

[Duane]

I'm not really big on the Ninja line's styling (I'm a CBR guy, so my opinion is automatically suspect when it comes to styling according to most people), but that's a sexy bike.

And by way of comparison, the GSXR1300 (Hayabusa) pumps only 172bhp and weighs more than 150 lbs more than this Ninja. Absolutely sick.

Both bikes makes my CBR1K look positively wimpy.

The CBR600F2 was the best bike I've ever owned and I doubt it had over 100hp.

 

[63echo]

The CBR600F2 was the best bike I've ever owned and I doubt it had over 100hp.

+1. I just love the Honda machines.


And to the others: even the 600 class is overkill if all you're trying to do is get from point A to point B. The Hayabusa is just ridiculous and this new Ninja even more over the top. That doesn't mean I wouldn't really love to ride one, though. I would (like every living rider) just have to ride within my limitations.

 

[casmith07]

I agree with all saying its overkill. I might stick to a Hayabusa since it has less of a reach to the handlebars than a Ninja or an R1.

Hayabusa is only the ugliest bike known to man. Just saying.

 

[casmith07]

+1. I just love the Honda machines.


And to the others: even the 600 class is overkill if all you're trying to do is get from point A to point B. The Hayabusa is just ridiculous and this new Ninja even more over the top. That doesn't mean I wouldn't really love to ride one, though. I would (like every living rider) just have to ride within my limitations.

I wish Honda would make the 600RR look like the 1000RR.

 

[63echo]

I wish Honda would make the 600RR look like the 1000RR.

I agree. There are some pretty significant differences, not the least of which is the under seat exhaust. I'm just not a fan. All things considered though, I don't think the newer 600s are at all ugly. The red and black one reminds me of Darth Maul on wheels. . A lot of people (reviewers included) really knock the CBRs looks (both the 600 and the litre) and I don't understand. I like 'em.

I also agree with you on the 'busa. That's an ugly bike. I can't put my finger on why, aside from the fact that it's loooong.

 

[CowboyWay]

I also agree with you on the 'busa. That's an ugly bike. I can't put my finger on why, aside from the fact that it's loooong.

I never liked the busa either. And most of those open liter bikes are too heavy for the racetrack anyway. But 435lbs wet make this new Ninja pretty exciting. I'm an R1 guy myself having owned ZX-7's, Gixxers, and R1's.

The new BMW I find very intriguing as well.

 

[Route 66]

I don't want to ride some of these sportbikes that have an extreme ride angle. Some are better than others and so far, the Busa is the most comfortable. I don't have to have a bike look perfect. I care more about how the bike rides than what it looks like to others.

 

[63echo]

I never liked the busa either. And most of those open liter bikes are too heavy for the racetrack anyway. But 435lbs wet make this new Ninja pretty exciting. I'm an R1 guy myself having owned ZX-7's, Gixxers, and R1's.

The new BMW I find very intriguing as well.

Exciting indeed! It's incredible that they've actually gotten this done but it's almost scarily light. I like a little bulk under me, but I don't get out to the track very often so that's understandable.

I don't know if I'd buy one, but I'd LOVE to get one out on the track.

I don't want to ride some of these sportbikes that have an extreme ride angle. Some are better than others and so far, the Busa is the most comfortable. I don't have to have a bike look perfect. I care more about how the bike rides than what it looks like to others.

I'll give that to the Hayabusas...they may be ugly, but they're super-comfortable. I've never ridden one more than 15 miles, but it seems like I could've gone on for quite awhile. After 125 milles on my CBR, I'm done for the day.