INTRODUCTION KAWASAKI NINJA ZX-1OR

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is new kawasaki motorcycle.The system is the most advanced traction control system we’ve ever used on a production motorcycle. It is designed to allow riders to get closer to the “limit” of the motorcycle’s performance by optimizing rear wheel spin and engine acceleration. Part of the reason the system works so well is because it is adaptive to riding conditions. Unlike other systems there are no pre-determined engine fuel or ignition maps. The system is constantly making calculations based on throttle position, engine acceleration, gear position (load force) and front and rear wheel speeds. Level 1 is designed for track use with racing tires. The system can also be disabled completely.

The selected mode is then displayed on the LCD cockpit display. Furthermore the chosen mode selection is stored when the bike is turned off and on again.
The Ninja ZX-10R employs wheelie control that lets you to keep the throttle pinned to the stop when you power wheelie out of a corner. The Ninja ZX-10R utilizes wheel speed sensors on each wheel to feed information to the traction control and engine management systems.
Considering we’d never turned a wheel at Georgia’s Road Atlanta not to mention the chilly asphalt temperature, we began the test by riding the bike in Level 2 mode. The TC incorporates a wheelie control functionality that allows you to literally keep the throttle pinned as the front wheel lifts off the ground during a power wheelie. It helps smoothen out the load you place on the rear tire during acceleration which in turn reduces wheel spin and maximizes acceleration off a corner.

The new Ninja ZX-10R is a very easy motorcycle to ride around the racetrack.
For more technical details refer to the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R First Look.
The previous generation Ninja certainly didn’t lack any top end engine performance with it pumping out in excess of 160 horsepower at the rear. Although Kawasaki claims maximum power output to have increased it felt comparable to the 2008-2010 Ninja.
The 10R now incorporates an engine power mode selection system similar to Suzuki’s GSX-R line of sportbikes. Three power modes are available ranging from “F” (full power mode), “M” (variable middle power—allows 75% of max power with a less aggressive power curve.
The cockpit layout and riding ergonomics are a big improvement over last year’s bike.

Without riding the bikes back-to-back it was difficult to discern if the new Ninja steers any easier than the old one. Additionally the Ninja now offers an anti-lock braking system available as a $1000 option. The bikes we rode were not outfitted with the system so look for a review in the future.
The traction control system employed on the new 10R is the best system we’ve ever tested on a production motorcycle.