Kawasaki ZX-10R

Kawasaki has released details of its ZX-10R sports flagship, due to arrive in Australia early in 2004. The basic stats reveal a 170 kilo claimed dry weight, matched to a 175ps static power output (and 115Nm of torque at 9500rpm) that balloons out to 184ps at 11,700rpm with the ram-air effect included. This gives it the power-to-weight crown for the time being, narrowly pipping Yamaha's claim for the new R1 - 180 horses for 173 kilos. This compares with Suzuki's current GSX-R1000 at 165 horses 'battling' to push 168 kilos.

Kawasaki says the development of this machine was different to its usual practice, with the design process beginning with chassis simulations. In short it runs an all-aluminium frame and a long "rigid gull" swingarm, which are part of a package the company says has 600 sport bike dimensions. Overall length is 2045mm for a wheelbase of 1385 and seat height of 825mm.

There's a long list of fairly exotic gear, including a built-in immobiliser, a two-in-one instrument cluster that has the digi speedo centred in the analogue LCD tacho dial, titanium exhaust with aluminium wrap on the muffler, and a mini clutch-driven generator that runs at twice engine speed. Perhaps most intriguing is the "petal disc" design used for the brake discs - so-called because of the uneven outer edge - which is a first on a road bike. Kawasaki claims they have cooling benefits. Calipers are a four-pot radial design up front and single piston rear.

Australian colours will be green, black or orange. Here's a selection of the factory technical info.

Engine

• Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, 998 cm engine has a bore and stroke of 76 x 55 mm.


• Huge 43 mm throttle bodies fitted with dual throttle valves ensure massive power output and a smooth, step-free torque curve.


• Automotive-type fine-atomising injectors improve performance, fuel economy and emissions. While fuel spray from conventional injectors has a droplet size of 120 microns, the fine atomising injectors have a droplet size of approximately 70 microns.


• Flow analysis used to develop idealised dimensions for intake and exhaust ports, ensuring efficient cylinder filling and high power output (intake/exhaust valve diameters: 31/25.5 mm, stem diameter: 4.5 mm). Titanium exhaust valves contribute to reduced engine weight.


• Hotter spark of the iridium plugs and high-voltage coils improves combustion efficiency.


• Camshaft lobes and tappet surfaces feature soft-nitriding surface treatment for long wear and high-rpm reliability.Sintered aluminium valve spring retainers reduce reciprocating weight for reliable valve control at high-rpm.


• Forged pistons are lightweight and very tough, for low reciprocating weight and high heat resistance. Their flat tops enable a compact combustion chamber with improved combustion efficiency. Compression ratio is 12.7:1.


• Plated cylinders are long wearing and offer excellent heat dispersion. Passageways in cylinders improve crankcase breathing and reduce pumping loss.


• Intake air is routed via the central Ram Air duct and through the frame tubes to the airbox. A duct between the frame and the air cleaner prevents ingress of water.


• Compact air cleaner fits snugly between the frame rails, allowing use of a seamless, high-capacity, flat-bottomed fuel tank. Flow analysis was also used to ensure efficient air flow inside the airbox.

Butterfly valve located in the cast titanium collector of the exhaust system ensures smooth, linear power delivery at all rpm.


• One-piece cylinder/crankcase design, compact rear-mounted generator, compact cylinder head and "stacked" tri-axis transmission/crankshaft layout allows an amazingly compact and lightweight engine, permitting the crankshaft location to be idealised and the bike's centre of gravity to be lowered, thereby contributing to the bike's highly responsive handling characteristics. The engine is short enough to fit below the twin beams of the frame, allowing the 10R to have the narrow compactness of a 600-class machine.


• Single valve springs use oval-section wire to realise short springs and a compact cylinder head design.


• Camshafts are machined from forged billets of SCM420K steel for light weight and high strength.


• Lightweight magnesium engine covers contribute to the engine's low weight.


• Newly designed liquid-cooled oil cooler with internal aluminium finning is lightweight and keeps oil temperatures under control.


• All-titanium exhaust system and oval-section muffler with titanium internals and a 1 mm thick aluminium cover designed for light weight.

Chasis

• The all-aluminium twin-beam frame is a composite structure of castings and pressings. Lightweight and very compact, it features a short wheelbase and a long swingarm.


• The frame's thin walled die castings are a mere 2.5 mm thick for maximum strength with minimum weight.


• Use of a cast cross pipe results in fewer parts and less welding.


• Frame rails run over the engine to give it a width on par with current 600-class bikes.


• Front fork features many aluminium internal components to reduce weight.


• Lightening holes in the top triple clamp contribute to the machine's overall light weight.


• Forged aluminium handlebars are gun-drilled for light weight.


• Other lightweight chassis components include dual aluminium steering stem nuts, lightweight pop nuts for the bodywork and aluminium rear-suspension bearing arm sleeves and wheel side collars.

Wheels

• Lightweight new front and rear wheels feature "H" cross-section spokes. The unique, 6-spoke design permits use of thinner rims, for significant weight savings.

Frame

• Like the ZX-RR, the 10R chassis minimises the distance between the steering stem and swingarm pivot to create a compact, responsive package.


• Massive braced swingarm delivers the rigidity needed for a machine with the ZX-10R's horsepower. Long swingarm design reduces the engine's leverage on the rear suspension, for excellent suspension action and superb road holding qualities.


• Specially configured for high torsional rigidity and more flexible lateral rigidity, this "balanced flex" contributes significantly to the 10R's brilliant handling qualities.


• Amazingly lightweight, the swingarm weighs about the same as the ZX-6R swingarm.

Brakes

• The Ninja ZX-10R is the first supersport bike to feature petal brake discs. This unique disc shape improves cooling and helps prevent disc warp. They are also lighter than conventional discs.


• Front discs are 300 mm. Radial 4-pot opposed-piston callipers deliver impressive stopping performance with excellent feel at the lever.

Suspension

• Highly rigid 43 mm inverted fork is fully adjustable and features settings that are biased towards track riding.


• A new super-hard DLC coating (Diamond-Like Carbon) has been added to the outer surface of the inner fork tubes to reduce sliding friction (stiction) and improve action, especially in situations where the suspension is subjected to heavy loads, such as during braking or when banked over. While the coating provides its greatest benefits on the racetrack, street riding is also notably smoother. The increased surface hardness also helps to prevent scratches and damage to the tubes.


• Both front and rear suspension are fitted with top-out springs for stable suspension performance. Because the top-out springs regulate suspension elongation, the rider will also experience less nose dive feel under heavy braking after hard acceleration, as well as greater stability when getting back on the gas after hard braking.
  
  
• Linkage-equipped rear gas shock with reservoir is fully adjustable.


• Lightweight aluminium suspension linkage reduces chassis weight and contributes to the responsive rear suspension action.


• Rear ride height is shim-adjustable.
  

Source:
http://www.bikepoint.com.au