"Kawasaki is on the cusp of releasing its next generation litre-class sportsbike, the Ninja ZX-10R, and it's so close that someone at the company's European website accidentally published the bike's 26-page press release in full. Oops.
Several European magazines and websites had already leaked the official images and other details last week, which could explain why Kawasaki EU momentarily revealed the info - which has now been removed...
Anyways, we managed to glean some info from the momentary lapse, and the most startling aspect of the new high performance motorcycle is its power output. The claimed official figure is 210hp (154kW) with the ram air induction system working at full efficiency.
But even without the assistance of ram air adding more top end pepper, the Kawasaki four-cylinder engine is claimed to output 200hp (147kW) at the crankshaft, eclipsing the current litre-class king, BMW's S 1000 RR, worth 193hp (142kW).
So this could mean that the new Ninja ZX-10R will be the world's most powerful litre-class production sports bike when it hits the showrooms, giving it all-important bragging rights that can make a difference on the sales room floor - an area that Kawasaki is desperate to improve.
Tipping the scales at 198kg wet, the new Ninja sounds like the real deal, and will no doubt improve the company's fortunes on the racetrack in 2011 at the World Superbike Championship.
However, with so much power hitting the rear hoop, it would seem reasonable that the rear wheel would struggle for purchase, but that's where the traction control comes, an updated and more advanced version of the widely-praised system seen on the Kawasaki 1400GTR. Like many other Kawasaki models, ABS will also be an option.
Some of the other goodies we'll see on the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R include an adjustable Ohlins steering damper, Showa BPF or big piston front forks, and plenty more besides. Stay tuned for more details."
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