Kawasaki launches ZX-10RR race-ready motorcycle in India
IKM continues to bewilder and surprise with their competition-spec products, while we wait for their tempting mass-market products to appear
India Kawasaki Motors has had a rough year, what with having to deal with a wayward dealer, finally making it right with their customers and managing a transition away from Bajaj Auto to their own distribution system. If they had their hands full, their product strategy betrays no sign of this. Their last launch was the KLX140G dirt bike, a niche product as any, and they’re following up with this — the Ninja ZX-10RR.
The ZX-10R is a dominant force in World Superbike Racing, taking the championship in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The ZX-10RR is meant to provide privateers a platform as close as possible to the WSBK-winning race bike. Of course, with so much racing heritage and g0-faster bits available, it’s just as likely to be bought for bragging rights on the street. Yes, the RR is street-legal.
At ₹21,19,000, it’s marginally more expensive than the ZX-10R that it’s based on. For the extra cash, you get ridiculously-light (907gm) forged Marchesini wheels, extra clearance in the cylinder head for high-lift cams, DLC-coated tappets, reinforced engine cases, RR engraving on the pulser cover, a quick shifter that works for downshifts as well, and top-spec Pirelli Diablo SuperCorsa SP tyres. Your usual pillion will have to get their own bike, however. The RR is homologated as a single-seater.
In addition to the usual traction, launch and engine braking control electronics, Kawasaki will also make available race kits at various levels that they claim will make the ZX-10RR competitive at a Super Stock racing level. This includes ECU packages, exhausts and such.
Judging by the growing interest in track riding and the numbers of expensive or exotic machinery on our tracks, we think the ZX-10RR — despite being about as niche as a beginner dirt bike — has a market. We still think India Kawasaki Motors is crazy to do it, but it’s the crazy ones that make for entertaining stories. Let the good times roll then.
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