Rennie Scaysbrook | November 24, 2020
It’s not Team Green’s turn to share some of the First Look limelight, as the current WorldSBK Champions have unveiled a revised Kawasaki ZX-10R for the 2021 model year.
It’s not a ground-up redesign but the 2021 edition has a host of subtle changes to chassis, engine and, importantly, aerodynamic architecture—and there’s also a new ZX-10RR to keep Jonathan Rea happy.
Kawasaki has not got the ZX-10R motor through Euro5 emissions compliance, and they’ve only lost one horsepower in peak power compared to the 2016/2020 model. As such, you’ll get 200 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque for the Euro model, although we’re not sure what we’ll have in America. You can be assured, sadly, it will be less.
The motor is essentially the same as it was before, although Kawasaki has shortened the first three gear ratios while keeping fourth, fifth and sixth the same and altering the final drive ratio. The result is more punch of the corner at low rpm, helping it stay with beasts like the Ducati Panigale V4 R. In the cylinder head, Kawasaki’s modified the inlet port slightly for better airflow.
Interestingly, Kawasaki has fitted a race-style air/oil cooler that allows the oil to be routed from the left lower side of the crankcase to the oil cooler itself, then back to the right side, the result being better cooling across the entire rev range.
The new face of the ZX-10R. Love it or hate it?
On the chassis side the swingarm pivot is mounted 1mm lower, fork offset increased by 2mm and the swingarm length itself increased by 8mm. Inside the fork sit softer springs, while the rear goes the other way and increases the spring rate.
Brakes are a bit old school with Kawasaki choosing to fit Brembo M50 calipers, which came out five years ago and have long been superseded by the company’s Stylema range. The calipers are mated to steel lines, 330mm discs and a Brembo radial master-cylinder.
Kawasaki has finally done away with the old Gameboy-style dash and fitted a unit similar to their touring line up. It’s full TFT and allows you to pair your phone to the bike.
The KRT Edition looks pretty sweet…
The electronics include three riding modes of Sport, Road and Rain, and four manual riding modes, launch control, Cornering ABS, traction control, engine brake control and, hallelujah, cruise control. However, there’s still no independent slide control or wheelie control—it’s all part of the traction control algorithm.
On the bodywork side, you now get winglets built into the body, a 40mm taller screen, 5mm higher pegs and a redesigned seat that Kawasaki claims gives the new ZX-10R 17 percent more downforce than in 2020.
The 2021 Kawasaki ZX-10R will retail for $16,399 without ABS, and $17,699 for the KRT ABS model.
Click here for more Kawasaki motorcycle reviews and news.
