2018 Kawasaki ZX-10RR – The first model of the Kawasaki ZX-10RR already wins the Superbike World Championship 2017 in a row. Numerous improvements have been announced for the next model year. The direct line between the Kawasaki factory team in the Superbike World Championship and the development department in Japan pays off for Kawasaki. The last three drivers, World Championship titles, went to works driver Jonathan Rea. So, the factory from Köbe in Japan also dominated in the manufacturers’ classification.
2018 Kawasaki ZX-10RR: Rea and Sykes
“Our drivers Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes achieved pole positions on the ZX-10RR, fastest laps, victories and another World Championship title in the first year of production,” said Morohiro Ikoma, President Kawasaki Motors Europe. “It’s a balanced set of performance and handling for both the team and the riders, which can be found in the ZX-10RR.”
Four-cylinder engine
But stagnation is a step backward, and for 2018 the successful model will be further improved by the experience gained from the near-series world motorcycle championship. A changed cylinder head offers more space for the installation of camshafts with more stroke. A reinforced crankcase increases reliability. The tappets for operating the valves are coated with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon). These measures should improve the performance and durability of the four-cylinder engine.
210 hp
The engine delivers 210 hp in the standard trim. Further detail improvements to the suspension and electronics should help the avid hobby racer to achieve faster lap times.
