After winning the World Superbike Championship in 2015 and 2016, Kawasaki has sharpened its liter-class sword for 2017 with the new Ninja ZX-10RR. Based on the new-for-2016 Ninja ZX-10R—which Kawasaki called “the most track-focused sportbike ever”—the double-R is street legal but is purpose-built to deliver fast lap times on a racetrack.
Read our 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R first look review
To improve performance, the Ninja’s potent liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, 998cc in-line four gets stronger, reinforced engine cases, redesigned cylinder heads to provide clearance for race-kit high-lift cams and a Diamond-Like Carbon coating on valve tappets to reduce mechanical loss. An updated Kawasaki Quick Shifter allows clutchless downshifts in addition to upshifts and new seven-spoke forged Marchesini wheels are lighter, stronger and shod with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP tires. The ZX-10RR has a single seat with a new, aerodynamic cover that replaces the passenger seat.
Like the Ninja ZX-10R, the RR has the latest suite of electronics, with power modes, a five-axis IMU, Kawasaki Cornering Management Function (KCMF), Sport-Kawasaki TRaction Control (S-KTRC), Kawasaki Launch Control Mode (KLCM), Kawasaki Engine Brake Control (KEBC) and Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System (KIBS). Suspension consists of a Showa Balance Free Fork and Balance Free Rear Cushion shock, both fully adjustable, and the front brakes are top-shelf Brembo M50 monobloc radial calipers.
The 2017 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR ABS comes in Kawasaki Racing Team: Winter Test Edition livery, the same paint scheme that the Kawasaki WorldSBK team uses during off-season testing. MSRP is $18,899 and availability is TBD.
