In Pics: The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R gets comprehensively updated for the 2016 model year with revised mechanicals and more sophisticated electronics in a bid to go a lot faster, says Indian automobile website MotorBeam.

Keeping up with the sophisticated new competition, Kawasaki has revealed the new ZX-10R with a slew of upgrades for the 2016 model year. In terms of styling, the 2016 ZX-10R retains the design from the outgoing model but gets a subtly restyled front while the fairing boasts of striking new graphics. The tail section looks sharper now and the windscreen gets new support for lesser vibrations.

Talking about the underpinnings, the 2016 Ninja ZX-10R gets redesigned chassis while the swing arm is now longer by 15.8 mm. Work on the revised front suspension has been jointly done by the WSB factory team and Showa with the 43 mm USD forks featuring nitrogen filled canisters at the bottom for better corner entry and stability under hard braking.

The rear features a monoshock Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) whereas the brakes have been upgraded to state-of-the-art units from Brembo. The 2016 ZX-10R now uses conventional discs though instead of the petal ones found on the current version. Power continues to come from a 998cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, inline-4 motor tuned to produce 200 BHP and 113.5 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

Power can be bumped to 207 BHP with ram air while a host of electronics have been added to keep the bike in the rider's control. Kawasaki claims that the new ZX-10R is as close as it gets to a road-going Ninja to match up to their WSBK machine. With sales commenced internationally, the India launch is expected only by next year.