redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 03, 2003 07:12 PM
 Edited By: redelk on 3 Dec 2003 19:19
Latest scoop on the 10R
KAWASAKI'S ULTIMATE LITER-CLASS SPORTBIKE HEADS TO U.S. SHORES
Kawasaki engineers put the final touches on all-new NINJA® ZX-10R sportbike
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) announced the final specifications for the much-anticipated 2004 NINJA® ZX-10R sportbike as it prepares to introduce the new, ultra-high-performance motorcycle to the American and world press at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in December 2003.
With the final details in place, the NINJA ZX-10R puts Kawasaki at the front of sportbike design and performance. From the overall shape to the smallest detail, the ZX- 10R combines high technology with the latest innovations, including a new, high-output engine, ultra-narrow aluminum frame, ergonomic design and compact bodywork with a frontal area smaller than those of most 600cc sportbikes.
Tom Orbe, vice president of marketing at KMC, said the ZX-10R is a sportbike worthy of Kawasaki's image - and it sends a clear message to the motorcycling world that the green brand is pulling out all the stops to be number one on the race track.
"The NINJA ZX-10R is designed to have the best power-to-weight ratio and best handling on the track," said Orbe. "It will provide riders with more than enough power and handling to take on the competition."
Kawasaki engineers utilized a stacked shaft design for the extraordinarily compact, liquid-cooled, 998cc inline four-cylinder engine. The crank axis, input shaft and output shaft of the NINJA ZX-10R engine are positioned in a triangular layout to reduce engine length, while the high-speed generator is placed behind the cylinder bank to reduce engine width. With a bore and stroke of 76 x 55mm, the ZX-10R engine's one piece cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity.
The double overhead cams are machined from chromoly steel billet for strength, four valves per cylinder improve high-rpm breathing, and the forged, lightweight pistons offer high heat resistance to further enhance the bike's power-to-weight ratio.
To obtain maximum benefit from the ZX-10R's digital fuel injection, engineers turned to advanced flow analysis to "streamline" the engine's intake tract. A Ram Air duct located at the front of the fairing pressurizes the airbox at speed, while the fuel injection assembly features electronically controlled sub throttles to smooth power delivery.
An ultra-lightweight titanium four-into-one exhaust system incorporates a butterfly valve at the collector to improve overall power characteristics. The titanium oval-shaped muffler is wrapped with a sheet of ultra-thin walled aluminum and has a non-restrictive honeycomb catalyzer to reduce exhaust emissions.
In addition to liquid cooling, the ZX-10R engine features a liquid-cooled oil cooler adjacent to the oil filter to reduce oil temperatures. "Slosh" analysis was also used to design the internal structure of the oil pan, thereby reducing windage losses and helping to maintain low oil temperatures.
A multi-plate wet clutch with a back torque limiter transfers power to a six-speed, close-ratio transmission idealized for closed-course competition. The back torque limiter automatically disengages the clutch under hard braking and deceleration to prevent rear wheel hop during corner entry.
The engine is bolted into all-aluminum twin-tube backbone frame that arches over the engine rather than around it, as with conventional sportbike designs. Constructed of thin-walled castings and pressed aluminum sheets welded together for optimum lightness, the ZX-10R frame provides exceptional high-speed stability and responsive handling, yet is no wider than most 600cc-class sportbikes.
Front suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable 43mm forks and many of the fork's internal parts are crafted from aluminum to minimize weight. A gull-type aluminum swingarm connected to Kawasaki's UNI-TRAK® linkage and a fully adjustable shock handles rear suspension duties.
The entire rear suspension system is both lightweight and torsionally rigid, and also features adjustable ride height.
The ZX-10R features all-new six-spoke, cast-aluminum wheels. By utilizing six spokes in place of the traditional three-spoke design, engineers were able to reduce rim thickness, yet the wheels are both stronger and lighter. To provide as much traction as possible, the ZX-10R rides on a 120/70ZR17 front tire and ultra-wide 190/50ZR17 rear tire.
Stopping power for the ZX-10R is provided by dual 300mm front disc brakes featuring petal disc design, radially mounted four-piston calipers, and a single 220mm rear disc brake. First introduced on Kawasaki's own NINJA ZX-6R and ZX-6RR sportbikes, the radial front brake design utilizes mounting points at both the top and bottom of the caliper, with the mounting bolts inserted through the rear of the caliper instead of the side or front as on conventional designs. This racing-inspired setup makes the caliper more rigid to improve brake feel over a wider range of operation.
With the help of a front area smaller than that of a NINJA ZX-6R, the angular body work and racing-style ergonomics of the ZX-10R minimizes aerodynamic drag on the race track. A central ram air duct incorporated into the nose of the fairing provides cool, dense air to the airbox, which is situated between the frame tubes.
The top portion of the fuel tank is also concave, so the competition rider can tuck in tightly behind the small windscreen.
Pop nuts are used to fasten the bodywork to the frame, making disassembly and service easier, and the light, five-piece tail section opens at the top for easy maintenance.
Other features include multi-reflector headlights, forged aluminum handlebars that are gun-drilled to reduce weight, LCD display with radial tachometer and digital speedometer, plus a stop watch function and LED tail light.
Kawasaki anticipates that numerous privateers will be eager to race the ZX-10R in closed-course competition, so Team Green, Kawasaki's amateur racing support program, is creating a contingency plan which will be unveiled before the 2004 Superbike season gets underway.
2004 KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-10R
Features and Benefits
Engine
Liquid-cooled, 998cc four-stroke, inline four-cylinder engine utilizes stacked shaft layout for compact dimensions, contributing to the ZX-10R's narrow profile
One-piece cylinder/crankcase saves weight and is more rigid
Forged pistons have flat top for compact combustion chamber
Cams machined from chromoly steel billet and surface treated with soft nitride for light weight and durability
Tappet surfaces treated with soft nitriding to help prevent wear
Intake and exhaust valves use single springs with oval cross sections to lower overall engine height
Flow analysis used to design cylinder head, maximizing engine breathing at high rpm
All-titanium four-into-one exhaust system includes butterfly valve to enhance low-rpm power
Oval-shaped aluminum muffler with internal titanium parts reduces noise and includes honeycomb catalyzer to reduce emissions
Digital fuel injection with sub-throttle assembly and 43mm throttle bodies provide best power characteristics and ridability
High-speed generator is clutch driven and is positioned behind the cylinder bank to reduce engine width
Liquid-cooled oil cooler helps to maintain consistent oil temperatures
Sloshing analysis used to design internal structure of oil pan, reducing windage and helping to maintain low oil temperatures
Magnesium engine covers reduce overall dry weight
Transmission
Close-ratio six-speed transmission optimizes on-track performance
Multi-plate wet clutch with back torque limiter prevents rear wheel hop under hard braking and deceleration
Chassis
All-aluminum, twin-spar backbone frame utilizes thin-walled castings and pressed sheets welded together for light weight - provides high-speed stability and responsive handling, yet is no wider than most 600cc sportbikes
Frame arches over the engine rather than around it, giving the ZX-10R the narrowest possible profile for excellent riding position and ride "feel"
Fully-adjustable 43mm forks and internal aluminum parts feature circuit setting for competition
Top triple clamp features "lightening holes" to reduce weight
Gull-type aluminum swingarm with oval pipe brace, UNI-TRAK® linkage and fully adjustable shock is lightweight and torsionally rigid
Rear suspension includes ride height adjustment
Brakes & Wheels
Dual 300mm front disc brakes feature radial-mounted four-piston calipers and single 220mm rear disc brake - the first petal discs in the liter bike class - enhance cooling and prevent warpage
Cast-aluminum wheels utilize six spokes in place of the traditional three-spoke design, so rim thickness is reduced, yet the wheels are stronger and lighter
Bodywork & Ergonomics
Front fairing is narrower than most 600cc sportbikes
Central ram air duct pressurizes the airbox at speed
Pop nuts make disassembly quick and easy
Three-dimensional computer-assisted design used to develop ergonomic and aerodynamic layout
Three-piece front fender increases aerodynamic efficiency
Top of the fuel tank is concave so the rider can tuck in more tightly behind the windscreen
Fuel tank bottom is flat to provide engine with stable fuel level
Compact rear fender is slim and light
Inner fender's flowing design matches the shape of the swingarm to achieve unity of function and style
Five-piece W-shaped seat cowl flows from the tank the rear tail section for an aggressive, highquality image and is easily removed for maintenance
Additional Features
Forged aluminum handlebars are strong and gun drilled to further reduce weight
Powerful dual multi-reflector 55W headlights provide best possible nighttime visibility
Digital LCD instrument panel includes tachometer, speedometer, water temperature gauge, shift indicator, clock and stop watch function
2004 KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-10R SPECIFICATIONS*
Engine Four-stroke, DOHC, inline four, 16 valves
Displacement 998cc
Starting Electric
Bore x stroke 76.0 x 55mm
Compression ratio 12.7:1
Cooling Liquid
Induction Digital fuel injection with four 43mm throttle bodies
Ignition TCBI with digital advance
Transmission Six-speed, close ratio with multi-plate wet clutch and back torque limiter
Frame All-aluminum twin-tube backbone
Rake / trail 24° / 4.0 in.
Suspension, front 43mm forks with 16-way compression and rebound damping, fully adjustable preload
Suspension, rear Gull-type aluminum swingarm, UNITRAK ® linkage system, fully adjustable gas-charged shock with stepless compression/rebound damping, adjustable spring preload, adjustable ride height
Wheel travel, front / rear 4.7 in. / 4.9 in.
Tire, front 120/70ZR17
Tire, rear 190/50ZR17
Brakes, front / rear Dual 300mm hydraulic petal disc with radial-mounted, opposed four-piston caliper / Single 220mm hydraulic petal disc with radial-mounted caliper
Overall length / width / height 80.5 in. / 27.8 in. / 43.9 in.
Ground clearance 4.9 in.
Seat height 32.5 in.
Dry weight 374.9 lbs.
Fuel capacity 4.5 gal.
Wheelbase 54.5 in.
Colors Candy Thunder Blue, Lime Green, Pearl Blazing Orange, Black
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
   
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k bryant
Needs a job
Sponsor
Posts: 2911
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posted December 03, 2003 08:44 PM
Yummy. Where the F is mine!
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DB
Pro
Posts: 1932
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posted December 03, 2003 09:08 PM
went to my local kawasaki dealer today to see if he had anymore info when I can expect my 10r. He said he was still expecting at least one by the end of december. He did say he recently got a fax from kawasaki with updated numbers. It stated 184hp with ram air. If accurate I'm guessing about 160 at the rear wheel. That's about the same as my old Hayabusa but 100lbs lighter. OH MY, bring it on!!!!
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Dan
04 ZX10r (Track only)
08 Concours14
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted December 03, 2003 09:26 PM
why the hell are they still refering to a 190 section tire as "ultra wide"? don't they mean "standard"?
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12RPilot
Pro
Posts: 1094
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posted December 04, 2003 02:17 AM
A 180 will become standard on mine.
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If you aren't an AMA member, you're part of the problem.
NESBA #209
http://www.bikepics.com/members/12rpilot/04zx10r/
 
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