Kawasaki ZX-10R - Mossy Rides

Words/pics by: Chris Moss/Mike Weston

Kawasaki’s flagship sportsbike, the ZX-10R, has had a bit of a chequered history. The first version, launched in 2004, quickly developed a fearsome ‘for men only’ reputation. When it wasn’t wheelying every time you opened the throttle in anger, it was threatening to tankslap you into the nearest hedgerow. Most who rode the Hannibal Lector of bikes aged within minutes, and usually trembled in shock long after getting off it.

Fast forward to 2006 and the bike had some of its sharp edges smoothed out, becoming appreciably less extreme and all the more useable. Though as my ride on the current version proved, it’s still a bike for the brave-hearted and committed.

Unlike its rivals’ offerings, which have steadily evolved into relatively affable animals, the

Kawasaki

has retained enough of its wildness to be judged as a crazy horse. It will still more taming to be considered as friendly as its competitors.

Faithful supporters of the Kawasaki brand like aggressive bikes and will no doubt enjoy the edgier, challenging feel of the 1000, thinking that’s what superbikes should be all about. But for those who are a little more uncertain about whether the ZX-10R’s comparatively scary performance will suit them, a test ride is essential.

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It’s not a bike that disguises its power and performance as some can, so very few rides on it will be forgotten. Even though the steering damper calmly contains any potential for the front end to shake its head off, and the revised power delivery reduces the chance of wheelies every minute, the Kawasaki is still the most hard-core of all Japanese superbikes. It’s certainly not the best choice for those new to big bikes.

Ride it with plenty of focus and commitment, not to mention plenty of respect, and life will be easier. Provided you’re patient enough to learn how to get the best from it, worries will be infrequent.

The main thing to get used to is the awkward riding position. With bar and footrests located to hunch you up and over the front more, and its tall and wide fuel tank exacerbating this, you’re forced into a slightly uneasy, uncomfortable stance. Until you’re feeling at home with this, you can’t be at one with the bike.

It’s by no means bad enough to rule out everyday use or even longer distance duties. But as any racer will tell you, until you’re happy with the position of stuff like the bars, footrests and seat, then you can’t give your best.

Give it time though, and you’ll then be able to appreciate the other virtues of the bike, the biggest of which is the engine. More friendly and usable, the in-line four is a distinct improvement over the one fitted to the first bike. Its huge power is better spread and the vicious, wheelie-inducing kick has thankfully gone. Instead the fatter, smoother and much improved mid-range surge results in plenty of forward motion more often than not with both wheels on the ground.

It’s a hell of a lot less frantic than the old motor and lets you get what you want from the bike in a far more relaxed fashion, while still generating the same, if not a higher level of performance. In short, it’s a hell of a lot easier to go fast on. Thanks to not needing to disturb the gearbox as often, the whole process of gaining and maintaining speed is a much less intense experience.