"The benefits aren't just more revs - you could probably get away with the rev limit available from a standard valve system - but the cylinder head is also lighter and that lowers the centre of gravity," he said. "It's also smaller, so it allows for the position of the engine to be moved around more inside the frame."
"At the end of last year we were one of the fastest bikes after the Ducatis, and some more horsepower has been found over the winter," Wheeler continued. "We're also working on producing more linear torque and improving the engine braking."
When testing the latest version of Honda's pneumatic powerplant on day two at Sepang,
Nicky Hayden was forced to pit regularly to recharge the system, but the refined Kawasaki unit is more self sufficient.
"There's quite a lot of margin in terms of how long we can run," said Wheeler, "but as a precaution we usually start with a full gas bottle after every long run."
Hopkins left Sepang in a fighting fifth position on the big bang ZX-RR, with team-mate West 15th after a difficult test.
Kawasaki will run its full 2008 livery for the first time during testing at West's home circuit of Phillip Island, from January 30.
