MCN Road Test 17.12.03

""MCN was in Florida this week for the world launch of the Kawasaki ZX-10R, and we'll bring you the first full test report in this week's issue, out December 17.

First impressions of the bike reveal that that Kawasaki has gone all out to make this one of the smallest and most agile of the new breed of 1000cc superbikes.

The ZX-10R is almost exactly the same size as the ZX-6R and boasts handling just about as nimble dipping into corners as fast as you can think.

The light weight (170kg) and massive power (181bhp with ram-air) make the ZX-10R the first bike to be launched with a greater-than-1:1 power to weight ratio, and it shows. Our road tester thought the clutch was slipping on the straight… until he realised the rear wheel was spinning at 140mph.

Kawasaki has also equipped it's latest superbike with a 'back-torque limiter' or slipper clutch, which makes it almost impossible to lock up the back wheel when down shifting.

The ZX-10R designers have ditched the usual twin-beam chassis in favour of a frame running over the engine giving the bike its slim profile ""

Click on the images to read the full test