2021 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Road Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- For 2021 we're seeing a face lift on Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-10R, with a H2 inspired style that sharpens up the looks, integrated some winglets and makes Kawasaki's premiere sportsbike look even more dangerous.
The ZX-10R blends refined fueling with an aggressive character including the engine and ergonomics, ensuring road riding is surprisingly easy, even if you're going to really need to head to the track to properly ride the Ninja in anger. There's so much performance and power there, with 213 hp, and while there's no doubt plenty of control, the aggressive character of this bike just begs to be ridden hard.
Add top spec brakes and suspension, heaps of electronics and a clear TFT dash and you're onto a winner, all with traditional suspension rather than electronic, and priced at $28k on the road here in Australia, or $26k + ORC.
Here's my thoughts after a quick test of the latest ZX-10R, from a road rider perspective.
To demo ride this particular bike head to MotoHub Motorcycles in Castle Hill in Sydney, you're really missing out if you don't give it a try. A big thanks to them for letting me quick test the bike! Their details are below:
www.motohub.co...
7/4 Victoria Ave,
Castle Hill, NSW 2154
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motojournokris...
The 2021 KRT livery is super cool! I have a soft spot for Kawis as well. Nice review, the filming and editing are on point.
Thanks! They've always really stood out to me and the connection to the WSBK machines is very nice. I think only the Repsol Hondas stand out in a similar way when it comes to race themed livery.
??? I do not want a track weapon. I want a sexy superbike to ride on the streets.
ZX 10 looks great.
I prefer the look of my 2019 KRT Edition.
Looks better in person. Somehow looks strange in pictures.
Good road machine?? Too uncomfortable and will make you feel inadequate on the road. On the track however........
That's most sportsbikes really.
Best looking ZX in a while.
Love this bike, front end got heaps of criticism in the UK but I think it’s the best looking ZX10 since the late 90’s early 2000’s Kawakers. For me I was deciding between the RR and V4SP for the track.
Definitely, I guess it's a big enough change that it can be a bit of a shock to people who really liked the old design, but I definitely thought it was an improvement. Styling is so subjective of course, the more unique bikes get the more people tend to either love or hate them!
I completely agree. However I cannot say the same for the new Mt 07/09....
@@shinobi_ryder yeah I had a look at that in the showroom a while back and it’s weird looking front, comfortable to sit on mind you and I reckon it would be a good commuter but you’re right about the front, it looks like that wee robot, can’t mind his name.? 😆
@@mikeharrison72 oh I have no doubt that I will enjoy riding the bike. More torque is always nice. But... I guess I'm a bit shallow and appreciate a pretty face.😅
@@shinobi_ryder don’t we all! 😄
Beautiful Bike too bad it's locked down tighter than Ft.Knocks LMAO! Half the power lost due to all the dam restrictions on the bike! Unlockable perhaps but sad they throw this lion into a cage!
Great review of the best colour scheme in my opinion. I can’t believe you rode around in either 2nd or 3rd gear! Is it that insane? Thanks MJK🇦🇺🚀
Yep! And honestly the revs were not even that high. I probably could have knocked it up a gear or two, but you get a bit more exhaust and intake note and the bike seemed really happy in that rev range at those speeds.
Set on one of these for about 10 minutes @ the dealership..the words mid evil torture device came to mind towards the end of that 10 minutes..
Yep, you really want some engaging roads and to be moving around on the bike.
Yes, it does look like a Koala from the front. How cutes is that? Good review, once again. Motohub will have to put you on staff.
i would very much like kawasaki to be in motogp again since they are so good in world sbk
It would be cool to see wouldn't it? I guess when you're onto a good thing there's not much reason to change. It's pretty pricey to go into MotoGP too.
@@MotoJournoKris aprila gets less money they are doing alright in motogp now also aprila started with there superbike platform then develop from there and now look at aprila they are going to surprise this year for sure
@@crunchied8 Certainly a good start to the season, so let's hope they carry that through the entire year. That said, unless you can either win MotoGP or do extremely well, it seems unlikely it'd be better coverage than winning WSBK, and it would be jumping in the deep end for Kawasaki.
I’m too old, too slow and my name’s not Johnny Rea. But thanks for a great review Kris.
Haha thanks, I know the feeling, although I'm not sure if I'm allowed to play the age card in my mid-30s! In my 20s I wouldn't have thought twice about choosing a sportsbike.
@@MotoJournoKris no, you can’t play that card for a while yet. I rode super-sports bikes until my early 50s when my neck cried out “no more!”. I rode a naked sports bike (KTM) until I was 61 and I got tired of looking over my shoulder for blue lights. Now I ride a boxer with shaft drive, which, when I was your age, I never thought would happen. And I love bikes and riding more than ever!
@@bruceleong9534 It's definitely an evolution. I'm hoping a WR250R will help keep me from worrying too much about the blue flashing lights. Just need a tourer in the garage for longer two-up trips!
Just got one. Super hyped to put some miles on it.
Congrats 🎉🎈🍾 man I want one ☝🏾
How's your experience so far?
Feb13 😳👍🇺🇸Thx ditto
How does it ride compared to the BMW S1000RR?
Great review Kris! Thank you. If you had to pick this one or the supercharged bike you’ve previously reviewed which one would it be for you and why? 👍😎🇦🇺
Definitely the Z H2 to be honest, but that's as much a reflection of me liking something a bit more relaxed than a full sportsbike these days, as it is how good I thought the Z was. I've got a video on the way doing a bit of a comparison, but I definitely felt like the Z H2 felt faster at slower speeds, if that makes sense at all! The Z also had great comfort, alongside all the performance I could ever ask for and the chirp of the supercharger was addictive. If I was doing frequent track days it might be a different story, but for where I'm at the Z is top of the list!
@@MotoJournoKris My thoughts are the same and my racing days are well behind me... That supercharged engine is really in a world of its own and definitely has more “real world” practically, comfort and effortless low down torque! A full exhaust system would be the icing on the cake. Looking forward to your comparison between the two! 👍😎🇦🇺
The face shape remind me Zaku from gundum.
This video is way more better than the rest of the stupid ones on YT. 👍👍
Thanks, glad you like it!
Great review mate! The ninja Zx-10r has been always been my favorite especially the previous model (non-koala 😂). I even love the instrument cluster(IC) in the previous model over the new one. The new IC isn't as premium looking compared to the R1/S1000rr/Triumph. Although the black model in the 2021 Zx-10r looks much better.
Off topic : Did you manage to get back your stolen bikes?
Same, even back in 2013 the ZX-10R was a favourite, was just so planted and had a very different handling feel, and it only got better with the 2016 updates. It is a very different look though now, I can see it being quite polarising.
They eventually found the WR250R somewhere out west being stripped, but insurance had kicked in by then, so working on the replacement. Hoping to be back on track in a couple of weeks, have started ordering the lost accessories in preparation.
Great review but Kawi ruined the bike with that horrible design of the nose fairing. The tech upgrade is long over due but still cheeped out with the rear brake caliber and rims!
Gotta go up to the RR for the Marchesinis! Would be nice to see a Brembo rear caliper though, especially with Brembo on the front.
Can you check out the ninja 1000 next?
Hoping to test one later this week if the weather clears up a bit or stays dry, forecast isn't looking good but it is next on the list!
Hey I'm like 5'9", would I fit this bike well in terms of height? (31.4 inside leg)
I would think so! I only have a slightly longer inseam and had no issues at all. It's not the narrowest reach to the ground for an 835 mm seat height but still very manageable.
@Yousuf Gurmani I have this exact bike and I’m 5’9”. U will fit jus fine.
just bought the krt 2022 model, I'm 54 well build, with back issues, still it's a best sitting position for me atleast
Love this bike buy my biggest issue and disappointment is that they didn't add fuel gauge in the digital display.
I think I spotted a display that shows projected range, but I know what you mean, a fuel gauge is a nice reference point. My pet peeve is no clock!
@@MotoJournoKris I’m a bit late to this conversation lol, but this bike has both a fuel gauge and a clock. I say that because I have this exact bike
@@megatron7811 Yep on second look it definitely has the fuel gauge. I didn't mean it didn't have the clock, just that's the one thing I do look for on all bikes, which is occasionally missing!
@@MotoJournoKris yes u are correct sir
Nice review! I’m considering this - 3 questions Can you comment if the braking is combined or front and rear work independently? In addition did you feel the steering stable or felt any speed wobble at high speeds? Is the front lifting like the the previous gen ?
They definitely operated independently enough to feel a lot of differentiation between the two. Very stable for my ride, but being a road test the speeds were nothing like you'd reach on a track with a decent straight, where you're more likely to be able to discover anything like that if it's an issue. Front may have gotten a little light under hard acceleration but controlled nothing crazy and no aggressive electronics intruding - again for fun road speeds. That may just be a reflection of me not riding hard or fast enough though!
@@MotoJournoKris thanks mate. One last question - does it have fuel indicator (range or distance to empty?) ... cheers and thanks a bunch for the response
@@vikonwheels2016 Not a traditional fuel meter, obviously it has the trip meters, I thought I saw a range readout but I may be thinking the Z H2!
wtf almost 30k for that?
That's Aussie pricing, but all the superbikes are getting up there now!
When you have bikes like Aprilia RSV4, Yamaha R1 or Honda CBR 1000 RRR you can only look and wonder what Kawasaki was thinking when designing this bike. Then again, livery is fantastic.
I reckon it works really well with the KRT, or even in the Black, whereas the RR in the Lime Green - I think it is - just doesn't stand out nearly as much with that colour scheme and the contours of the bike.
@@MotoJournoKris Kawasaki most of the times has great liveries on their street bikes. But fairings on H2 and now on ZX-10R, especially the nose part, just doesn't work for me.
@@92Cuky_ Fair enough!
I think this is the best looking Kwak since the zx7r. RSV4 is definitely ugliest in the bunch.
@@christianbagge609 I wish they'd be a bit more creative with the Aprilia paint schemes, I haven't felt they really jumped out at me for a while.
The front end looks like the Predator.
U didn't take the chicken strips off of it
I appreciate they tried a different styling for the face. Overall I think I like it just fine.
I think this is the most beautiful sports bike I've seen. It's on the level of Ducati, except I like green more than red, so even better for me.
Well at least that makes one of us lol
H2
Nice ... I'll subscribe ✅👌🏾
Cheers!
Who is here after js film buy it😂
me
Update for my Zxr ?!?!
Zx10r or the gsxr 1000r? What would you pick and why?
I haven't tested the new GSX-RR to be honest, so I can't weigh in on that one.
suzuki has the power in low and mid range which better in street cos of that VVT, if you like peaky bike then kawasaki top end power is for you.
you really cant go wrong between the two, both reliable, just power delivery preference when riding 👍
I like the new face reminds kinda the H2! The colours though they need to bring a full metallic green or more colour options
Definitely a really nice deeper metallic green I think would really bring out the bodywork more. The lighter lime green loses all the contours I, so it's not as eye catching. But most people buying the RR are probably fitting race glass for competition so it may be less of a concern.
@@MotoJournoKris I get what you're saying, but I'm talking about the standard zx10r! I think Kawasaki should bring more than just black, and that KRT is really poor for me
@@kwstasdip9742 Oh yep, I get what you mean. It's nice to have options!
Top review 👍
I have the KRT ZX10R and Love it !!! 😎
Wicked!
Whats your height?
I'm 180 cm, 32 inch inseam.
08:16 can become super wallpaper 😍
That picture came out pretty well!
@@MotoJournoKris Up. So true! Great job.
Dream bike
It's definitely worthy of being one!
I really do want to go from my ninja 1000 to a zx10r, but I'm wondering if it'll work since I'm 193cm. Going to have to sit on one.
It's always worth checking one out in person, hopefully I'll test the Ninja 1000 and be able to give some comparison!
you'll feel a bit cramped cause of footpegs shifted hight, said that it works the best for me at 54 "height
Missing that rpm meter😩
The new digital one is pretty cool, but there's something endearing about the old style clocks!
One of the fugliest bikes ever 🤮
This ain't it chief