Motorcycle Review: 2013 Kawasaki NINJA ZX-10R

If you are short listing sports bikes then there is definitely one to add on to your list – the all new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. For 2013, Kawasaki is all set to make some big changes to Ninja ZX-10R.

The 2013 Ninja® ZX™-10R superbike continues to astound passionate motorcyclists with its level of technology, reliability, and the intense feelings that envelope anyone throwing a leg over this potent literbike. It represents what can be achieved by the finest engineers when an appreciation of speed and design are applied to a motorcycle, without the desire to be anything other than the absolute best.


Kawasaki has developed a new electronic steering damper for the 2013 ZX-10R sportbike, in joint cooperation with Öhlins. Controlled by a dedicated ECU located under the gas tank cover, this new damper reacts to the rate of acceleration or deceleration, as well as rear wheel speed, to help provide the ideal level of damping force across a wide range of riding scenarios. The variable damping provides optimum rider feedback by enabling the use of lower damping forces during normal operation, without sacrificing the firm damping needed for high-speed stability. The result is a light and nimble steering feel at low speed, as well as superior damping at higher speeds or during extreme acceleration/deceleration.

The highly advanced and customizable Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC) lets riders harness and capitalize on the ZX-10R’s amazing blend of power and responsive handling. Exclusive to the ZX-10R, S-KTRC offers a level of performance that raises the ZX above the rest of the open sport bike class.

Motorcyclists have long been challenged by traction-related issues and riders who can keep a rear tire from spinning excessively or sliding unpredictably are both faster and safer, a tough combination to beat on the racetrack. And when talking about the absolute leading edge of open-class sport bike technology, where production street bikes are actually more capable than full-on race bikes from just a couple years ago, more consistent traction and enhanced confidence is a major plus.