2016, 207bhp Kawasaki ZX-10R revealed – official pictures

Power is a claimed 207bhp with ram-air with 84ftlb or torque @11,500rpm. The extra few BHP is largely down to new cam profiles and a redesigned combustion chamber. The motor also gets large-diameter valves, head ports and there’s a bigger volume airbox.

But it’s how the power is delivered that makes this motorcycle such an exciting proposition. Electronic throttle valves could allow the ECU to control how much fuel and air is delivered to the engine. That works alongside the new S-KTRC traction control system which – like modern WSB machines – can enable the motor to effectively be a twin, three-cylinder or full-on four as needed. This gives the most amount of useable torque and power at pre-determined throttle and rev settings by changing engine characteristics for each possible scenario.

There are also secondary injectors for more poke at the very top end of the rev range and there’s a lighter crankshaft which reduces inertia and makes the bike easier to get into corners, gas-charged, balance-free Showa forks and rear shock all help the new bike be even more nimble than the bike it replaces. The bike also has an electronic Ohlins steering damper.

The frame has been tweaked and the wheels are lighter, too. Brembo M50 brakes are set to 330mm discs and the gets both ABS and a new intelligent anti-lock system.

In terms of the brains, the new ZX-10R gets a quick-shifter, it uses a Bosch IMU (inertial Measurement Unit) with six axis of data. That works with both the five-level Traction Control and the throttle valves to sort out power delivery in the corners and there are three riding modes, the engine braking can be dialled in to suit (a similar system to the one used on the Aprilia RSV4), the bike has launch control too.