How It Works-Amazing Vehicles

Engine
The ZX-10R’s engine delivers a
maximum power output of 147.1 kW
at 13,000rpm. The engine has been
tuned by Kawasaki to help ensure a
smooth ride.

dual wet, multiplate clutches (see

‘Superbike transmission explained’

boxout) for lightning-fast and super-

smooth gear changes. Both front and

rear tyre sizes are also dramatically

increased in order to increase traction

and ma ximum riding angle.

Finally, superbikes are kitted-out

with numerous smart electronic

systems in order to help the rider control

the extreme power and speed at which

they are travelling. These range from

traditional tachometers, speedometers

and rev-counters through to automatic

systems to control intake performance

across the bike’s rpm range and throttle-

valve opening timings for responsive

and smooth power.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Superbike

transmission explained

Because it takes two to transmission

Modern superbikes use dual-clutch

transmissions for maximum performance.

These work by having two clutches instead of

the usual one sharing the gearbox, w ith each

clutch attached to half the amount of total

gears. In essence this means that when the

bike is in a certain gear the next gear is also

selected by the second clutch. Consequently,

when the rider changes up a gear and the fi rst

clutch is disengaged, the second clutch can

instantly engage the next gear, prov iding a

super-fast response time.

Due to the compact, advanced design of

the superbike dual-clutch transmission,

most systems on the market use wet multi-

plate clutches. Wet clutches involve

submerging the clutch components in

lubricating fl uid to reduce friction and limit

the production of excess heat. This is due to

the fact that wet multi-plate clutches use

hydraulic pressure to drive the superbike’s

gears. This works as when the clutch

engages, hydraulic pressure from its internal

piston forces its series of stacked plates and

toothed friction discs against a fi xed pressure

plate. In turn, the friction discs mesh with the

splines on the inside of the clutch drum and

the force is transferred from drum to gearset.

Length: 2,075mm

Width: 714mm

Height: 1,115mm

Wheelbase: 1,425mm

Mass: 201kg

Engine:

Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, in-

line four

Power: 147.1 kW @ 13,000rpm

Torque: 112N.m @ 11,500rpm

Clutch: Wet multi-plate

Transmission: Six-speed return

Gearshift: One-down, fi ve-up

The statistics...

Kawasaki

Ninja ZX-10R

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R boasts

sophisticated traction control

Suspension

The ZX-10R sports horizontal back-

link rear suspension above

the bike’s swingarm. This

arrangement increases road

holding in the final third of the

engine’s stroke range and

increased stability when cornering.

Instrumentation

The ZX-10R features a

LED-backlit bar-graph tachometer which

allows different modes to be selected to

suit use.

Chassis / exhaust
Fitted with next-generation exhaust
header pipes formed from
heat-resistant titanium alloy and
sporting a new cur ved chassis to
increase aerodynamic performance.

Clutch

casing

Gear

selector

Clutch pack

Inner transmission

shaft and fi rst

clutch engaged

Outer transmission

shaft and second

clutch engaged

© Kawasaki Motors Europe

© Kawasaki Motors Europe

Traction control

The Sport-Kawasaki

Traction Control technolog y

is installed to maximise

forward motion.

LAND