This is the bike to put Kawasaki back on the map. It's been nearly twenty years since it had a class-leading flagship, but the ultra-fast ZX-10R looks a though it can cut and burn the mustard. As tiny and compact as its little bother, the ZX-6R, the litre version boasts an amazing power-to-weight ratio. The big K claims it churns out as
much as 180bhp from its crank when its airbox is pressurised. And only having to propel a claimed dry weight of 170 kilos means it'll have a 1bhp/kilo equation to thrill its rider when its fuelled and oiled up. And from what JP said at the launch, thrilling is very much what the ZX-10R has been designed to do.

The four-cylinder motor is a gem, though the lack of low down grunt means it has to be revved up a bit to give its absolute best. But that makes for a wickedly exciting power delivery and moves the Kwack along very, very quickly. It's not got the stomp to match a GSX-R1000, but hangs onto its power for longer thanks to its higher redline.

And when it comes to a corner carving session, the stiffer, smaller and lighter Kawasaki, equipped with its top-notch suspension should leave the big Suzuki trailing in its pipe gases. And thankfully, the stability of the
chassis is such that a damper isn't really needed. Just as well, as it hasn't got one. The ZX-10R does have stonking brakes though, and the cocktail of wavy discs and radial calipers gives you as much mph-killing potential as you ever need. And a very effective slipper-clutch helps keep things in line during multiple downchanges too.
The gearbox itself isn't as slick as it could be, but it's one of the very few faults on an otherwise amazing motorcycle. And as JP puts it, “the ZX-10R really measures up and Kawasaki will no longer sit fourth in the Jap superbike title race. It's a devastating bike.”