Kawasaki has announced the launch of two superbikes in India, the Ninja ZX-10R and Ninja ZX-14R. Kawasaki set up its solo India operations in July 2010 and has one engine assembly line at Chakan. The company is aiming to sell 400 bikes a year in India. Kawasaki India has an annual capacity of 5000 bikes. Every year around 400 units are sold in the 1000-1600cc segment and growth is 30%. The Japanese automaker will sell the Ninja ZX-10R and Ninja ZX-14R through a separate dealership network and these super fast machines will not be retailed through pro-biking showrooms. Kawasaki will sell their 1000cc and above machines on their own in India. Now we know why the company dropped the R tag from the Ninja 300 and Ninja 650 as it was planning to get the really R machines to our shores.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Price – Rs. 15.70 lakhs
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R Price – Rs. 16.90 lakhs
Superbike Competition Check –
* Suzuki GSX-R1000 Price – Rs. 15 lakhs
* Suzuki Hayabusa Price – Rs. 15 lakhs
* Yamaha R1 Price – 15.6 lakhs
* Aprilia RSV4 R APRC Price – Rs. 15.68 lakhs
* Honda CBR1000RR Price – Rs. 16.59 lakhs
* BMW S1000RR Price Price – 20.93 lakhs
* Ducati 1199 Panigale Price – Rs. 21.60 lakhs
(all prices mentioned here are ex-showroom). The on-road Pune price of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is Rs. 17.40 lakhs while the OTR price of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is Rs. 18.72 lakhs.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is the flagship bike from the company’s stable. It is not exactly a superbike as hyperbike is a more apt word for this machine. Powering the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is a 1441cc inline-four motor which churns our 200 PS of power at 10,000 RPM (210 PS with Ram air-filter) and 162.5 Nm of torque at 7500 RPM. The ZX-14R is also known as the ZZR1400, the bike which has dethroned the Suzuki Hayabusa as the fastest bike in the world. It is the replacement for the ZX-12R.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R accelerates from 0-100 km/hr in 2.9 seconds, 0-200 km/hr in 7.6 seconds, 0-250 km/hr in 12.5 seconds and 0-280 km/hr in 18.5 seconds (all the above figures are not claimed but tested ones from Motorrad magazine of Germany, the claimed figures will be even lesser). Top speed is limited to 299 km/hr but without the limiter, the Ninja ZX-14R can easily break the 350 km/hr speed barrier. The motorcycle comes with 3 traction control modes (2 for higher acceleration and third for higher top speed). It has a long swing arm with improved damping, lighter wheels and improved heat dissipation away from the rider. The fuel tank capacity is 22-litres and the bike weighs 268 kgs.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is powered by an inline-four, 998cc powerplant which thrusts out 200 PS of power at 13,000 RPM (210 PS with Ram air-filter) and 112 Nm of torque at 11,500 RPM. This Ninja takes 2.8 seconds to whizz past 100 km/hr from a standstill while 160 km/hr comes up in a mere 5.5 seconds. 0-240 km/hr takes 10 seconds while 290 km/hr takes 18 seconds. Top speed is limited to 299 km/hr. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R gets power mode selection and is equipped with Sports-Kawasaki Traction Control (SKTRC) which has 3 modes along with an off mode. The bike has power modes to make it easy to ride – Full (100% power), Middle (75% power), Low (50-60% power). Supersport type ABS is optional and the bike weighs 201 kgs.
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R gets Kawasaki Intelligent ABS (KIBS) as standard which reduces rear lift which braking and takes into account engine braking. It has a single shaft secondary balancer and cassette type transmission. The engine uses an idle speed control valve with larger bore exhaust. There is an economy model indicator and the bike uses an aluminium twin spar frame. The all LED tachometer looks super cool and the Ninja ZX-10R has a 17-litre fuel tank. In short the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is new inside-out.
Kawasaki will sell parts made in India and export it to other countries. Quality parts are available in India and poor quality in India is a myth. Indicators, headlight, tail light, mirrors, suspension will be exported to other factories which will give them 30% price benefit. 30-40% parts are made in India which are also used in the Ninja 300 and Ninja 650. Currently Kawasaki will be selling their superbikes through only one showroom in Pune which will start operations from 7th September, with deliveries commencing from end of the month. The company is aiming for 20% market share in the superbike segment by 2015.
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Pictures – Anannd Sampat