Kawasaki launches Ninja ZX-10R and 14R superbikes

After making its fans wait for many a years, India Kawasaki Motor finally took a plunge in the performance segment as it launched its Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-14R superbikes. But unlike the CKD (completely knocked down units) route it took for its other international offerings like the Ninja 300 and the 650R, Kawasaki would be taking the CBU (completely built unit) path for the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-14R.

According to the Japanese manufacturer they chose the CBU route as it doesn’t make much sense to set up CKD operations for these motorcycles given the low volume of sales they would generate. Owing to this reason, the Ninja ZX-10R has been priced at 15.7 lakh whereas the ZX-14R would retail for Rs 16.9 lakh both prices are ex-showroom Pune.

The ZX-10R and the ZX-14R wouldn’t be sold through the ProBiking showroom but via a dedicated Kawasaki showroom and bookings for the bike would commence from September 5 and green is the only colour option for both the bikes as of now. Kawasaki’s first exclusive showroom would open in Wakdewadi, Pune  on September 7 and initially the bikes would be sold in Maharashtra only followed by other cities and states soon.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

The Kawasaki ZX-10R is one of the most powerful litre-class motorcycles on sale globally and would be pitched against the Yamaha R1, Honda CBR 1000RR and Suzuki GSX-R1000 in our market. Powering the beast is a liquid-cooled, inline-four, 998cc heart pushing out more than 200PS of power. But producing power is one thing and to utilise it is an all together different ball game and for this reason the boffins at Kawasaki have loaded the bike with different aids.

Starting off the proceedings is the Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC) which continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position, engine rpm and other criteria’s so that optimum amount of traction is available for the rider. The most interesting change on the 2013 model is the Öhlins-Kawasaki electronic steering damper which changes damping force depending on the acceleration and deceleration of the bike. All these factors and other technical aids coupled with a technically advanced chassis and suspension set-up make the ZX-10R a very potent track tool.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

If the ZX-10R was like a fine scalpel then the ZX-14R is akin to a butcher’s knife. The bike was conceived with a sole intention of clinching the crown from the Suzuki Hayabusa as the world’s fastest production motorcycle and it did! Powering this behemoth on two-wheels is a fire breathing 1441cc inline-four, liquid cooled, DOHC mill capable enough of generating 213PS of power enabling the ZX-14 with a top whack north of 320km/h.

To keep all this power in check, it has been equipped with KTRC traction-control system featuring three different modes for varying conditions. Also the updated model gets slipper clutch as standard and ABS as an option. To maintain stability at high speeds aluminum monocoque frame has been used along with aerodynamic bodywork.