Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja

Kawasaki calls its anti-lock system KIBS – or Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System. The use of “intelligent” is apropos, too, considering just how smart the new KIBS is. It all starts with the smallest and lightest ABS unit ever built for a motorcycle, one Bosch designed specifically with sport bikes in mind. It’s nearly 50 percent smaller than current motorcycle ABS units, and 800 grams lighter, adding only about 7 pounds of weight compared to the non-ABS machine, a pound of which is accounted for by the larger battery.

KIBS is a multi-sensing system, one that collects and monitors a wide range of information taken from wheel sensors (the same ones collecting data on the standard ZX-10R for its S-KTRC traction control system) and the bike’s ECU, including wheel speed, caliper pressure, engine rpm, throttle position, clutch actuation and gear position. The KIBS’s ECU actually communicates with the bike’s engine ECU and crunches the numbers, and when it notes a potential lock-up situation, it tells the Bosch ABS unit to temporarily reduce line pressure, allowing the wheel to once again regain traction.

Aside from this system’s ultra-fast response time, it offers a number of additional sport-riding benefits, including rear-end lift suppression during hard braking, minimal kickback during ABS intervention, and increased rear brake control during downshifts. The high-precision pressure control enables the system to avoid reduced brake performance (sometimes seen on less advanced systems), maintain proper lever feel and help ensure the ABS pulses are minimized.

The rest of the 2012 Ninja ZX-10R ABS is equally advanced. Complete with a powerful engine and lightweight chassis, it also boasts a highly advanced and customizable electronic system that allows riders of all skill levels to harness and experience the ZX-10R ABS’s amazing blend of power and razor-edge handling. The system is called Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control.

Motorcyclists have forever been challenged by traction-related issues, whether on dirt, street or track. Riders who can keep a rear tire from spinning excessively or sliding unpredictably are both faster and safer, a tough combination to beat on the racetrack. And when talking about the absolute leading edge of open-class sport bike technology, where production street bikes are actually more capable than full-on race bikes from just a couple years ago, more consistent traction and enhanced confidence is a major plus.

The MotoGP-derived S-KTRC system works by crunching numbers from a variety of parameters and sensors – wheel speed and slip, engine rpm, throttle position, acceleration, etc. There’s more data gathering and analysis going on here than on any other Kawasaki in history, and it’s all in the name of helping racers inch closer to the elusive “edge” of maximum traction than ever before. The S-KTRC system relies on complex software buried in the ZX-10R’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU); the only additional hardware is the lightweight speed sensors located on each wheel.

Engine

Design is compact, narrow and lightweight
Camshafts, crankshaft and pistons designed to complement the engine’s prodigious power production
Large intake valves, camshaft profiles and port shapes help maximize power production and smooth power delivery
Chromoly camshafts enhance durability
Single-shaft secondary balancer helps reduce vibration; its use allows several vibration-damping parts to be simplified and lightened
Strong connecting rods suit the power potential of this engine
ECU is small enough to be tucked away in a slot in the airbox assembly
One-piece upper crankcase and cylinder casting offers maximum rigidity
Low-friction oil pump reduces parasitic power loss
A lightweight radiator with tightly packed cores provides efficient engine cooling
A liquid-cooled aluminum oil cooler promotes high-efficiency heat dissipation
Intake and exhaust valves are titanium to reduce reciprocating weight and stress at high rpm

Suspension

Shock and linkage are positioned above the swingarm
The design offers excellent road-holding, smooth suspension action, and stability and feedback when cornering
The design positions the shock’s upper link to spread out the load and contribute to enhanced overall frame rigidity and chassis balance
The fully adjustable shock features a piggyback reservoir and dual (high
and low-speed) compression damping, which enables fine tuning for racing or track-day use
The Big Piston Fork (BPF) and Back-link suspension system contribute to rider control and faster lap times

Key Features

Engine and chassis allow for linear power delivery
Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control (S-KTRC) continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position, engine rpm and a host of other data to help ensure the optimal amount of traction
Advanced Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-lock Braking System monitors a wide range of data, and allows optimum wheelspin while enhancing rider control
Power Mode selector allows riders to select power level and power delivery
Aluminum frame has ideal strength and rigidity
Big Piston Fork (BPF) helps maintain composure under braking
Horizontal back-link rear suspension helps deliver smooth suspension action
Slipper-type back-torque limiting clutch helps corner entry handling
Race-oriented instrumentation offers riders a wealth of information

Electronic Instrumentation

Instruments feature a high-visibility bar-graph LED tachometer positioned above a multi-window LCD info panel that offers riders a massive quantity of information
The tachometer also functions as a shift indicator: LEDs flash when the pre-set rpm is reached, and riders can set shift rpm according to preference
The multi-function LCD features two display modes: Standard and Race. Switching to Race Mode alters the Speed display by changing it to Gear Position, and by changing the Clock display to Speed
Additional functions include odometer, dual trip meters, average fuel consumption, instant fuel consumption, Power Mode (x3), S-KTRC (x4), S-KTRC level indicator, low fuel indicator, Economical Riding indicator (shows most favorable fuel consumption), water temperature and a host of indicator lamps.