Kawasaki plans UK introduction of 2011 Ninja ZX-10R

Having suspended the public launch of the much anticipated 2011 Ninja ZX-10R to investigate a technical issue, Kawasaki Heavy Industries have now revealed the cause of concern and the countermeasure to solve the issue.

It had been discovered that when some examples of the new 2011 Ninja ZX-10R were operated at high rpm under unique riding conditions - such as operating on a racetrack - the intake valve springs could surge. Should this rare incidence occur it could cause one or more intake valves to seat improperly, resulting in poor engine performance.

Having examined the very small number of machines which exhibited this surge phenomenon, the Kawasaki factory engineers have designed and fully tested a countermeasure which solves the problem without affecting any facet of the new engine’s outstanding performance.

On the limited number of machines produced so far, the camshaft, valve springs and spring retainers for intake valves are being replaced to prevent the valve spring from surging. The same design update is automatically being incorporated into the ongoing production run of the newest and most powerful Ninja yet produced.

Speaking about the news, Sales and Marketing Manager for Kawasaki Motors UK, Michael Johnstone congratulated the KHI engineers for their work in advance of the anticipated start of sales in late January.

“While we have been thinking about Christmas and the New Year at this festive time, a team of engineers in Japan have been exhaustively testing new high performance components for the stunning new Ninja ZX-10R. With the dealer launch of this and other incoming range models on 27 January across the UK, this news is the best possible start to 2011 for Kawasaki dealers and riders”.