Kawasaki recalls new ZX-10R - Update from Kawasaki UK

Kawasaki has issued what it is calling a ‘technical hold’ on ALL new ZX-10Rs in America but hasn’t revealed why. Kawasaki America has ordered all bikes sold and delivered to be sent back. 

UPDATE 14 Dec: Kawasaki UK has released the following statement: “Following its recent successful Press Launch in Qatar, the European sales introduction of the 2011 model Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R has been re-scheduled for the company to resolve a technical issue.
“In order to meet Kawasaki’s long established reputation for precision engineered products, the sales introduction of the new machine has been temporarily postponed. Kawasaki will announce a revised sales start date in due course.”

UPDATE 13 Dec: No UK bike are affected by the Kawasaki recall issued on the new ZX-10R superbike in America as none have yet been delivered either to dealers or customers. UK deliveries will begin in January. It’s not known at this stage if the recall even affects European specification bikes or if this recall will affect delivery times scheduled for the New Year.

• Read the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R review

Kawasaki has revealed no details about what the issue is, but unsubstantiated online rumours suggest it might be linked to a butterfly valve in the exhaust.

• Find a used Kawasaki ZX-10R for sale

The implications of the ‘technical hold’ is not clear for European bikes. It could apply only to American spec bikes which are different in terms of power, peak revs and noise controls.  

The recall tallies with MCN’s experience of attempting to organise a world first road test – the promise of a ZX-10R to be loaned by Kawasaki was withdrawn at the last minute with no explanation given. The test has now been postponed.

The Kawasaki notice reads:

2011 NINJA ZX-10R ON TECHNICAL HOLD
IRVINE, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2010) — Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. is placing a technical hold on the 2011 Ninja® ZX™-10R sportbike. The company is proactively addressing a remedy which reflects Kawasaki’s commitment to excellence and its relationships with its highly valued customers and dealer network.

The following actions are being initiated through the Kawasaki dealer network:

• Unsold units will be returned to KMC warehouses. The units will be redistributed once Kawasaki is 100 percent confident they reflect company standards for this highly technical, race-bred machine.
• Those who have taken delivery of a unit will be instructed to return the unit to the dealership for a full refund and will be among the first to have the option of receiving a new unit once the technical hold has been lifted.