Intermot: Homologation special Kawasaki ZX-10RR revealed

Homologation specials used to make a very shouty visual statement, but Kawasaki have gone completely the other way with their ZX-10RR for 2017.

Available only in this wildly subdued Winter Edition black paintjob, the new RR is a true homologation limited edition of 500 units, and is as race ready as you can buy – although it would be more accurate to say ‘race enabled’ rather than ‘ready’. 

There are some nice touches, though. The stock wheels have been ditched in favour of lightweight 7-spoke Marchesini rims, wearing the same size 120/70 R17 and 190/55 R17 tyres as the stock R, but supplied as standard with Pirelli’s superb Supercorsa SP rubber.

The lighter rims – which can also be fitted to the standard ZX-10R – reduce gyroscopic effect and the moment of inertia, resulting in faster acceleration, braking, and direction changes.

The big changes are on the inside, though. The RR gets a modified cylinder head that’s ready to accept high-lift cams, although they’re not fitted as standard (they can be ordered as part of the Race Kit). The tappets get DLC coating for reduced friction, and the crankcases are reinforced to deal with the rigors of a race-tune. 

Making its debut on the RR is also a new bidirectional KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter) that allows seamless shifting up and down the gearbox. This links in with the six-axis IMU that ties traction control, electronic engine brake control, launch control, intelligent anti-lock brakes and KCMF cornering management system together. 

It comes as a single-seat option only, saving around a kilo of mass, gets its RR moninker engraved into the engine covers, and you get a special RR emblazoned key, too. 

 

• See this bike at Motorcycle Live this November 19-27.