The Ninja ZX-10 (also called ZX-10 "Tomcat") was a sport motorcycle manufactured by Kawasaki Motorcycles between 1988 and 1990,[3] part of the Kawasaki Ninja line. With a top speed of 165 miles per hour (266 km/h), it was the fastest production motorcycle in 1988.[4]

Ninja ZX-10
ManufacturerKawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine
Also calledZX-10 Tomcat
Parent companyKawasaki Heavy Industries
Production1988–1990
PredecessorGPZ1000RX
SuccessorNinja ZX-11
ClassSportbike
Engine997 cc (60.8 cu in) four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 16-valve DOHC, inline-four
36 mm semi-downdraft CV carburetors
Bore / stroke74 mm × 58 mm (2.9 in × 2.3 in)
Compression ratio11.0:1
Top speed269 km/h (167 mph)[1]
Power101 kW (135 hp) @ 10,000 rpm (claimed)[1]
Torque75 lb⋅ft (102 N⋅m) @ 9,000 rpm (claimed)[1]
Frame typeAluminum perimeter
BrakesTwin-piston radial
TiresFront: 17"
Rear: 18"
Rake, trail26.5°, 99 mm (3.9 in)
Wheelbase1,490 mm (58.7 in)
DimensionsH: 790 mm (31 in)
Weight245 kg (541 lb)[2] (dry)
Fuel capacity21 L; 4.6 imp gal (5.5 US gal)
Fuel consumption42 mpg‑US (5.6 L/100 km; 50 mpg‑imp)[1]

Design

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The ZX-10 replaced the GPZ1000RX as the flagship sportbike from Kawasaki.[5]

The engine was designed after its predecessor's, with the same displacement but 36 mm semi-downdraft CV carburetors and a narrower valve angle. Engine internals were altered: Compression ratio was raised to 11.0:1; lighter pistons and bigger valves were used.[5]

It had Kawasaki's first aluminum perimeter frame, a design which has since become standard.[2]

Aerodynamics were claimed to be better than the outgoing models.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Superbike Comparison Test", Cycle World, Newport Beach, California: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., pp. 27–41, September 1988, ISSN 0011-4286
  2. ^ a b John Burns (December 14, 2013), "30 Years of Ninjas: 1984 GPZ900 Ninja to 1990 ZX-11!", Cycle World
  3. ^ ZX-10 1000 TOMCAT 1990 (in French), motoplanete.com, October 26, 2010
  4. ^ John Burns (April 2, 2012), "Fifty years of "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?": A brief history of Ludicrous Speed", Cycle World, archived from the original on April 7, 2012
  5. ^ a b c Rupert Paul (February 1988), "ART ATTACK - first run on Kawasaki's ZX-10", Performance Bikes
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Records
Preceded by Fastest production motorcycle
1988–19891
Succeeded by
Notes and references
1. Precedence per Burns, Cycle World 2012