Topic: 2011 ZX-10R on the Dyno..

[rrocket]

Looks like the ZX10 is putting the power down nicely...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ6NeE6sYs4&feature=player_embedded

[Wolverine]

Gotta, love this bike.

[Winklovic]

I love watching dyno vids: both chassis and engine.  I've peered through the glass at a number of engine tests over the years and they still are as interesting as ever.

[Mitlov]

If I wanted a literbike, I'd probably go for a CBR1000RR (honestly, because it's tiny and friendly), but more competition is good for everyone involved, especially the consumer.  Good on Kawasaki for bringing their A-game with the new ZX-10R.

[rex charlston]

Looks like the ZX10 is putting the power down nicely...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ6NeE6sYs4&feature=player_embedded

220hp at the crank is just massive for a street bike with just a pipe and enhanced ecu, just massive!!! 

[vdk]

Oops!

    Unsold 2011 ZX-10R units will be returned to KMC warehouses. The Ninja units will be redistributed once Kawasaki is 100 percent confident they reflect company standards for this highly technical, race-bred superbike.

    All 2011 ZX-10R owners who have taken delivery of a 2011 unit are being instructed to return the Ninja to the Kawasaki 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.


http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2011-kawasaki-zx-10r-on-tech-hold

[Careener]

What!!?
Did they get tech assistance from Microsoft or something ;-)

[johngenx]

220hp at the crank is just massive for a street bike with just a pipe and enhanced ecu, just massive!!! 

It is impressive, but you'd be surprised at how much power some bike makers have left hiding right around the corner.  Here's a very lightly modded 'Busa pulling 204hp at the wheels...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EFc4eDsp2o

Yes, it has 300cc over the liter bikes, but it shows that some pretty basic mods find some pretty substantial power.

[rrocket]

^Indeed.  Brock pulled 204RWHP and 87 TQ out of the BMW1000 (ECU tune and exhaust)...which is more impressive than what the Busas are putting out with 300cc more power.

[PlanB]

Power wars amongst street bikes is comical IMO.  There is only so much power a legal street-bike can take before both grip and handling become very sketchy.  Also, the old problem never goes away, how much power can you really tap into on the street?  Braggin' rights is all it is. 

I know I'm hitting the speed limit on the highway in 1st gear on my VFR, how much pwr is enough? 

[johngenx]

It sells bikes.  I've owned several very high hp bikes, and they gave me great pleasure to ride.  However, you have to pick where and when you use that power as you need to ensure that if anyone dies, it is only you, and the law is also not all that keen on what a 200hp motorcycle can do.

The best place to use a bike with this much power is the track.  Road course or drag strip, pick your venue.

The continued and increasing obstacle to high hp bikes is insurance companies.  They are going to war on sport bikes.

[Guy]

In Quebec it is the Government who went to war against sports bike. Result: in 2009 24 or so new sports bike were sold in the province.

I agree the track is the best place to enjoy those toys.

[blur911]

In Quebec it is the Government who went to war against sports bike. Result: in 2009 24 or so new sports bike were sold in the province.

Government, insurance. All the same crooks.

[johngenx]

Not sure about south of the 49th.  The buyer for my in-Alberta-un-insurable bike is a US guy.  He says he can plate and insure it without difficulty.

[blur911]

Not sure about south of the 49th.  The buyer for my in-Alberta-un-insurable bike is a US guy.  He says he can plate and insure it without difficulty.

When getting a motorcycle insurance quote in Ontario the first question they ask is:  Is it turbo-charged?   
If you answer yes the conversation is over.

[rrocket]

Not sure about south of the 49th.  The buyer for my in-Alberta-un-insurable bike is a US guy.  He says he can plate and insure it without difficulty.

When getting a motorcycle insurance quote in Ontario the first question they ask is:  Is it turbo-charged?   
If you answer yes the conversation is over.

What that means to me:  Put a supercharger on it.   

[johngenx]

When getting a motorcycle insurance quote in Ontario the first question they ask is:  Is it turbo-charged?   
If you answer yes the conversation is over.

What that means to me:  Put a supercharger on it.   

FKNA.

[blur911]

Not sure about south of the 49th.  The buyer for my in-Alberta-un-insurable bike is a US guy.  He says he can plate and insure it without difficulty.

When getting a motorcycle insurance quote in Ontario the first question they ask is:  Is it turbo-charged?   
If you answer yes the conversation is over.

What that means to me:  Put a supercharger on it.   

That was also my first thought, and question back at them.  They of course didn't have a clue or an answer   

[Guy]

I guess Kawasaki has some issues with the bike...

Kawasaki Announces "Tech Hold" On New ZX-10R
Saturday, December 11, 2010
This just in from Kawasaki:

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® ZXTM-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.

More on the subject:

The "sales hold" on the ZX-10R will be lifted at the end of January with sales to resume as normal, Kawasaki announced today in a press release.

According to Kawasaki engineers, the problem with the ZX-10R arose when they found a "possible surging of the intake valve spring when the unit is operated under unique riding conditions, such as on a racetrack. The surge could cause the intake valve to seat improperly, resulting in poor engine performance."

Kawasaki is replacing the camshaft, valve springs, and spring retainers to prevent the valve surging - and none of the changes affect engine performance, Kawasaki says.

On December 11, Kawasaki issued a release stating that a "technical hold" was being placed on the bike, but gave no details as to what the problem was. At that point, unsold units were sent back to KMC warehouses and those who had already taken delivery of the new bike were told to return them to dealerships for a full refund.

[rrocket]

Yea, it was a valve spring issue.  Kawasaki thought it was unfair to have a brand new bike torn down at the dealer to have the valves replaced, so they issued the recall with everyone getting a new bike or refund.