Kawasaki has just opened bookings for the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. While the Japanese manufacturer hasn’t yet disclosed the specifications and price of the motorcycle, it has revealed that the booking amount is set at Rs 1.5 lakh. Like the 2018 model, the ZX-10R will be available in limited numbers, and the bookings will be closed after it reaches the targeted numbers.
The Japanese motorcycle brand has also said that bookings can be made between April 26 and May 30, 2019, and that customers can expect the delivery of the bike by mid-June 2019. The biggest change on the Ninja ZX-10R for 2019 is undoubtedly the revised motor. It uses tech that was first seen on the BMW S1000RR back in 2010. It uses finger-follower valve actuation (instead of tappet-style), which reduces the mass by 20 percent. This, in turn, helps the engine rev faster and sustain higher revs comfortably. The revised engine also makes an extra 3hp (on the 10R and SE), taking the total to 203hp.
Other changes to the base ZX-10R are a bi-directional quick-shifter that now comes as standard and a new Lime Green/Ebony/Metallic Graphite Grey paint scheme.
Like the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, the 2019 model will be assembled in India. And this is why we expect it to be priced competitively, but not as much as the 2018 model. We believe the updates, along with Kawasaki’s recent price hike across its range, owing to raw materials getting more expensive and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, will increase the cost of the litre-class supersport. While the 2018 ZX-10R was priced at Rs 12.80 lakh, the new model is expected to cross the Rs 13 lakh mark.
However, even with a price that’s over Rs 13 lakh, the Ninja ZX-10R will continue to be the most affordable litre-class supersport in India. Rivals like the CBR1000RR (Rs 16.41 lakh) and BMW S1000RR (starts at Rs 18.05 lakh) cost a lot more.
All prices, ex-showroom Delhi.
Vishal Venugopal
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
