Kawasaki has updated its litre-class, supersport ZX-10R range for 2019. The ZX-10R, ZX-10R SE and the race-spec ZX-10RR now feature revised engine internals that help to make it rev quicker and provide a bump in power. In addition to this, there are a few more technical changes to the RR and cosmetic ones to the SE.
The biggest change for 2019 is undoubtedly the revised motor. It uses tech that was first seen on the BMW S1000RR back in 2010. This is the adoption of finger-follower (instead of tappet-style) valve actuation which reduces the mass by 20 percent. This, in turn, helps the engine rev-up faster and comfortably sustain higher-revs. The revised engine also makes three more horsepower (on the 10R and SE), taking the total to 203hp. Meanwhile, the racier 10RR gets four additional horsepower taking its total to 204hp, thanks to the lighter, titanium connecting rods and a higher rev-limit (600rpm more) on the race-spec bike.
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. For 2019, the 10R SE gets a ‘self-healing’ paintjob that is also seen on Kawasaki’s more-premium H2 range.
The ZX-10R and ZX-10RR are being assembled in India and priced competitively at Rs 12.80 lakh and Rs 16.10 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom, Delhi). This has even resulted in Kawasaki running out of stock and dealers being instructed to stop accepting bookings. We believe these updated models will come with a minor price hike but will still be competitively priced.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
