This is what it's supposed to look like... not sure about the direction they're going, kind of got that MotoGP look.

Kawasaki holds back new ZX-10R as it goes radical
By Laura Kennerley
02 July 2009 17:59

Kawasaki has delayed the launch of the new ZX-10R as it is developing a radical new bike.

The Japanese firm has opted out of its traditional two-year pattern of replacing the top-flight sportsbike as it wants to create a bike to win the World Superbike series with.

The new ZX-10R is now expected to be launched at the end of 2010.

Source: MCN

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/12/2010 @ 8:25 AM *

i think thats sharp... love the color scheme

The color is nice. I'm not too sure about that tiny tail and the side faring pointing out so far. I don't think they will change the appearance of the 10 as much as that for 2011. If they do, I think that will take some getting used to for me. I like the rough look of the current gen.

I would have to see the nose from the front, looks like it may be same ugly one.

This is a very aggressively styled motorcycle, almost MotoGP, they're definitely going with the mass centralization concept. That tiny beak and lack of side fairings helps. It works, the '08/'09 already feels light and transitions well but the styling does take some getting used to.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/12/2010 @ 11:56 AM *

Lovely bike-z1000 isn't it? I'm likin it-good color-looks quite compact and quick.Styling is very cool.Think they got a winner here!Just wish I could get some WHEELS on my 14 like those!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 1/12/2010 @ 1:50 PM *

Here's a z1000

http://www.encyclomoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/07-z1000.jpg

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/12/2010 @ 5:56 PM *

This is great news.......191HP maybe, spank the Beemer. 5000 cheaper.

^^Did you seriously hear that? 191?

If so, I couldn't see them keeping the Connie and the 14 in the Kawi line up. The only thing they could do is bump up the power on the 14 or make it more comfortable. Would they make major updates to both the 10 and the 14 in this economy? Making the 14 more comfortable would be getting too close to what they already have in the Connie.

I'm not so sure a 2011 ZX-10 will be 5000 cheaper than an S1000.

good video in this ad

http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/3578/bmw-s1000rr-vs-the-rest-2010-sports-bike-of-the-year

Guys, its about getting back into contention in World Superbike. Did you follow it last season? Or the season before? Or before?

Between not having good enough riders (good, but not good enough) and being down on handling (mass centralization) and down on usable power, Kawasaki ran in the bottom half (or 1/4) of every race, with never so much as a serious challenge.

That is some serious disgrace in Japanese terms.

It has nothing to do with the retail lineup. Heck, all along, the ZX10 has been quicker, handled better than a ZX14, and can out-pull it in a roll-on from most gears. So what would be new anyway?

No, its about getting back the infamous Kawasaki race-cred which they had decades ago, but lost by concentrating on everything but racing. I hope they pull it off, but in these times, the question is, will Kawk pay US$1M+ for a pair of top notch riders and another US$200M+ for four world-class homologated superbikes and the crew, etc. ?

Just building the bike isn't enough. Ask Buell.

Looks like a bad Photoshop job but that was incredibly insightful on the part of MSN to take a guess that Japan would not be out powered by BMW for long. No doubt the zx10 will be cheaper but considering a 2010 zx10 retails for 12,999 and the base BMW which still offers more than any Japanese bike(on paper)is only 13,800 even 1500 less seems like a stretch in terms of retail prices. If you look at actual retail prices the base BMW is a bargain hell just to upgrade to a basic Brembo calipers on the zx10 would cost you more than the price differences between the two bikes if you consider the retail prices. Now anyone who pays full price for a zx10 right now is a fool however anyone that gets a BMW for full retail should be happy so in reality the price difference as of right now as someone said is close to 5k.

It has nothing to do with the retail lineup. Heck, all along, the ZX10 has been quicker, handled better than a ZX14, and can out-pull it in a roll-on from most gears. So what would be new anyway?

You mean the 04,05,06,07,08,09 and 2010 zx10 has been quicker,and can out-pull it in a roll-on from most gears. Seriously If you use the zx14 the way its suppose to be used its a awsome bike. If I had to ride 500 miles very quickly consisting of highway and back roads combined I can't think of a better bike to be on than a zx14. i.e. its a great street bike.

* Last updated by: willidx4 on 1/13/2010 @ 8:21 AM *

^^Did you seriously hear that? 191?

No, just wishful thinking. I've got bike rags all over the table on this new BMW and I buy each new one as it comes out. They all read, this allot of bike for the money but has yet to prove itself on the track. All eyes are shifting to the Japanese to do something. With the new arrival of the BMW and the RSV4 the race in the inline four department will not go totally unanswered by the Japanese that we can be sure of. Look at those #'s on the z1000 with it's all new motor(wow)hopefully more of the same in the future for the rest of the line up. I'm willing to bet the 2011 going to be a big year for changes. My only worry is what's going to happen to the big 14, looks like she has been forgotten(thus far). All the fighting seems to be in the market for the crown of the litre class. In Canada, only 150 BMW are being delivered, all are fully loaded and are 20,600 out the door(ouch).Not sure how much RSV4 is in Canada but the bike retails for 26,375 US. You can be sure the zx-10 for 2011 won't be anywhere near that but as wild points out, add up your favorite mods to make the same and the BMW 1000RR is a screaming deal. Well....lets see what happens. I sure would like to have one.

* Last updated by: Romans on 1/13/2010 @ 9:20 AM *

Ok we've all heard the hype before. The 1098 Duc, then the 1098R, then the 1198 and finally the Desmosedicci were all supposed to destroy the literbike class and it hasn't happened. Last time I checked, a lowly Yamaha won both WSB and MotoGP for 2009 and Ducs usually drag up the rear on any liter bike shootout.

If I were the Japs, I'd kick back and wait (but not too long) for the smoke to clear on the two new Euro Wunderkind, RSV-4 and S1000RR. See how this shakes out in the cold light of reality.

The S1000RR supposedly has 185 rear wheel hp stock! That's almost twenty more than a stock 2009 ZX-14! The RSV-4 was 165 on the rear tire on European dynos but when it got on to Cycle Worlds dyno over here it had magically dropped to 146 HP, about the same as a 2006 CBR 1000, I have the graph on it. The guys from the factory are no doubt consuming massive quantities of vino and pasta alfredo as they scratch their head over this one. If the Beemer is fudged the same amount, it would be about 166 at the rear wheel. That would knock the ZX-10 off the top rung of the HP ladder but hardly blow anyone out of the water.

Wait and see, 2010 shootouts and dyno pulls are only a few months away. If the Aprilia and the new Beemer are that dominant it will show. With their cost they will need to be more than dominant to make a dent in world wide sales.

Just my .02

Wait and see, 2010 shootouts and dyno pulls are only a few months away. If the Aprilia and the new Beemer are that dominant it will show. With their cost they will need to be more than dominant to make a dent in world wide sales.

If the base price for the Aprila is 26,375 US and the base for the BMW is 13,800 US is anyone but the rich going to look at the RSV4? Thus far, BMW shines in every cat. There must be a flaw. It will show itself soon. So far(in 2010)looks good.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/65/5106/Motorcycle-Article/2010-BMW-S1000RR-First-Ride.aspx

Motorcycle-USA has a test ride under their belt and says it's the real deal, within 7mph of Ben Spies' R1 down the front straight. I think the actual rear wheel HP will be low 170's at a stratospheric 13000 to 14,000 rpm.

Remember the European press was reporting the '08/'09 ZX-10R at 175 rear wheel while American testers were getting between 155 to 163. Once the S1000RR is tested back to back with the competition on the same day, same dyno will we know if BMW has indeed leap frogged the competition or it's all just a load of hype. I think the bike will be good, how good remains to be seen. I would wait til next year to buy one, first year on a totally new design from a manufacturer that hasn't built a real racing bike in almost a half a century might be risky IMHO.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/13/2010 @ 1:09 PM *

I love reading the comments on the bottom of this article. Wildpig is a tad bit cranky. I don't think he likes dem dare BMW bikes.

Ok, here's what Akropovic is reporting on their website for rear wheel HP on the '08/'09/'10 bikes stock:

2010 BMW S1000RR .... 185.5 hp
2009 CBR 1000RR (Euro) .... 170.6 hp
2008 GSXR 1000 .... 170.2 hp
2010 ZX-10R .... 169.3 hp
2009 GSXR 1000 .... 168.1 hp
2009 RSV-4 .... 165.0 hp
2009 ZX-10R .... 163.0 hp
2009 R1 .... 161.6 hp

Either the Beemer is tuned to near WSB racing specs or BMW is slippng in what we call a "ringer" i.e. heavily breathed on pre-production machines not representative of what the customer will actually get....blue printed, balanced, ported and polished. Wouldn't be the first time this was done, I understand Suzuki did it with the first Hayabusa's they released. Some of Akro's numbers do not match what I have seen from US magazine dyno reports for the same machines.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/14/2010 @ 7:04 AM *

I think the bike will be good......... . I would wait til next year to buy one,...

Speaking hypothetically, of course. Or is that your subconscious mind speaking?

I think I see another bike somewhere in your future. We won't ever stop thinking about it as long we follow these forums.

OK Rook, lets both start saving now to buy one in 2011. If they're that good and all the hype is true then you know you gotta have one! ........but first you gotta get that ZX-10R....

i don't think no BMW has ever out run me ..and i'm fat ..

Rook they could bump the 10 in power and not touch the 14. With the 14 you have a comfortable 2 up sportbike, not so with the 10. Especially if they shorten up the wheelbase any more. These bikes aren't really built to compete against each other in Kawi's line up. Even if they get 191hp out of the new 10 it still would be 20 or so ft/lbs less torque than the 14.

* Last updated by: heathun on 1/14/2010 @ 3:42 PM *

Even if they get 191hp out of the new 10 it still would be 20 or so ft/lbs less torque than the 14

yeah but the killer is 11k rpm vs 14.5k rpm

yeah but the killer is 11k rpm vs 14.5k rpm

And curb weight is 455lbs