This new for 2016 ZX-10R looks to be the new class champion. If you can get past the familiar looks, it appears to be an almost all new machine based on Rea and Sykes' WSBK machines.

http://www.sportrider.com/first-look-2016-kawasaki-ninja-zx-10r

* Last updated by: Kruz on 10/26/2015 @ 10:26 AM *

I want one of these bad. best thing IMO is they got rid of the stupid looking windshield.

Looks exactly the same. I never thought the previous 10's raised windscreen made sense but the look has grown on me. Closer gear ratios sounds nice for sport riding and for street use, I'm sure a larger rear sprocket would cure any too tallness to first gear. A few extra hp is always nice but the longer wheel base and increased weight leave me a little skeptical. If I had a gen4 I'd stick with it for a while. Put some nitrous on it and you have a lot more hp while still maintaining a lighter weight.

they got rid of the stupid looking windshield.

That was the first thing I noticed, along with the fatter tail feathers. It looks the same at a first glance but very few parts off the old Gen 4 will fit, even the fairings are different. It's got a lot of DNA from Sykes and Rea's bikes, I'll be very surprised if this isn't the new King of the Literbikes.

Huh, I haven't wanted a liter bike in a while... this things sounds pretty bad-ass.

Yea, I'd like one but may be getting out of sportbikes completely and buy a big, slow bagger, not a Harley though and slow down. Three months after my accident, I'm still a long way from feeling good again. Time alone will tell.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 10/29/2015 @ 7:00 AM *

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v9NQIpABFo

Three months after my accident, I'm still a long way from feeling good again.

you just found out getting old sucks buddy.

New 2016 ZX-10R is too fast?

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/12/the-problem-is-the-kawasakis-are-too-fast-sentiments-following-wsb-testing-at-jerez/

* Last updated by: Kruz on 12/8/2015 @ 5:11 PM *

1 second faster lap times are nice but will the average guy be able to tell the difference? Maybe it will really feel a little different but I doubt anyone will be going noticeably faster on the street.

Wrap your minds around this. During the Jerez test, both Kawasakis were easily into the 1:39s, with Sykes posting a time that would have placed him ninth on the MotoGP grid earlier this year. That’s right, during shake-down tests of the 2016 model, Sykes posted a lap time quicker than the best qualifying effort at Jerez by Yamaha Tech3 rider Bradley Smith! On a superbike

Yea, I agree, the new bike is junk.

Im really impressed with value for money aspect of this new bike. The performance factor is thru the roof for $16K. You cant touch any sports car with this level of technology and less performance for $80K to $100K. And even then the guys buying the newer Vipers and Vetts for some track days are dumping another $25-50K into them.

THis new 10R from an engineering perspective has so much highly integrated controls technology for a production bike I find it hard to believe. I've been using high end Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) as components for attitude control systems for satellites and aircraft which provide inertial data and motion rates in 6 DOF for a long time. Blows my mind the capability is affordable integrated into the bike control systems. Just the IMU we fly on high end class A space programs are $5M each ... and then there the control sw and cpu and sensors and actuators.

Very impressive job Kawi did with this design at this price - I want one!

Nice bike for sure. Id def get that instead of a left over 2015 but if I had a 2015, I would not feel any big need to upgrade. Maybe a few years from now there will be a bike that will be fast enough to feel the dif. If you're not racing. feel is all that matters. I don't feel any pressure to buy a new bike unless it will mean I will have a very different experience.

The 2016 is much different from the 2015, and all because of 2016 WSB rules.

In 2015 the flywheel and crank weight of the ZX10R was a slight disadvantage compared to other makes. So for 2016 the crank assembly is significantly lighter.

And the 2016 homologation machine (street machine) benefits, and even has the adjustable steering neck (etc.) adjustability to change geometry. In fact, as pointed out above, the darn thing is as fast with license plates on it as the track bike was last year almost. Most of us couldn't tell the difference. That's a very good thing!

Yep, all data so far indicates this is going to be the literbike to beat in 2016 and the price blows me away. Don't expect deals like in the past though, even the 2015 is in short supply here in my area, my dealer long ago sold out of these machines and they hold their value much better.

Got the hots for one of these, the new 2016 959 Panigale. I think this might make a lot more sense than a new ZX-10R, not quite as fast but very exotic and all the testers are saying this is the best Panigale ever, more punch than the outgoing 899 but more controllable than the 1299. I can't believe they are calling a 959 a midsize now.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/19/2016 @ 8:36 AM *

Wait a year to find out how it runs and what problems it has and how often. If it's almost problem free, get it or else just might as well get an older Panningale. It's a great looking bike and I think that's all you're going to get out of it is something you're proud to show off.

It's a great looking bike and I think that's all you're going to get out of it is something you're proud to show off.

Read the online reviews, it sounds like a great machine.

http://www.sportrider.com/2016-ducati-959-panigale-first-ride-review

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/11/30/2016-ducati-959-panigale-superbike-first-ride-motorcycle-review-photos/

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/12/article/2016-ducati-959-panigale-first-ride-review/

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2016-ducati-959-panigale-first-ride-review.html

* Last updated by: Kruz on 1/19/2016 @ 12:24 PM *

Well go for it then!! Hard to imagine it's going to be a huge amount different in performance than what you have already but if you're sure there's no issues like the previous Pannigale that tended to break in half, do it! There'd be nothing wrong with riding a bike that did everything your current bikes do and looks better doing it. I think it will be a refreshing change for you.

Panigales breaking in half lol, where did you hear that???

Panigales breaking in half lol, where did you hear that???

I believe it was you who told me. Side frame bolts to back of engine...steering neck bolts to front of engine...engine is frame and engine in one. Crash and it cracks. That was the old Panigale wasn't it?

http://forums.13x.com/index.php?threads/six-recalls-intolerable-heat-throwing-in-the-towel-on-a-panigale.303540/page-5

There's more info. Go ahead and Google it. I wouldn't let that stop me from buying it. I accept that if I crash, it's gonna be expensive, perhaps not replaceable. All a part of owning bikes. In this case, it's a little extra expensive. If these things break from garage tip overs, insure for full coverage and that's about as good as you can get. You have good rates, that's not a problem.

Those recalls are for the 2012 Panigale 1199 not the 2016 959. Anyway, I didn't see any frame breakage, just some mickey mouse stuff like excessive heat coming off the under seat exhaust pipe and screws backing out of the steering damper.

Well start shopping. Look for a good deal.

No deals Rook, straight MSRP on this bike. They might throw in a free key Fob or a Ducati tee-shirt but that's about it.