Motorcycle specifications KawasakiZX-10R 1000 EWC Endurance 2011 The line of sight

a beast! A performance-hungry beast. When Kawasaki created the 3rd-generation ZX-10R, it was clear to the small world of motorcycle sport that the tension had been ratcheted up a notch. With its advanced electronics, monstrous 200 hp engine supervised by traction control, and Superbike-ready chassis, the Ninja takes the lead in Japanese hypersports.

while the WSBK version frisbees in the middle of the stage (a clear improvement on 2010), its EWC sibling has been seriously preparing for endurance racing. The 2011 version of the ZX-10R had barely left the factory when it was thrown straight into one of the discipline's toughest and most prestigious races: the Bol d'Or. Was it ready for this? Quite a bit: with the GSR team, she finished the two clock laps in 2nd position, 6 laps behind the winner.
So, let's take a closer look at why. Because the Kawa's performance is not due solely to its progenitors. Gilles Stafler's team has worked hard to turn it into an efficient monster.

the first step was to get rid of everything that was useless and change certain mandatory parts, then optimize others. We modify the headlights, the tank, the seat, the swingarm... and throw away about twenty kilos. The engine undergoes a Team SRC and Bernard Lecour preparation, and then spits out big horses here, with even more fire than in production. The GSR claims over 200 hp, but in fact it must have a good twenty more right out of the box.
When Olivier Four, Julien Da Costa, Gregory Leblanc and Guillaume Dietrich unleash this massive cavalry, they're also going to twist (so to speak) the chassis to get the most out of the even sharper than original chassis. Suspension? All Öhlins. At the front, a 43-mm FGR 700 pressurized fork is fitted in Robby tees cut from solid - equipment used in the World Superbike Championship and, until recently, in MotoGP. As far as adjustability and braking are concerned, it doesn't get much better than this, with the exception of the so-called 'factory' forks. Same signature for the rear element, gilded Swedish-style with the TTX reference.
Exhaust? Ugly and asthmatic. A small Léovince element is certainly more sonorous (the melody gains, not the eardrums) but above all lighter and improves breathability.
Rims? Marchesini's 16.5" rims, so light they could almost fly on a southerly wind. As for braking, it's the very best Nissin can offer; all radial, of course. Staübli fittings allow brake calipers to be changed in 10 seconds.

want to go fast? It's all there. Does she want to race endurance? Then we'll give her the same modifications as our girlfriends. A 24-liter fuel tank with zenith valves for consistent stints and rapid refueling. A scale of comparison? With a standard tank, you can last just over half an hour, and then you'll need at least 2 minutes to refuel. In this EWC configuration, the ZX-10R runs for almost an hour, and refuelling takes just 15 seconds all in.
To achieve this insane time, a quick-change wheel system is fitted at both front and rear. Virtually every bike entered in endurance racing has one, but the systems are all more or less homemade. Each team develops a little trick or a special part to improve one phase of the refuelling process. Sometimes we spend weeks tinkering to save a second. But one second gained multiplied by each relay gives a bonus of 23 or 24 seconds at the end of 24 hours. Don't tell the members of S.E.R.T: the gap separating them from victory over GMT 94 at the 2005 Le Mans 24 Hours was 20.459 seconds. So now you know how important it is to make the most of every moment.

for the race, the ZX-10R GSR leaves it to its team to pamper it and refuel it in a matter of minutes. His desire is different: to go for it, to turn, to angle, to breathe fire, and to win. Answer after the chequered flag.

M.B - Team Kawasaki SRC photos