Motorcycle specifications KawasakiZX-10R 1000 WSBK 2016 Rea's weapon

Once again this year, the Kawasaki ZX-10R will be THE machine to beat in World Superbike. Especially as the bike has a lot going for it. It has dominated the championships for several years now, the team is well established, and the riders are both world champions in the class - Jonathan Rea in 2015, Tom Sykes in 2013.

The 2016 season promises to be full of surprises, however, and Kawa knows it will have to be wary. The team will have less to worry about with the Aprilia RSV4s, and still shouldn't have to worry about the CBR 1000s and GSX-R 1000s. The two Japanese bikes are good performers, but a step down in terms of development. The 1000 Ninja will have to contend above all with the Ducati Panigale R, which has been making steady progress and posing a serious threat since last year, and the new Yamaha R1. The factory with the tuning forks has built a formidable weapon, which is beginning to change the face of competition. The R1 stretched its rods in 2015 in the Superstock 1000 class, before presenting itself in style in 2016 with great potential.

The Ninja didn't wait for the competition's wake-up call to remain at the top of its game. The production model benefits from a number of small technical improvements, even more advanced electronics and more advanced suspension. An excellent base that gains in efficiency, and is then strongly reinforced by the Superbike upgrade. Engine data are, of course, classified as secret, but speculation suggests a power output of around 240 hp. As the bike has to meet the minimum weight requirement of 168 kilos, the power-to-weight ratio is formidable. In fact, the times are not far off from MotoGP prototypes.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos