First official photo of the...
First official photo of the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja is a frontal shot that doesn't show much other than a few details.
Kawasaki released a photo of the test 2011 ZX-10R racebike the company is currently out testing at Suzuka today and tomorrow. The shot shows the bike outfitted with carbon fiber race bodywork and a race exhaust, but not much else can be gleaned from the photo. The ram-air intake is more centrally located at the highest point of pressure on the front of the fairing and is slightly larger, and the front fairing has some subtle revisions for the radiator exhaust cutouts.
Other than the official claims of 190 horsepower and 198kg (437 lbs), rumors are running rampant that the new ’11 model ZX-10R will have a “Big Bang” close-firing-order crankshaft to help get the power to the ground better than a normal 180-degree firing order. However, our reliable sources tell us that it won't be a close firing order that gets the power to the ground, but a very refined and advanced traction control setup with the new model—much more developed than even the BMW S 1000 RR's sophisticated system. We'd expect that the TC will include ABS as well, due to the requirement of measuring wheel speeds. More info as we get it. Stay tuned.
UPDATED: Kawasaki released some shots of the 2011 ZX-10R superbike undergoing testing on the first day at Suzuka with test rider Hidemitsu Takahashi aboard.
UPDATED AGAIN: Kawasaki released some more shots (below) of the second day of testing at Suzuka, with Kawasaki superbike rider Akira Yanagawa riding in place of test rider Hidemichi Takahashi (in photos above).