2018 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R SE
Within the tech side of the motorcycle industry, electronic suspension is the highlight of pure innovation.
A few bikes quickly come to mind, including the Ducati Multistrada, Yamaha YZF-R1M, BMW S 1000 RR, which all use “semi-active” suspension.
Basically, “semi-active” suspension self adjusts based on ride conditions, whereas others with electronically adjustable suspension allows riders to fine-tune spring preload and damping.
Meet the 2018 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R SE. The Ninja SE was unveiled to the American audience at New York City International Motorcycle Show, where it was confirmed for stateside sale.
Following are the essential fast facts of the Ninja ZX-10R SE, with a focus on all the updated parts. For more on the latest edition of the Ninja ZX-10R, read our Ninja ZX-10R Preview.
1. The ZX-10R, which was last updated for 2016 and is the base for three back-to-back World Superbike titles (Jonthan Rea), is now offered with electronically adjustable suspension. The SE’s Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) electronically controls a Showa Balance Free Fork (BFF), which was derived from World Superbike and debuted in 2016 on a mass-production motorcycle with the Ninja ZX-10R, and a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) unit out back.
2. The electronic suspension adjusts compression and rebound damping in both the fork and the shock through a solenoid valve with direct actuation. This makes adjustments based on vehicle speed, stroke speed and deceleration.
4. The forks and shock have built-in stroke sensors that provide real-time stroke speed and compression information. The sensor coils provide input to the KECS ECU every millisecond. This is complemented by information provided by the IMU (acceleration/deceleration) every 10 milliseconds, and the FI ECU (vehicle speed) every 10 milliseconds. The KECS ECU then directs current to the solenoids to adjust damping as required by the situation.
6. The new ZX-10R SE arrives with seven-spoke forged Marchesini aluminum wheels. The lightweight wheels are wrapped in Bridgestone Battlax RS10 tires (120/70 ZR17 front and 190/55 ZR17 rear).
7. Stopping the The Ninja ZX-10R SE is a Brembo front braking system. This includes the very high specification M50 aluminum monobloc four-piston front calipers (with 30mm opposed pistons) and Brembo front rotors. The rotors are cross-drilled and have a circumferential groove in the outer edge to aid heat dissipation.
9. Kawasaki set the MSRP at $21,899, which is $3K more than the track-focused ZX-10RR. Availability at dealerships was not reported.