KAWASAKI ZX-10RR
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN…
Being dragged over to Portugal in the back of a lorry for eight lads to abuse for a few days, I felt sorry for her. She didn’t whimper though, and was soon lapping up multiple botties for countless laps of Portimao. Although the ZX-10RR didn’t win SBOTY, it proved to be a popular choice of steed: easy-going, comfy and über stable among a pack of lairy bastards. To celebrate surviving another test of mammoth proportions, we sat round the pool and guzzled Super Bock. It was nice...
Meanwhile, back in blighty, the weather hasn’t been kind and I haven’t enjoyed as many weekend thrashes or turbo commutes as I should have done. The RR hasn’t disappointed though. There’s a surprising amount of grip and, in general, it’s been excellent in iffy conditions. Steering doesn’t seem to be fazed by wet roads and there’s an abundance of grip from the rear. All in all, the RR has been behaving impeccably without fault.
Excuse the faffery, but mods (and gearing) have been scarce thanks to a busy schedule, including the biggest test of the year. That said, there’s a juicy Akrapovic full system waiting for me at JHS Racing, which is obviously making things moist. I’ve also had a few emails from fellow Ninjas that reckon a 16-tooth front sprocket (rather than the stock 17) is the tonic I’m after. Without fail, that’s happening this month.
In what seems to be the default first mod of many longtermers (for fairly obvious reasons), I have fitted some engine protection these past few days, so I have.
There’s only one choice of engine protection for me, and that’s GB Racing’s range of motorcycle armour. The FIM-approved kit is also Faganapproved, having saved my sponsors’ banks throughout years of racing, ahem... Not only does it do the job, the stealthy black stuff also looks dench.
I grabbed a Martin Brundle (a bundle), packed with the safety essentials: a secondary alternator cover, secondary clutch cover, secondary pulse cover (pictured), some bullet frame sliders, a paddock stand bobbin set and a shark fin for that factory racer look. As an OCD sufferer, it’s also nice to cover up those tawdry OE cases.
The injection moulded case covers are now on and looking fly, taking no time at all and utilising the OE bolts. The fit is exquisite – after all, GB Racing 3D scan the bikes for the snuggest of mounts. Let’s hope I don’t crash test any more of them…