Buying Kawasaki’s ZX 10R
Chris Walker scored the ZX 10R’s first Superbike World Championship race win. Now he sells them
2008 MODEL
The third generation ZX 10R has more in common with the short-wheelbase ’04 than the ’06 revamp. It’s focussed and lively. Right now they are great value because the 2008 CBR1000RR looks more modern.
QUICK SHIFTERS
Beware ’04-’05 bikes with aftermarket shifters. They wear pre-cassette gearboxes and the strong torque can bend selector forks and round off dogs. Selection becomes vague. I’d also avoid buying a bike I knew had been fitted with one in the past.
SIX POT CALIPERS
The ’06-’07 model had six-pots up front. They produce long lever travel that gets worse as fluid and lines get older. Changing pads, piston seals and lines brings back the conventional feel. Caliper mounting points are the same as the newer ZX 10s so a straight swap to ’08 four-pots is a good upgrade.
SERVICING
Service intervals for ’04 bikes are bizarrely uneven. Later bikes have a 3750-mile interim, but oil and filter aren’t touched unless specified by the customer. 7500 miles includes oil, filter and air filter. Kawasaki advise plugs graded for 20,000 miles are changed at 7500.
FINISH
Paintwork is universally deep and colours are rich. But inspect early bikes for flaking metal finishes on calipers, fasteners, engine casings and rearsets. Check stanchion lowers for chips caused by road grit.
2006 MODEL
The 2006 model was nicknamed the ‘Wheelbarrow’ because of the dual underseat exhausts. It didn’t sell well and received mixed reviews, but it’s the bike I won on. Used bikes are in better nick than ’04-’05s because the customer was slightly different. Older, less adrenaline-seeking. Dealers offered free Akrapovic end cans, which improve looks.
GOING BACKWARDS
Take the ’16-’18 model to a trackday, remove tyre warmers by spinning the rear wheel backwards, and a fault code appears if the engine’s on. It retards peak power to 90bhp and a dealer needs to reset the bike. Wheel it backwards out of your drive and the same thing can happen. Avoid this by switching off the engine before manoeuvring.
HOME SERVICING
Don’t attempt a home valve clearance check if you’re a servicing rookie. The rocker cover is a pig to remove because of the way the frame arches over the engine. Keep to the service schedule and the engine shouldn’t let you down. We’ve never had problems with camchain tensioners or the bottom end.
ELECTRONIC STEERING DAMPER
Previous generation ZX10RS equipped with the Öhlins electronic steering damper should be kept charged. If the battery’s charge level is low, the steering damper low power warning light will flash. It then won’t do its job until there’s enough current. Quick fix? Fit a 2016 reg/rec to the earlier bike. It’ll allow enough current to reach the damper even on a low charge. Find a reg/rec online and a dealership will fit it in 30 minutes.