Ninja ZX-10R: From 0-299 km/hr in 18 seconds

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is an extremely quick motorcycle yet very easy to use on a daily basis writes Faisal Ali Khan of MotorBeam.com

Indians are finally getting a plethora of options when it comes to performance bikes. While the entry level performance motorcycle segment is seeing an increase in alternatives, the litre class space too is loaded with a slew of options.

You can go ahead and buy a superbike from multiple brands in India with all the big-wigs selling their go-fast machines in the country officially. The latest such bike to go on sale in India is the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

Known as the best Japanese litre class offering, the Ninja ZX-10R is a mean machine ready to paint the town green.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a very compact superbike. This bike gives styling cues to other smaller Ninjas like the ZX-6R and Ninja 300. While the ZX-10R carries all the best bit of tech on-board, it doesn't attract too much attention owing to its rather small dimensions.

The twin headlights at the front look mean and the indicators in the rear view mirrors is a neat touch. The dual-tone paint job has immaculate finishing.

The Ninja ZX-10R is a bike which draws eye-pops from those who understand what a superbike is.

The cluster of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is loaded with a lot of data.

You get an all digital unit and thus the tachometer has a long rainbow sort of appearance. The display tells you the speed, gear, temperature, time, power mode, traction control mode, odometer and trip meter.

Switch gear quality is excellent with the buttons being light and easy to use.

The Ninja ZX-10R isn't merely a superbike, it's a supersport which means an aggressive riding position. This does take the toll on your hands and back if you are a new rider but once you get used to the seating position, this Kwacker is quite comfortable.

Long windshield helps prevent wind blast at high speeds to a certain extent. Although there is a pillion seat, it's not a good idea to carry a pillion on this 300 km/hr machine.

The Ninja ZX-10R almost offers jet propulsion because the 998cc, in-line four engine produces a mind numbing 197 HP of peak power at an insanely high 13,000 RPM while torque output is 112 Nm at 11,500 RPM.

Redline comes in at a stratospheric 14,000 RPM. Let's talk numbers.

0-100 km/hr in 2.8 seconds, 0-160 km/hr in 5.5 seconds, 0-240 km/hr in 10 seconds and 0-299 km/hr in 18 seconds. That's not fast, that's the acceleration you do if you are on afterburner.

Top speed is limited to 299 km/hr but if the limiter is removed, this Ninja can easily break the 320 km/hr barrier.

In spite of such a massive amount of power on tap, the Ninja ZX-10R isn't intimidating to ride because the powerplant is very tractable. You can ride it in the city in congested traffic too as the heat dissipation is spot on and there is no ferocity in acceleration at low revs.

But the mid-range is totally stupendous while the top-end is mind bogglingly savage. Whizz past 8000 RPM and the Ninja ZX-10R turns into an entirely different beast, accelerating like it is a rocket ignited javelin.

You can hit 157 km/hr in first gear and there are 5 more gears to go; imagine the speeds this bike can reach in no time.

The 6-speed gearbox is very smooth shifting and is aided by a slipper clutch. To make it easy for riders, Kawasaki offers three power modes -- Low, Medium and High -- which alters the number of race bred horses on duty.

Mileage from this superbike is between 16-20 km/l which is good considering one small twist of the right wrist can send you to oblivion.

Power is one thing and controlling it is another thing.

To keep things safe around corners, the ZX-10R gets K-TRC which is Kawasaki speak for traction control.

There are three modes here too -- 1, 2 and 3 -- and it is best left to full to avoid any sort of drama.

The ZX-10R is an easy bike to pilot through corners as the chassis has terrific balance and the steering is very communicative. The massive tyres offer very good grip as well.

In spite of being a supersport bike, the Ninja ZX-10R rides very well and absorbs bad roads in its stride. However the u-turn radius is very high and one needs to be very carefully while taking a 180-degree turn.

High speed stability is excellent, the Ninja ZX-10R simply remains glued to all kinds of road surfaces to help you fly low.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is no doubt an accomplished superbike.

While it offers terrific performance and brilliant dynamics, it is also practical to live with on a day to day basis. At a price of Rs 18.18 lakh (on-road, Mumbai), it's priced attractively too (when compared to other litre class offerings).

The Ninja ZX-10R is thus a superbike with super powers.