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Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Riding

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Kawasaki ZX-10R (2004-2005)

View all Kawasaki ZX-10Rs for sale (10)

Detail	Value
Parker's used price range	£2,990-5,190
	Full used prices
Engine size	998cc
Power	181bhp
Top speed	180mph
Insurance group	17

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The Kawasaki ZX-10R is sold as the ultimate track bike – the 2004/05 ZX-10R was one of Kawasaki’s first machines after the firm gave itself a kick up the arse in 2002. The 10R’s one wild ride and an absolute weapon in experienced hands. It’s light, makes massive power and handles superbly on the track –a bit of a handful on the road though.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Kawasaki ZX-10R's 181 bhp is never going to be anything other than a rush that drugs can’t match. It can’t quite match the GSX-R for low down drive but get the revs up and the 10R’s hard to fault. It’s civilized and flexible enough at lower revs to make pottering a possibility too – although that’s really not what the bike’s all about.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Kawasaki ZX-10R is effortless and precise. As easy to chuck about as a 600 and pretty stable regardless of whether you’re easing round a damp roundabout or hurling it reet over on a track day or race. Like all modern sports bikes it can be twitchy and isn’t for the inexperienced. Brakes are incredibly strong too.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Kawasaki ZX-10R is minimal but not without a few extras. There’s a shift light which you can set to remind you when to change gear. Instrument cluster which is shared with several other Kawasakis can appear unclear to some – the LCD rev counter sweeps round the edge and isn’t as obvious as an old-fashioned needle gauge.

Click here for the 10 best parts for the Kawasaki ZX-10R, as recommended by real owners at ZX-10R.net.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The ‘big four’ Japanese marques all produce pretty solid bikes these days and Kawasaki is no longer a league behind Honda. That said fasteners, brake hose connections, wheels, brackets and brake calipers can suffer if used in winter. No major reliability problems have shown up yet.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Kawasaki ZX-10R is always good value next to a used FireBlade. Discounts on new bikes are keeping used values on machines like this pretty reasonable. Insurance isn’t cheap so get a quote before you buy. Major servicing and tyre wear’s not for paupers either. But all rivals are the same – except the Italians which are more expensive.

Insurance group: 17

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2004: Kawasaki ZX-10R launched.
2006: Replaced by completely revamped model.

None.

Specifications

Top speed	180mph
1/4-mile acceleration	10.7 secs
Power	181bhp
Torque	85ftlb
Weight	170kg
Seat height	825mm
Fuel capacity	17 litres
Average fuel consumption	38mpg
Tank range	141 miles
Insurance group	17

Engine size	998cc
Engine specification	16v in-line four, 6 gears
Frame	Aluminium twin spar
Front suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound, compression
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound, compression
Front brakes	Twin 300mm discs
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	190/50 x 17

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

Kawasaki
ZX-10R

5600 miles

£5,699

Kawasaki
ZX-10R

11008 miles

£5,799

Kawasaki
ZX-10R

3103 miles

£6,499

Kawasaki
ZX-10R

1 miles

£9,999

Kawasaki
ZX-10R

4000 miles

£5,499

Owners' Overall Rating (4 reviews)

Submit your Review

durability issues.

greg heffinger

Average rating

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Ride and Handling
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Love my 05 zx10. Got it because it was closest thing to a GP bike for street. !3,00 miles on it now and only problem is lower case cracking. had it fixed by kawisaki 1.5 urs ago, cost 4,500 buks. Now it looks like it has done it again. They said it has weak spot in case right above the water pump. it cracks right where a bolt hole is and oozes oil. Small amount but any is too much. Kawasaki corp accused me of rough riding and refused to pay at 1st. I ride curves and wheelies, no drag strip or stetched BS. I love this bike and treat it like my kids but I cant see keeping it if i keep having this issue. Taking it to get it looked at sat-6-13-09. maybe they will fix again. if not they can have it and am done with kawasaki. Only bike I have ever owned and think they have engineering issues with the lower motor casing. Any repies would be appreciated.

11 June 2009
ZX-10r

HF_ZX10r

UK

Average rating

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Ride and Handling
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Engine

I love this machine to bits. The seating position is excellent for my 5ft 10" frame. The power deliver is smooth and abundant till around 6000 revs, that's when the demons from hell really get out of their cage. Crack the throttle open too quickly and the front wheel will be heading skyward in most gears. It's nibble and efficient at what it was designed to do on the track. It's also reliable and smooth around town. However you'll need to give it a little respect or you'll be in a lot of trouble really quickly. The only bike you'll ever need!

22 January 2008
ZX10R

Sham

Average rating

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What a beautiful, amazing bike. Performace is great with enough power to do whatever you want. It's a shame Kawasaki ruined the looks of the bike with the updated version because the 2004 model looks better than the new one. In 18 months I've covered over 12,000 miles, been through several sets of tires and have enjoyed everthing about the bike. Servicing costs a fair bit but there are far less ZX10R's on the road than R1s, Fireblades and GSXR1000's so you feel unique and happy.

03 March 2007
march 2004 blue not reliability

jana

Average rating

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Great bike covered 17000 in just over a year spent over 3000 pounds no goodies. Strengths: Engine. Weaknesses: The cluth has broken twice and now will not start now in shop now to find problem.

17 January 2006

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streethawk14 says

2005 10r durability issues

just purchased 2005 10r as a second bike.On the pre delivery service they noticed a small oil leak from clutch cover,it was found to be cracked.Dealer reply,on some not all 05 bikes the dowel behind clutch cover can be a tight fit and put pressure on the cover over time and crack it.Care when fitting cover needed.If this is the case then some bikes must of had this issue when assembled in the factory.anyway this is being put right by dealer at no cost to me.My concern will this happen again,dealer said it is unlikely,heres hoping.Bike has done approx 13000 miles,anybody else had this problem.

02 July 2009 13:27

User's Badge

minezx9says

A race bike on the road

I moved from a an 02 ZX9R in August last year to an 05 ZXIOR. It was also a natural progression for me as i'm a bit of a loyal follower of the brand. And what a rude, glorious awakening i got.This is one fast fast motorcycle.It is a highly tuned precision instrument that demands total respect and really lets you know your alive. I always chuckle at journalists comments of "not so easy to live with on the road" and not so forgiving, a bit nervous etc etc. If you want a bike to be these things then don't buy a ZX10.It's not what Kawasaki engineers had in their design brief when creating a superbike. I thought that specs like MotoGP derived chassis and 600 dimensions would have been the dead giveaway signs. Superbikes should be about frying your brain with their speed, power, handling and sheer presence and giving you the biggest adrenalin rush imaginable. Yes and even a little scary at times. Isn't that what we buy them for? With these neccessary ingredients for making a superbike in place. Kawasaki created the ZX10C1/2. For me my ZX10 does exactly what it says on the tin.

09 January 2009 11:17