2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R first ride - 'much more linear power delivery'

MCN’s Chief Road Tester Trevor Franklin has just stepped off the new Kawasaki ZX-10R after a single sighting lap at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. 

He’s just phoned in with his initial impressions of the bike and revealed it will cost £11,700 for the non-ABS version:

The 2011 ZX-10R is all-new and despite only getting a lap behind racer Pere Riba to find his way around the track in bright sun and 32C heat, Franklin was able to get a glimpse into the bike’s abilities.

He said: “The new bike feels like every ZX-10R so far with loads of power ready to be delivered.

“The difference is this bike feels much more linear in terms of the power delivery and it feels very roomy to sit on for me at 5ft 8in tall.”

The new ZX-10R will be in dealers before Christmas and will cost £11,700 for the non-ABS version. There is no word yet on how much extra the advanced ABS system will cost.