New Kawasaki ZX-10R in shakedown test

First official tests of Kawasaki’s all-new ZX-10R race machine are underway at Sugo circuit, Japan.

• Kawasaki officially release 2011 ZX-10R racer pictures

Despite difficult conditions of wind and occasional rain, factory test rider Hidemichi Takahashi was said to be pleased with the machine so far.

Testing will continue tomorrow (Thursday) with ex-WSB star Akira Yanagawa at the bars to gather precious set up information for Kawasaki’s R&D department. More tests are on the cards in preparation for a serious assault in WSB and home market race series. 

With the race version of the new ZX-10R on public display, it underlines MCN’s previous reports that the road version is all but waiting for a signature to sign it off as a finished product – track testing is a sign of development of a comprehensive race kit to support non-factory race teams.

And with several years of MotoGP experience under Kawasaki’s team Green belts, it would be fair to say the 2011 ZX-10R has to be the bike to watch out for on road as well as track.