KAWASAKI ZX-10R (2006 - 2007) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £1,200 |
| Power: | 181 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (32.5 in / 825 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (386 lbs / 175 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesSlightly more user friendly than the psycho C-model Kawasaki ZX-10R of 2004/05 but the latest Kawasaki ZX-10R is still a pretty extreme, track focused missile. Competitive in the 1000cc sports category, so obscenely fast and fine handling. Kawasaki ZX-10R headlights not to everyone’s taste visually but it’s a look that gets cars out of the way sharpish.
2006-2007 Kawasaki ZX-10R D used buyers' guide
For some the lively ‘04 model was a little too racy, which meant Kawasaki tried to calm things down with the 06 model. The styling was changed; it got little wider, fatter and heavier thanks to the twin exiting exhausts under the seat. These also gave the 06 ZX-10R the nickname ‘the wheelbarrow’. Nick Morgan says “We had so much trouble getting power out of the engine, and couldn’t get the lazy chassis to handle. The cylinder heads were different, it was harder to tune, but they had fixed the generator problems of the first bike thankfully.”
The engine was similar to the predecessor with the same peak power, however a damper came as standard and it wasn’t as race focused. Despite being the least popular model it shouldn’t be underestimated; it’s lazier handling meant it was stable and easier to ride, it was also roomier.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe latest Kawasaki ZX-10R is so much better behaved on bumpy roads than its predecessor. Quick and effortless to turn, stable and easy to change line mid-corner, the Kawasaki ZX-10R comes with Ohlins steering damper as standard. You’ll still need to be a dedicated, experienced rider if you want to push hard on the track and a mad man to do it on the road on a Kawasaki ZX-10R.
Engine
Next up: Reliability173bhp (181 with ram air) pushing a compact 175kg is never going to be anything other than f-f-f-f-flippin’ fast. And that’s exactly what the Kawasaki ZX-10R is. It revs extremely rapidly and you appreciate the slick gear change as you whiz through the ratios. Third gear power wheelies on the Kawasaki ZX-10R? Naturally.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueNo regular problems – with proper maintenance the Kawasaki ZX-10R engine should run forever. You can’t thrash a motorcycle like this regularly. If buying a Kawasaki ZX-10R look for crash damage, signs of theft and clues it’s been a race bike or track day machine. Paperwork should provide clues so read it all.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Kawasaki ZX-10R is a blistering machine for a reasonable price. Better still plenty are sold at a discount. Even thought the GSX-R1000 is a better machine Kawasakis have a cult following which keeps used prices high. Kawasaki ZX-10R servicing and tyres aren’t cheap, insurance ditto but considering the Ferarri crushing performance, the Kawasaki ZX-10R a bargain. Find a Kawasaki ZX-10R for sale.
Equipment
There are sports bikes you can tour on and some that make it hard work. The riding position on the Kawasaki ZX-10R makes it one of the latter. It’s a head-down, neck craning experience. The Kawasaki ZX-10R is reasonably well equipped for a supersport, digital console includes a lap timer. Read reviews of parts for a Kawasaki ZX-10R.
Click here for the 10 best parts for the Kawasaki ZX-10R, as recommended by real owners at ZX-10R.net.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 998cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 16v inline-four, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Backbone/twin tube aluminium |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
| Seat height | 825mm |
| Bike weight | 175kg |
| Front suspension | Preload, rebound, compression |
| Rear suspension | Preload, rebound, compression |
| Front brake | Twin 300mm discs |
| Rear brake | 220mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 40 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £93 |
| Annual service cost | £1,200 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £4,600 - £4,800 |
| Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 181 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 85 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 182 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 10.7 secs |
| Tank range | 145 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2004: Original C-model Kawasaki ZX-10R launched.
2006: D-suffix Kawasaki ZX-10R with projector headlights replaces the Kawasaki ZX-10R 'C’.
2007: Model discontinued.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the KAWASAKI ZX-10R (2006 - 2007)
14 owners have reviewed their KAWASAKI ZX-10R (2006 - 2007) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your KAWASAKI ZX-10R (2006 - 2007)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £1,200 |
Version: D6F
Year: 2006
Annual servicing cost: £1,200
Worst: - Not the best looking but can be improved. Best: - Unbelievable value for money. Highly recommended mega and the cheapest 1000cc weapon for the money.
Suspension and brakes were good until I got better and then the cracks started to appear. Suspension went soggy at 30000 miles resulting in cans touching the tyre at Pembrey and then the brakes at 35000. FTR Sususpension Revalve, Re-Spring, Service and fit K-Tech Cartridge kit sorted the suspension transformed it completely absolutely mega and retained stock looks. Accossato master cylinder, Braided lines, EBC HH and Fluid change done the same for the brakes meaning one finger from any speed. Comfortable all day on track including open pit days, tiredness gets me before discomfort.
Very, very fast but is quite two-strokey in it's delivery. I'be gotta keep it above 6000rpm to stay on the power. Can also be a bit slow to pick-up out of really slow corners like Melbourne loop at Donington compared to some of the newer 1000s. Top-end is absolutely mental love it.
Mine's done 45000 miles and you wouldn't know it, regular cleaning keeps it looking good. Keep on top of the servicing and you're good to go and go and go, more than capable of keeping up with the new 1000s.
MIne's strictly used as a trackday bike so at the end of every third event it has new tyres and oil/oil filter. Has the big service Valve Clearance, Fluid change, Throttle bodies etc every 24 months. I do 12 - 14 track days a year in the Inters/Fast class, so not bad really considering what it is capable of, always under estimated by the newer bike owners.
As it's an older model put some money aside for brakes and suspension it will make a much bigger difference than you can appreciate and is a better option than fitting Race cans etc. I spent £1300 in total on brakes/suspension and gained approx. 3 seconds on smaller tracks and 8 seconds on the bigger ones. Love how it surprises the newer stuff and Michelin Power RS or Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa's are the business.
Buying experience: Bought from a Hinkley Kawasaki (excellent) who had it up for £4400 but ended up doing a part-ex deal with an SV1000S meaning I spent £1100 and got it for £3100. The deal was based on me buying it without being Valeted, Serviced, Mot'd or Warranted as it was always going to be a track bike.
Year: 2007
Its a ZX-10R LE in Red, and thats what really makes it stand out. Bike is very reliable as a daily rider, its much cooler in terms of engine temp compared to my other bikes. Engine is balanced and smooth.
Year: 2007
silky smooth acceleration
sweet
never missed a beat
I said after going to Ducati I would never get an IL4 again. I doubt I'll go back to Ducati now! The engine on this thing is astonishing, there is fantastic torque at a reasonably low rate of revs and the top end I haven't got near yet scares me half to death! Handling is great, nice and light after manhandling the Duke around. I've sorted the crap standard brakes with Goodridge lines, Brembo pads, new fluid and a good clean of the calipers so now she stops which is good because this thing is fast.Looks like the previous owner has ridden in winter so a few of the fasteners and parts are a little discoloured but nothing bad. Fantastic bike if your thinking about it.
Just got One of these in January'09, love it...the performance is just mind blowing, handling is on the right side of light/ sharp. gives a little shake on the fast bumps but nothing that would scare you. Engine picks up from nothing...and is silky smooth, I love it, nice and comfy too....well compared to my old 748 I had it is!!And in black will the carbon cans it just looks mean and screams get out of the way!!Go and get one, I did...and I'm grinning from ear to ear everytime I turn that key !!
The main difference between my old '98 ZX-9R and my new 2006 ZX-10R is the handling and engine. The ZX-10 is so much more powerful, and it has midrange that even the grunty ZX-9R can't match. The chassis' USD forks are class and it even takes pillion in comfort! The brakes are perfect and I think its the best looking 1000cc ever! Mods: Akrapovics, DHM crash bungs, Kawasaki screen, braided lines. (Metallic Raw Titanium is the best colour ever!)
If you want ballisctic speed this is the bike for you! Pure grin factor
hi had my 10 for nearly a year now only fault is the stand BEWARE theres not enought lean angle kawasaki said theres not a problem with them bollocks mine fell when it was 3 days old apart from that its awsome ive just fitted a powercommander ill let yous know how i get on
I have had litre bikes and two busa's. I bought a black 10R brand spankers and only had it two weeks after running it in and it got blown over on my drive. Don't ask me how, i've lived here for 11 years and the sidestand marks are evident for all the previous bikes but it still blew over. Dont get it. anyway, £655 later and it's back to its original beauty! Love the bloody thing, cant wait for some dry weather to thrash the tits off it.
BOUGHT BIKE MARCH 16 2006 SUPERB SPEED MACHINE COVERED 12000 MILES THIS IS A PROPER MANS BIKE WHICH MIGHT VIBRATE A BIT ARE THEY MEN OR MICE TRY BTO14 TYRES ABSOLUTELY STUNNING GRIP & 4000 MILES NOT HANGING ABOUT EITHER SUPERB BIKE BRING ON THE ZX10RR
I purchased my 2006 zx-10r about 2 months ago after my zx-6r was stolen. This bike is awesome. Handles like a dream ( I actually think it holds a line better than the 6 ) and is fast as hell. I dont have any of the vibration problems that others are talking about, and I love the looks (mine is black). Strengths: Power, Its comfortable for a sport bike, Handling, Looks, Sounds good. Weaknesses: Fuel mileage isnt near as good as the 6r. Insurance is high.
WHAT A SHAME KAWASAKI HAVE RUINED THIS BIKE. GREAT POWER, SUPERB HANDLING, EXCELLENT BRAKES, O.K LOOKS. IS A SHAME I CAN'T USE IT. WHY! BECAUSE OF AN AWFUL VIBRATION THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 06 BIKE. 'WHITE FINGER' WITHIN 30 MILES. YES THAT BAD. I'VE NOW P.X IT. AS I SAID 'A GREAT BIKE SPOILED'. Strengths: EVERYTHING (APART FROM VIBES) THE FASTEST BIKE I'VE RIDDEN. INCLUDES R1, GIXER 1000, FIREBLADE E.T.C. HANDLES TOO. NOT THE BEST LOOKER, BUT BETTER WITH END CANS AND TAILTIDY. Weaknesses: VIBRATIONS, VIBRATIONS, VIBRATIONS. FAILED TO START DUE TO KEY IMMOBILISER, WHAT A SHAME THAT VIBES SPOILED THE FUN.
Bought the bike 1st of April, have done 2000 miles on it & won't be doing anymore. It has been back to the dealers due to the awful vibration through the whole bike that results in your arms & legs going numb after 30 miles on it. Have been told it the way the bike is made. Well they want to make it some people can enjoy riding it. Went on an R1 today to compare, did 100 miles, what a dream. I would steer clear of this bike unless you like having 'white finger'. Strengths: It's looks. <br>Weaknesses: That it has a design fault which results in the air box resting on the throttle bodies which causes the whole bike to vibrate.
Bought the bike brand new back in May, ran it in nice and steady and it's now covered 1300 miles and is getting stronger and faster every time I ride it. Haven't had the chance to 'play' with any other bikes as of yet, will have to wait my chance! Had a ZX9RE1 before, which was and still is a fantastic bike, but doesn't have the power this thing has, the 10 just piles on speed so quickly, it's staggering. 9 is easier to get off the line as the 10 just wheelies through all the gears until your doing about 120, (2nd) but even then the front wheel is very light. As for power and speed, well lets just say 160 in 4th is only just at the red line......half revs in top equate to 101mph.... Handling is very light, turn in is much quicker than the 9. Just about to change the tires from Dunlop Qualifiers to Diablo Corsas which have a different profile, will have to wait and see if it changes the handling characteristics that much. Strengths: Turbine like power, massive amounts of it, looks, (well Iike it), colour (looks best in Ti) Handling. Go buy one!! Weaknesses: Mirrors, getting very used to looking at mu elbows, original screen (need a double bubble) tank range compared to the 9. Why oh why do Kawasaki not put a cat1 alarm on as standard instead of just an immobiliser.
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Instruments
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Riding
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Front view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Brakes
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Top view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Rear view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Instruments
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Rear view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Side view
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Riding
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Riding
Kawasaki ZX-10R motorcycle review - Riding
