Hi guys, thought I would start a Topic on the much anticipated 2011 ZX10R that Chris will be riding next year. I have been searching the net to see if I can find any information on it. I know its still a while away but we should start to get more details soon. In the mean time this is some of the stuff I have found so far.

From interview with Chris,

Although this year is a vitally important one for Vermeulen and Kawasaki, there is no doubt that both parties are looking ahead with heady anticipation for the arrival of an all-new ZX-10 for 2011.

“Some of the information we have been gathering on the current bike is really good, as it’s all going towards the 2011 bike – where our main priority is,” said Vermeulen.

“I’ve seen some prototype 2011 bikes already and it’s completely different – and looks pretty special. Until I throw a leg over it I can’t really say, but I’ll definitely be testing that during this season.

“That whole project is what really drove me to Kawasaki, but I’m trying not to get ahead of myself.

And from another interview,

You mentioned that in previous years the Kawasaki hasn’t been the most competitive bike on the grid. What are your thoughts on that heading into 2010, and is there anything specific that’s been done to improve it?

Yeah, we’ve had a lot of small changes: we’ve had a new electronic system go onto the bike, we’ve had a little power increase, we’re always modifying chassis parts and suspension parts to try and get the best package. So basically, small development things, but I know the guys—especially Japanese [Kawasaki] guys—are not a hundred percent focused on this particular motorbike; they’re trying to get as much information as they can on what we need for the 2011 bike, which is already up and running as a prototype. That is our goal: to have the team ready to win races, and a bike ready to win races, come the start of next year. I think a little bit of everything is actually going toward that. When I’ll throw a leg over the new bike, I’m not sure yet, I haven’t been given a schedule. But I’ve been on track while they’ve been around, testing in Japan, and the bike looks really trick

Ill post some other things I have found, but if anyone knows anymore or has found any other info (I know theres a few Kwaka fans here) let us know!!!

And could the ZX10R go big bang? An ariticle from AMCN that someone has posted on another forum.

< http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/showthread.php?t=69884 >

Thats all I got so far folks.

It will be very interesting to see what arrangement new ZX 10 will have.

I think they need more radical changes in chassis and more adjustability options (front fork angle, swing arm pivot, engine mount, under seat fuel tank...) if they want to be on top, remember ZX7 RR it was radical :)

Idea of Big-Bang engine is very interesting, and if it will have conventional crankshaft(180°) with 1. - 4. and 2. - 3. cylinder firing together the rear tyre and engine feel will be ok whole race but what is about peak power and camshaft distribution?

With this setup and opening of two sets of valves(two cylinders together) camshaft chain will be weak and maybe they need to use gears? The gears are noisy and production bikes need to have that option if SBK version has that, that is similar to Aprilia RSV4 which uses gears in SBK and has that gear option like tuning part for serial RSV4.

This is great topic :)

Design of crankshaft and crankcase will need to be very strong because of long firing pause and big power pulse when two cylinders fire together, the same is for camshafts so this could be small limiting factor for high rpms.

Maybe the crankshaft will spin backwards for better elimination of gyroscopic effect which helps in handling and less prone to wheelies while accelerating.

Your suit and bike color are in great harmony :)

< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDL7iQMDXjw >

I wonder what mag this was from. Dont think this will be it. If it was the bottom half looks trick.

Hi boys and girls,

I would like to add my opinion on the new 2011 ZX10R.
Bas they did not delay production because of the crisis but because probably of the long development process of the new Bike. If you check back on Paul Bird (WSBK Kawa boss) comments long before the crisis he mentioned that. SRAD you are correct the crankshaft will be heavy on the big bang engine and it is a rev limiting factor. A complex adjustability the way you are referring to is not a good idea for road bikes because for a simple rider like myself and other if all those adjustments go wrong then I may need to visit Kawa shop every other day. This is not the Japanese philosophy on any product. Remember bikers like to pretend that they know everything! So I end up saying that most probably the will have a V4 engine because is narrow with adjustable position (for WSBK regulations), variable inlet stucks, variable valve timing (GTR), adjustable traction control, monoblock brake, ABS and big piston forks.

By the way I already made a deal with the local dealer to buy one, trading in my current ZX10R.
The reason is simple: it has the three magic words “MADE IN JAPAN” and produced by KAWASAKI !!

I agree with SRAD, there will be no V4 engine.

It's is true that a bigbang engine will need a heavy crankshaft to keep enough momentum for it to keep turning. Because off this extra weight the engine won't rev as fast or as high as a conventional inline four. But the story about the bigbang engine also mentioned the use of a small electric motor that helps the engine keep its momentum at low revs. Because of this motor the crankshaft doesn't need to be so heavy and can rev as fast and high as a normal inline four. The electric motor can also be used as a alternator when it's not operating as a motor.

Let's just wait and see what Kawasaki come up with.

I think the alternator thing could be there only for idle speed and small revs for production bike. SBK version probably wont need that because of high idle revs(around 3000 rpm).

In 2001. in British Supersport championship Scott Smart Suzuki team was testing GSX R 600 with big-bang(together 1.-4. cylinders and 2.-3.) firing order on conventional(180 degree) crankshaft and they did not use alternator but they did have problems with camshaft chain opening two sets of valves...

In 2006. Yamaha Virgin team from British Superbike championship was testing on YZF R1 big-bang configuration on conventional crankshaft too but they did not have firing order with 1.-4. together and 2.-3. together.
The firing order was: 1. cylinder after 180 degrees 2. and 3. together, than after 180 degrees 4. and after 360 degrees it goes again from 1. cylinder.

Have to run out and get a copy of AMCN appartently they have an article on it and another rendering on the front page. Seems the renderings are getting worse, go to < http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=29934&start=0 > to have a look at the pic.

Ill have a read and get back to you guys on what it sais.

Hey Bas how did you manage to get your photos on the post? Did you manage to get any from Assen? If you did post em for us.