All-new Kawasaki ZX-10RR breaks cover at WorldSBK test, immediately tops times
The eagerly-anticipated next-generation Kawasaki ZX-10RR has broken cover during the post-season WorldSBK Championship test with Jonathan Rea immediately getting the hammer down to set the pace in Jerez.
Succeeding a model that helped Rea deliver a record-breaking sixth WorldSBK title this season, though Kawasaki is keeping the finer details of the new Ninja under wraps until it is formally launched on Monday 23 November, it is already turning heads with its instant pace.
Visually the Kawasaki ZX-10RR features a more striking, angular nose compared with the previous model and has been designed to be more aerodynamic and improve front-end stability. It is expected the power output will be increased to help it match the Ducati Panigale V4 R and Honda CBR1000RR-R through the speed traps.
With both Rea and team-mate Alex Lowes conducting back-to-back tests between it and the outgoing model, Rea pumped in a 1m 38.324s lap to emerge just a tenth shy of the all-time WorldSBK lap record in what will no doubt be an ominous warning to Kawasaki’s rivals.
Behind Rea, Toprak Razgatlioglu was second fastest ahead of Lowes, while Garrett Gerloff - who will use the latest spec Yamaha machinery under the GRT banner in 2021 - fourth fastest from top Honda rider Leon Haslam.
Andrea Locatelli continued to get acclimatised to WorldSBK machinery with the sixth best time, with his WorldSSP rival Lucas Mahias up there with him in seventh on the Puccetti Kawasaki,
Alvaro Bautista set the eighth best time, ahead of new GRT Yamaha signing Kohta Nozane in ninth, with Orelac and Pedercini pair Isaac Vinales and Loris Cresson bringing up the rear.
