Kawasaki has unveiled the 2013 Ninja ZX-10R. While the rest of the motorcycle remains mostly unchanged, Kawasaki has swapped the mechanical steering damper for the electronic steering damper developed with Ohlins. The graphics get a slight refresh. Kawasaki says the electronic steering damper delivers the ideal amount of damping force by using data from sensors including vehicle speed, and the degree of acceleration or deceleration. At low speeds, the ECU just beneath the fuel tank cover, dictates that the damping be minimal and not interfere with the bike’s intrinsic lightweight handling. At high speeds, damping increases to provide enhanced stability.
The 2013 Kawasaki ZX-10R is pricier by $300 in the USA, and there are two colour schemes in addition to the Lime Green / Metallic Spark Black pictured above.
2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R : Metallic Spark Black / Flat Ebony
2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R : Pearl Flat White / Metallic Spark Black
Asphalt&Rubber argues that Honda Motorcycles have had their proprietary Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) derived from tech used in the RC211V since 2004 in the Honda CBR 1000RR. “To constantly obtain an optimum damping force, Honda has employed the world’s first electronic control system based on the rotary-type hydraulic damper applied to the RC211V MotoGP machine” the page from Honda’s website points out.