2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R launched at ₹ 13.99 lakh

With a handful of upgrades, the 2019 version of Kawasaki's litre-class supersport becomes a bit expensive over the outgoing model.

India Kawasaki Motor (IKM) started local assembly of the Ninja ZX-10R last year when it launched its 2018 iteration here. This resulted in a big price drop (of ₹ 6 lakh) as the CKD model was priced at ₹ 12.8 lakh. Now though, the 2019 Ninja ZX-10R has been launched here with a handful of upgrades and it now costs ₹ 13.99 lakh (Ex-showroom, Delhi). So, what do you get for the extra ₹ 1.2 lakh? Well, here's the lowdown.

The most crucial upgrade comes in the form of engine modification as the motor on the 2019 Ninja ZX-10R gets a new Diamond-Carbon coated finger-follower valve actuation system which replaces the previous tappet-style setup. Previously available only on the ZX-10RR, the ZX-10R now also gets a higher-spec cylinder head which provides clearance to accommodate race-spec high-lift camshafts. To add to the style quotient, the cylinder head has been painted red. These mechanical upgrades have also bumped up the power figures. While the 998cc four-stroke in-line four-cylinder motor used to pump out 197bhp, the liquid-cooled unit now generates 200bhp. The torque figure too sees a bit of an improvement, which is now at 114.9Nm. In addition to the motor upgrades, the 2019 ZX-10R also gets a bi-directional Kawasaki Quick Shifter (KQS) as standard, which was also earlier available only on the higher SE and RR versions.

Apart from these changes, the 2019 model carries forward the electronic riding aids from its predecessor, which include the S-KTRC (Sport-Kawasaki Traction Control), KLCM (Kawasaki Launch Control Mode), KCMF (Kawasaki Cornering Management Function), KEBC (Kawasaki Engine Brake Control) and the KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System). Apart from the electronic riding aids, equipment like the Ohlins electronic steering damper, Showa front & rear suspension, Brembo brakes and three-power modes for riding remains unchanged.

Customers who booked their bike in the pre-booking period can expect deliveries to begin by mid-June 2019.

Read more: Kawasaki Ninja 400 Review