Kawasaki ZX-10R likely to be locally assembled soon

- Might arrive via the SKD route and assembled in Chakan, Pune.

- Price likely to drop by Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 3 lakhs.

- Expected to be launched in the next couple of months.

Kawasaki is likely to assemble its litre-class superbike, the Ninja ZX-10R at its plant in Chakan, Pune.

The bike is expected to arrive via the SKD (Semi-knocked down) route, resulting in a massive price drop. We expect prices to be down by Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 3 lakhs. While the Ninja ZX-10R currently retails at Rs 18.80 lakhs, the bike could soon carry a price tag of around Rs 15 lakhs.

In a similar move last year, Kawasaki launched the 2017 Ninja 1000 as a SKD unit at an incredible Rs 9.98 lakh price tag. This was a Rs 2.47 lakh drop from the previous model which was priced at Rs 12.45 lakhs. Currently, the only litre-class superbike you could buy at this price point is the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade priced at Rs 14.78 lakhs. Honda would feel the heat once Kawasaki enters that price bracket with the Ninja ZX-10R.

The Kawasaki ZX-10R is powered by a 998cc inline-four cylinder engine that produces 197bhp and 113.5Nm of torque via a six-speed gearbox and two-way quickshifter. Its electronics package includes a six-axis IMU, five-level traction control system, engine brake control system and launch control.

While there is no official statement from Kawasaki, we can expect the bike to be launched in the next couple of months.