- New winglets claim 25 per cent more downforce
- Euro 5+ engine with second O2 sensor
- Retuned Showa suspension
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R 2026 arrives at EICMA with sharp updates rather than a full reset. The notable change is the new bodywork with integrated wings. Kawasaki says these add 25 per cent more downforce to further steady the front end under hard braking and help the bike hold a cleaner line through fast corners.
The 998cc inline-four remains at the heart of the package and now meets Euro 5+ thanks to a second oxygen sensor. Power delivery should feel familiar, but it is cleaner and more consistent. The electronics suite is updated to match with refined intervention logic aimed at smoother corner exits. Frame geometry has been tweaked in small but careful steps to sharpen response without making the bike nervous on bumpy roads or kerbs.
Suspension hardware stays with the proven Showa BFF fork and BFRC lite shock, both re-valved for the 2026 tune. The Ohlins steering damper, once limited to the RR, is now standard on the ZX-10R as well. Brakes continue with Brembo M50 callipers, 330mm discs, and a radial master cylinder. Bridgestone Battlax RS12 tyres debut as original equipment to lift warm-up confidence and mid-corner feel.
A new five-inch colour TFT brings voice commands and turn-by-turn navigation, paired via Bluetooth through the Rideology app. It is a neat step for riders who use the ZX-10R as a fast road tool during the week and a trackday weapon at the weekend. The interface looks simpler, fonts are easier to read at a glance, and the menus feel less fussy.
