In 2008, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Ninja ZX-10R, a model that featured several changes in the visual and power department compared to the previous model.
In the power department, the bike featured a new engine tuned for larger high-rpm performance without messing with the mid-range performance of its predecessor and included secondary fuel injectors, oval throttle bodies, and reshaped intake ports.
The intake flow was enhanced with reshaped ram air channels and a larger airbox, while the exhaust efficiency was boosted with a new system with a better flow and also reduced noise and emissions.
The 2008 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R was still powered by a 998cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine but with higher power specifications such as 188 hp with a peak at 12,500 rpm and 113 Nm (83 lb-ft) of torque available at 8,700 rpm.
For suspension, the bike packed a 43 mm inverted fork on the front with adjustable rebound, compression damping, and spring preload, while the rear was handled by a Bottom-Link Uni-Trak fully adjustable shock absorber.
As for braking performance, the bike rolled on newly developed five-spoke wheels made using a squeeze-casting process that resulted in lighter, stiffer, and more precise units and packed two 310 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front and a 220 mm disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear.
With a dry weight of 179 kg (395 lbs) and a six-speed manual transmission, the bike reached a top speed of 292 kph (181 mph).