Used Bike Reviews - 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

"Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast) 04/21/2016 at 10:25 • Filed to: Used Bike Reviews, Kawasaki, Ninja, ZX10R, ZX-10R, Superbike, Liter Bike, Lanesplitter, Sportbike

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If you were to ask a stranger on the street to name a motorcycle, the most common answer would probably be Harley Davidson. But I predict that the second most popular answer would be Ninja.

The Kawasaki Ninja is almost a generalized household name, like Kleenex and ChapStick, when it comes to referencing sport-oriented 2 wheeled machines. I guess the name just speaks to the swift actions sportbikes are known for and the sleek and sharp lines that define their profiles.

However, “Ninja” isn’t quite the blanket term most people think it is. “Ninja” is simply a family of Kawasaki motorcycles – a large family with a long history.

The 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is just a blip on the radar in the deep sea of Ninja heritage. It was born in a time when 170 horsepower to the rear wheel was the norm. It had styling and handling that, just a few years earlier, would have made it the best 1000cc machine available. Unfortunately for the ZX-10R, 2007 was a year flush with superbike offerings that made it appear to lack the track finesse that so many sportbikes are graded by today. As soon as the ink had dried on the reviews, the bike was destined to be forgotten.

The truth is, the bike was still a high performance beast that yielded more riding pleasure on the road than on the racecourse. It’s not uncommon to find these bikes with significantly more miles on the clock than its contemporaries for that reason alone. As far as picking up a deal on a good used all-round liter bike - the second generation ZX-10R deserves another look.

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WiscoProud > Peter Monshizadeh 04/21/2016 at 11:03

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Good review. Along the same lines, I’ve read that the hayabusa made a pretty good tourer due to similar traits that go against the "track means everything" ethos.

Peter Monshizadeh > WiscoProud 04/21/2016 at 11:11

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Thanks! I’ve heard that too about the ‘Busa. They even make hard case saddle bags that attempt to match the curves of the bike, I guess in an effort to prove its sport touring nature. I’m not sure I’m sold on the look of those though.

WiscoProud > Peter Monshizadeh 04/21/2016 at 11:14

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The look is certainly polarizing, and the typical fans are outright irritating, but I have to respect a purpose built machine. It was designed to be the faster road going motorcycle ever, even at the expense of looks, and it did it. I remember back in the late 90s when it was continuously compared to the ZX-12R for top speed. Eventually, Kawasaki admitted they toned back the aerodynamics for aesthetic purposes, resulting in it being slightly slower. The fact Suzuki didn't care about that is refreshing.