In the garage next to the previously posted Future Classic is this retired heavyweight world champ. For 1988-90 the fastest production motorcycle capable of 165 mph, the ZX-10 was the Kawasaki flagship between the 1984-2006 GPZ-900R “Top Gun” and the 1990-1995 ZX-11. Updates from the GPZ-900R include semi-downdraft carburetors and 11:1 compression. 137 hp and 541 lbs call for wide open spaces, but the triple discs helped record a quick 60-0 stop for Cycle World in 1988 of 107 ft. Full fairing in black and red protects the rider and wraps the egg-shaped “e-box” aluminum frame. Castings at the head and swing-arm mount are welded to the extrusions.
The seller notes that :
Hard to find in nice shape, this one has moderate miles and light patina indicating a small number of owners. The seat will need a new cover, and a small dent in the left side of the tank could be massaged out. Tires aren’t described but might want to be refreshed if you intend to try for the 1/4 mile in the 10 second range that the ZX-10 can do.
-Donn
When this bike came out it seemed to kill more people than any bike before it. It appealed to a lot of the marines down in Pendleton and I swear to god, I would hear of them dying on these bikes all the time. Not exaggerating. Anyways, important bike, extremely fast for its time, kinda rare, pretty cool.
nice write up
Hey David ,
By no means am I a Kawasaki defender ….but I just think it was the times ! We were young and these bikes developed a lot of HP . The technology graduated in leaps and bounds back then . Hence the gold old Superbike bill from that senator Danforth…..etc…. ! I had a few friends die too back in the 80s/90s and many different types of Sport-bikes . Top Gun may or may not have helped in that too !
Anyways nonetheless I like the survivor bikes of that era ….good to see them on the road still and not killing anyone either !
Guy (or gal) who owns these two has good taste the zx11 was the yin to the fireblades yang. As far as thrill seekers being reckless on them we don’t need ridiculous nanny state legislation regarding bikes, common sense isn’t frequently. It’s bad enough we can’t get light weight sport bikes in the states with a good chunk of hp because many other countries have tiered licensing
I’ll take that fireblade sitting right next to it, haha
Sorry to get caught staring. Could not take my eyes off that hot little
…CBR.
Alaska?! seriously? Cold storage may have benefits.
I like the Ninja just fine but the orange glow off the lightsaber next to it is stealing the show. Probably has as much to do with my age as anything.