Dear Kawasaki
Thank you for giving us the mind-bending ZX-10R in 2004. It was truly a beast of a machine that demanded respect from whoever was sitting in the pilot's seat. With a 998cc motor that felt like a 21st century literbike should-that is with a kick in the butt from the midrange onwards-the big Z delivered on all its promises. It ruled in pure thrill stakes.
So we were a little surprised when just two years later you replaced it with a heavier, less exciting bike that had the same power. Please ask the designer who thought wheelbarrow handle exhausts were a good idea what he was thinking.
We simply figured that the third time would be lucky in 2008. Except it wasn't really, was it? Fresh from the crate it handles like an overloaded Walmart cart with a mind of its own. You could almost be forgiven if the bike was powered by the gutsy 2004 motor, but it's not. There is a big headline peak power number that might be good for bragging rights at the local bike meet, but that's about all. The skin on the rice pudding is most definitely still intact. Where's the mid-range pull? We want arms out of sockets with the first twist of the wrist, not a two-hour wait while the school bus leaves us standing at the traffic lights.
One more thing-please tell us you've fired the guy who decided to put the indicators in the mirrors and stuck those ridiculous bug-eyed headlights on. Oh, and for Pete's sake, stop making the muffler so freaking huge. If Honda can make a streamlined exhaust for the CBR1000RR, you can make one for your flagship sportbike.
Listen up, Kawi. We imagined our own version based on the 2004 bike, and we guarantee it'll go like the proverbial scalded cat. We've utilized a four-into-two exhaust; one comes out of the bellypan, the other under the seat unit. Breathing has been improved with ram air from the ZX-12R and a feed via the ducts on the tank. We reckon it makes an easy 170 HP at the wheel, with stacks of torque for day-to-day riding (and big wheelies). We've ditched the old swingarm in favor of a super strong type from your MotoGP bike (you don't need it for MotoGP anymore, so why not?). It's also got carbon fiber bodywork to make it lighter, and there's zero provision for passengers.
Come on Kawasaki, you know you want to build it!
Sincerely,
Super Streetbike