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The footage featured World Superbike racer Tom Sykes who rode the ZX-10R at the 2.9-mile Autopolis Circuit, Aug. 4-5. The test followed another one, using a Japanese Superbike-spec version, at the Suzuka International Race Course, July 7-8.

Kawasaki has also been releasing information about the production model over Twitter. So far, it has been revealed the 2011 Ninja ZX-10R will use a Showa Big Piston Front Fork, as first seen on the 2009 ZX-6R. At the rear, the ZX-10R will use a horizontal back-link suspension system. The all new frame is said to be lighter than the previous version.

The entirely new engine has a revised shaft arrangement with a higher center of gravity. Kawasaki claims the 2011 Ninja will have more power than any previous model while peak torque is reached at higher revs, indicating a more oversquare bore/stroke ratio than the current bike's 76 x 55mm figures. For reference, BMW’s ferocious S1000RR has an 80mm bore.

The bodywork has also been revised with larger openings for heat dissipation. Dominating the nose of the Ninja is a large ram air intake, placed right at the front to take advantage of higher air pressure.

Kawasaki is also trying to make the 2011 ZX-10R lighter than the current version’s 458 lb. According to Kawasaki, the new frame, front suspension wheels and harness have made the Ninja “significantly lighter”.

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