KAWASAKI ZX-10/ZZR 1000 (1988-1990) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Kawasaki ZX-10, also known as the ZX-10 Tomcat, was a sports bike manufactured from 1988, replacing the Kawasaki GPZ1000RX, until 1990, when it was replaced by the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11.

The Kawasaki ZX-10 was powered by the same engine as its predecessor, with the same displacement but 36 mm semi-downdraft CV carburetors and a narrower valve angle. The engine was placed in the company's first aluminum perimeter frame, which remained as standard ever since.

The bike was dressed in a full fairing in the visual department with a rectangular headlight, a medium-sized windscreen, a one-piece dual seat, a dual exhaust system with a silencer on each side, and three-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels.

Underneath its full fairing, the 1988 Kawasaki ZX-10/ZZR 1000 had installed a 997cc four-stroke four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, fed by Keihin carburetors, boasting 137 hp with a peak force at 10,000 rpm and 103 Nm (76 lb-ft) torque at 9,000 rpm.

The bike's engine power was transferred to a six-speed manual transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch and sent to the rear wheel through a final chain drive, pushing the motorcycle to a top speed of 268 kph (167 mph).

The bike's braking power was handled by two 300 mm discs with dual-piston calipers on the front wheel and a 250 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the rear wheel, offering excellent stopping power.