The Superbike World Championship, a series recognised by the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation), is the pinnacle of production-based road racing. Centred in Europe, the series travels around the globe, with riders competing in 13 rounds of two races each. The rider who accumulates the most points over the year becomes world champion. Races are contested by production-based machines powered by 4-stroke 2-cylinder engines with displacements up to 1200cc, or 3- or 4-cylinder engines with displacements up to 1000cc. Because race machine modifications are limited, race performance is seen as a reflection of the performance of production counterparts, contributing to the popularity of this series.

Ninja ZX-10RR

Race Machine

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  With race regulations becoming more limiting every year, the importance of a machine’s performance in stock trim is growing. With this in mind, Kawasaki will be fielding the Ninja ZX-10RR, which improves upon the circuit potential of the Ninja ZX-10R, in the 2017 season.
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  Jonathan Rea, defending champion for the second consecutive year, and teammate Tom Sykes, 2^nd overall in 2016, will contest the 2017 season on the all-new Ninja ZX-10RR.
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  In pre-season testing Rea and Sykes showed impressive pace on the new machine.
  The team look well positioned to take a third consecutive title.
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  Rea’s dominant form in 2016 yielded 3 double-wins and a total of 23 podiums in 26 races (in 13 rounds), culminating in his second consecutive title. His and Sykes’ performance also earned Kawasaki the Manufacturers’ Title for the second year running.
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  While the championship title escaped his grasp, Sykes nevertheless racked up 20 podium finishes in 26 races, earned the pole position eight times in 13 rounds, and finished the season ranked 2^nd. It has been four years since his title-winning season, but the desire for victory still burns strong.