From the time I tipped the new ZX-10R into the first corner after I picked it up from Kawasaki, I immediately understood why Jonathan Rea had won six consecutive titles on a ZX-10. All those race wins, all that development has gone into each successive new model with a clear evolutionary line culminating in this new model – in fact, the new ZX-10R made me feel like Jonathan Rea!
Actually, no I didn’t. I never felt like any of those things and my first turn was a dust and diesel smeared roundabout in Rydalmere, NSW, which I teetered around like a cow on ice. The fact is you and I are probably incapable of fully comprehending what it takes for a man or machine to win six WorldSBK titles on the trot, but luckily Jono does and so does Kawasaki. And luckily Kawasaki also knows how to channel the lessons learnt into a road-going racer like the ZX-10R.
Check out our full test on the new 10 in the current issue
