The following is a press release received from Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. concerning the final specifications of the 2004 Ninja ZX-10R. This is a motorcycle MD will be testing in December, along with other members of the World press corps in Florida.

IRVINE, Calif. – Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) announced the final
specifications for the much-anticipated 2004 NINJA® ZX-10R sportbike as it prepares to
introduce the new, ultra-high-performance motorcycle to the American and world press at
the Homestead-Miami Speedway in December 2003.

With the final details in place, the NINJA ZX-10R puts Kawasaki at the front of
sportbike design and performance. From the overall shape to the smallest detail, the ZX-
10R combines high technology with the latest innovations, including a new, high-output
engine, ultra-narrow aluminum frame, ergonomic design and compact bodywork with a
frontal area smaller than those of most 600cc sportbikes.

Tom Orbe, vice president of marketing at KMC, said the ZX-10R is a sportbike
worthy of Kawasaki’s image – and it sends a clear message to the motorcycling world
that the green brand is pulling out all the stops to be number one on the race track.

“The NINJA ZX-10R is designed to have the best power-to-weight ratio and best
handling on the track,” said Orbe. “It will provide riders with more than enough power
and handling to take on the competition.”

Kawasaki engineers utilized a stacked shaft design for the extraordinarily
compact, liquid-cooled, 998cc inline four-cylinder engine. The crank axis, input shaft and
output shaft of the NINJA ZX-10R engine are positioned in a triangular layout to reduce
engine length, while the high-speed generator is placed behind the cylinder bank to
reduce engine width. With a bore and stroke of 76 x 55mm, the ZX-10R engine’s onepiece
cylinder and crankcase assembly reduces weight and increases rigidity. The double
overhead cams are machined from chromoly steel billet for strength, four valves per
cylinder improve high-rpm breathing, and the forged, lightweight pistons offer high heat
resistance to further enhance the bike’s power-to-weight ratio.

To obtain maximum benefit from the ZX-10R’s digital fuel injection, engineers
turned to advanced flow analysis to “streamline” the engine’s intake tract. A Ram Air
duct located at the front of the fairing pressurizes the airbox at speed, while the fuel
injection assembly features electronically controlled sub throttles to smooth power
delivery. An ultra-lightweight titanium four-into-one exhaust system incorporates a
butterfly valve at the collector to improve overall power characteristics. The titanium
oval-shaped muffler is wrapped with a sheet of ultra-thin walled aluminum and has a
non-restrictive honeycomb catalyzer to reduce exhaust emissions.

In addition to liquid cooling, the ZX-10R engine features a liquid-cooled oil
cooler adjacent to the oil filter to reduce oil temperatures. “Slosh” analysis was also used
to design the internal structure of the oil pan, thereby reducing windage losses and
helping to maintain low oil temperatures.

A multi-plate wet clutch with a back torque limiter transfers power to a six-speed,
close-ratio transmission idealized for closed-course competition. The back torque limiter
automatically disengages the clutch under hard braking and deceleration to prevent rear
wheel hop during corner entry.

The engine is bolted into all-aluminum twin-tube backbone frame that arches
over the engine rather than around it, as with conventional sportbike designs. Constructed
of thin-walled castings and pressed aluminum sheets welded together for optimum
lightness, the ZX-10R frame provides exceptional high-speed stability and responsive
handling, yet is no wider than most 600cc-class sportbikes.

Front suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable 43mm forks and many of
the fork’s internal parts are crafted from aluminum to minimize weight. A gull-type
aluminum swingarm connected to Kawasaki’s UNI-TRAK® linkage and a fully
adjustable shock handles rear suspension duties. The entire rear suspension system is
both lightweight and torsionally rigid, and also features adjustable ride height.

The ZX-10R features all-new six-spoke, cast-aluminum wheels. By utilizing six
spokes in place of the traditional three-spoke design, engineers were able to reduce rim
thickness, yet the wheels are both stronger and lighter. To provide as much traction as
possible, the ZX-10R rides on a 120/70ZR17 front tire and ultra-wide 190/50ZR17 rear
tire.

Stopping power for the ZX-10R is provided by dual 300mm front disc brakes
featuring petal disc design, radially mounted four-piston calipers, and a single 220mm
rear disc brake. First introduced on Kawasaki’s own NINJA ZX-6R and ZX-6RR
sportbikes, the radial front brake design utilizes mounting points at both the top and
bottom of the caliper, with the mounting bolts inserted through the rear of the caliper
instead of the side or front as on conventional designs. This racing-inspired setup makes
the caliper more rigid to improve brake feel over a wider range of operation.

With the help of a front area smaller than that of a NINJA ZX-6R, the angular
body work and racing-style ergonomics of the ZX-10R minimizes aerodynamic drag on
the race track. A central ram air duct incorporated into the nose of the fairing provides
cool, dense air to the airbox, which is situated between the frame tubes. The top portion
of the fuel tank is also concave, so the competition rider can tuck in tightly behind the
small windscreen.

Pop nuts are used to fasten the bodywork to the frame, making disassembly and
service easier, and the light, five-piece tail section opens at the top for easy maintenance.
Other features include multi-reflector headlights, forged aluminum handlebars
that are gun-drilled to reduce weight, LCD display with radial tachometer and digital
speedometer, plus a stop watch function and LED tail light.
Kawasaki anticipates that numerous privateers will be eager to race the ZX-10R
in closed-course competition, so Team Green™, Kawasaki’s amateur racing support
program, is creating a contingency plan which will be unveiled before the 2004
Superbike season gets underway.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., (KMC) markets and sells at wholesale Kawasaki
motorcycles, ATVs, JET SKI® watercraft, MULE™ utility vehicles, power products and
small engines. These product lines are sold through a network of more than 1,500
independent retailers. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 2,400 people in the United
States, with approximately 400 of them located at the Irvine, California headquarters.

Kawasaki’s heritage of creating high-performance recreational vehicles and its
tagline, “Let the good times roll™”, are recognized worldwide. With its illustrious
history of breaking performance barriers with such product lines as the world renowned
NINJA® sportbikes and JET SKI® personal watercraft, Kawasaki is aggressively
carrying this heritage of pioneering leading-edge design and performance products into
the 21st century.

Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of recreational products and
Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.

2004 KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-10R
Features and Benefits

Engine

• Liquid-cooled, 998cc four-stroke, inline four-cylinder engine utilizes stacked shaft layout for
  compact dimensions, contributing to the ZX-10R’s narrow profile

• One-piece cylinder/crankcase saves weight and is more rigid
• Forged pistons have flat top for compact combustion chamber
• Cams machined from chromoly steel billet and surface treated with soft nitride for light weight
  and durability

• Tappet surfaces treated with soft nitriding to help prevent wear
• Intake and exhaust valves use single springs with oval cross sections to lower overall engine
  height

• Flow analysis used to design cylinder head, maximizing engine breathing at high rpm
• All-titanium four-into-one exhaust system includes butterfly valve to enhance low-rpm power
• Oval-shaped aluminum muffler with internal titanium parts reduces noise and includes honeycomb
  catalyzer to reduce emissions

• Digital fuel injection with sub-throttle assembly and 43mm throttle bodies provide best power
  characteristics and ridability

• High-speed generator is clutch driven and is positioned behind the cylinder bank to reduce engine
  width

• Liquid-cooled oil cooler helps to maintain consistent oil temperatures
• Sloshing analysis used to design internal structure of oil pan, reducing windage and helping to
  maintain low oil temperatures

• Magnesium engine covers reduce overall dry weight

Transmission

• Close-ratio six-speed transmission optimizes on-track performance
• Multi-plate wet clutch with back torque limiter prevents rear wheel hop under hard braking and
  deceleration
  Chassis

• All-aluminum, twin-spar backbone frame utilizes thin-walled castings and pressed sheets welded
  together for light weight – provides high-speed stability and responsive handling, yet is no wider
  than most 600cc sportbikes

• Frame arches over the engine rather than around it, giving the ZX-10R the narrowest possible
  profile for excellent riding position and ride “feel”

• Fully-adjustable 43mm forks and internal aluminum parts feature circuit setting for competition
• Top triple clamp features “lightening holes” to reduce weight
• Gull-type aluminum swingarm with oval pipe brace, UNI-TRAK® linkage and fully adjustable
  shock is lightweight and torsionally rigid

• Rear suspension includes ride height adjustment

Brakes & Wheels

• Dual 300mm front disc brakes feature radial-mounted four-piston calipers and single 220mm rear
  disc brake – the first petal discs in the liter bike class – enhance cooling and prevent warpage

• Cast-aluminum wheels utilize six spokes in place of the traditional three-spoke design, so rim
  thickness is reduced, yet the wheels are stronger and lighter

Bodywork & Ergonomics

• Front fairing is narrower than most 600cc sportbikes
• Central ram air duct pressurizes the airbox at speed
• Pop nuts make disassembly quick and easy
• Three-dimensional computer-assisted design used to develop ergonomic and aerodynamic layout
• Three-piece front fender increases aerodynamic efficiency
• Top of the fuel tank is concave so the rider can tuck in more tightly behind the windscreen
• Fuel tank bottom is flat to provide engine with stable fuel level
• Compact rear fender is slim and light
• Inner fender’s flowing design matches the shape of the swingarm to achieve unity of function and
  style

• Five-piece W-shaped seat cowl flows from the tank the rear tail section for an aggressive, highquality
  image and is easily removed for maintenance

Additional Features

• Forged aluminum handlebars are strong and gun drilled to further reduce weight
• Powerful dual multi-reflector 55W headlights provide best possible nighttime visibility
• Digital LCD instrument panel includes tachometer, speedometer, water temperature gauge, shift indicator, clock and stop watch function

2004 KAWASAKI NINJA® ZX-10R SPECIFICATIONS*

Engine	Four-stroke, DOHC, inline four, 16 valves
Displacement	998cc
Starting	Electric
Bore x stroke	76.0 x 55mm
Compression ratio	12.7:1
Cooling	Liquid
Induction	Digital fuel injection with four 43mm throttle bodies
Ignition	TCBI with digital advance
Transmission	Six-speed, close ratio with multi-plate wet clutch and back torque limiter
Frame	All-aluminum twin-tube backbone
Rake / trail	24° / 4.0 in.
Suspension, front	43mm forks with 16-way compression and rebound damping, fully adjustable preload
Suspension, rear	Gull-type aluminum swingarm, UNITRAK ® linkage system, fully adjustable gas-charged shock with stepless compression/rebound damping, adjustable spring preload, adjustable ride height
Wheel travel, front / rear	4.7 in. / 4.9 in.
Tire, front	120/70ZR17
Tire, rear	190/50ZR17
Brakes, front / rear	Dual 300mm hydraulic petal disc with radial-mounted, opposed four-piston caliper / Single 220mm hydraulic petal disc with radial-mounted caliper
Overall length / width / height	80.5 in. / 27.8 in. / 43.9 in.
Ground clearance	4.9 in.
Seat height	32.5 in.
Dry weight	374.9 lbs.
Fuel capacity	4.5 gal.
Wheelbase	54.5 in.
Colors	Candy Thunder Blue, Lime Green, Pearl, Blazing Orange, Black
Wholesale distributor	Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., 9950 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618 (949) 770-0400 www.kawasaki.com

*Specifications are subject to change

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