The highlight of the Special Edition model is the
all-new Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS). The KECS system plays
host to three different riding modes (Road, Track, and Manual) that can be
selected via the dashboard. Manual mode allows the rider to tune the suspension
settings to their liking, with a 15-level adjustability of compression and
rebound circuits. The semi-active suspension system uses what is called “Showa
Solenoid technology” inside the fork, which is claimed to have a reaction time
of one-thousandth of a second.
New, “built-in stroke sensors” are implemented into
the front fork, and should be responsible for controlling wheelies under
acceleration, rather than relying on the IMU’s data. The core suspension pieces
are still Showa’s Balance Free Fork (BFF) and Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC)
shock, which have always been a stand-out favorite in the literbike class.
Benefitting from the ZX-10RR, the SE model employs
the same bi-directional quickshift unit and forged, seven-spoke Marchesini
wheels. Kawasaki also claims that the ZX-10R SE will have the same 197
horsepower at 13,000 rpm as the RR model, which suggests that the engines have
the same modified cylinder heads (that accepts high-lift camshafts), DLC coated
tappets in the valvetrain and beefed up crankcases that separate themselves
from the standard ZX-10R.
We have yet to hear when the Kawasaki ZX-10 SE
will be available, but we are all hoping to score a ride on it in the near
future. The Showa BFF fork and BFRC rear shocks have always impressed, but the
Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension could take it to another level.
