Kawasaki have certainly upped their game in recent years in response to market pressures for the latest and greatest to be updated at every opportunity and in a bit of a surprise they recently announced details of a nearly all new ZX-10R for 2006.

The changes start at the very backbone of the machine with an all new frame, swingarm pivot, revised suspension and Ohlins steering damper and continues through to the engine room with a new fuel injection system with the exhaust gases now exiting via a pair of underseat mufflers.

Even the bodywork has gone under the microscope with marked improvements in aerodynamic efficiency.

One thing that everyone will be glad to see the back of is the recent Kawasaki LCD style tachometer which has been ditched in favour of a conventional analogue unit. The backlighting is adjustable through four levels of brightness however the previous lap timing abilities have been retained.

The trick petal discs and radial calipers from the previous model remain but power and feel is increased with a move to a radial master cylinder.

The engine itself is claimed to be all new. The heavier crankshaft is located higher in the cases to help centralise the machine’s centre of gravity. Other engine characteristics that aim to improve handling and traction include the addition of more flywheel mass to help smooth out the power delivery. The cylinders are now angled at 23-degrees which is more of a forward slant than the previous machine’s 20-degree layout. The starter clutch has been moved from the left to the right of the engine with the starter itself located behind the cylinders. These changes, along with the relocation of the generator, has enabled Kawasaki to retain the 52-degree angle of bank achieved by the previous machine.

The steering head is now positioned more forward and the geometry of the machine has changed, but the overall wheelbase remains the same as the previous model. The swingarm is all new and the pivot position is higher than before allowing for more tuning potential and the rear tyre has grown from a 190/50 aspect hoop to a larger 190/55 item.

The heavier crankshaft is not only designed to help improve tractability but is aimed to help the action of the slipper clutch when transiting to a closed throttle.

The 43mm throttle bodies are fitted with a pair of butterfly valves in each of the four bodies along with a fine atomising injector located below the butterfly valves. Keeping the updated show cool is a new lightweight Denso radiator.

Looking after the spent gases is a new titanium 4-2-1-2 system with catalysers helping the machine to meet the strictest emission legislations. A butterfly valve is located in the system to help smooth out the exhaust pulses for the cleanest burn possible.

The racy new snout houses a pair of compact projector beam headlights which are smaller than before allowing for better positioning of the centralised ram-air duct.

All these changes add up to a much improved for ZX-10R for 2006 and Kawasaki dealers will be itching to get their hands on stocks of the machines as I am sure eager Kawasaki fans will be keen to lay down their deposits.