The next step in the evolution of the Kawasaki Racing Team's 2011 ZX-10R took place at high speed in Valencia this week, with impressive times being set by WSBK riders Tom Sykes and Katsuaki Fujiwara.
The Spanish track offered good conditions for the test, but high afternoon temperatures made it hard - if ultimately rewarding - work.
Despite the heat and busy schedule the new Ninja ZX-10R machinery ran faultlessly throughout. Fujiwara's test bike had only recently arrived from KHI in Japan, to give the team two machines to work with from now on.
On the second day lap times fell to the mid 1:34s on fresh race tires. Real world pace is already in the mid 1:35s after race simulations were carried out.
Effective new geometry and Showa suspension settings were found in what was only the second European test for the new bike, which is still very much at the start of its final development program.
The next test will be the first public one for the new Ninja ZX-10R, to be held at Magny-Cours, after the final race of the current World Superbike season.
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