Since the '80s Kawasaki have been almost obsessed with speed. The fastest production bike title has regularly belonged to them, and it is something they take very seriously.

So, if speed is what you want, then team green might have something for you. These two machines don't harbor any real aspirations of clocking in the fastest top speed, but will thrill on track or on a twisty back road. The ZX-10RR in particular is as focused a machine as anyone can purchase right now, packed with incredible technology.

If you want something you could actually ride more often, and not just to the track, well then maybe the ZX-10R will be a better fit.

Related: 2022 Kawasaki ZX-6R Review: Still Nimble And Reasonably Priced

10 Evolution Year

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Kawasaki

Not much has changed between the 2022 model year and the 2023 model, with pretty much everything staying more or less the same. For all intents and purposes, they are mechanically identical.

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Kawasaki

It is very much an evolution year and not a revolution year, with the bike recently getting redesigned from the ground up that much is understandable. There are naturally a couple of subtle updates.

9 Affordable ZX-10R

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Kawasaki

Currently, the 2022 model is selling for just over $17,000 and although pricing is yet to be confirmed, we suspect that won’t go up too much.

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Kawasaki

When you take into account the fact that this is a 200 horsepower superbike, it is hard to believe they have been able to keep the price point this low. Other premium manufacturers are going to try to sell you a bike with half the power, for the same price.

8 Championship Winning ZX-10RR

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via Kawasaki

This really is as close as you will get to the Kawasaki SBK bike. You will need to like lime green though, as that is our only color choice.

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Kawasaki

With all the necessary homologation requirements this is the bike we can all go out and buy, which is just incredible, and naturally, Kawasaki makes it pretty accessible, considering the amount of money they pour into their KRT racing division.

7 New Color Option

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Kawasaki

The one completely new addition this year is a new color option for the ZX-10R. The rather understated black and red makes way for a much more interesting “pearl robotic while/metallic Diablo black” colorway.

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Kawasaki

Taste is a subjective thing, but we believe this is a far better alternative to the old options. The KRT livery is still better though…

Related: 10 Things Every Motorcycle Enthusiast Should Know About The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R

6 Aerodynamic Design

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Kawasaki

Unlike most other manufacturers that have protruding winglets, Kawasaki chose to rather integrate them into the design of the cowl.

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Visordown

They generate downforce while the bike is accelerating and help keep the front wheel down, a mechanical “wheelie control” if you will. The bike also remains aerodynamically efficient when the rider is in full tuck down the straight and while leaning into a corner.

5 Comprehensive Electronics Suite

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Kawasaki

If there was a horsepower war before, the battleground is now what electronics manufacturers can equip their bikes with. Kawasaki likes acronyms, but the one acronym you should pay attention to is IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit).

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Kawasaki

That is effectively the brain behind their electronics package, and it effectively manages the traction, and helps put down as much power as possible no matter how much (or little) traction there is. You will also get 4 modes to choose from; sport, road, rain and rider. The “rider” mode can be set to your personal preferences.

4 Pankl Parts For ZX-10RR

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Kawasaki

Pankl makes some of the best aftermarket engine components in the world, and the ZX-10RR has a few of them straight from the factory.

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Pankl

Both the pistons and conrods are all from them and are significantly lighter and stronger, which in turn lifts the rev ceiling to 14,000 RPM.

Related: 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 ABS Review: A Great Beginner Bike For Total Amateurs (Like Me)

3 SBK Technology

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via World SBK

The ZX-10RR is obviously also the main benefactor of all the trickle-down technology from the SBK.

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Kawasaki 

Some of that includes the forged Marchesini wheels, a close ratio track focussed transmission and balance free forks (BFF) which make the handling feel lighter.

2 Best Bang For Buck

Kawasaki ZX-10R
Kawasaki

Nobody will come out and say either of these bikes are cheap, but what you get for your money is simply unrivaled.

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Kawasaki

The ZX-10R undercuts just about every other sportbike in its class, and at under $30,000 the ZX-10RR is an actual racing bike dressed in a lime green costume.

1 Track Focussed

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R side
Kawasaki

Make no mistake, both of these bikes are very focused, one is just more focused than the other.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR
Kawasaki

By that we mean the ZX-10R will be tolerable on the street, but the ZX-10RR is very much a track bike that just won’t feel quite right on public roads, least of which a commute.