A brand new Kawasaki ZX-10RR has been introduced by the Akashi marque, the primary refresh of its flagship Superbike since 2021, however may or not it’s the change Garrett Gerloff must reignite his WorldSBK profession?
The ZX-10RR has been an ageing motorbike for some time by World Superbike requirements, particularly given the virtually bi-annual refresh BMW has been giving its M1000 RR since 2021; the prospect of a brand new Ducati Panigale V4 R in 2026; and, not least, the rebranding of Kawasaki’s full manufacturing unit WorldSBK effort to Bimota from 2025.
Nonetheless, the newest mannequin replace, introduced on 3 November, by Kawasaki proves the ZX-10RR is just not completely spent as a racing prospect. It’s not essentially taking the race-focused design philosophy of the KB998 – that is nonetheless a Kawasaki – however the brand new bike does embrace some essential updates over the earlier mannequin.
Probably the most noticeable change can also be maybe the most important change of all so far as the race bike is anxious, as Kawasaki brings winglets to the ZX-10RR for the primary time.
They’ve an analogous form to these on the Honda CBR1000RR-R or the Yamaha R1, and are actually smaller and fewer intricate than these on the KB998. Kawasaki says the brand new wings enhance entrance downforce by “roughly 25 per cent”.
On the chassis facet, Kawasaki says that the geometry has been adjusted in comparison with the earlier mannequin to “match the impact of the brand new winglets”, and that these adjustments additionally assist to enhance rear traction.
The place of the air consumption has additionally been modified, though appears to be extra of a stylistic factor to match the appears to be like of the ZX-10RR with the ZX-6R 636 that Jeremy Alcoba will marketing campaign once more within the 2026 World Supersport Championship alongside the not too long ago introduced Dominique Aegerter.
Beneath the fairing, the engine is up to date, however solely to keep up the efficiency ranges of the earlier bike’s motor whereas assembly new Euro5+ emissions regulation.
Can this replace assist Kawasaki’s WorldSBK effort?
There was just one Kawasaki on the WorldSBK grid in 2025, that ridden by Garrett Gerloff. That truth will stay in 2026, however may the brand new bike assist to enhance on the American’s 2025 season that noticed him contained in the top-10 solely seven occasions in 33 races?
Gerloff has been open already within the 2026 preseason about his must make subsequent 12 months’s World Superbike Championship work for him, or he’ll be out of the paddock, however will extra entrance downforce actually be the reply to his lack of efficiency?
Given the a lot starker distinction between the 2025 ZX-10RR and the Bimota KB998, it’s arduous to see that the comparatively minor adjustments delivered to the 2026 ZX-10RR may deliver Gerloff the type of outcomes that Alex Lowes and, at occasions,
have been in a position to obtain in 2025.
Plus, a scarcity of enhance in engine efficiency mixed with a rise in downforce – and subsequently drag – is prone to, because it has with the Bimota, additional expose the relative weak point of the Kawasaki engine versus the extra excessive and highly effective motors from the likes of BMW, Ducati, and Honda.
It’s also price contemplating that Gerloff won’t get an opportunity to trip the brand new bike with its 25 per cent entrance downforce enhance – in race trim – till January, whereas Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega was already in a position to pattern the brand new Panigale this summer time.
After all, it might be fairly a bounce for Gerloff to go from struggling to make the top-10 to difficult Bulega in 2026, however even the Bimota riders final 12 months have been in a position to trip the KB998 on the post-race Jerez check, so it’s clearly going to be a little bit of a delayed begin for Gerloff.
Even nonetheless, given the restricted adjustments in comparison with the 2025 bike, it could possibly be the case that there won’t be a lot margin to seek out with the brand new machine, anyway.
All in all, it’s arduous to see this mannequin refresh being the only reply to Gerloff’s and Kawasaki’s largely underwhelming efficiency subsequent season, however with Gerloff teaming up once more along with his previous crew chief Les Pearson it could possibly be one among a number of elements that contribute to an enchancment in outcomes for the American.
