Ducati, Get Ready for Some Competition
The Ducati Panigale V4 R is a serious force to be reckoned with. Recent information suggests that Kawasaki may have a new Ninja ZX-10RR in the works that could be the company’s answer to the Italian bike that’s currently dominating the World Superbike Championship.
According to Asphalt & Rubber, filings with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) would suggest Kawasaki is moving forward with the development of the bike and could have it ready for 2020. It’s not so much what the filing says, but what it doesn’t say. The filing doesn’t include the ZX-10RR.
Usually, the ZX-10R and the ZX-10RR are both included on the same filing. This time the ZX-10RR was not included. This suggests the model will have changes to the engine, which would mean different emissions and because of that a different CARB filing. Obviously, this isn’t concrete proof, but it’s a decent indicator.
Asphalt & Rubber does note the possibility of the ZX-10RR leaving the California market and possibly the U.S. market for the 2020 model year. That possibility, however, seems remote. A more likely scenario is that an updated or new ZX-10RR will appear later this year and go on sale in 2020. If that is the case, 2020 will be a very interesting year, indeed.