2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Specifications

Name: 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja
Brand: Kawasaki

Sport • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Overview

Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja is a sport motorcycle, displacing 998 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 12.7:1. On the performance side, it delivers 138.3 kW @ 12500 rpm of peak power and 113 Nm @ 8700 rpm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 292 km/h. On the road, the 2008 ZX-10R Ninja tips the scales at 208 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 880 mm and spans a 1415 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 5.3 kg heavier than the average sport motorcycle in our database. The full 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2008 ZX-10R Ninja - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: With 138.3 kW @ 12500 rpm and 113 Nm @ 8700 rpm of torque on tap, the ZX-10R Ninja is no slouch for its class.

Considerations

Tall seat height: At 880 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Cooling system servicing

ZX-10R Ninja's Liquid cooled setup is low-maintenance provided the coolant interval is kept - old, acidic coolant is the main cause of long-term corrosion in the water passages.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from 2x 310mm discs 4 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The ZX-10R Ninja's suspension runs 43mm inverted fork with DLC coating, adjustable rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs at the front. The rear uses Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The ZX-10R Ninja uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.

Frame & chassis check

Built around a Backbone/Twin-tube, aluminium (Pressed/die-cast composite structure), the ZX-10R Ninja's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.

ZX-10R Ninja - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy ZX-10R Ninja should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects a ZX-10R Ninja's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Fuel system care

Fuel injection on the ZX-10R Ninja needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.

2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja have?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja uses a Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. engine with 998 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.

What is the top speed of the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja has a factory-quoted top speed of 292 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja weigh?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja weighs 208 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja make?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja produces 138.3 kW @ 12500 rpm of power and 113 Nm @ 8700 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.

Is the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja suitable for shorter riders?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja has a seat height of 880 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.

What brakes does the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja have?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja uses 2x 310mm discs 4 piston calipers at the front and Single 220 mm disc 1 piston caliper at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja use?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja runs 120/70 ZR17 front and 190/55 ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja have?

The 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.

Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Spec Evolution

The Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja was produced across 16 model years (2004-2021). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2004	2005	2007	2008	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Max Power	175 hp / 128.4 kW @ 11700 rpm	175 hp / 128.4 kW @ 11700 rpm	175 hp / 128.4 kW @ 11700 rpm	138.3 kW / 188 hp @ 12500 rpm	138.3 kW / 188 hp @ 12500 rpm	199.8 hp / 147 kW @ 13000 rpm	199.8 hp / 147 kW @ 13000 rpm	199.8 hp / 147 kW @ 13000 rpm	199.8 hp / 147 kW @ 13000 rpm	199.8 hp / 147 kW @ 13000 rpm	146 kW / 200 hp @ 13000 rpm	154.5 kW / 210 hp @ 13000 rpm	146 kW / 200 hp @ 13000 rpm	149.3 kW / 203 hp @ 13500 rpm	156.8 kW / 213 hp @ 13500 rpm	149.3 kW / 203 hp @ 13200 rpm
Wet Weight	-	-	-	208 kg / 458.5 lbs	208 kg / 458.5 lbs	198 kg / 436.3 lbs ABS 201 kg / 443.2 lbs	198 kg / 436.3 lbs ABS 201 kg / 443.2 lbs	198 kg / 436.3 lbs ABS 201 kg / 443.2 lbs	198 kg / 436.3 lbs ABS 201 kg / 443.2 lbs	198 kg / 436.3 lbs ABS 201 kg / 443.2 lbs	204 kg / 449.8 lbs ABS 206 kg / 454.2 lbs	204 kg / 449.8 lbs ABS 206 kg / 454.2 lbs	204 kg / 449.8 lbs ABS 206 kg / 454.2 lbs	208 kg / 458.5 lbs	208 kg / 458.5 lbs	207 kg / 456.4 lbs
Dry Weight	170 kg / 374.9 lbs	170 kg / 374.9 lbs	170 kg / 374.9 lbs	179 kg / 394.6 lbs	179 kg / 394.6 lbs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Engine Detail	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Top Speed	290.6 km/h / 180.5 ph	290.6 km/h / 180.5 ph	290.6 km/h / 180.5 ph	292.0 km/h / 181.4 mph	292.0 km/h / 181.4 mph	296.6 km/h / 184.3 mph	296.6 km/h / 184.3 mph	296.6 km/h / 184.3 mph	296.6 km/h / 184.3 mph	296.6 km/h / 184.3 mph	-	-	-	-	-	-
Seat Height	826 mm / 32.5 in	826 mm / 32.5 in	826 mm / 32.5 in	880 mm / 34.6 in	880 mm / 34.6 in	812 mm / 32 in	812 mm / 32 in	812 mm / 32 in	812 mm / 32 in	812 mm / 32 in	835 mm / 32.9 in	835 mm / 32.9 in	835 mm / 32.9 in	835 mm / 32.9 in	835 mm / 32.9 in	835 mm / 32.9 in
Fuel Capacity	17 Litres / 4.4 US gal	17 Litres / 4.4 US gal	17 Litres / 4.4 US gal	17 Litres / 4.4 us GAL	17 Litres / 4.4 us GAL	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 gal	17 Litres / 4.5 gal	17 Litres / 4.5 gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal	17 Litres / 4.5 US gal
Frame Type	All-aluminum twin-tube backbone	All-aluminum twin-tube backbone	All-aluminum twin-tube backbone	Backbone/Twin-tube, aluminium (Pressed/die-cast composite structure)	Backbone/Twin-tube, aluminium (Pressed/die-cast composite structure)	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Aluminum perimeter	Aluminum perimeter	Aluminum perimeter	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Twin spar, cast aluminium	Aluminum perimeter

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Power

138.3 kW / 188 hp @ 12500 rpm

Torque

113 Nm / 11.5 kgf-m @ 8700 rpm

Top Speed

292.0 km/h / 181.4 mph

Weight

208 kg / 458.5 lbs

Fuel Capacity

17 Litres / 4.4 us GAL

Full 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja Specifications

Year 2008

Make Model Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja

Seat Height 880 mm / 34.6 in

Wheelbase 1415 mm / 55.7 in

Ground Clearance 125 mm / 4.9 in

Height 1135 mm / 44.6 in

Length 2110 mm / 83 in

Width 710 mm / 27.9 in

Dry Weight 179 kg / 394.6 lbs

Fuel Capacity 17 Litres / 4.4 us GAL

Wet Weight 208 kg / 458.5 lbs

Top Speed 292.0 km/h / 181.4 mph

Max Power 138.3 kW / 188 hp @ 12500 rpm

Max Power 147.1 kW / 200 hp @ 12500 rpm

Max Torque 113 Nm / 11.5 kgf-m @ 8700 rpm

Standing Start ¼ Mile 10.5 sec

Displacement 998 cc / 60.9 cu-in

Engine Detail Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.

Bore x Stroke 76 x 55 mm

Compression Ratio 12.7:1

Cooling System Liquid cooled

Fuel Induction DFI with 43mm Keihin throttle bodies with oval sub-throttles, two injectors per cylinder

Ignition TCBI with digital advance and Kawasaki Ignition Management System (KIMS)

Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler

Starter Electric

Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual

Final Drive Sealed chain

Final Drive Ratio 2.412 (41/17)

Gear Ratios 1st 2.600 (39/15) 2nd 2.053 (39/19) 3rd 1.737 (33/19) 4th 1.550 (31/20) 5th 1.400 (28/20) 6th 1.304 (30/23)

Transmission / Drive 6 Speed

Frame Type Backbone/Twin-tube, aluminium (Pressed/die-cast composite structure)

Suspension - Front 43mm inverted fork with DLC coating, adjustable rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs

Suspension - Rear Bottom-Link Uni-Trak® with top-out spring, stepless, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, stepless rebound damping, fully adjustable spring preload

Rake 25.5°

Steering Angle 27°

Trail 110 mm / 4.3 in

Wheel Travel - Front 120 mm / 4.7 in

Wheel Travel - Rear 125 mm / 4.9 in

Brakes - Front 2x 310mm discs 4 piston calipers

Brakes - Rear Single 220 mm disc 1 piston caliper

Tyres - Front 120/70 ZR17

Tyres - Rear 190/55 ZR17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.