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Kawasaki has just rolled out the 2026 edition of its legendary superbike, the Ninja ZX-10R, in India. While a new model year always brings excitement, this launch comes with a couple of surprises that have the motorcycle community talking. The new Ninja is priced at ₹19.49 lakh (ex-showroom), but the updates are not what you might expect.

For starters, the 2026 model comes with a significant price bump of ₹99,000 over its predecessor But the biggest head-scratcher is a slight dip in its performance figures.

The heart of the Ninja ZX-10R remains its powerful 998cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four engine. However, for the 2026 model, the power output is now rated at around 205 hp (with RAM air intake) and 112 Nm of torque.This is a noticeable decrease of about 8 hp and 2.9 Nm compared to the 2025 version Kawasaki hasn’t yet shared the reason behind this unexpected tweak in performance

Beyond the price and power adjustments, the 2026 Ninja ZX-10R is essentially the same formidable machine that riders have come to respect. The design, with its aggressive front fairing and integrated winglets, remains unchanged. It’s still a visual stunner and is available in two striking color options: the iconic Kawasaki Racing Team green and a stealthier grey with green accents.

The bike is built on a race-proven chassis and continues to feature a top-tier suspension setup from Showa, including the highly-regarded BFF front forks and a BFRC rear monoshock. For added stability at high speeds, an Öhlins electronic steering damper comes as standard. Braking duties are handled by a premium setup with dual 330mm discs at the front and a single 220mm disc at the rear.

Where the Ninja ZX-10R continues to shine is its comprehensive electronics package. It’s loaded with features designed to give the rider maximum control, including multiple riding modes, cornering management, launch control, traction control, a quick shifter, and electronic cruise controlAll this is managed through a full-color TFT display that also offers smartphone connectivity.

Interestingly, Kawasaki still lists the 2025 model on its official website alongside the new version This has led to speculation that the company might be looking to clear out the remaining stock of the slightly more powerful older model, which is also reportedly available with discounts.

For potential buyers, it’s worth noting that the current price tag might not hold for long. The price of the 2026 ZX-10R doesn’t yet factor in an upcoming GST hike on bikes over 350cc, which is expected to push prices even higher later in the month

In a nutshell, the 2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is still a beast of a machine packed with cutting-edge tech. However, the combination of a higher price and slightly lower power output makes for a curious update to this beloved superbike.

Read More: Sports Bike : The 2026 Ninja ZX-10R Just Launched, and It Has a Surprising Twist