THE Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R has always been one of the most desirable litre-class superbikes on the planet — a machine that has carried Kawasaki riders to seven World Superbike Championship titles and earned its place as the purest expression of what a Ninja can be.
And now, according to information we have received, MODENAS is preparing to locally assemble (CKD) the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R at its factory in Gurun, Kedah — the same facility that has quietly been building some of the most exciting Kawasakis available in Malaysia today.
If confirmed, this would mark the most significant CKD milestone in MODENAS history to date.
A Factory That Has Already Proven It Can Do This
The Gurun plant is not new to big ambitions. MODENAS currently operates five assembly lines at the facility — two dedicated to its own Modenas models and three allocated to Kawasaki assembly. The list of models already being locally assembled there is genuinely impressive:
KLX230S, KLX230SM, Ninja 250, Z250, Versys-X 250, Ninja ZX-25R, Ninja ZX-25RR, Ninja ZX-4R, Ninja ZX-4RR, Ninja 650, Z650, Z650RS, Versys 650, and the Z900 SE.
The turning point came when Kawasaki Motors Ltd (KMC) granted approval for MODENAS to assemble the Ninja ZX-6R — a milestone that required Kawasaki’s explicit trust in the local team’s capability to handle a proper supersport motorcycle. That approval, and the successful execution that followed, opened the door to what comes next.
MODENAS CEO Roslan Roskan has previously indicated plans to add at least one new assembly line to cater for motorcycles above the 900cc mark. While the exact models were not named at the time, the ZX-10R was always the most logical candidate — and it appears those plans are now moving forward.
For context, the Z900RS remains CBU for now, imported as a complete built-up unit depending on market demand.
The 2026 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Is the Best Version Yet
The timing of this development is particularly exciting because the ZX-10R that MODENAS may be bringing to Gurun is not the outgoing model — it is the 2026 update, revealed at EICMA 2025, which represents one of the most substantial upgrades the platform has received in years.
The headline addition is a new aerodynamic package featuring large integrated winglets that increase downforce by 25 percent over the previous model. The increased front-end load required Kawasaki’s engineers to rework the chassis geometry to match — the swingarm pivot point has been raised by 2mm, improving rear-wheel traction and enhancing secondary cornering force, which helps the rider steer from the rear on track.
The fairing itself has been completely redesigned with sharper edges, more surface area, and a repositioned Ram Air intake now sitting higher and above the headlights. The new headlights are a compact hybrid projector/reflector LED system — low beams use a mono-focus LED projector while high beams and position lights use deep-set reflectors.
Under the bodywork, the 998cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine is carried over but gains a second downstream O2 sensor and an updated catalyst to achieve Euro 5+ emissions compliance. Power output remains at 193.3bhp at 13,000rpm with 112Nm of torque at 11,400rpm. The suspension setup retains the class-leading Showa Balance Free Fork (BFF) and Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) lite shock, both with revised damping and geometry settings tuned specifically for the new aero package.
Notably, the Öhlins electronic steering damper — previously exclusive to the track-spec ZX-10RR — now comes standard on the regular ZX-10R. Braking is handled by the proven Brembo M50 monoblock calipers on 330mm discs, and the standard tyre fitment moves to Bridgestone Battlax RS12.
The cockpit gets a larger 5-inch TFT colour display replacing the previous 4.3-inch unit, with different layouts for street and track use, plus smartphone connectivity via the Rideology app.
The full electronics package includes a Bosch IMU, lean-sensitive traction control, launch control, cornering ABS, engine brake control, bidirectional quickshifter, and electronic cruise control — everything you would expect from a modern superbike that competes with the BMW S 1000 RR and Aprilia RSV4.
More 1,000cc-Plus Models Already on Malaysian Roads
While the ZX-10R CKD announcement is still forthcoming, it is worth noting that the expansion of the Kawasaki big bike lineup in Malaysia is already well underway.
MODENAS launched the 2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 in June 2025, with pricing starting from RM65,100 for the Standard variant, RM76,600 for the S, and higher for the top-spec SE with Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) featuring Showa Skyhook Technology.
The 2026 Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX followed in December 2025, priced at RM71,400 — the fifth-generation sport-tourer now packing a 1,099cc inline-four producing 134.1hp and 113Nm, with a full electronics suite including IMU-enhanced cornering management, voice command TFT display, and electronic cruise control.
Both models demonstrate that MODENAS and Kawasaki are clearly committed to building a credible premium big bike presence in Malaysia — and the ZX-10R CKD, if it materialises, would be the crown jewel of that strategy.
What CKD Means for Malaysian Riders
Local assembly is not just a badge of pride — it has real consequences for pricing. CKD models typically attract lower import duties compared to their CBU counterparts, which translates directly into more competitive pricing for buyers. The ZX-6R CKD, for example, was priced at RM59,900 when it launched — a figure that made it one of the more accessible supersports in its class globally.
If the ZX-10R follows the same path, it could make Malaysia one of the few markets in the world where a locally assembled litre-class superbike with WorldSBK DNA is available at a genuinely competitive price point.
Watch this space.
