Well, it's that time of year again, and while most everyone who is ready for a redesign of their models usually finally releases the first press release of their new model for the upcoming year. Yamaha has, so what about Kawi? Well, for 2010 and their ZX10r which is the one that is due for the redesign, the news isn't so great. Kawi have announced that their redesign is so radical in nature that they will forego the normal 2yr development cycle and instead release their new 10r in late 2010 or 2011.

What's so super duper special about the new 10r? According to the rumor mill (and expect this to get much much worse as the weeks and months go by) kawi had recently filed for a patent on an uneven firing order engine (ala cross plane or big bang motor) Will it be a V4? Who knows at this point, but all things lead to Kawi doing something similar to the 09 R1 and the cross plane crank (derived from the M1) which the Hayate/Kawi Motogp bike sorta sounds as if it has something like that. Trust me, I saw and heard Marco's up close at Laguna, and it definetly sounds like there is some uneven firing/cross plane going on there. Very close to the Yamaha M1 sound, even at idle.

So until this time next year, we won't know for sure, but here's a little article I found that might prove interesting for the time being!

http://www.motostar.co.za/Home/News/201 ... fault.aspx

What they say about the R1's enigne in there are true. it's heavy and it's counter balancer is massive, but the rideability is awesome. I don't have to give it as much throttle as my 6r, and normally you can gas the shit out of it exiting turns. (on the 6r that is) With the smoother engine the R1 has, you're gassing and accellerating but very very stable. I'm intrgued, will definetly keep my ears open for latest on Kawi's new 10r.

yeah, heard that the 2010 will only offer minor changes. Rumor was that 2010 was going to be the new engine layout, now it is moved out another year. I am still curious as well on the new layout.