New Kawasaki for Team Bolliger: Why the ZX-10RR is not an option

The Swiss Bolliger team is set to make a number of technical changes for the 2027 season in the World Endurance Championship. After several years with the previous Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, the long-established privateer team is set to switch to the new model featuring aerodynamic wings. The decision to opt for the ZX-10R rather than the higher-spec ZX-10RR was a deliberate one.

Whilst the ZX-10RR, as a homologation model, is specifically designed for racing and features, amongst other things, particularly high-quality internal engine components, Bolliger is sticking with the more affordable base version. The main reason for this is running costs.

“We’re sticking with the ZX-10R. The RR is simply not financially viable for us,” explained team boss Kevin Bolliger in an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. In particular, the RR’s specialised engine components present a financial hurdle for the Swiss team. The ZX-10RR features titanium connecting rods and special lightweight pistons, which offer advantages for track use but are also correspondingly expensive.

Bolliger trennt sich von der älteren Version der ZX-10R

Foto: Team Bolliger

“The titanium connecting rods and aluminium pistons are too costly for us as a team – especially when it comes to servicing costs,” explained Bolliger. “We’d have to keep fitting new connecting rods and pistons. That’s too expensive for us as a privateer team.”

Particularly in endurance racing, where engines are subjected to high stresses for many hours, the costs of maintenance and servicing play a significant role. For a privateer team like Bolliger’s, therefore, it is not just the raw performance that has to be right, but also the cost-effectiveness of the entire package.

New Kawasaki with aerodynamic wings

Despite opting out of the RR class, the riders can look forward to an upgraded motorbike in 2027. Until now, Bolliger has been using the 2021 model year ZX-10R. Now comes the switch to the new version featuring aerodynamic wings.

“So far, we’ve been riding the 2021 model without winglets. Next year, we’ll be switching to the new model, which has them,” confirmed Bolliger. The new fairing with winglets is one of the most striking changes to the current ZX-10R. For the team, the model change means a new technical baseline, which must be adapted over the winter to meet the requirements of the World Endurance Championship. And it’s not just about aerodynamics. A significant change is also on the cards for the suspension.

Kawasaki Webike Trickstar nutzt die RR-Version der Ninja

Foto: Kawasaki Webike Trickstar

Switch to Öhlins on the cards

“There will also be a few changes to the suspension. We’re fitting different spring elements,” revealed the team boss. Until now, Bolliger has been working with K-Tech. However, there are signs of a switch to the Swedish suspension specialist Öhlins for 2027. When asked about the future partner, Bolliger offered a tongue-in-cheek hint: “It’ll be golden.”

The planned switch is driven primarily by practical considerations regarding technical support. “Support from K-Tech is limited. They focus heavily on their projects in the UK,” explained Bolliger. “Öhlins has a stronger presence here. That’s why the switch was an obvious choice.”

For an endurance team, support from technical partners is particularly important. After all, suspension set-up and tyre choice must perform under a wide variety of conditions – from sprint speeds in qualifying to the changing demands of a 24-hour race.

Bolliger wants to remain loyal to Pirelli

Whilst a change of supplier appears on the cards for the suspension, Bolliger is opting for continuity when it comes to tyres. The Swiss team would like to continue their collaboration with Pirelli. “We’d like to stay with Pirelli. The signals from Pirelli regarding further collaboration have been positive,” reported Bolliger.

The team principal was particularly impressed by the Italian tyre manufacturer’s development work. “Pirelli supplies very good tyres. The latest developments are very promising. Thanks to the team in Italy – the development work is really good,” he praised.

Das Team Bolliger wechselt für 2027 zur aktuellen Kawasaki ZX-10R

Foto: Kawasaki

Bolliger also extended a special thank you to Pirelli Racing Manager Johannes Grosse and his team, who supported the team throughout the past season. “We’d also like to thank Johannes and his team, who have supported us very well. Johannes went out of his way to ensure we could compete with Pirelli at Suzuka.”

Competing in the Japanese 8-hour classic was something special for Bolliger in 2026; after all, it marked the Swiss team’s return to Suzuka for the first time since 2019. A comprehensively revised package is therefore taking shape for 2027: a new Kawasaki ZX-10R with winglets, likely Öhlins suspension components and, once again, Pirelli tyres. Bolliger, however, has deliberately opted not to use the expensive RR technology.