We take a look at Mike Jones's 2015 ASBK winning privateer ZX-10R, with the motorcycling remaining relatively stock for an Australian Championship winner! Words by Kris Hodgson, Photography by Keith Muir
Ever wondered what it takes to build an Australian Superbike Championship winning motorcycle? Here we’ve got Mike Jones’s privateer Kawasaki ZX-10R which he won the 2015 ASBK Championship title on, against factory machinery.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK Championship winning Kawasaki ZX-10R Privateer bike
2015 was a great year for Mike Jones, racing with the Australian Outdoor Living – Cube Racing Team on his ZX-10R, taking first in the Australian Superbike Championship, Phillip Island Championship and Pro-Am Privateer Championship, as well as fourth in the Swann Series Australasian Superbike Championship.
Mike Jones , 2015 ASBK Champion, Winton
For the 2016 year Mike Jones rides for DesmoSport Ducati, and has raced in MotoGP with Avintia Ducati at Motegi and Phillip Island, taking an 18th place and earning his first MotoGP point at the Phillip Island MotoGP round with a 15th place finish.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK Championship winning Kawasaki ZX-10R Privateer bike
The Championship winning Kawasaki ZX-10R is a 2013-2015 model, purchased from Crazy Dogs Kawasaki for $16,000, and you’ll probably be amazed at how few modifications are actually made – with the vast majority of the expertise coming from the rider, and bike setup.
Why the Kawasaki ZX-10R? According to Mike Jones, “I chose this type of bike so I could race competitively as a privateer in the Australian Superbikes last year, with the Kawasaki ZX-10R offering good value for money, being competitive in standard trim and comfortable to ride.”
Mike Jones , 2015 ASBK Champion
Of course Jones admits that he was riding pushbikes before he could walk and on a PeeWee 50 by the age of three, which certainly helps when your aiming to become an Australian Champion.
This Kawasaki ZX-10R is putting out 200hp at the rear wheel and was tuned by ProCycle Dyno, with almost everything standard. The few exceptions are the ignition and fuel systems which are the standard items, but modified by Woolich Racing and tuned by ProCycle.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK ZX-10R, full Arrow GP Exhaust system
A BMC airfilter joins an Arrow GP full titanium exhaust system, with the bike running BP Ultimate.
Chances are you know regular punters on streetbikes with more performance modifications, with the expertise of ProCycle Dyno and Woolich Racing making all the difference here.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK ZX-10R
The standard gearbox is also retained with the final drive ratio and sprockets seeing changes to suit the circuit being raced at. The clutch is standard.
As far as the chassis goes, the frame is totally standard, with an aftermarket Ohlins manually adjustable steering damper being one addition. The rear shock mounts and linkage are standard, with the ride height adjusted for different circuits.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK ZX-10R, with Ohlins NIX30 forks, modified internals by XXX Rated Race Suspension
Forks are Ohlins NIX30 43mm items, running Ohlins oil and extensively internally modified by XXX Rated Race Suspension. Likewise the rear shock is a K-Tech item modified by the same company. Spring and damping modifications are made depending on the circuit.
Brakes are also relatively standard, with just the addition of Brembo rotors and pads, as well as a Brembo front master-cylinder and lever. Lines front and rear are Goodridge braided items, running Motul RBF660 brake fluid.
Wheels front and rear are standard items, with the front clad in a Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slick SC2, while the rear mounts a Pirelli Diablo Superbike Slick SC0.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK ZX-10R, GB Racing covers, race fairings
A number of other accessories like GB Racing covers, a front brake lever guard, full race fairings painted by A1 Race Paint with Underground Designs decals by Marty Redshaw and Vortex rearsets are also fitted.
Naturally the race fairings allow the removal of all the weighty road gear like headlights, taillight, mirrors and indicators, with all the bolts lock-wired as a basic safety precaution that is required for racing, and recommended for track days.
All up Jones reckons he spent $35,000 on his championship winning ZX-10R with the bike probably worth in the $25,000 region.
Mike Jones’s 2015 ASBK Championship winning Kawasaki ZX-10R Privateer bike
Despite the high dollar figure on creating an ASBK Championship winning machine, the level of modification is relatively limited, showing just how close these machines are to our road going showroom floor models. It only further highlights Mike Jones’s achievements when you consider we was operating as a privateer team only last year, facing factory supported teams in the championship.
