# Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

The Ninja ZX-RR is a race bike from Kawasaki, which raced in the MotoGP world championship until 2009. The bike made its debut towards the end of the 2002 MotoGP season with riders Andrew Pitt (Australia) and Akira Yanagawa (Japan).

## Racing history

In 2004, Shinya Nakano joined the Kawasaki team and got the ZX-RR's first podium with a third place at the Japanese Grand Prix. The bike earned second place over the next three years: in 2005 with Olivier Jacque at the Chinese Grand Prix; in 2006 with Nakano at the Dutch TT; and in 2007 with Randy de Puniet at the Japanese Grand Prix. The ZX-RR struggled in 2008, with the best results being two fifth-place finishes from John Hopkins in Portugal and Anthony West in Brno. Hopkins and West blamed both a lack of feeling in the front end and rear traction on corner exit, a complaint Marco Melandri also had in 2009. During the 2008 season, Kawasaki announced its retirement from the MotoGP world championship. Forward Racing took over the ZX-RR as the Hayate racing team and recruited Marco Melandri to ride during the 2009 season; Melandri won fourth place. At the end of the season, Hayate withdrew from MotoGP. The bike, with some changes, has been ridden a few times since its last official appearance in 2014 under the name Avintia GP14.

## Riders

| Year | Rider | Rider | Rider | Rider | Rider |
| 2002 | Andrew Pitt | Akira Yanagawa | | | |
| 2003 | Alex Hofmann | Garry McCoy | Andrew Pitt | Akira Yanagawa | |
| 2004 | Alex Hofmann | Shinya Nakano | | | |
| 2005 | Alex Hofmann | Olivier Jacque | Shinya Nakano | | |
| 2006 | Randy de Puniet | Shinya Nakano | | | |
| 2007 | Randy de Puniet | Olivier Jacque | Fonsi Nieto | Anthony West | Akira Yanagawa |
| 2008 | / Jamie Hacking | John Hopkins | Anthony West | | |
| 2009 | Marco Melandri | | | | |

### As the Avintia GP14

| Year | Rider | Rider | Refs |
| 2013 | Héctor Barberá | | |
| 2014 | Héctor Barberá | Mike Di Meglio | |

## Specifications

| | 2002-2006 | 2007–2008 |
| Engine |||
| Type | Kawasaki four-stroke | Kawasaki four-stroke |
| Configuration | Inline four-cylinder | Inline four-cylinder |
| Induction System | DOHC, four valves per cylinder | DOHC Pneumatic system, four valves per cylinder |
| Displacement | 988 cc | 798 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 79mm x 50.4mm | 74mm x 46.4mm |
| Fuel | Elf Moto 4S GP 102 RON unleaded | Elf Moto 4S GP 102 RON unleaded |
| Lubricants | Elf Vent Vert Saeryoku 冴強 10W-50 Kawasaki genuine racing oil | Elf Vent Vert Saeryoku 冴強 10W-50 Kawasaki genuine racing oil |
| Lubrication | Wet sump | Wet sump |
| Fuel System | Electronic Fuel Injection | Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Exhaust System | Four-into-two-into-one | Titanium, four-into-two-into-one |
| Maximum Power | In excess of 240 bhp (180 kW) | In excess of 200 bhp (150 kW) |
| Maximum Speed | In excess of 320 km/h (200 mph) | In excess of 300 km/h (190 mph) |
| Transmission |||
| Gearbox | Six speed, cassette type | Six speed, cassette type |
| Primary Drive | Gear | Gear |
| Clutch | Dry multi-plate slipper clutch | Dry multi-plate slipper clutch |
| Final Drive | Chain | Chain |
| Chassis |||
| Frame | Aluminium twin-spar | Aluminium twin-spar |
| Front Suspension | Inverted telescopic forks | Inverted telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Unit-trak Monoshock |
| Steering Damper | Hydraulic Adjustable | Hydraulic Adjustable |
| Bodywork | Carbon Fibre | Carbon Fibre |
| Wheels | Front: 16.5 inch Rear: 16.5 inch | Front: 16.5 inch Rear: 16.5 inch |
| Tires | Bridgestone | Bridgestone |
| Brakes |||
| Front | 2 x 314 mm carbon discs, 2 x radial mount, monoblock, four piston calipers | 2 x 314 mm carbon discs, 2 x radial mount, monoblock, four piston calipers |
| Rear | 1 x 203 mm ventilated steel disc, 1 x four piston caliper | 1 x 200 mm ventilated steel disc, 1 x two piston caliper |
| Dimensions |||
| Wheelbase | Variable | 1,460 mm (57 in) |
| Overall Length | 2,090 mm (82 in) | 2,080 mm (82 in) |
| Castor (Rake/Trail) | Variable | Variable |
| Seat Height | 850 mm (33 in) | 850 mm (33 in) |
| Dry Weight | Over 145 kg (320 lb) | Over 148 kg (326 lb) |
| Fuel Capacity | 22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal) | 21 L (4.6 imp gal; 5.5 US gal) |
| Key Suppliers |||
| | Fuel: Elf Lubricants: Elf Tires: Bridgestone Brakes: Brembo Exhaust System: Akrapovic Data Acquisition System: 2D Datarecording Suspension: Öhlins Clutch: FCC Spark Plugs: NGK Sprockets: AFAM Chain: EK | Fuel: Elf Lubricants: Elf Tires: Bridgestone Brakes: Brembo Exhaust System: Akrapovic Data Acquisition System: 2D Datarecording Suspension: Öhlins Clutch: FCC Spark Plugs: NGK Sprockets: AFAM Chain: EK |