Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

The Ninja ZX-RR is a race bike from Kawasaki, which raced in the MotoGP world championship until 2009.^[1][2] The bike made its debut towards the end of the 2002 MotoGP season with riders Andrew Pitt (Australia) and Akira Yanagawa (Japan).^[3][4]

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Production	2002–2009
Predecessor	Kawasaki KR500
Class	MotoGP
Engine	798cc four-stroke inline-four DOHC (2007–2008)

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.^[5][6] The bike earned second place over the next three years: in 2005 with Olivier Jacque at the Chinese Grand Prix;^[7] in 2006 with Nakano at the Dutch TT;^[8] and in 2007 with Randy de Puniet at the Japanese Grand Prix.^[9] The ZX-RR struggled in 2008, with the best results^{[citation needed]} being two fifth-place finishes from John Hopkins in Portugal and Anthony West in Brno.^[10][11] 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.^[12][13] During the 2008 season, Kawasaki announced its retirement from the MotoGP world championship.^[14] 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.^{[15][1][13][16]} At the end of the season, Hayate withdrew from MotoGP.^[17] The bike, with some changes, has been ridden a few times since its last official appearance in 2014 under the name Avintia GP14.^[18]

Riders

Year	Rider	Rider	Rider	Rider	Rider	Refs
2002	Andrew Pitt	Akira Yanagawa				[3][4][19]
2003	Alex Hofmann	Garry McCoy	Andrew Pitt	Akira Yanagawa		[20][21]
2004	Alex Hofmann	Shinya Nakano				[19]
2005	Alex Hofmann	Olivier Jacque	Shinya Nakano			[19][22][23]
2006	Randy de Puniet	Shinya Nakano				[19][14]
2007	Randy de Puniet	Olivier Jacque	Fonsi Nieto	Anthony West	Akira Yanagawa	[14][24][25][26]
2008	/ Jamie Hacking	John Hopkins	Anthony West			[27][28]
2009	Marco Melandri					[1]

As the Avintia GP14

Year	Rider	Rider	Refs
2013	Héctor Barberá		[18]
2014	Héctor Barberá	Mike Di Meglio	[29][30]

Specifications

	2002-2006[31]	2007–2008
Engine
Type	Kawasaki four-stroke
Configuration	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
Lubricants	Elf Vent Vert Saeryoku 冴強 10W-50 Kawasaki genuine racing oil
Lubrication	Wet sump
Fuel System	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
Primary Drive	Gear
Clutch	Dry multi-plate slipper clutch
Final Drive	Chain
Chassis
Frame	Aluminium twin-spar
Front Suspension	Inverted telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Monoshock	Unit-trak Monoshock
Steering Damper	Hydraulic Adjustable
Bodywork	Carbon Fibre
Wheels	Front: 16.5 inch Rear: 16.5 inch
Tires	Bridgestone
Brakes
Front	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
Seat Height	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

See also

• Honda RC212V
• Suzuki GSV-R
• Yamaha YZR-M1
• Aprilia RS Cube
• Ducati Desmosedici