 | |
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002–2009 |
| Predecessor | Kawasaki KR500 |
| Class | MotoGP |
| Engine | 798cc four-stroke inline-four DOHC (2007–2008) |
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]
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 2009 under the name Avintia GP14.[18]
| 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] |
| Year | Rider | Rider | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Héctor Barberá |
[18] | |
| 2014 | Héctor Barberá |
Mike Di Meglio |
[29][30] |
| 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 | 990 cc | 798 cc |
| 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 | ||