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
2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR 990cc MotoGP motorcycle
ManufacturerKawasaki
Production2002–2009
PredecessorKawasaki KR500
ClassMotoGP
Engine798cc 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 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]

Riders
YearRiderRiderRiderRiderRiderRefs
2002Australia Andrew PittJapan Akira Yanagawa[3][4][19]
2003Germany Alex HofmannAustralia Garry McCoyAustralia Andrew PittJapan Akira Yanagawa[20][21]
2004Germany Alex HofmannJapan Shinya Nakano[19]
2005Germany Alex HofmannFrance Olivier JacqueJapan Shinya Nakano[19][22][23]
2006France Randy de PunietJapan Shinya Nakano[19][14]
2007France Randy de PunietFrance Olivier JacqueSpain Fonsi NietoAustralia Anthony WestJapan Akira Yanagawa[14][24][25][26]
2008United Kingdom/United States Jamie HackingUnited States John HopkinsAustralia Anthony West[27][28]
2009Italy Marco Melandri[1]

As the Avintia GP14
YearRiderRiderRefs
2013Spain Héctor Barberá[18]
2014Spain Héctor BarberáFrance Mike Di Meglio[29][30]

Specifications
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

See also

References
  1. "Kawasaki to race as Hayate MotoGP in 2009". Motorcycle News. 2009-02-27. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  2. "Jacque gets positive impression from 2009 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR". MotoGP. 2008. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  3. "Akira Yanagawa excited by Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR future". MotoGP. 2002. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  4. McLaren, Peter (2002-10-11). "Pitt a hit with Kawasaki after 'remarkable' debut". Crash. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  5. "Shinya Nakano comments on his Kawasaki debut". MotoGP. 2004-01-27. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  6. "Nakano, Kawasaki ZX-RR to appear at England's largest motorcycle show". Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology. 2004-11-02. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  7. "Jacque makes dramatic comeback in China". MotoGP. 2005-05-01. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  8. "Nakano looks to carry momentum from second place finish at Assen to MotoGP at Donington Park". Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology. 2006-06-29. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  9. McLaren, Peter (2009-05-17). "Superb podium for Melandri". Crash. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  10. "John Hopkins is on the wave". Top Speed. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  11. "Career best West flies to fifth". MotoGP. 2008-08-17. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  12. "Valencian GP: Kawasaki Friday practice report". MotorSport. 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  13. Beeler, Jensen (2009-03-17). "Kawasaki to Drop Support for Hayate After Jerez Test". Asphalt & Rubber. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  14. Beeler, Jensen (2012-08-24). "XXX: Randy de Puniet's 2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR". Asphalt & Rubber. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  15. "The long-awaited return of MV Agusta to GP Motorcycle Racing". Motorcycle Daily. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  16. McLaren, Peter (2009-03-12). "Melandri to race Hayate in 2009". Crash. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  17. Beer, Matt (2009-03-01). "Kawasaki team to use Hayate title". Autosport. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  18. McLaren, Peter (2013-09-14). "Avintia debut pneumatic-valve Kawasaki engine". Crash. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  19. "2004 KAWASAKI ZX-RR MOTOGP MACHINE". Motorcycle News. 2019-02-01. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  20. "McCoy ready, and wild card Yanagawa will race Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR at Suzuka". Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology. 2003-02-14. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  21. "Alex Hofmann to ride Kawasaki as wild card at Jerez". Roadracing World and Motorcycle Technology. 2003-05-08. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  22. "Exhibition embarrassment for Kawasaki's Alex Hofmann". MotoGP. 2005-03-14. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  23. "Kawasaki encouraged by 2005 Ninja ZX-RR". MotoGP. 2005-01-25. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  24. "Kawasaki MotoGP team adds West, Jacque goes back to testing duty". Roadracing World and Motorcycle Technology. 2007-06-21. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  25. "Kawasaki Deny Contact With Fonsi Nieto". MotoGP. 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  26. "Yanagawa delighted with Kawasaki opportunity". MotoGP. 2007-09-20. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  27. "Ninja ZX-RR made stronger by Hopkins arrival". MotoGP. 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  28. Abrams, Henny Ray (2008-07-16). "Hacking to Make MotoGP Debut". CycleNews. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  29. Huber, Tim (2017-05-17). "Hector Barbera's Ride – Avintia GP14 2014 Kawasaki MotoGP Bike". Bike-urious. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  30. "Barbera and Di Meglio taking practical approach". MotoGP. 2014-03-10. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  31. "2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR Technical Specification". Kawasaki. n.d. Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
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