Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Production	2002–2009
Class	MotoGP
Engine	798 cc four-stroke I4 (2007–2008)

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

In 2004 Shinya Nakano joined the team and managed to get ZX-RR's first podium with a third place at the Japanese Grand Prix. In 2005, Olivier Jacque scored a second place at the Chinese Grand Prix. The next year Nakano finished second at the Dutch TT. In 2007, Randy de Puniet scored a second place at the Japanese Grand Prix. In 2008 John Hopkins and Anthony West rode the machine.

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. Previous ZX-RRs have been difficult to ride, but beyond the limited statements by the riders it is unclear what the problems with the 2008 bike were.

At the end of the 2008 season, Kawasaki announced its retirement from the MotoGP world championship.

Riders

2002: Andrew Pitt
2003: Garry McCoy, Alex Hofmann, Andrew Pitt
2004: Shinya Nakano, Alex Hofmann
2005: Shinya Nakano, Olivier Jacque, Alex Hofmann
2006: Shinya Nakano, Randy de Puniet
2007: Randy de Puniet, Anthony West, Olivier Jacque, Fonsi Nieto (1 race), Akira Yanagawa (1 race)
2008: John Hopkins, Anthony West, Jamie Hacking (1 race)
2009: Marco Melandri Hayate Racing Team

	2006	2007
Engine
Type	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
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
	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

External links

• Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-RR (official site), archived from the original on 23 May 2008