Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

Last updated
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR
Kawasaki ZX-RR 2007TMS.jpg
Manufacturer Kawasaki
Production2002–2009
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]

Contents

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 2009 under the name Avintia GP14. [18]

Riders

YearRiderRiderRiderRiderRiderRefs
2002 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Pitt Flag of Japan.svg Akira Yanagawa [3] [4] [19]
2003 Flag of Germany.svg Alex Hofmann Flag of Australia (converted).svg Garry McCoy Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Pitt Flag of Japan.svg Akira Yanagawa [20] [21]
2004 Flag of Germany.svg Alex Hofmann Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Nakano [19]
2005 Flag of Germany.svg Alex Hofmann Flag of France.svg Olivier Jacque Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Nakano [19] [22] [23]
2006 Flag of France.svg Randy de Puniet Flag of Japan.svg Shinya Nakano [19] [14]
2007 Flag of France.svg Randy de Puniet Flag of France.svg Olivier Jacque Flag of Spain.svg Fonsi Nieto Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony West Flag of Japan.svg Akira Yanagawa [14] [24] [25] [26]
2008 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg / Flag of the United States.svg Jamie Hacking Flag of the United States.svg John Hopkins Flag of Australia (converted).svg Anthony West [27] [28]
2009 Flag of Italy.svg Marco Melandri [1]

As the Avintia GP14

YearRiderRiderRefs
2013 Flag of Spain.svg Héctor Barberá [18]
2014 Flag of Spain.svg Héctor Barberá Flag of France.svg Mike Di Meglio [29] [30]

Specifications

2006 [31] 2007–2008
Engine
Type Kawasaki four-stroke
ConfigurationInline four-cylinder
Induction SystemDOHC, four valves per cylinderDOHC Pneumatic system, four valves per cylinder
Displacement990 cc798 cc
Fuel Elf Moto 4S GP 102 RON unleaded
Lubricants Elf Vent Vert Saeryoku 冴強 10W-50 Kawasaki genuine racing oil
LubricationWet sump
Fuel SystemElectronic Fuel Injection
Exhaust SystemFour-into-two-into-oneTitanium, four-into-two-into-one
Maximum PowerIn excess of 240 bhp (180 kW)In excess of 200 bhp (150 kW)
Maximum SpeedIn excess of 320 km/h (200 mph)In excess of 300 km/h (190 mph)
Transmission
GearboxSix speed, cassette type
Primary DriveGear
ClutchDry multi-plate slipper clutch
Final DriveChain
Chassis
FrameAluminium twin-spar
Front SuspensionInverted telescopic forks
Rear SuspensionMonoshockUnit-trak Monoshock
Steering DamperHydraulic Adjustable
BodyworkCarbon Fibre
WheelsFront: 16.5 inch
Rear: 16.5 inch
Tires Bridgestone
Brakes
Front2 x 314 mm carbon discs, 2 x radial mount, monoblock, four piston calipers
Rear1 x 203 mm ventilated steel disc, 1 x four piston caliper1 x 200 mm ventilated steel disc, 1 x two piston caliper
Dimensions
WheelbaseVariable1,460 mm (57 in)
Overall Length2,090 mm (82 in)2,080 mm (82 in)
Castor (Rake/Trail)Variable
Seat Height850 mm (33 in)
Dry WeightOver 145 kg (320 lb)Over 148 kg (326 lb)
Fuel Capacity22 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

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References

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