The Ninja ZX-RR is a race bike from Kawasaki, which raced in the MotoGP world championship until 2009. The bike made its debut towards the end of the 2002 MotoGP season with riders Andrew Pitt (Australia) and Akira Yanagawa (Japan).
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. The bike earned second place over the next three years: in 2005 with Olivier Jacque at the Chinese Grand Prix; in 2006 with Nakano at the Dutch TT; and in 2007 with Randy de Puniet at the Japanese Grand Prix.
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, a complaint Marco Melandri also had in 2009. During the 2008 season, Kawasaki announced its retirement from the MotoGP world championship.
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. At the end of the season, Hayate withdrew from MotoGP. The bike, with some changes, has been ridden a few times since its last official appearance in 2014 under the name Avintia GP14.
Riders Year Rider Rider Rider Rider Rider Refs 2002 Andrew Pitt Akira Yanagawa 2003 Alex Hofmann Garry McCoy Andrew Pitt Akira Yanagawa 2004 Alex Hofmann Shinya Nakano 2005 Alex Hofmann Olivier Jacque Shinya Nakano 2006 Randy de Puniet Shinya Nakano 2007 Randy de Puniet Olivier Jacque Fonsi Nieto Anthony West Akira Yanagawa 2008 / Jamie Hacking John Hopkins Anthony West 2009 Marco Melandri
As the Avintia GP14 Year Rider Rider Refs 2013 Héctor Barberá 2014 Héctor Barberá Mike Di Meglio
Specifications 2002-2006 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 In excess of Maximum Speed In excess of In excess of 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 inchRear: 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 Overall Length Castor (Rake/Trail) Variable Seat Height Dry Weight Over Over Fuel Capacity Key Suppliers Fuel: Elf Lubricants: Elf Tires: BridgestoneBrakes: BremboExhaust System: AkrapovicData Acquisition System: 2D DatarecordingSuspension: ÖhlinsClutch: FCCSpark Plugs: NGKSprockets: AFAMChain: EK
See also Honda RC212V Suzuki GSV-R Yamaha YZR-M1 Aprilia RS Cube Ducati Desmosedici
References