Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

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)

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]

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 2014 under the name Avintia GP14.[18]

Riders

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

As the Avintia GP14

Year Rider Rider Refs
2013 Spain Héctor Barberá [18]
2014 Spain Héctor Barberá France Mike Di Meglio [29][30]

Specifications

2002-2006[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 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 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b "Akira Yanagawa excited by Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR future". MotoGP. 2002. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Beeler, Jensen (2009-03-17). "Kawasaki to Drop Support for Hayate After Jerez Test". Asphalt & Rubber. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  14. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b McLaren, Peter (2013-09-14). "Avintia debut pneumatic-valve Kawasaki engine". Crash. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  19. ^ a b c d "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.