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