HistoryZX7_01

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http://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/History.html

The ZXR Story

1988:Kawasaki built a racer called ZXR-7. This bike had an aluminium perimeter frame and a tuned GPX750

engine. From this bike the first of the ZXRs would be born.

The ZXR-7 continued its evolution through to 1994 when endurance regulations changed. Up until then the

ZXR-7, though sharing the looks of the ZXR range, was very much a prototype machine.

Here's some pictures of the 1991 ZXR-7

Click on the thumbnails for a bigger picture

IMPORTANT NOTE:Kawasaki in its wisdom decided to confuse us all by calling its range of 750 sportsbikes "ZX7

Ninja" in the US and "ZXR750" just about everywhere else. The Race homologation versions

got an extra R (ZX7R and ZXR750R respectively). In '96 they then decided to use the same

name worldwide so the standard version became the ZX7R and the Race homologation

version became the ZX7RR!

ZXR750, ZX7 (US) ZXR750R,ZX7R(US)

1989 ZXR H1:

The ZXR line

started with the "H"

models (called ZX7

in the US). The H1

looked uncannily

like the first model

of the ZXR-7racer. The rear

suspension was

very hard. This was chiefly due to the suspension

linkage and, to a lower extent, to the hard rear shock.

Spec at a glance:

105bhp (crank)

205Kg dry weight

No "R" version in 1989
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_1.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_2.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_2.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_2.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_2.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_2.jpghttp://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/History/Images/zxr-7_1.jpg

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Press HERE for full spec

1990 ZXR H2:

The H2

inherited most

of the Racekit

engine mods

found on the

ZXR-7.

Although the

H2 looks very

similar to the H1, both engine and frame underwent a

lot of changes. A host of carbs, radiator and engine

mods mean that parts are often not interchangeablewith the H1. The rear suspension was still pretty hard.

Spec at a glance:

107bhp (crank)

200Kg dry weight


No "R" version in 1990

1991-92 ZXR (J1, J2):

The ZXR was

overhauled and

the "J" models

were born. The

Js were

deliberately

restricted by

Kawasaki to

100bhp (and are hard to derestrict), but had very

good midrange. These were the first ZXRs with USD

fork and were overall lighter than both the preceeding

H models an later Ls and Ps. The engine was now

used as a stressed member to increase chassis rigidity.

The hard rear shock of the J1 was partially sorted with

the J2.

Spec at a glance:

1991-92 ZXR-R (K1, K2):

A Race

version

(superbike

omologation

special - "K"

model) was

also built,

but in limited

numbers.

This was called ZXR750R (or ZX7R in the US). The

race version had the same frame as the J models, but it

sported 39mm Keihin Flatslide carburettors, full

power engine, close ratio gearbox, alloy tank, fully

adjustable suspension front and rear, single seat and

was 5kg lighter than the J models. Both K1 and K2

have the same spec.

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100bhp (crank - restricted)

195Kg dry weight


Spec at a glance:

121bhp (crank)

190Kg dry weight


1993-95 ZXR (L1, L2, L3):

This was the first ZXR to

have Ram-air (one intake

on the left hand side of the

headlights).

The engine of the previous

years Race version ("K

models") was now fitted to all L models (minus theflatslides and the Close Ratio Gearbox). The rear

suspension was now sorted and much more compliant

than previous models thanks to a new and more linear

linkage and a new shock.

Spec at a glance:

119bhp (crank)

205Kg dry weight


1993-94 ZXR-R (M1, M2) there was no "R" in

95:

The race version

("M" model)

specification was as

for the previous K

model with the

addition of Ram-airand an adjustable swingarm pivot (adjustment is done

through the use of Kawasaki Racekit parts).

The M model got the J/K model's super stiff rear

suspension linkage instead of the softer (and better)

one mounted on the L models. Both M1 and M2 have

the same spec.

Spec at a glance:

121bhp (crank)

200Kg dry weight


1996 - Kawasaki renames the

latest models

ZX7R ZX7RR1996-today ZX7R (P1 - P7): 1996 ZX7RR (N1)- The ZX7RR was only

produced in '96:

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The name ZXR

was dropped and

both in Europe

and the US the

standard bike

was now called

ZX7R. The new

bike had ashorter

stroke/wider bore engine which gave it much more

midrange than previous models, Twin Ram-air intakes,

6 pot Tokiko brakes and suspension was now fully

adjustable front and rear.

Spec at a glance:

123bhp (crank)

203Kg dry weight


The race

version ("N"

model) had

a similar

spec to the

previous M

models

(althoughthe alloy

tank was now replaced by a steel one), but it now also

boasted an adjustable steering head angle (with

additional Kawasaki Racekit parts). The flatslide

carbs went from 39mm to 41mm. The suspension was

of higher spec and more adjustable than the standard

ZX7R and the braking was taken care of by a pair of

6 pot Nissins.

Spec at a glance:

121bhp (crank)

203Kg dry weight


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HistoryZX7_01