Kawasaki GPZ900R

Kawasaki GPZ900R
ManufacturerKawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company
Also calledKawasaki Ninja 900[1]
Parent companyKawasaki Heavy Industries
Production1984–2003[2]
SuccessorKawasaki GPZ1000RX
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
ClassSport bike
Engine908 cc (55.4 cu in), 4-stroke, transverse 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder[3][4][5]
Bore / stroke72.5 mm × 55 mm (2.85 in × 2.17 in)
Top speed151 mph (243 km/h)[3] 158 mph (254 km/h)[5]
Power115 bhp (86 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (1986)[3][4] 108 bhp (81 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (1990 Europe)[4] 100 bhp (75 kW) @ 9,500 rpm (1990 Europe)[6] 89 bhp (66 kW) @ 9,000 rpm (1986 Japan)[4]
Torque85 N⋅m (63 lb⋅ft) @ 8,500 rpm[4]
83 N⋅m (61 lb⋅ft) @ 8,500 rpm (Europe)[4]
72 N⋅m (53 lb⋅ft) @ 6,500 rpm (Japan)[4]
Transmission6-speed constant mesh, return shift. Wet multi-disc clutch. Chain drive.
SuspensionFront: telescopic fork, air
Rear: Uni-Trak, air shock
BrakesFront: dual disc
Rear: single disc
TiresTubeless
120/80-16 (front) (A1 - A6)
130/80-18 (rear) (A1 - A6)
120/70-17 (front) (A7-A8)
150/70-18 (rear) (A7 - A8)[4]
Rake, trail29°, 114 mm (4.5 in)
Wheelbase1,495 mm (58.9 in)
DimensionsL: 2,200 mm (87 in)
W: 750 mm (30 in)
H: 1,215 mm (47.8 in)
Seat height780 mm (31 in)
Weight228 kg (503 lb)[4]
249 kg (549 lb) (Europe)[clarification needed][6] 234 kg (516 lb) (Europe)[clarification needed][4] (dry)
Fuel capacity22 L (4.8 imp gal; 5.8 US gal)
Reserve: 4 L (0.88 imp gal; 1.1 US gal)[4]
RelatedKawasaki GPZ1000RX
Kawasaki GPZ750R

The Kawasaki GPZ900R (also known as the ZX900A or Ninja 900) is a motorcycle that was manufactured by Kawasaki from 1984 to 2003. It is the earliest member of the Ninja family of sport bikes. The 1984 GPZ900R (or ZX900A-1) was a revolutionary design[1][3] that became the immediate predecessor of the modern-day sport bike.[5] Developed in secret over six years, it was Kawasaki's and the world's first 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder motorcycle engine.[3][7][8]

The 908 cc four-cylinder engine delivered 115 bhp (86 kW), allowing the bike to reach speeds of 151 mph (243 km/h), making it the first stock road bike to exceed 150 mph (240 km/h).[3]

Prior to its design, Kawasaki envisioned producing a sub-liter engine that would be the successor to the Z1.[3] Although its steel frame, 16-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, air suspension, and anti-dive forks were fairly standard at that time, the narrow, compact engine[5] was mounted lower in the frame, allowing it to take Japanese superbike performance to a new level.[3] Six months after being unveiled to the press in December 1983, dealers entered three works GPZ900R bikes in the Isle of Man Production TT finishing in first and second places.[3][5][9][10]

  1. ^ a b Kawasaki Museum GPZ900R History, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 2008, archived from the original on 2007-06-25
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Walker2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Krens (2001) p. 356
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kawasaki Museum GPZ900R Specifications, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, 2008, archived from the original on 2009-06-19
  5. ^ a b c d e Walker (2006) pp. 174-5
  6. ^ a b Workshop Manual[clarification needed]
  7. ^ Walker (2006) p. 172
  8. ^ Siegal, Margie (January–February 2007). "Kawasaki KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  9. ^ Isle of Man TT Official Site . TT 1984 Production 751-1500cc Results, IOM Government Department of Tourism and Leisure by Duke Marketing Ltd., 2009
  10. ^ Walker (2003) p. 140