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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-7
racer. 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
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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 interchangeable
with the H1. The rear suspension was still pretty hard.
Spec at a glance:
107bhp (crank)
200Kg dry weight
Press HERE for full spec
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
Press HERE for full spec
Spec at a glance:
121bhp (crank)
190Kg dry weight
Press HERE for full spec
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 the
flatslides 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
Press HERE for full spec
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-air
and 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
Press HERE for full spec
1996 - Kawasaki renames the
latest models
ZX7R
ZX7RR
1996-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 a
shorter
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
Press HERE for full spec
The race
version ("N"
model) had
a similar
spec to the
previous M
models
(although
the 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
Press HERE for full spec
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