World's First 9.7 Second 1/4 mile Production Sportbike

(clocked at 9.7 seconds by Ricky Gadson, a professional drag racer, in Dec 98)

Muzzy stainless pipe 4 into 1 with carbon fiber canister

Metzler MEZ 3 Racing tires front and rear

Standard Features

899cc, High-Compression Four-Cylinder Engine

• Large bore with ultra-short stroke maximizes valve diameters for powerful breathing and minimizes piston speed for reliability
• Four large valves per cylinder are activated by bucket tappets for the ultimate in high rpm reliability
• Compact design lowers weight and allows more room for intake, exhaust, and cooling systems
• The alternator is at the end of the crankshaft to save weight and cut mechanical friction losses; rare earth magnets in the alternator are very powerful for efficient charging, but light in weight
• Magnesium covers are used on the cylinder head, clutch, alternator, ignition pickups, and the engine sprocket
• Titanium muffler case is used on "49-state" models

Catalytic Converter for California Model

• Catalytic converter cuts exhaust emissions while allowing full power output
• Pre-converter is hidden in the exhaust pipe, main converter is in the muffler so nothing shows, no ugly add-ons

All Electric Instrumentation

• Electric tachometer, speedometer are compact and lightweight
• LCD clock, odometer, trip meter, and coolant temperature gauge with LED warning light

Kawasaki Throttle Responsive Ignition Control (K-TRIC)

• A throttle position sensor tells the ignition control unit how hard the engine is working so that its micro-computer can determine the best ignition timing for more power and better fuel economy

Six-Speed Transmission

• Involute spline shafts decrease shift effort
• Chrome plated shift fork fingers are more durable
• The cable operated clutch has a smooth, light feel, and weighs less than the hydraulic unit

Spark Plug-Mounted Ignition Coils

• Four small ignition coils are in the spark plug caps, reducing overall weight and taking up less room

Liquid Cooling

• The automatic fan is offset to the left behind the curved radiator to save space and keep the engine cooler in traffic
• The temperature gauge is an LCD bar, and includes an LED warning light

Lightweight Aluminum Perimeter Frame

• The frame has no down tubes to save weight

Extruded Aluminum Swingarm

• Massive extruded aluminum beams are welded together to form a swingarm with extra rigidity and less weight for good handling under extreme conditions

46mm, Fully-Adjustable, Conventional Cartridge-Type Front Fork

• Front fork is light-weight for high performance, compliant for rider comfort, and rigid for extraordinary handling
• It features adjustable spring preload, and compression and rebound damping to match rider weight and riding style to the road conditions

Light Weight Disc Brakes

• Minimize unsprung weight, for sharp, precise handling
• Tokico 6-piston calipers up front maximize effective disc diameter for precise, powerful brake feel

1998 Kawasaki ZX 9R Specifications

Front

Rear

Front/Rear

Front

Rear