• Kawasaki ZX12R Ninja

With the Kawasaki ZX12R Ninja, Kawasaki plunged into the high-performance sportbike war raging among the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. The Ninja's liquid-cooled, 1199cc DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine generates a peak power of 178 bhp at 10500 rpm.

The Kawasaki Ninja's revolutionary all-aluminium monocoque frame and cast steering swingarm pivot areas realise an extremely stiff structure and contribute to the bike's superb high-speed stability and supersport handling performance.

The ZX12R's wind-tunnel designed fairing was developed with help from Kawasaki's aircraft division and the redesigned upper cowl has a shorter nose for improved aerodynamics and a sportier look. In honour of an agreement reached among Japanese manufacturers, starting with 2001 models, Kawasaki introduced speed limiters in the ZX-12R to reduce the bike's top speed to 300 km/h.

Kawasaki ZX12R Ninja Technical Specifications
Engine Four-stroke, DOHC, inline four
Displacement 1,198cc
Starting Electric
Bore x stroke 83.0 x 55.4mm
Compression ratio 12.2:1
Cooling Liquid
Carburetion Fuel injection with 46mm throttle bodies and sub throttles
Ignition Digital
Transmission Six-speed
Frame Aluminum monocoque
Rake / trail 23.5° / 3.9 in.
Suspension (front) 43mm inverted hydraulic telescopic fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload
Suspension ( rear) UNI-TRAK® system with single shock, adjustable compression and rebound damping, adjustable ride height, and adjustable preload
Wheel el (front) 4.7 in.
Wheel travel (rear) 5.5 in.
Tire (front) 120/70 x 17 tubeless
Tire (rear) 200/50 x 17 tubeless
Front brake 320mm dual hydraulic discs
Rear brake 230 single hydraulic disc
Overall length 82.1 in.
Overall width 29.1 in.
Overall height 47.2 in.
Ground clearance 4.7 in.
Seat height 32.3 in.
Dry weight 463 lbs.
Fuel capacity 5.0 gal.
Wheelbase 57.1 in.