Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11

Ninja ZX-11
Manufacturer Kawasaki
Also called ZZ-R1100
Predecessor ZX-10
Successor ZZ-R1200/ZX-12R
Class Sport bike or sport tourer
Engine 1,052 cc (64.2 cu in) 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled
Top speed 169 mph (272 km/h)[1]
Power 145 bhp (108 kW) @ 9400 rpm (claimed)[2]
133 hp (99 kW)[1]
Torque 78.8 lb·ft (106.8 N·m)[1]
Transmission 6 speed
Weight 604 lb (274 kg)[1] (wet)
Fuel consumption 42.7 mpg-US (5.51 L/100 km; 51.3 mpg-imp)[1]
1992 Kawasaki ZX-11 C Model

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 (or ZZ-R1100) is a motorcycle that was produced from 1990 to 2001. It was marketed as the ZX-11 Ninja in North America and the ZZ-R1100 in the rest of the world. The C-model ran from 1990 to 1993 while the D-model ran from 1993 to 2001. The ZX-10 was the predecessor of the ZX-11 Ninja.

Competition for fastest production motorcycle

With a record top speed of 169–175 mph (272–282 km/h) the ZX-11 was the fastest production motorcycle for six years, from its introduction in 1990 through 1995, when it was surpassed by the 1996 Honda CBR1100XX.[1][3][4][5] When the bike was introduced in 1990, the nearest production bike top speed was 16 km/h (9.9 mph) slower and it belonged to the ZX-10, the bike that Kawasaki was replacing with the ZX-11. The 1997 ZX-11's quarter mile time was 10.43 seconds at 131.39 mph (211.45 km/h).[1] The ZX-11 also had a ram air induction system.[3][2]

In 2000 the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R was introduced. The ZX-12 was designed to be more of a pure sportbike. It was much anticipated since the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa held the title for fastest production bike when it was introduced in 1999. European governments threatened to ban high speed motorcycles, leading Kawasaki to de-tune the ZX-12R prior to its release.[6][7][8][9][2] Starting in 2000, a gentlemen's agreement between larger European and Japanese manufacturers has limited production motorcycle top speeds to 300 km/h (186 mph),[6][2] though by 2007 MV Agusta, and Ducati in 2013, had begun to release bikes that exceeded 300 km/h.[10][11][12]

In 2002 the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 was released, which is a sport tourer and more akin to the ZX-11.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Performance Index '10", Motorcycle Consumer News (Bowtie Magazines), 2010, retrieved 2011-02-14
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Ker, Rod (2007), Classic Japanese Motorcycle Guide, Sparkford, UK: Haynes Publishing, p. 226–227, 230, ISBN 184425335X
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Brown, Roland (2006), The Ultimate History of Fast Motorcycles, Bath, UK: Parragon, pp. 214–215, ISBN 1-4054-7303-7
  4. ↑ Holmstrom, Darwin (2001), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles (2nd ed.), Alpha Books, p. 346, ISBN 0-02-864258-9
  5. ↑ Hunt, Phil; McKay, Malcolm; Wilson, Hugo; Robinson, James (2012), Duckworth, Mick, ed., Motorcycle: The Definitive Visual History, DK Publishing, Penguin Group, p. 193, ISBN 978-1-46540-088-8Duckworth says the ZZ-R1100 became the fastest production bike in 1994, not 1990. Need to follow up and clarify.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brown, Roland (2 October 1999), "200mph superbike has its makers scared; [1F Edition]", The Times (London, UK: News Corporation): 53, ISSN 0140-0460
  7. ↑ Boule, Joe (21 July 2000), "Putting the brakes on big bikes: Kawasaki backs off 300 km/h barrier amid rumours of a speed cap; [Final Edition]", Ottawa Citizen (Ottawa, Ontario: James Orban): C.1.FRO, ISSN 0839-3222
  8. ↑ Cole, Bernard (14 March 1999), "High-speed fears over superbikes. [Early Edition]", Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, UK: Trinity Mirror): 6, ISSN 0039-5242
  9. ↑ Richardson, Mark (3 July 1999), "Adrenalin rush should not be a prelude to death; Young novices and fast bikes don't mix; [1 Edition]", Toronto Star (Toronto, Ontario: B.H. Honderich): 1, ISSN 0319-0781
  10. ↑ Blake Conner (March 22, 2013), Ducati 1199 Panigale R First Ride, Cycle World, retrieved 2013-04-20, [T]he R doesn’t have an electronic governor to prevent it from exceeding the 186-mph limit agreed upon by the motorcycle manufacturers for more than a decade ... This may well be the fastest stock, production model currently made.
  11. ↑ Corbetta, Luigi (2010), Legendary motorcycles, Translated by Marco Visenti, VMB Publishers, pp. 280–283, ISBN 978-88-540-1538-8 As reported in Motociclismo magazine (Italy)
  12. ↑ Brown, Roland (June 2007), "High-rollin' rocketship: from Italy with love, the world's fastest production motorcycle.", Motorcyclist: 54+, retrieved 2012-04-28
Records
Preceded by
Bimota YB6 EXUP		 Fastest production motorcycle
1990–1996 		Succeeded by
Honda CBR1100XX