When you sit on this bike and see the 200mph speedo, you just know it’s going to be fast.

When it was launched in 1990, Kawasaki’s ZZR1100 immediately became the world’s fastest bike with a true 170mph plus top speed, but time does not stand still and it was soon deposed from its throne by Honda’s Blackbird and Suzuki’s Hayabusa. These rivals do nothing to tarnish the awesome ZZR, but make it seem a little bit more affordable, with everyone clamouring for the newer metal.

The breath-taking power does not make the ZZR a  difficult bike to ride, in fact it is surprisingly easy to ride, it’s at home whether travelling to work or the South of France. It makes no difference at all to the big Kwak. The fantastically aerodynamic fairing lets the wind pass over rider and bike making progress effortless. Talking of progress this bike will reach 85mph in first gear! Second gives over 120mph and by the time you change up into 6th at 170mph who cares any more if a Hayabusa is a few miles faster. A true 180mph is top whack confirmed by a MCN road test, showing just short of 200mph on the clock.

The riding position suits taller riders, with a stretched forward pose most will find it comfortable enough on longer journeys.

The engine is a liquid cooled 1052cc 16-valve DOHC four-stroke in-line four cylinder with four Keihin carbs and puts out 125bhp and a massive 82 ft-lbs. of torque.

Chassis is aluminium twin-spar with 43mm forks at the front with adjustment for pre-load and rebound. Single shock at the rear with rising rate linkage, again with adjustment for pre-load and rebound damping. Brakes are 320mm discs at the front with 4-piston calipers a 250mm rear disc with a single piston caliper.

Kawasaki have now revealed the new ZZ-R1200 for 2002

Any information on this model you would like to see included you can send it here

Last updated 03/03/02