1984

Ninja Named "Bike of the Year"
The Ninja rocks the world when it is released. The new model is equipped with Kawasaki’s first liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine mounted in a light, compact chassis. With its phenomenal top speed and quarter-mile times the Ninja rewrites the motorcycle record books. When sales start in 1984, it is named “Bike of the Year” by magazines around the world. Its side-drive cams, diamond frame, unique full fairing and other features that distinguish it from competing models earn it great popularity.

1985

Birth of the 600 Class
Excellent brakes and suspension and an original design make the Ninja 600R extremely popular; it becomes a best seller as soon as its sales commence. Kawasaki’s unique sports bike philosophy, evidenced by the modern design of its newly developed perimeter-style frame, sets the new machine apart from competing models. As the first middleweight to offer engine, chassis and aerodynamic performance levels to rival larger-displacement bikes, the Ninja 600R is often credited with the creation of the 600cc supersport class.

1986

Creating a Better Ninja
Step one: Increase the displacement of the Ninja engine to 997 cm3 and tune it for even greater maximum horsepower. Step two: Mount this engine in an all-new, high-rigidity, perimeter frame. Step three: Use 16-inch wheels with a wide profile tyres front and rear. Then, to ensure that the Ninja 1000R looks as fast as it goes, craft built-in turn signals for the aerodynamic fairing to further reduce wind resistance. The result? A better Ninja!

1988

Perfomance King
The Ninja ZX-10 is powered by a newly designed 997 cm3 engine. This potent power unit is mounted in an ultra-rigid aluminium e-BOX frame developed with feedback from Kawasaki’s works racers. With a light weight of 225 kg, it has a phenomenal top speed, ensuring Kawasaki’s continued reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance machines.

1989

Works Racer DNA
In the debut year of the new ZXR series, the top model ZXR750 is christened “Ninja” in the North American market. Not only is the Ninja ZX-7’s styling straight from the ZXR-7 works racer, its liquid-cooled, DOHC 16-valve In-Line Four engine, twin-tube aluminium frame and basic layout were also almost the same as the ZXR-7’s. Its incredible performance sets new standards for 750cc class machines.