History of Kawasaki® Sportbikes
Ninja® motorcycles from Kawasaki include many thrilling sportbike models. In 1980, Kawasaki manufactured sportbikes as part of their lineup and spent decades developing their performance. The history of sportbike manufacturing at Kawasaki has been full of innovation and genius. Find out more about the legendary background of Kawasaki® sportbike models below. The latest deals on incredible powersports vehicles are waiting for you at Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont, Texas. We are proud to help customers from Lake Charles and Pasadena, Texas, make a selection.
The 1980s
Kawasaki kicked off their Ninja sportbike lineup with the GPZ900R released in 1984. This motorcycle was the first liquid-cooled, dual overhead camshaft bike on the market. At the time, Ninja was extremely popular in the motorcycle industry. This sportbike model was dubbed the fasted bike in the world, with a top speed of 250 km/h.
After that, Kawasaki continued to release new Ninja models, including the ZX-10 in 1988 and the ZX-7 in 1989. The ZX-10 helped earn Kawasaki another top spot as the fastest motorcycle in the world. The ZX-7 featured incredible innovations to enhance the performance, including a twin-tube aluminum frame.
The 1990s
The 1990s was a period of rapid advancement for Kawasaki. Ninja added incredible sportbike models, like the ZX-11 and the ZX-9R. The ZX-11 used the first Ram Air System in the world. Kawasaki was very focused on pushing the boundaries of power, and the ZX-11 could reach speeds of 320 km/h. The ZX-9R was a super sportbike model that combined impeccable handling and maximum power. By 1998, the ZX-9R was even lighter, smaller, and more robust.
The 2000s
The 2000s opened with the release of the flagship model of the supersport Ninja Series, the ZX-12R. This sportbike had the first mass-produced aluminum monocoque frame. And a few years later, Kawasaki reimagined the original GPZ900R for Ninja's 20th anniversary. The result was the ZX-10R, which won two "Master Bike" titles.
The 2010s
In 2011, the ZX-10R was released with a new and improved design. This new sportbike put a more powerful engine on a lighter frame. Kawasaki devoted the rest of the 2010s to trailblazing innovations. One example was the Ninja 1000, which introduced a more versatile sportbike for everyone to the Kawasaki lineup.
You can learn more about Kawasaki sportbike models when you stop in at a local dealership near you. You may find the Ninja sportbike of your dreams. Visit Cowboy Powersports, and our staff will give you the best information on new powersports vehicle models from Kawasaki and other brands. Our dealership, located in Beaumont, Texas, welcomes customers from Pasadena and Lake Charles, Texas.