Tale of the Warrior

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. – Just as the 1973 Z1 motorcycle launched Kawasaki into the four-stroke Superbike era, the 1984 Ninja® 900R sportbike, also known as the GPz900R, massively advanced the breed with a sophisticated combination of aerodynamic styling, a racetrack-bred chassis, and liquid-cooled four-cylinder performance. With dual overhead camshafts, 16 valves, semi flat-slide carbs, and an internal counterbalance, its 908cc inline four produced liter-bike power for the time. It could also burn down the quarter mile in 11.18 seconds at 121.65 mph, as tested by Cycle World, and top out at 151 mph, making it the quickest and fastest production Kawasaki motorcycle to date. Equally important, the new Ninja 900R made riders look and feel great, with crisp handling, superb performance at high speeds, and forceful braking.

Technological advances abounded for Kawasaki within the Ninja 900R, including the first use of a new “diamond” frame that used the engine as a stressed member, a racing-derived 16-inch front wheel, and an anti-dive fork with air-assisted springs. The wind-cheating bodywork set the Ninja 900R motorcycle apart visually, and its one-year-only red and charcoal paint scheme made the ’84 model unmistakable.

In addition to these features, what really set the Ninja 900R apart was its name: Ninja. Mike Vaughan, the Director of Marketing for Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) at the time, had lived in Asia and knew about Japanese mythology and the Ninja warriors, legendary for their strength and stealth. He had named his Columbia 22 sailboat Ninja a full decade earlier, and when product planning started considering names for the new streetbike, Vaughan immediately thought, “Ninja!” It took some doing for the name to work its way through corporate channels, but after that, it was perfect. The Ninja name first appeared in the US market only, then expanded internationally.

The Ninja 900R worldwide press launch occurred in Monterey, California on December 7, 1983. Riding opportunities included a dragstrip competition at the Monterey Jet Center, followed by open lapping on the fast, original nine-turn Laguna Seca course. Others in the mix on the racetrack included the GPz750 Turbo, the GPz1100, and none other than 1983 AMA Superbike Champion Wayne Rainey. Recognizing the significance of the event for Kawasaki, Hiroshi “Henry” Noda, Vice President of Marketing at KMC, and Dr. Ohba, the President of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, LTD (KHI) at that time, were also present.

After earning numerous “bike of the year” awards, the Ninja 900R would soon be joined by the 1985 Ninja® 600R model, the original “600 class” supersport with a new-style perimeter frame that would influence sportbike design for decades. And today, the complete line of Ninja® sportbikes includes the Ninja H2™ and Ninja H2™R, Ninja® ZX™-14R, Ninja® ZX™-10R, Ninja® ZX™-6R, Ninja® 650 and Ninja® 300.

ABOUT KAWASAKI

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and Jet Ski® watercraft through a network of approximately 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,700 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 300 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.

Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles. Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com.

For More (From Roadracing World’s Archives), Watch This Video From The December 15-17, 1983 Ninja 900R Worldwide Press Intro At Laguna Seca, Including Cameos By John Ulrich And Wayne Rainey:

The video was shot by a TV show covering the worldwide press intro for the 1984 Kawasaki Ninja 900R, held at Laguna Seca Raceway on December 15-17, 1983. Among the magazine editors present is John Ulrich, at the time working for Cycle World.

Two months earlier, racer Ulrich and his teammates had clinched the 1983 Overall WERA National Endurance Championship. About seven years later, he would found Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine.

Also seen in the video is 1983 AMA Superbike Champion Wayne Rainey. He would be out of a job two weeks later, following Kawasaki’s decision to withdraw from AMA road racing despite winning the title. The company blamed a decline in streetbike sales.