Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Kawasaki has released a second progress report on the Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP prototype with some new details of the bike’s make-up.

In the report, Kawasaki officials say they considered many different engine configurations for their first MotoGP racer and chose an Inline Four configuration for its “many technical advantages”, including evenly-spaced firing intervals that make intake and exhaust tuning easier, perfect primary balance eliminating the need for engine balancers, more room to fit the required long exhaust system, and the fact that the “compact cylinder head makes it much easier to mount in a frame”.

The frame is the second area highlighted in the report. Kawasaki engineers feel that improved casting methods and use of the best materials available will allow them to give the Ninja ZX-RR a light yet strong frame. With a computer-generated image, the Kawasaki men show that they intend to use a new, thin-wall casting technique in the swingarm pivot and steering head areas of the frame. The image also shows that Kawasaki engineers plan to feed air to the new engine through a single ram-air intake in the steering head.

The Ninja ZX-RR will use a new Keihin FCR-i fuel-injection system that uses slides in the throttle bodies rather than butterflies. Kawasaki engineers say that since the slide retracts completely out of the air/fuel stream it is better than a butterfly valve that remains in the intake path at wide-open throttle. A small high-speed generator driven off the clutch gear provides the electrical power to run the new EFI system.

The report finishes by saying the Kawasaki MotoGP racer will feature advanced aerodynamics and shows pictures of the same angular bodywork with sharp edges, raised creases and central ram air intake opening in the nose that can be seen in the August issue of Roadracing World.