Summary

• The Kawasaki ZX-11 was a game-changer on the earth of superbikes, setting new requirements for high-performance bikes.
• Its groundbreaking design and technological improvements, such because the Ram Air system, paved the best way for future generations of bikes.
• The ZX-11’s enduring legacy can nonetheless be felt right this moment, as lots of its improvements have been included into newer Kawasaki fashions.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 was a game-changer on the earth of superbikes, paving the best way for future generations of high-performance bikes just like the GPX and GPZ did within the Eighties. It spent a while on the drafting board, however the one factor on Kawasaki’s thoughts was horsepower and pace – all the pieces else was secondary. When it was launched in 1990, for $7,599, it was the quickest manufacturing bike that you can purchase on the time.

From an engineering standpoint, it was a continuation of the event of the outdated ZX-10 that adopted the trail set by the GPz900R back in 1984. Though barely much like the ZX-10, little was interchangeable between each when it comes to components. The engine was spectacular and featured a crank with 1mm bigger crankpins, molybdenum connecting rods, and lighter 11:1 ratio pistons with precisely detailed valve aid cutouts. The valve practice was much like that of the ZX-10 with bigger consumption and exhaust valves of 31.5 mm and 27 mm respectively.

In order to provide the most modern and correct info potential, the information used to compile this text was sourced from Kawasaki, in addition to different authoritative sources like CycleWorld.com, and Motorcyclespecs.co.za.

Technology From Formula One Racing

One of the ZX-11’s most important options is the ground-breaking improvement and design of its Ram Air system (usually aspirated induction), a primary on a manufacturing bike, and is what provides it the additional push to hit its terminal velocity. With an hermetic, fifteen-liter airbox, with out Ram Air, the ZX-11 makes near roughly 120 bhp earlier than the induction system kicks in to max out at 147 bhp at 10,500 rpm.

The system works on the identical precept of Formula 1 racing automobiles – the faster it ran, the more powerful the engine would become with chilly air being thrust into its induction system via a snorkel opening constructed into the entrance fairing. With the airbox pressurized, the air-fuel combination routes via a single financial institution of 4, 40 mm CVKD semi-flat slide Keihin carburetors to be ignited within the combustion chambers.

Because of the house taken up by the airbox and the lengthy snorkel coming from the entrance of the fairing, Kawasaki engineers tilted the engine 2 levels ahead (17 levels from vertical) to make method for a big capability gas tank. With this adjustment, the Ninja advantages from a decrease heart of gravity in addition to elevated front-end weight that improved dealing with. The Ram Air system has become a standard feature on most high-performance motorcycles, and its affect might be seen within the designs of right this moment’s superbikes.

Engineered To Go Fast

Technologically well-engineered, the Ninja encompasses a liquid-cooled, inline-four, 1052cc, 16-valve DOHC engine that produces 83 foot-pounds of torque, due to its bigger 2mm liners pressed into the outdated ZX-10’s bore that provides the ZX-11’s motor 55 cc extra displacement over its predecessor. Its cylinder head lineage continues through the ZX line, with the one change being rocker arms given up for a shim bucket system the place deemed vital.

Its camshaft/valve practice system is extraordinarily environment friendly and sturdy with solely extraordinarily excessive mileage machines ever requiring valve clearance, which is definitely adjusted in case you’re mechanically inclined. Each of its 16 valves is operated by particular person rocker arms which might be laterally saved in place by a horizontally mounted spring that may be slid over to at least one aspect to vary shims throughout valve clearance whereas the camshafts are nonetheless in place. Its Keihin CV four-bank carburetor additionally requires little upkeep with the occasional synchronization, which, when required to be completed, is just not out of sync by a lot.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 Stock Highlights

• Aluminum twin-beam body that is as robust as metal
• Ram Air system based mostly on an outdated hot-rodder’s trick and Formula One expertise
• Self-adjusting cam chain tensioner retains the ZX-11’s cam chain taut
• The slippery bodywork has been designed by aerodynamic consultants
• The European model, the ZZR1100, is restricted to roughly 126 horsepower by a in another way designed carburetor cap

Engine Specifications

Chassis

To match the rise within the motor’s energy, Kawasaki bolstered the chassis with a brand new body and swingarm to deal with the acceleration and enhance the dealing with. The ZX-11’s new aluminum body might look much like that of the ZX-10 that includes a twin beam body, however the E-box foremost beams have been elevated by a thickness of 4 mm whereas the oblong swingarm field part is 90 mm by 30 mm thick, which can account for the 8 lb rise in weight over the 1989 ZX-10.

Suspension

On the suspension entrance, the ZX-11 has 43mm typical entrance forks, 2 mm up from its predecessor’s 41 mm, offering roughly 4.9 inches of journey, whereas the rear encompasses a nitrogen-charged shock absorber with a separate reservoir paired to a bottom-link Uni-Trak system. Both items are preload and rebound adjustable – with no scope for adjusting compression. Both parts do their duties properly, absorbing bumps and potholes and some other inconsistencies that the ZX-11 might discover within the highway.

Wheels, Brakes And Tires

The rims are new, as are the tires and brakes. The entrance and rear forged aluminum rims are 17″ in size to reduce rotational forces and are coated with a toughened clear coat to protect the surfaces and ride on 17″ Dunlop low-profile radial tires. In the braking division, upfront, the ZX-11 beneficial properties a brand new pair of Tokico four-piston calipers that grip semi-floating rotors 310 mm (borrowed from the ZX-7). At the identical time, the rear duties are carried out by a two-piston caliper gripping 310 mm rotors.

Ergonomics, Handling And Rideability

The Ninja’s a giant bike, coming in at 577 lbs moist, and it appears opposing in Kawasaki H8 ebony black, however when you’ve slung your leg over it and have gotten it going, it feels mild and simple to handle. It turns and handles properly, although, on high-speed runs via corners, the 11 may do with a rise in preload in case you’re pushing it.

Other than that, all you need to do is level the entrance and the rear follows, and in case you get right into a sticky scenario, the ZX-11 will get you out of bother. The rider triangle connection is good with no leg discomfort in any respect between seat and foot-pegs. The handlebar relationship is first rate too, with the handlebar pretty positioned when it comes to peak, although some riders might really feel that handlebar risers are with a purpose to stop weight being transferred to the wrists when leaning ahead.

The engine is extraordinarily refined due to the balancer shaft that counters any vibration from the four-cylinder bike, and the multi-plate moist clutch system mated to a six-speed transmission transfers energy to the rear wheel easily. The transmission is similar to the outdated ZX-10 with second through fourth gears made stronger to handle brute-force acceleration, whereas the clutch has been revised with thicker, bigger diameter plates with radial grooves to assist enhance oil circulate and improve cooling alongside its surfaces. Early ZX-11s did see gear-shifters coming out of second gear, however this was extra on account of abuse and poor upkeep relatively than manufacturing points.

Hard first-gear pulls rapidly see 60 miles per hour, however as you get into second and open the throttle exhausting, you’re thrown again such as you’re pulling a few Gs together with your palms virtually ripped from the handlebar grips. As you progress via the gears and get previous the 4,500 rpm flat spot, to five,000 rpm, the ZX-11 goes ballistic and the engine will get stronger because it retains accelerating as much as its 11,500 rpm redline.

t’s exhausting to explain its acceleration in case you haven’t ridden one, however it’s virtually akin to an F-14 Tomcat taking off down a runway! Its clean, curved aerodynamic entrance with flush-mounted indicators and streamlined decrease and aspect fairings reduce drag and improve stability at high speeds, and are what permit it to realize its record-breaking terminal velocity of 176 MPH (283 km/h) – Cycle World clocked 174 MPH on their ZX-11 with a standing quarter-mile run of 135.54 miles per hour in 10.46 seconds.

Taking The Kawasaki ZX-11 To The Next Level; Natural Induction.

Even at 175 miles per hour, (which remains to be fast when in comparison with a few of right this moment’s liter-class bikes), for some individuals its present efficiency was not sufficient, with engine builders and racers hell-bent on taking the Ninja ZX-11 to the following stage. In 1990, Doug Meyer, previously of Dublin Kawasaki set three information in three days on a modified naturally aspirated Kawasaki ZX-11 Ninja “C1” operating a 1109 cc Wiseco piston package with a 190.49 MPH run after which re-set the report with 191.797 miles per hour.

In 1991, he ran a one-off modified ZX-11 with digital gas injected developed and supplied by Mark Dobeck, founding father of DynoJet Research in a modified 1300 class with a 186+ run, however melted the pistons within the course of.

A Record Setting Machine

In 1992, Doug’s ZX-11 turned up at Motorcyclist Magazine’s “Superbikes from Hell” competitors with gas injection and set the second-fastest quarter-mile and high pace run with a time of 9.99 seconds and 188 miles per hour respectively, solely to be crushed by 2 miles per hour by Lee Sheirt’s nitrous Suzuki GSX-R 1350 with a 190 MPH move. In the article, Lance Holst mentioned:

Meyer’s ZX-11 pulled on the top-end with a vengeance I’ve by no means felt on some other usually aspirated bike.

The similar bike was entered that 12 months in Sport Rider’s journal UFO shootout operating a 1,080 cc engine, 41 mm carburetors and all carbon-fiber bodywork, Marchesini wheels, and a bunch of different modifications, however that is a narrative for an additional time.

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 would eventually lose its crown after being on high for six years, crushed by Honda’s Super Blackbird 1100XX. However, it was so standard that Kawasaki continued its manufacturing run with only one iteration of its design in 1993, the “D” mannequin, until 2001. Its legacy lives on within the Kawasaki line, with lots of its improvements included into newer fashions, such because the ZX-12R which was produced from 2000 to 2006, and the ZX-14R, which continues to be Kawasaki’s flagship bike.

In conclusion, the Kawasaki ZX-11 was a real pioneer on the earth of superbikes, paving the best way for future generations of high-performance bikes. Its groundbreaking design, engineering, and technological improvements set a brand new normal for the business, and its affect can nonetheless be felt right this moment. The ZX-11’s success and enduring legacy make it one of the vital bikes in historical past.

Additional Specifications