The ZZ-R1100orZX-11 is a sport bikeinKawasaki'sNinja series made from 1989 to 2001, as the successor to the 1988–1990 Tomcat ZX-10. With a top speed of 272–283 km/h (169–176 mph), it was the fastest production motorcycle from its introduction until 1996, surpassed by the 270–290 km/h (170–180 mph) Honda CBR1100XX. It was marketed as the ZX-11 Ninja in North America and the ZZ-R1100 in the rest of the world. The C-model ran from 1989 to 1993 while the D-model ran from 1993 to 2001, when it was replaced by the ZZ-R1200 (ZX-12C) 2002-2005
Competition for fastest production motorcycle[edit]
With a record top speed of 272–283 km/h (169–176 mph), the ZX-11 was the fastest production motorcycle for six years, from its introduction in 1989 through 1995, when it was surpassed by the 1996 Honda CBR1100XX.[5][6][7][8] When the bike was introduced in 1989, the nearest production bike top speed was 16 km/h (9.9 mph) slower and it belonged to the ZX-10, the bike that Kawasaki was replacing with the ZX-11. The ZX-11 also had a ram air induction system.[4][6] The 1989 ZX-11 C1 model got a ram-air intake, the very first on any production motorcycle.[9][10] The 1997 ZX-11's quarter-mile time was 10.43 seconds at 211.45 km/h (131.39 mph).[5]
In 2000 the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R was introduced. The ZX-12R was designed to be more of a pure sport bike. It was much anticipated since the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa held the title for fastest production bike when it was introduced in 1999. European governments threatened to ban high speed motorcycles, leading Kawasaki to de-tune the ZX-12R prior to its release.[4][11][12][13][14] Starting at the very end of 1999, a gentlemen's agreement between larger European and Japanese manufacturers has limited production motorcycle top speeds to 300 km/h (186 mph),[4][11][1]
In 2002 the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 was released, which is a sport tourer and more akin to the ZX-11.
^Boule, Joe (21 July 2000), "Putting the brakes on big bikes: Kawasaki backs off 300 km/h barrier amid rumours of a speed cap; [Final Edition]", Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa, Ontario: James Orban, p. C.1.FRO, ISSN0839-3222
^Richardson, Mark (3 July 1999), "Adrenalin rush should not be a prelude to death; Young novices and fast bikes don't mix", Toronto Star (1st ed.), Toronto, Ontario: B.H. Honderich, p. 1, ISSN0319-0781
