KAWASAKI ZX-9R Ninja (1996-1997) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja was a sports motorcycle part of the Ninja sports series in Kawasaki's range. The bike debuted in 1994, replacing the Kawasaki GPZ900R, and was manufactured until 2003, when it was replaced by the Ninja ZX-10R.

In 1996, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja, a sports motorcycle that featured several modifications in the suspension, braking, and performance departments.

For the 1996 model year, the maker increased the power output from 139 to 141 hp, the rear spring, and suspension linkage were replaced for better handling, the transmission was made stronger, replaced the four-piston front calipers with six-piston ones, and it received passenger grab rails.

In the visual department, the bike was similar to its predecessor, packing standard features, such as a full fairing, a windscreen, a two-piece dual seat with grab rails, a four-into-one exhaust system with a silencer on the right side, and three-spoke aluminum wheels.

The bike was built around a twin-spar aluminum frame with a 43 mm upside-down Kayaba fully adjustable fork on the front and a fully adjustable uni-track shock absorber on the rear, delivering excellent handling.

In the performance department, the 1996 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja had its soul brought to life by an 899cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 141 hp at 10,500 rpm and 94 Nm (69 lb-ft) torque at 9,000 rpm.