Kawasaki Models

1969

The H1 (500cc) (500SS Mach-III) is introduced. The air-cooled 2-stroke triple is the fastest bike in its class – top speed
is 200km/h.

Nicknamed “Bronco”, the H1 marked the beginning of Kawasaki’s Speed King Legend.

1972

The H2 750 Mach-IV is introduced. The air-cooled 2-stroke triple is even more wicked than the H1. The “Widow Maker” to most, it was a handful to drive. It was the fastest bike in the ¼ mile.
The “Speed King Legend” lives on.

1972

In 1972 sales of the Z1 900cc started. It was the birth of the Power King Legend.

The Z1, with the world’s first air-cooled, DOHC, in-line 4-cylinder engine and was the world’s most powerful motorcycle.
It was a huge hit from the moment of its release and reigned as the “King of Motorcycles” for many years. Known just as the “Z1”, it is still highly desired today.

1977

In 1977 the Z1-R 1000cc was introduced. It had a café racer styling and is still desired today.

1978

In 1978 sales of the Z1300 commenced. The 1300cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stoke, DOHC in-line 6-cylinder was the largest Japanese motorcycle engine.

1980

In 1980, the Z1100GP was introduced. It was the first model in the supersport GP line-up to feature EFI (Electronic Fuel
Injection).

1982

In 1982 the Z1000R was introduced. The legendary model was a limited edition bike also known as the ELR “Eddie Lawson Replica”.

Also in the same year, the GPz1100 was introduced.

1983

In 1983 the Z750 Turbo and GPz900R were released. The “Ninja” was named “Bike of the Year”.

The GPz900R rocked the world. The new model was equipped with Kawasaki’s first liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with 115 hp. With a top speed of more than 250km/h and a 0-400m time of 10.552 s, the GPz900R rewrote the motorcycle record books and
took the top spot as the world’s fastest bike.

1984

In 1984 the Vulcan 750, Kawasaki’s first V-Twin American-style Cruiser, was introduced.

1985

In 1985 sales of the Eliminator (900cc) commenced. The new Sports-Cruiser used the engine from the GPz900R.

Also in 1985, sales of the GPz400R commenced. The GPz1000RX, GPz600R, GPz250R and the fairingless FX400R completed the line-up. It was an instant best Seller.

The GPz400R was an extremely popular sports bike. An Aluminum frame, set it apart from competing racer replicas. The GPz400R enjoyed the position of “Best 400” for many years.

1986

In 1986 sales of the GPX7550R, a full fairing supersport model, commenced.

Sales of the GPX250R and GPX400R commenced the following year.

1988

In 1988 sales of the ZX-10 (1000cc) commenced. The new machine featured an extremely rigid aluminum E-box frame that was inherited from Kawasaki works racing motorcycles. With a light weight of
225 kg, it had a top speed of 270kkm/h and guarantied Kawasaki’s position as the fastest motorcycle in the world.

1989

In 1989 sales of the ZXR750 and the ZXR400 commenced. These supersport machines had the same styling as the
Kawasaki works racers.

In the same year sales of the Zephyr 400cc started. The Zephyr caused a market sensation. Sales exploded and the Zephyr was declared the best-selling 400cc bike until 1992. The Zephyr 750 and Zephyr 1100 (1990 and 1992 respectively), also created great
sensations.

1990

In 1990 the Kawasaki model ZZ-R1100 was introduced – the ZZ-R1100 had an unbelievable maximum power of 147 hp. The “monster bike” was, for the next six years, the world’s undisputed “King of
Speed”.

1992

In 1992 the Kawasaki ZXR560R won its first Daytona 200 title.

1993

In 1993 Kawasaki racers won the Le Mans 24-Hour Race for the first time riding on the ZXR-7. Sales of the Ninja ZX-9R (900cc), commenced. The new supersport model featured an aluminum frame.

1994

1994 marked the fourth year in a row that Kawasaki won the FIM Endurance World Championship series. The “Endurance King” was the ZXR750R.

1996

In 1996 sales of the GPz1100 ABS commenced. The new supersport model featured an anti-lock braking system.