Manufacturer Kawasaki Predecessor ZX-10 | Also called ZZ-R1100 Successor ZZ-R1200/ZX-12R | |
 | ||
Class Sport bike or sport tourer Engine 1,052 cc (64.2 cu in) 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled | ||
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 (or ZZ-R1100) is a motorcycle that was produced from 1990 to 2001. 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 1990 to 1993 while the D-model ran from 1993 to 2001. The ZX-10 was the predecessor of the ZX-11 Ninja.
Competition for fastest production motorcycle
With a record top speed of 169–176 mph (272–283 km/h) the ZX-11 was the fastest production motorcycle for six years, from its introduction in 1990 through 1995, when it was surpassed by the 1996 Honda CBR1100XX. When the bike was introduced in 1990, 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. The 1990 ZX-11 C1 model got a Ram-air intake the very first on any production motorcycle. The 1997 ZX-11's quarter mile time was 10.43 seconds at 131.39 mph (211.45 km/h).
In 2000 the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R was introduced. The ZX-12 was designed to be more of a pure sportbike. 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. 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),
In 2002 the Kawasaki ZZ-R1200 was released, which is a sport tourer and more akin to the ZX-11.