In 1988, Kawasaki debuted a 750cc racebike called the ZXR-7. The following year, they released a production version – we knew it in the US as the Ninja ZX-7. The 748cc inline four engine produced 105 horsepower inside of an aluminum perimeter frame. Performance Bikes magazine saw 91 hp at the rear wheel with a 152 mph top speed in a 1989 test. Crucially, it was easy to ride (though the rear suspension was quite stiff). As noted in a period review, it was “one of the few modern 750s that can be ridden to its maximum in comparative safety.”
Arguably just as important, it looked the part. As Bennett’s says, “When Kawasaki pulled the covers off the ZXR it was love at first sight for riders all over the world. With its twin headlights, race inspired fairing and paint scheme and hoover pipes, the ZXR looked every bit an endurance racer for the road. Add in the beefy aluminium E-Box frame, 17-inch wheels and sporty rubber and the ZXR certainly gave the impression it meant business. Who cared if the hoover pipes did absolutely nothing aside from blow air onto the cylinder head, they looked cool and that was what really counted.” It was the springboard for the long series of Kawasaki 750cc sportbikes that we all adore.
Weirdly, the seller of this example doesn’t really put details of the bike in the listing, he just has a photo of it – it sort of makes me feel like he’s just flipping it. Regardless, this seems like it’d be an interesting candidate for a rider, if not a collector piece. The upper and lower fairings plus the fender were repainted by Artistimo Custom Designs – the Kawasaki decals are OEM but the blue wavy lines have been painted. Upgrades include Galfer stainless steel brake lines, fully Muzzy exhaust with Factory Pro jet kit, K&N air filter, fresh powdercoating on several mounts and mounting brackets, and the quintessential period neon-green windscreen.
Find this ZX-7 for sale in Cottage Grove, Minnesota with bidding up to $3,200 and the reserve not yet met here on eBay.