Motorcycle specifications Kawasaki900 ZX-9R 1999 Big diet, big potato

35 kg less! Now that's diet. The ZX-9R has gone from being a large, bourgeois (and heavy) sports bike to a light, high-level hypersport. It abandons the sumptuousness of its predecessor for a slenderness sprinkled with elegance. The Ninja 900 has rediscovered its line, and it shows. Just imagine the work done by the engineers: 8.5 kg lighter on the engine and over 26 kg lighter on the chassis. The frame alone has been reduced by 5 kg. At 183 kg for 143 hp, the Kawasaki commands respect from the outset.

Then comes the ease with which it can be ridden. Both on the track and on the road, the bike is impressively easy to ride. From the heavyweight that was the old model, we've moved on to a ballerina full of punch and dynamism. We might have feared a lack of rigor on the new 900, as it has lost its inverted fork and thick swingarm in the process. Verdict in 5 seconds: heavy braking in sight. Gripping the lever, squeezing the pliers. The six-piston calipers are superb in their power, generous in their bite, and give the rider a very good feeling. The chassis remains unruffled, while the suspension works at its best. The same applies to the damping on the road, which is firm but particularly effective. The ZX-9R is not far off the excellent level achieved by the 900 CBR.

Engine-wise, however, it's a far cry from the Honda. The Kawa 4-cylinder develops far more power. Completely redesigned, lightened and fuelled by Ram Air and 40 mm carburetors, the mill buries its predecessor in every respect. A burst of throttle and the needle spurts to the top of the rev counter. This block seems literally devoid of inertia. Filled and lively at low revs, it sends out good watts up to 8,000 rpm, proving lively and pleasant. After that, it changes register. The thrust strengthens (in a more linear way), the melody changes and the 9R reveals itself: it's got rage in its belly. Whereas the old model became pathetic as it approached 10,000 rpm, the new green bomb loves to exercise itself at high revs. Do you like length? You'll find it all the way up to 12,700 rpm, at which point the ignition switch cuts off its lyrical flights of fancy. To keep it down to 100 hp, the manufacturer uses carburetor caps that prevent the bushels from rising throughout their entire stroke. This system enables the engine to retain its full character up to 7,000 rpm. Indeed, below this speed, the power and torque curves are the same on both versions. On the French model, once past 8,000 rpm, it's still possible to pick up revs, but the engine is no longer so enthusiastic. The Ninja's true temperament is only to be found on the full-power version, which unleashes a good, big, furious cavalry in the 'hot' zone.

From its past as a GT-simili-sport, the machine has retained its rider-friendly character. The rider is comfortable, sporty but not overly so.

Too good to be true? Perhaps, because the ZX-9R deserves it. Homogeneous, easy to ride, powerful and rigorous, this bike has risen to the level of the best big sports bikes of the moment. Although it hits the R1 and 900 CBR head-on, it may suffer from its wiser design than the Yamaha. The latter oozes competition. A powerful argument for a clientele that remains above all passionate. But isn't passion the very soul of a Kawasaki?

M.B
(inspired by Moto-journal - manufacturer's photos)