Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki ZX-R 750 H2"
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{{Motorcycle | {{Motorcycle | ||
|name = | |name = Kawasaki ZX-R 750 H2 | ||
|photo=Kawasaki-ZXR750H2--1.jpg | |photo=Kawasaki-ZXR750H2--1.jpg | ||
|aka = | |aka = | ||
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|predecessor = | |predecessor = | ||
|successor = | |successor = | ||
|class = | |class =Sportbike | ||
|engine = Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. | |engine = Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. | ||
|bore_stroke = | |bore_stroke = |
Latest revision as of 22:11, 23 November 2019
Kawasaki ZX-R 750 H2 | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 1990 |
Class | Sportbike |
Engine | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
Compression ratio | 10.8:1 |
Top Speed | 245.7 km/h / 152.6 mph |
Ignition | Digital |
Spark Plug | NGK, CR9E |
Transmission | 6 Speed |
Frame | Aluminum perimeter |
Suspension | Front: 43mm Telescopic forks. adjustable preload and 12-way rebound damping, Rear: Uni Track monoshock. adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping, 140mm wheel travel. |
Brakes | Front: 2x 310mm discs 4 piston calipers Rear: Single 230mm disc 2 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
Rear Tire | 170/60 ZR17 |
Wheelbase | 1455 mm / 57.2 in |
Weight | 200 kg / 440.8 lbs (dry), |
Recommended Oil | K-tech 10W-40 |
Fuel Capacity | 18 Liters / 4.7 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 245.7 km/h / 152.6 mph.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Liquid cooled cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 10.8:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Multi plate wet (oil submerged) hydraulic.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire and a 170/60 ZR17 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 310mm discs 4 piston calipers in the front and a Single 230mm disc 2 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 43mm Telescopic forks. adjustable preload and 12-way rebound damping, while the rear was equipped with a Uni Track monoshock. adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping, 140mm wheel travel.. The ZX-R 750 H2 was fitted with a 18 Liters / 4.7 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 200 kg / 440.8 lbs. The wheelbase was 1455 mm / 57.2 in long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
Kawasaki ZX-R 750-H2
The Kawasaki ZXR750: In squidgy little writing for those who can be bothered. The ZXR kind of evolved from the rubbery, bendy Kawasaki GPX750 - the first incarnation, the H1 was ergonomically best suited to strange shaped riders with short legs and very long arms, but introduced that very fashionable, though largely useless detail, the Hoover air pipes. It can be recognised by its more angular look and the strange, limping movement of anyone foolish enough to ride one regularly. It also began the ZXR's fearsome reputatation as a rock solid, rear ended thing, with a gonad mashing tank. The H2 was virtually the same but with a tweaked motor. Both were touted as an RC30 rival at half the price, neither really quite came up with the goods. I crashed one in the Finchley Road. Still, the Hs looked good and were the start of my soft spot for kWacker 750s.
Next off the production line was the ZXR750J1, which is the model I own. In an effort to keep faith with the traditional ZXR fan, the Hoover pipes remained and the suspension was just as ball bogglingly hard. Where the J really scored though was in being incredibly beautiful, especially in the plain metallic blue color way and having the best front end in modern motorcycling. I fell desperately in love, especially when Kawasaki gave us one for a year... The other negative point was that the ZXR had a Euro-standard 100bhp motor - slower than the H2 but with good mid-range power. Oh, on early ones, the exhaust system cracks just in front of the collector box. The J1 was astonishingly enough followed by the J2 - the same bike but with a softer spring in an attempt to sort the ride quality. It still looked beautiful of course, but its days were numbered as the L1 was lurking on the drawing board. Just to digress, at the same time as the standard version with its CV carbs, Kawasaki also sold a single seat, homologation special with close ratio box, alloy tank, wapping great flat slide carbs and slightly more adjustable suspension. The fork diameter was down from 43mm to 41mm allegedly to reduce weight and stiction. The RR was the basis for the highly successful WSB race bikes, but a bit of a pig on the road, not least because you could do around 70mph in first gear... Still, the different cams and pistons (higher compression) made it snot fast at the top end, even if the smooth bores needed more sensitive handling to avoid bogging the motor. I once rode a 125bhp (rear wheel figure) ZXR750K on the road and it was insanely quick. The R's suspension is always reckoned to be slightly better than the standard road bike's, though contrary to what some might tell you, the rear linkage is the same part number... With the arrival of the L1, it was goodbye to the Hoover pipes and hello to Ram Air. Unfortunately it was also hello to more weight as they had to reinforce the frame to compensate for the big holes they made in it for the air ducts and hello to slower steering geometry. No L I rode ever had the gorgeous roll in cornering and steering characteristics of the earlier ZXR and the motor was much peakier, though top end was now much more impressive. The suspension, fork diameter down to 41mm, was much softer due to a revised linkage and shock, but in my opinion at least the thing felt heavier and just didn't handle with the precision of the J. The L sort of turned into the M and carried on pretty much unchanged until last year when the ZX-7 was introduced Source
Review
The Kawasaki ZXR750: In
squidgy little writing for those who can be bothered. The ZXR
kind of evolved from the rubbery, bendy Kawasaki GPX750 - the
first incarnation, the H1 was ergonomically best suited to
strange shaped riders with short legs and very long arms, but
introduced that very fashionable, though largely useless detail,
the Hoover air pipes. It can be recognised by its more angular
look and the strange, limping movement of anyone foolish enough
to ride one regularly. It also began the ZXR's fearsome
reputatation as a rock solid, rear ended thing, with a gonad
mashing tank. The H2 was virtually the same but with a tweaked
motor. Both were touted as an RC30 rival at half the price,
neither really quite came up with the goods. I crashed one in
the Finchley Road. Still, the Hs looked good and were the start
of my soft spot for kWacker 750s.
Next off the production line
was the ZXR750J1, which is the model I own. In an effort to keep
faith with the traditional ZXR fan, the Hoover pipes remained
and the suspension was just as ball bogglingly hard. Where the J
really scored though was in being incredibly beautiful,
especially in the plain metallic blue color way and having the
best front end in modern motorcycling. I fell desperately in
love, especially when Kawasaki gave us one for a year... The
other negative point was that the ZXR had a Euro-standard 100bhp
motor - slower than the H2 but with good mid-range power. Oh, on
early ones, the exhaust system cracks just in front of the
collector box.
The J1 was astonishingly
enough followed by the J2 - the same bike but with a softer
spring in an attempt to sort the ride quality. It still looked
beautiful of course, but its days were numbered as the L1 was
lurking on the drawing board. Just to digress, at the same time
as the standard version with its CV carbs, Kawasaki also sold a
single seat, homologation special with close ratio box, alloy
tank, wapping great flat slide carbs and slightly more
adjustable suspension. The fork diameter was down from 43mm to
41mm allegedly to reduce weight and stiction. The RR was the
basis for the highly successful WSB race bikes, but a bit of a
pig on the road, not least because you could do around 70mph in
first gear... Still, the different cams and pistons (higher
compression) made it snot fast at the top end, even if the
smooth bores needed more sensitive handling to avoid bogging the
motor. I once rode a 125bhp (rear wheel figure) ZXR750K on the
road and it was insanely quick. The R's suspension is always
reckoned to be slightly better than the standard road bike's,
though contrary to what some might tell you, the rear linkage is
the same part number...
With the arrival of the L1,
it was goodbye to the Hoover pipes and hello to Ram Air.
Unfortunately it was also hello to more weight as they had to
reinforce the frame to compensate for the big holes they made in
it for the air ducts and hello to slower steering geometry. No L
I rode ever had the gorgeous roll in cornering and steering
characteristics of the earlier ZXR and the motor was much
peakier, though top end was now much more impressive. The
suspension, fork diameter down to 41mm, was much softer due to a
revised linkage and shock, but in my opinion at least the thing
felt heavier and just didn't handle with the precision of the J.
The L sort of turned into the M and carried on pretty much
unchanged until last year when the ZX-7 was introduced
Source
Performance Bike 1990 A GSX-R with a noisy pipe flew past between me and the armco. I was doing about 90 in the fast lane and he came by so fast and so close it made me jump. There was only one thing for it. The workman's bottom that was riding the R was rapidly getting smaller. I stamped down two gears (essential for any acceleration at all) and sunk the rev counter into the red. That was more like it, but by now the R was nearly out of sight. The ZXR's engine note had changed altogether. Gone was the whistle of straight cut gears, and now my Arai was filled with the sound of induction growl and manic engine revs. Between 10 and 12,000 rpm the engine was finally smooth and on-song, and the riding position was finally working as the wind pressure took the weight off my wrists.
The dual carriageway turned
into comers that warranted chevrons, but the ZXR, needle nudging
150, sliced through them with pinpoint accuracy. It reeled the
GSX-R in as if it had engaged reverse.
A wave of guilt engulfed me as I flashed by the GSX-R, but it
proved the ZXR could be good; very good... but worse than its
competition until it was travelling in excess of 120mph. Yep,
the sort of behaviour that'll finish motorcycling for good and
this is the bike that encourages you to commit the crimes.
I want to like the ZXR.
Anything that looks so good on paper and in the flesh has to be
some use. Pity it's not.
Why not? Well, apart from overdamped and oversprung suspension,
the ZXR is a victim of its own styling. If you want a race track
refugee, there's a price to be paid. The long stretch over the
high and wide tank to the clip-on handlebars puts the rider's
weight in two places: the wrists and crotch. Try riding over a
few manhole covers and it hurts. It's a 90mph riding position
and anything less is literally a pain. Worse, below 90mph
(6,500rpm) the engine is harsh, transmitting vibes through the
bars. There's not much stomp below 6,500rpm either so a
constantly active left foot is needed if you want 750ccs-worth
of acceleration.
The motor and suspension tell
you 'faster, faster' while your conscience reminds you about
your licence. You just can't ride it slowly because it feels
horrible, rough, harsh, uncomfortable and gutless. I wonder if
that would stand up in court?
The ZXR is crying out for
better suspension and the ZZ-R1100's engine. Then it would make
sense. The frame and weight distribution can take another 30bhp
because they keep the ZXR together at twice the national speed
limit. Long sweeping corners are its forte, but tight, twisting
switchbacks aren't a problem either. It's not the fastest
steering superbike, but use a lot of body English and it does as
it's told. Stable is the key word in the ZXR's vocabulary.
Compared to the slim GSX-R,
the ZXR feels like riding a sheet of 8 x 4 hardboard: big, top
heavy, wide and long. But bumbling around in traffic the size is
soon forgotten it's very manageable, and those short in the
leg department will be pleased to know the seat is low.
The Kawasaki is awesome on the brakes, but difficult to turn in
or change line. It's the most demanding to ride fast, because
its power is between 10 and 12,000rpm (indicated revs).
The softest rear damping
still has the back end chattering under power as the rear tire
fights for traction. There's not enough adjustment. Even on the
softest setting it's slightly too hard two-up. If you're over 20
stone it should be about right. We recommend that all ZXR750
owners either buy a decent back shock or indulge in a crash
course of fish and chips and Boddingtons until the standard unit
starts to work as it should.
The clutch feels dead and is
noticeable two-up when smooth, quick gear changes are essential
to avoid accidents. It's as if the clutch lever is a couple of
seconds behind the plates' action. We also had a spot of bother
with the clutch after three standing quarters. Fifty
quid's-worth of new plates were the only remedy. The gear box is
clunky but always accurate, the headlights have been designed by
someone who rides at night, and the mirrors by someone who does
a lot of serious speeding.
The ZXR's also economical,
although that won't be on the top of the shopping list for
anyone buying a race replica. On bumble mode 50mpg wasn't out of
the question.
The whole bike smacks of quality. The fairing and tank have a
paint finish that looks a foot thick. Perhaps more importantly
is the ease it comes apart and goes back again. You only
have to try dismantling a Honda to see the difference in
workshop time. When it comes to servicing, the Kawasaki will be
cheap because it's so much more accessible.
The stock tires on the ZXR
won't last very long. The compound is very soft and sticky.
Still, you can't have long life and high grip I suppose.
I'm sure people will buy the
ZXR on account of its looks, but if a race replica is what you
want buy a GSX-R750L: at least it's a race replica that wins
races.
Mark Forsyth
Source Trevor Franklyn
Make Model | Kawasaki ZX-R 750-H2 |
---|---|
Year | 1990 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
Displacement | 749 cc / 45.7 cu-in |
Bore X Stroke | 68 x 51.5 mm |
Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
Compression | 10.8:1 |
Lubrication | Wet sump |
Engine Oil | 10W/40 |
Induction | 4x 38 mm Keihin CVKD (Constant Velocity) carburettors |
Ignition | Digital |
Spark Plug | NGK, CR9E |
Starting | Electric |
Max Power | 107 hp / 79.7 kW @ 10500rpm |
Max Power Rear Tire | 94.1hp / 70.1 kW @ 10400 rpm |
Max Torque | 6.76Kgm / 48.8 lb-ft @ 9000rpm |
Clutch | Multi plate wet (oil submerged) hydraulic |
Transmission | 6 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Aluminum perimeter |
Front Suspension | 43mm Telescopic forks. adjustable preload and 12-way rebound damping, |
Front Wheel Travel | 140 mm / 5.2 in |
Rear Suspension | Uni Track monoshock. adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping, 140mm wheel travel. |
Front Brakes | 2x 310mm discs 4 piston calipers |
Rear Brakes | Single 230mm disc 2 piston caliper |
Front Tire | 120/70 ZR17 |
Rear Tire | 170/60 ZR17 |
Rake | 24.5° |
Trail | 100 mm / 4.0 in |
Wheelbase | 1455 mm / 57.2 in |
Dry Weight | 200 kg / 440.8 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 18 Liters / 4.7 US gal |
Consumption Average | 17.6 km/lit |
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0 | 13.3 m / 37.5 m |
Standing ¼ Mile | 10.9 sec / 201.3 km/h |
Top Speed | 245.7 km/h / 152.6 mph |
Road Tests | Motociclismo 1989 Motosprint Group Test 1988 Motosprint Group Test 1989 Motosprint Group Test 1990 Motosprint Superbike Group Test 1991 |