Development Concept

Worldwide research

Research was carried out in the three main markets for the new ZZR: the U.S., Europe and Japan. European riders wanted a touring machine with shaft drive and standard touring luggage. Americans’ needs were simple: they wanted the fastest accelerating bike in its class. And the Japanese wanted heaps of undiluted Kawasaki attitude. Kawasaki decided on a mix of U.S. and Japanese qualities. Another model would have to satisfy the European long-distance fans. In fact, a sketch of this advanced supersport touring model was shown at the Paris show.

The guiding theme for this new ZZR would be “the most powerful.” Combining the superb comfort of the earlier ZZRs and a level of raw performance that would earn it the moniker “King,” the new machine would have an unmistakable Kawasaki presence. This would be a motorcycle the likes of which the world had never seen.