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Kawasaki ZR-7

Make Model	Kawasaki ZR-7
Year	2001 - 03
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	738 cc / 45.0 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	66 x 54 mm
Cooling System	Air/oil cooled
Compression Ratio	9.5:1
Induction	4x 32 mm CV-Type with K-TRICK
Ignition	Digital
Starting	Electric
Max Power	76 hp / 55.4 kW @ 9500 rpm
Max Torque	63 Nm / 46.5 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Front Suspension	41mm Kayaba shock adjustable for preload/rebound damping
Front Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Rear Suspension	Bottom link UNI-TRAK with 7-way adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel	130 mm / 5.1 in
Front Brakes	2x 300mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 240mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	120/70-17
Rear Tyre	160/60-17
Dimensions	Length 2105 mm / 82 3 in Width 785 mm / 31 in Height 1215 mm / 48 in
Wheelbase	1455 mm / 57.1 in
Seat Height	815 mm / 32.1 in
Dry Weight	210 kg / 452 lbs
Fuel Capacity	22 Litres / 5.8 US gal
Consumption Average	19.1 km/lit
Standing ¼ Mile	12.2 sec
Top Speed	211.5 km/h / 131.4 mph

The ZR-7 was first introduced in 1999, although the engine specification could have been from 25 years earlier. That's because the ZR-7 is based around a slightly updated version of the Z750 engine of 1973.

The air-cooled four-cylinder engine is decidedly low-tech, but it offers economical, reliable running, with a lazy, flexible power delivery.

The chassis is more up-to-date, but not by much. A steel-tube cradle frame is more than stiff enough for the power, and a monoshock rear suspension unit is adjustable for preload. The twin-piston front brake calipers aren't peformance parts, but provide sufficient stopping power, and the modern tyre sizes allow decent sport-touring rubber to be fitted.

Grippy rubber just shows up the lacklustre nature of the rest of the chassis though, and the ZR-7 quickly runs out of ground clearance in fast bends.

However, the ZR-7 does win out in the equipment stakes. The fuel tank holds a massive 22 Litres (4.8 gal), the exhaust is long-lasting stainless steel and in addition there's a large storage space under the comfortable dual seat.

For 2001, Kawasaki launched a faired version of the ZR-7, the ZR-7S. While the small half-fairing certainly improved the bike's practicality and distance capability, the

extra weight didn't help either the engine or the brakes, and the ZR-7S was still outclassed by Suzuki's Bandit, Yamaha's Fazer and the faired Honda Hornet'S' in almost every way.

Kept in a low-performance commuting or novice bike role, the ZR-7 is just about up to the job. But it is the superiority of its competitors that relegates the ZR-7 to the bottom of many riders' list. Having said that, the ZR-7 has proved popular in some continental markets: extreme customized ZR-7s are, strangely, a common sight in France.