1998-2003 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R Cotton T-Shirt

The 1998-2003 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R redefined the open-class category by proving a 140-horsepower superbike did not need to sacrifice ergonomics for speed. It dominated real-world shootout tests of its era, delivering near-liter-class performance with the agile weight and feel of a 600cc machine.

Powering the bike is the ZX900CE, an 899cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine. Fed by four 40mm Keihin CVKD carburetors, this DOHC powerplant produces 143 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 74 lb-ft of torque at 9,200 rpm. Its ram-air induction system significantly boosts top-end output at high speeds.

An all-aluminum perimeter frame pairs with 46mm KYB front forks and a rear Uni-Trak monoshock. Power reaches the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission and chain drive. This rigid yet compliant setup delivers superb high-speed stability and comfortable road-holding over long distances.

Today, riders prize these machines as highly usable, carbureted modern classics. Though exact production numbers remain proprietary, clean examples are increasingly collectible. This generation replaced the heavy B-series model and was ultimately succeeded by the track-focused ZX-10R in 2004.