Sportbikes
1997Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja
35 fields on record
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja is a heavyweight supersport designed for experienced riders seeking raw performance and aggressive styling. Powered by a 141-horsepower inline-four engine, it delivers thrilling acceleration and a 174-mph top speed. Known for its sharp handling despite its 480-pound weight, the ZX-9R defined the golden age of 1990s superbikes.
- Capacity
- 899.0 ccm
- Engine
- In-line four, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 216.0 kg
- Seat height
- 800 mm
- Power
- 141.0 HP (103.7 kW) @ 10500 RPM
What’s new for the 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja
vs the 1996| Spec | 1996 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| Torque | 94.1 Nm (9.6 kgf-m or 69.4 ft.lbs) @ 9000 RPM | 96.0 Nm (9.8 kgf-m or 70.8 ft.lbs) @ 9000 RPM |
| Top speed | — | 280.0 km/h (174.0 mph) |
| Wet weight | — | 218.0 kg (480.6 pounds) |
| Fuel capacity | 20.00 litres (5.28 US gallons) | 19.00 litres (5.02 US gallons) |
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built primarily for fast road riding and track days, blending litre-bike power with a slightly more manageable 900cc package.
- Built for
- A raw, aggressive superbike with a strong mid-range punch and a chassis that rewards confident, assertive inputs.
- Not ideal for
- This is not the right choice for new riders, commuters seeking comfort, or anyone planning long-distance touring or off-road use.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usReliability & safety
Bike Reliability score, safety recalls and owner complaintsBike Reliability
How the score works →35
out of 100Below average
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja passed its annual roadworthiness test first time 76.7% of the time, 3.6 points below expected for bikes of the same age and mileage. That beats 35% of models.
All years of this model: 47 / 100 (average) from 45,555 tests.
76.7%Passed first time
15.0%Failed outright
8.3%Fixed during test
23,000Typical miles
4,593Tests
Pass rate by miles ridden
All years of this model.
Score by year first registered
31
36
33
35
42
55
62
66
68
199419951996199719982001200220032004
Against its rivals · ranks 4 of 6
| # | Model (all years) | Score | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ducati 900 SS | 67 Good | 2,720 |
| 2 | Honda CBR 900 RR Fireblade | 63 Good | 48,368 |
| 3 | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 61 Good | 206,988 |
| 4 | Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja | 47 Average | 45,555 |
| 5 | Honda CBR 1000 F | 46 Average | 30,332 |
| 6 | Suzuki RF 900 R | 43 Average | 12,586 |
Rivals are the most-viewed bikes on MotorcycleDB in the same category and engine size, from within three years of this model.
From British annual roadworthiness tests, 2005-2025. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA MOT test data, Great Britain). How Bike Reliability works.
Engine
- Capacity
- 899.0 ccm
- Power
- 141.0 HP (103.7 kW) @ 10500 RPM
- Torque
- 96.0 Nm (9.8 kgf-m) @ 9000 RPM
- Engine type
- In-line four, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.6528 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 75.0 x 50.9 mm
- Compression
- 11.5:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
- Valves per cylinder
- 4
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
Performance
- Top speed
- 280.0 km/h (174.0 mph)
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1415 mm
- Overall length
- 2058 mm
- Overall width
- 747 mm
- Overall height
- 1152 mm
- Seat height
- 800 mm
- Dry weight
- 216.0 kg
- Wet weight
- 218.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 19.00 litres
- Ground clearance
- 158 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Front wheel travel
- 120 mm
- Rear wheel travel
- 130 mm
- Rake (fork angle)
- 24.0°
- Trail
- 97 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Dual disc
- Front brakes diameter
- 296 mm
- Rear brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes diameter
- 220 mm
- Front tyre
- 120/70-ZR17
- Rear tyre
- 180/55-ZR17
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1994 | 1996 | 1997 | 1999 | 2001 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 899 cc | 899 cc | 899 cc | 899 cc | 899 cc | 899 cc |
| Dry weight | 215 kg | 215 kg | 216 kg | 184 kg | 185 kg | 186 kg |
| Seat height | 800 mm | 800 mm | 800 mm | 815 mm | 825 mm | 827 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 20 L | 20 L | 19 L | 19 L | 19 L | 18 L |
| Bike Reliability ⓘ | 31 Below average | 33 Below average | 35 Below average | Too few tests | 55 Average | 66 Good |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja?
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja has a Capacity of 899.0 ccm (54.86 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja have?
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja has a Power of 141.0 HP (103.7 kW) @ 10500 RPM.
How many gears does the Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja have?
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja?
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja has a Torque of 96.0 Nm (9.8 kgf-m or 70.8 ft.lbs) @ 9000 RPM.
How much does the Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja weigh?
The 1997 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja has a Dry weight of 216.0 kg (476.2 pounds).
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