The Kawasaki Ninja name has been synonymous with sports motorcycles for over 30 years. Launched in 1984, the GPZ900R announced the Japanese manufacturer as a serious sportsbike contender, by being the first water-cooled, fully-faired, 150+mph Japanese bike ever produced.
- Latest Kawasaki Ninja news: Exclusive UK test of Kawasaki ZX-25R
No bike had proved to be more exciting or cutting-edge and it was an instant sales success - inspiring a generation of head-banging, sportsbike-crazed Brits who enjoyed nothing more than a high-octane thrash of a weekend. It also claimed the 1984 Production class win at the Isle of Man TT, ridden by Geoff Johnson.
In fact, the 900R was so good that it outlived its replacement; the GPZ1000R, and the ZX10 that followed that, remaining in production for certain markets until 1996.
As your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about the most important bikes, MCN has a raft of reviews and long-term tests alongside a huge selection of Kawasaki Ninjas for sale.
Kawasaki Ninja reviews on MCN over the years
- Kawasaki Ninja 125 review (2019-on)
Junior Ninja that can be ridden with a CBT for anyone over 17. The stepping stone to the naughtier Ninjas.
- Kawasaki Ninja 250R review (2008-2011)
An entire 33bhp of Ninja aimed at the American market, but available in Europe and indeed the UK. Was suitable for probationary riders.
- Kawasaki Ninja 250SL review (2015-on)
A basic lightweight sportsbike done extremely well. Good enough for a 5-star review, in fact.
- Kawasaki Ninja 300 review (2012-2018)
Aimed at younger riders and also females, this affordable entry-level machine will also suit shorter and less confident riders.
- Kawasaki Ninja 400 review (2018-on)
Replacement for the Ninja 300 offers punchier performance, lower weight and extra prestige to the sector.
- Kawasaki Ninja 650 review (2017-on)
Middleweight twin is a replacement for the popular ER-6F, and as a result is lighter and more agile.
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 review (2015-2019)
Upon launch this bike redefined what ‘fast’ actually means. It’s no laptime legend, but its performance was unrivalled.
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 review (2019-on)
Claimed to have even more power than the 2015 H2, this one’s a better bike in every way that matters; except it’s more expensive.
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R review (2015-on)
It’s the most extreme production bike ever, but isn’t road legal. A Claimed 310bhp is sure to wake you up in the morning.
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX review (2018-on)
Supercharged performance and a comfy ride. It’s the King of the Autobahn.
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ review (2019-on)
Kit-laden tourer with a spec sheet almost as large as its price.
- Kawasaki ZXR400 review (1995-1998)
Small, light and powerful, most were imported, as built for the Japanese market. Brits went bonkers for this 20k rpm-equipped beast. Also popular with female riders due to ride height.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (1995-1998)
First ZX-6R went up against the Honda’s CBR600 but never made the mark, feeling harsh and crude.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (1998-2000)
This iteration was far better, and started edging towards the performance of some 750s.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2000-2003)
Vastly improved thanks to a new more powerful engine and revised chassis parts. Still no CBR rival, but a better bike than before.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2003-2005)
When launched this was the most advanced 600 of the lot.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2005-2007)
Got a little softer for this iteration, and as a result a little better too.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2007-2009)
Race-ready 600 is aimed solidly at track riding, but not quite as good on the road.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2009-2013)
MotoGP tech arrives and joins 115bhp at the back wheel…
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2013-2019)
Again, more useable for the road, with a new 636cc motor.
- Kawasaki ZX-6R review (2019-on)
Not a huge leap forwards in any way,and now lagging behind more capable rivals.
- Kawasaki ZX-7R review (1996-2003)
Didn’t exactly make waves with the motorcycling media, but was a strong seller.
- Kawasaki ZX-9R review (1994-2002)
A sportier sports tourer rather than an outright sportsbike.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R review (2004-2006)
It’s a handful on the road but mighty on the track.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R review (2006-2008)
A friendlier version of the wild 2004 bike above.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R review (2008-2011)
When launched, the fastest 1000 of the lot.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R review (2011-2016)
Another friendly fire-breather,but not quite up at the top of the class.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R review (2016-2019)
We said this was the closest thing to a WSB machine.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R review (2019-on)
Spectacular track bike, but not so approachable on the road.
- Kawasaki ZX-10R SE review (2018-on)
Electronic suspension broadens the ZX-10’s appeal.
- Kawasaki ZX-12R review (2000-2006)
A sports tourer that begs you to ride it hard.
Kawasaki H2 reviews
Unlike older H2s with their two-stroke three-cyclinder engines, the latest interpretations of the Kawasaki H2 are supercharged litre bikes. The vast majority of them are Ninjas, and the only exception to the rule is the Kawasaki Z H2. The Ninja H2s are:
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 (2015-2019)
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 (2019-on)
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R (2015-on)
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX (2018-on)
- Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+ (2019-on)
Kawasaki Ninja long-term tests
We spent a year living with both the Ninja 650 during 2017 - treating it to tyres, trackdays, mega miles and a few modifications - and the supercharged Ninja H2 SX SE, during 2018, which proved a capable and practical take on the super-sportsbike class.
Racing fans can also get our road test of the homologation special Kawasaki ZX-10RR here.
