10.4.2021: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc
When you’re searching for very rare motorcycles in the very best condition, you sometimes need to cast a net that extends beyond local borders. Portugal might seem a bit too far for some but, if you’re interested in a bike like today’s Featured Listing Kawasaki ZXR750R, no distance is too great. Or maybe you’re reading this post at your home in Barcelona, and the bike is just a hop, skip, and a jump away…
Known here in the US as the Ninja ZX-7, the ZXR750 was Kawasaki’s entry in the hotly-contested 750cc superbike class war that was raging on track and spilling over into showrooms worldwide. At the time, literbikes were wickedly fast but a bit heavy, with unexpectedly reasonable ergonomics. They were more grand touring machines than roadgoing racebikes so, if you wanted the very best sportbike money could buy, it was the 750s that were the hot ticket for canyon carving and bench-racing sessions.
As was common at the time, manufacturers built limited-editions of their roadgoing machines to “homologate” certain changes to the engine and frame, or the inclusion of components that weren’t practical for mass-produced machines. These rare and exclusive machines were used as the basis for racing machines intended to compete in production-based racing series like World Superbike. The homologation ZXR750R differed from the standard ZXR750 in subtle but significant ways. 39mm Keihin flat-slide carburetors replaced the more road-friendly constant velocity units normally fitted. A lightweight aluminum fuel tank and solo tail helped the bike save a claimed 11lbs over the standard bike. There were higher compression pistons and an 800rpm higher redline, and different ratios in the six-speed box, with a tall first and closely-spaced after that. The fork had thicker [stiffer] stanchions and was fully-adjustable, and the rear shock had 20 clicks of adjustment.
From the original eBay listing: 1990 Kawasaki ZXR750R for Sale
Kawasaki ZXR750R, K version. Mint Condition.
Very rare bike, R model.
Bike is all original.
R model comes with aluminium tank, flat Keihin carburettors, etc.
Year 1991 with 22972 km.
Portuguese documents.
Please feel free to ask me more pictures or videos.
Transport to the UK costs around £550 and it will be Chas Mortimer Logistic Ltd collecting this bike.
On the off chance that you don’t reside in Spain, it’s nice to have that shipping estimate from the seller. The 14,000 miles shown mean this isn’t a museum-piece, but a bike that’s actually been used as intended. That’s good news for the next owner, since adding a few more won’t do much to the bike’s value, and you’ll get to appreciate this homologation special for yourself.
-tad
