In 1984, Kawasaki launched its new flagship model, the GPZ900R. This was the first model with the “Ninja” moniker—a name that has been passed down and continues to be used on Kawasaki full-fairing sport models today. Of the current day Ninja models, the Ninja ZX series represents Kawasaki’s challenge to develop innovative technology. In 2024, to celebrate the Ninja’s 40th anniversary, models with the colours and graphics of the original
ZXR series, harkening back to Kawasaki’s racing victories in the late 1980s and 1990s, will be available.

Between 1991 and 1993, Kawasaki’s iconic factory machine, the ZXR-7, won three FIM Endurance World Championship titles, and is remembered for its distinctive three-colour livery. Kawasaki’s spirit of challenge and relentless pursuit of innovation on the racetrack continues to flow through all of today’s Ninja ZX series models, including the Ninja ZX-10R now competing in the Superbike World Championship. The colours of the Ninja 40th
Anniversary Edition models are based on the 1989 ZXR series that mimicked the colours and graphics of the race-winning ZXR-7. For these Ninja 40th Anniversary Edition models, great care was taken in reproducing the three-colour design and fitting the large “Kawasaki” logo on modern, complex fairings. The logos featured are all reproduced from original drawings, while the silver-painted parts are designed to look like aluminium parts and the Lime Green coloured wheels add to the classic look. These and other elements sprinkled throughout were designed to evoke memories of the ZXR series’ historic wins on the racetrack.