zx-7rr: riding off into retirement image by tim huntington

When Eric Bostrom decided to rest his battered body and park the Kawasaki ZX-7RR at Mid-Ohio, it was the end for more than just his title run, it most likely marked the end of the venerable Kawasaki Superbike's AMA tenure. With rumors of a ZX-10 in the works for next year, the Green Monster has turned its last wheel in anger since it is unlikely Kawasaki will field a replacement rider for Bostrom.

And with it, the last of the factory inline four Superbikes based on 750cc machines are gone.

Sure, there will be a few Superstock bikes at the back of the grid at VIR and Birmingham, but that isn't the same now, is it? Next year, they are outlawed, to be fully replaced by the fire-breathing 1000s introduced this year.

Used to be you couldn't toss a broken con rod over your shoulder in the paddock without hitting a least one Japanese inline 750 four. The AMA changed the Superbike rules from 1000cc to 750cc for four cylinders in the early 80s and the series flourished into what it is today with the help of these motorcycles. Along with Yamaha's FZ750, FZR750, YZF750, and R7 and Suzuki's line of GSX-R750s, the across the frame fours fought the Ducati twins and high-tech Honda V4s like the VFR750, RC-30, and RC45 as Superbikes became the marquee class in AMA racing.

The 750 inlines were known as being relatively easy on tires, yet good bikes for "rear steer" technicians to work their dirt track-derived magic. Watching a spectacular rider like Eric Bostrom, Anthony Gobert, or Aaron Yates hang it out on an inline four was exhilarating. A talented rider could flog a 750 within an inch of its life and just go faster and faster, whereas the quick was to ride a twin was to be supersmooth.

The current generation of the Kawasaki first raced in the US during 1996 at Daytona when Doug Chandler, Mike Smith, and Anthony Gobert (in a one-off appearance) rode the new machine. The new bike offered a shorter stroke configuration that the older model, for theoretically more rpm. A "homologation special", the RR version offered a better racing platform than the standard ZX-7R. 41mm flatside Keihin carbs, an adjustable swingarm pivot point, a close ration transmission, and heavier crankshaft were just a few of the extra goodies on the RR version.

While the new GSX-R750 might have been flashier, no one knew the Kawasaki would race -- and win -- for a staggering eight more seasons.

Chandler in action during a Laguna Seca winter test in 2001

Doug Chandler won the '96 AMA title over Miguel DuHamel, and on the Muzzy prepared bike then did it again in '97. Chandler won both titles with smooth, calculated riding. The Californian only won only three races over the two seasons -- but that was all he needed to do to take the crowns. In 1996 Chandler and the ZX-7RR finished on the box in seven of ten races.

Kawasaki's AMA Superbike Champions
Here are the men who have won the AMA Superbike championship for Kawasaki since the class inception in 1976. 1997 Doug Chandler 1996 Doug Chandler 1992 Scott Russell 1990 Doug Chandler 1983 Wayne Rainey 1982 Eddie Lawson 1981 Eddie Lawson 1978 Reg Pridmore 1977 Reg Pridmore

In 1998, Chandler nearly won the title again. At the last race showdown at Vegas, Chandler's ZX-7RR developed an oil leak and Doug conceded the title to Honda's Ben Bostrom. Chandler took second in the points battle.

Aaron Yates replaced Tommy Hayden as the team's second rider for the 1999 season, the last year the team was run by Rob Muzzy. Chandler won three races on the machine at Loudon, Mid-Ohio and Colorado. While the platform remained the same, refinements were continually administered to the bike. The ZX-7RR was always getting a suspension upgrade or a new engine part. In the Muzzy years, the bike was not only getting parts from Japan, but the Bend, Oregon team was building their own "go faster" bits. It was often said at the time the bike was half works machine, half Muzzy hot rod.

For 2000, the ZX-7RRs for Chandler and Honda refugee Eric Bostrom were fielded by an "in-house" Superbike squad. Bostrom favored the handling characteristics of a different frame used that season and was fourth in the standings that year. The move back to a full works team meant the squad was reconnected with the factory's World Superbike effort, including the sharing of data.

Eric Bostrom became the franchise rider for the Kawaski squad. He won on the ZX-7RR at Loudon and Laguna Seca on the way to second place in the standings in 2001. Chandler never seemed to take to the "works" frame his contract was not renewed after the 2001 season.

2002 saw more power and new Ohlins forks and Bostrom's hammer helped him to four wins and second place once again. A notable achievement was a pole position at the power hungry Elkhart Lake track.

For 2003, the AMA rules saw the team race an overbored engine at 788cc --as per the new rules -- but with 15 extra pounds. Despite being raced for the eighth season, the bike was good enough for Bostrom to win at Pikes Peak again. All told, the ZX-7RR won two AMA Superbike titles and finished second three times.