Kawasaki KR500
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki KR500 was a racing motorcycle built by Kawasaki from 1980 to 1982 for the 500ccm class. The bike debuted in the world championship at GP of Nations 1980 (the circuit Misano Adriatico) with the rider Kork Ballington
. At the end of the season the South African rider finished 12th in the standings. For the 1981 season the KR500 was improved, a new chassis was built which was stiffer and lighter, the bike got a magnesium crankcase and a fork with anti-dive. The season saw the KR500 get its first podium finishes with two third places (in Netherlands and Finland) with Ballington finishing 8th in the final standings
of the championship. The main change before the 1982 season was switching to Showa suspensions. Ballington finished 9th in the championship, the best result during the season was a 6th place in Misano. At the end of the season the Kawasaki retired from the Grand Prix motorcycle racing
.
Kork Ballington
Hugh Neville "Kork" Ballington is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion....
. At the end of the season the South African rider finished 12th in the standings. For the 1981 season the KR500 was improved, a new chassis was built which was stiffer and lighter, the bike got a magnesium crankcase and a fork with anti-dive. The season saw the KR500 get its first podium finishes with two third places (in Netherlands and Finland) with Ballington finishing 8th in the final standings
1981 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1981 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 33rd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Suzuki riders Marco Lucchinelli and Randy Mamola battled it out to the final race of the season with the Italian rider claiming the crown and Mamola finishing runner-up for the...
of the championship. The main change before the 1982 season was switching to Showa suspensions. Ballington finished 9th in the championship, the best result during the season was a 6th place in Misano. At the end of the season the Kawasaki retired from the Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
.