Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Kawasaki had its beginning as an aircraft manufacturer and since 1962 has been making low-flying motorcycles that have since won world and national road and off-road racing titles. It’s known as the “green machine” because of its corporate colours. We preview coming models and Kawasaki technologies such as the new supercharging in the H2 and H2R sportsbikes. We also road test Kawasaki motorcycles for performance, handling, economy, value, styling, comfort and more.
A teaser video from Kawasaki showing a supercharger and the letter “Z” seems to indicate the company is about to expand its supercharged lineup, possibly the Z1000. Update: A second video now shows the date of October 23 which is the day before the Tokyo Motor Show opens, so we haven’t got long to …
Kawasaki has applied for a patent for a hybrid motorcycle which is like a two-wheeled version of the hybrid Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. The Kawasaki patent application was originally filed with Japan’s patent office in December 2017 and again a year later in the US Patent Office. Details have only now come to light …
The 2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE adds a vast array of electronic aids and wizardry plus ergonomic comforts that make it a truly versatile motorcycle. While the base Versys 1000 costs $16,100 (ride away based on Brisbane delivery), the SE adds almost $8000. That puts it closer to some European bikes with comparable features. The …
Kawasaki appears to be joining Kymco in proposing a battery that can the owner can swap quickly to recharge their electric motorcycle. The company filed a patent for an electric version of its baby Ninja in 2013, but the patent has only now been published. In the main photo above, the battery and motor are shown …
Kawasaki Motors Australia has listed the neo-classic W800 Cafe online at almost $3000 more than the currently discounted W800 SE. The Kawasaki website lists the 2018 W800 SE at about $12,400 ride away in Brisbane which is a discounted price to clear stock and the 2019 Cafe model is listed at $15,246. Prices may vary depending on your …
Kawasaki has filed trademark applications for the retro name Meguro in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Europe, and the Philippines. The trademark application seems to point to the development of more retro models such as the successful Z900RS and Z900RS Cafe and the new W800 Cafe (pictured above). Meguro history Meguro invested in Harley-Davidson during the Wall …
Kawasaki Motors Australia has confirmed the new W800 Café and Z400 (above) will be added to their 2019 line-up along with updated models such as the new Versys 1000 SE. Spokesman Murray Sayle says they don’t have pricing or full specifications yet for the retro W800 Café yet as production is not until mid-2019. “Our …
Many thought the retro-styled Kawasaki W800 would be killed off by the tougher European emissions regulations, but the bike has made a surprise return at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. Fans of the bike will be glad to see it has managed to clean up its act without having to resort to liquid-cooling like …
The supersport segment refuses to die with Kawasaki announcing a substantial update to their Ninja ZX-6R Ninja after six years of little change. Sales of supersport bikes have dwindled in recent years sparking claims the segment would be killed off. However, there are now rumours that Honda and Suzuki will update their supersport models and …
A power boost across a wider rev range and more torque are the features of the coming Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R range. The improvements are due to a new finger-follower valve actuation system replacing the tappet system to reduce mass by 20%. What that means is that it revs faster and has less stress at high …