Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
Yamaha might be going down the blown track like Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Ducati with a patent filing for a turbocharged parallel twin. It follows Kawasaki’s H2 supercharged bike and patent filings by Suzuki and Honda for turbocharged engines, while Ducati applied for a patent for an exhaust system turbine. So it seems the future …
Kawasaki is the latest manufacturer to indicate they will add radar systems to their bikes to detect imminent collisions and either warn riders or intervene with automatic braking. The Japanese manufacturer has filed patents for their system which uses front and rear radars and controls the brakes and throttle. Kawasaki’s patent drawings of what looks …
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 …
The big four Japanese manufacturers are believed to be working to standardise electric motorcycle batteries and charging infrastructure. Noted electric vehicle website Electrek says Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki hope to standardise the technology to prevent any obstacles to its adoption. No doubt it’s also hoped to avoid the Beta/VHS situation where new video recording …
Kawasaki and Triumph are the latest motorcycle companies rumoured to be working on electric motorcycles, based on recent patent and trademark filings. Kawasaki patent The Kawasaki lecture motorcycle rumour looks interesting because the patent filings show the big has a substantial cooling element with a radiator. Heat is one of the biggest impediments to performance …
Superstition is the way for motorcycle riders probably because we are so vulnerable to the weather, road conditions, wildlife and livestock and other motorists. We need all the help we can get! Even multiple world champion racer Valentino Rossi (image above from MotoGP.com) is superstitious. He goes through a set routine before every race squatting next …
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 Motorcycles Australia has recalled 132 retro Z900RS models over a possible fault in the rear brake. The official notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says that due to improper routing, the rear brake hose and rear wheel rotation sensor lead may touch the rear tyre. “Continued use could result in damage …
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 …