Kawasaki Versys 1000: an adventuresome Ninja

Our friends at Nieuwsmotor have scooped the first images of Kawasaki’s big Versys. The Kawasaki Versys 1000 takes a very similar approach to the road-biased ADV bike theme to the Honda Crosstourer and ends with a very similar result. Instead of pressing a huge, heavy expensive sports tourer into faux dirt duty with tall suspension and a big screen, Kawasaki has adapted its naked muscle bike. Which approach is better? Well, the Kawasaki weighs about 100lbs less than the Honda and should be much smoother. It’ll be quite a bit cheaper too.

Update: It’s official. 54 hi-res photos, video and more info. :continue:

Wes Siler. November 8th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (17)

The tools of Jason Britton’s trade

Into stunt bikes? Then you’ll like some slow-mo, close-up, HD upgrade porn. Here, Jason Britton talks about his Kawasaki ZX-6R and the modifications he’s made so it’ll do the seemingly impossible. There’s the large sprocket and crash cage of course, but what till you see his neatly integrated 12 o’clock bar. Would you believe he’s still running stock suspension? And, is that really a 4-pot front brake caliper on the rear disc?! :continue:

Wes Siler. October 12th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (18)

Spy Photos: Kawasaki Versys 1000

These photos, captured by French website Moto-Net.com, appear to show a Kawasaki Versys equipped with the alloy beam frame and 1,043cc inline-four from the Z1000. Aside from the engine and frame, which wear different color finishes to the Z, this bike looks very production ready and is equipped with bespoke parts such as the large, low-mount exhaust. That seems to indicate that this is a production-intent new model. That motor and frame have the ability to significantly increase power without adding much weight. :continue:

Wes Siler. October 11th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (30)

Faster than a Hayabusa

The at-the-limit performance of bikes like the Suzuki Hayabusa may seem a touch irrelevant. Power figures nudging 200bhp just aren’t within the exploitable realm of mortal men, right? But this is America, damn it, and not only is bigger better, but we even have a sport dedicated to heavy, long, ridiculously powerful motorcycles. It’s called drag racing and, according to Ricky Gadson, the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R is pretty damn fast. What do you call a Ninja that eats Blackbird-eating hawks? :continue:

Wes Siler. October 11th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (23)

20 live photos of the new ZX-14R and Ninja 650

Just back from Kawasaki’s annual dealer conference in Orlando, Florida, here’s photos I shot of the two biggest news items unveiled there. The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R is a mild facelift of the existing bike, but thanks to a larger stroke upping capacity to 1,441cc, it should put out something in the region of 200bhp sans ram air in American trim, a slight advantage over the European model, which is held back to 197bhp by EU noise regulations. The 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is pretty much all-new with the exception of its parallel-twin motor. That’s good, this is now a very, very good-looking budget middleweight. :continue:

Wes Siler. October 11th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (18)

You can get a ZX-10R in red now

The 2012 Kawasaki ZX-10R is identical to the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R in every way but color. The black/red actually looks really nice and restrained, solid color panels > tribal ghost flames.

Wes Siler. October 10th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (13)

Sexing up the 2012 Ninja 650

Guess who’s mostly-new for 2012? The oft-forgotten Ninja 650 is getting a new frame, new bodywork and practical features like an adjustable windscreen. This thing is pretty damn sexy now, especially for $7,499. Am I wrong?

Update: Now with video :continue:

Wes Siler. October 10th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (43)

The fastest motorcycle in the world (in a straight line)

Already a little lighter and a little more powerful than the arch-rival Suzuki Hayabusa, Kawasaki has stroked the ZX-14R’s motor out to 1,441cc and fitted traction control and a three-mode, ride-by-wire throttle. The result of all this is a bike that should be considerably faster than before, but also easier to ride. Engine mods are designed to pad out the power and torque curves throughout the rev range, while the switchable drive modes and their altered power delivery and output, as well as the TC and slipper clutch, should make that power more accessible. Evolution, not revolution, but the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R is still one hell of a fast motorcycle.

Update: power, with ram-air, is said to exceed 200bhp. Ricky Gadson ran a 1/8 mile in 6.347/118mph on a stock ’12, saying it makes 210bhp at the crank. :continue:

Wes Siler. October 10th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (29)

Ricky Gadson leaks 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R

As I sit here in the Orlando, Florida press conference, waiting for the 9am (est) embargo, the 2012 Kawasaki ZX-14R has already leaked on YouTube courtesy of Ricky Gadson. At risk of offending my hosts, I’ll let you watch the video and glean from it what you will. :continue:

Wes Siler. October 10th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (4)

Easy speed: Kawasaki Z1000

The Z1000 is a special bike. Its redline limited 159mph top speed is lower than the old model, but that doesn’t matter. Hit a freeway expansion joint at full throttle in sixth gear and the front wheel will go skyward. Feel like passing someone? Don’t bother downshifting; just whack it wide open and hold on. “Tuned-for-torque” and “improved mid-range” are usually bullshit marketing terms, but Kawasaki’s new 1043 inline-four actual lives up to that hype. Yes, peak power is sacrificed, but it doesn’t matter. You’ll never be grumbling about low trap speeds coming into the braking zone for turn one; that’s what real sportsbikes are for. No, the Z1000 is a weapon, and I mean that seriously, intended for use on public roads. :continue:

Sean Smith. September 16th, 2011 - Permalink - Comments (68)

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