Kawasaki Motorcycle

Established in 1878 as a shipyard in Japan, Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a modern enterprise. The company’s output swiftly expanded into the train and aircraft sectors, and in 1961 it built its first motorcycle.

In a Chicago warehouse, Kawasaki Motors’ American division was founded in the beginning of 1966. Bicycles manufactured by Kawasaki and sold in the US were initially marketed under the Omega brand before being rebranded as Kawasakis and sold under the Samurai and Avenger names. In 1968, Kawasaki established a distribution company on the East Coast, which later moved to California along with the Chicago division. From then on, in a matter of years, the business flourished.

ATVs and jet skis were among the other personal watercraft that started to gain popularity alongside Kawasaki sportbikes. Currently headquartered in Foothill Ranch, California, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has been manufacturing motorcycles in the country since the middle of the 1970s. International automakers that produce locally for regional markets are recognized for having their roots in the manufacturing plants located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Maryville, Missouri.

Kawasaki motorcycle types

Sportbikes are Kawasaki’s main product, and the majority of its current portfolio is made up of Ninja models, which are quite popular. The brand also offers a selection of off-road motorcycles for 2019 in addition to bikes that can be used both on and off road. The KLX and KX are the names of these series; the latter is available in a range of kid sizes for budding racers.

There are lots of cruiser and touring bikes available from Kawasaki for people who favor those designs. Among the models is the Vulcan, which comes in bagger cruiser, classic, sport, and touring designs. Another choice is the W cafe racer, which has striking throwback appearance.

For novice riders, Kawasaki is a well-regarded brand. They should look for lightweight, simple-to-ride bikes with small displacement engines. These bikes are an excellent way to gain a feel for the activity before investing in a larger, more powerful bike because they are usually very inexpensive. That does not imply that new riders have few options, though. The lower-powered Ninja models, the agile yet sturdy KLX off-road range, and Kawasaki’s Z125 Pro line are all excellent choices for novice riders.

Prices of Kawasaki Motorcycles

The price range of Kawasaki’s motorbike portfolio for 2019 is roughly $2,300 to $55,000, albeit the majority are much less expensive than that upper limit. The KLX 110 off-road bike is the least costly motorcycle in the collection, with 2019 and 2020 models costing $2,299. All in all, the off-road motorcycles are some of the least priced models in the company. The top-of-the-line Ninja, a race bike designed only for the track and named the H2 R, costs $55,000. The second most costly bike in the brand’s lineup is the Ninja H2 Carbon, which costs $32,500. With this selection of bikes and pricing, Kawasaki is competitive in the majority of the industry. It’s important to note that Kawasaki is still marketing bikes that are from outdated inventory, some of which are from the 2016 model year. When buying your next bike, this can be a wise method to save some cash.

Kawasaki Motorbike Lineup for 2019
The key models offered by Kawasaki for 2019 are the Ninja for street and track use, the Z, Versys, W, Concours, and Vulcan for street use, the KLX for off-roading, and the KX for motocross. The cost of a Kawasaki Ninja varies, with entry-level sport bikes costing approximately $5,000 and performance models fit for racing costing approximately $55,000. The Versys 1000 SE LT+, an adventure touring bike, is priced at $17,999, while the Z125 Pro tiny naked bike is the most affordable model in the street line, starting at $3,199. Starting at $2,299, the lowest model in the off-road lineup is the KLX 110. The 250 and 450 models in the KX motocross range are priced at $7,799 and $9,299, respectively. The price range of these youth bikes is $3,699 to $4,599.
Regarding modifications and accessories, Kawasaki provides a wide variety for both modern and vintage bikes, spanning several decades. Options for carrying and storing luggage, handlebar adjustment parts, carbon fiber body panels, performance enhancements like sport exhaust systems, and comfort accessories like grip heaters and audio system components are all included in the list of possible add-ons. A top case can cost less than $100, while a Ninja carbon fiber cowling can cost more than $4,000.
Motorcycle Kawasaki Cruising
The Vulcan is the cruiser motorcycle that Kawasaki currently manufactures. But among the sport cruiser, classic cruiser, bagger cruiser, and touring cruiser sub-segments, Kawasaki claims, there are various Vulcan models.
Because of their comfortable and somewhat reclining riding position and handlebar height that allows the shoulders to stay relaxed, cruiser motorcycles are a great option for long-distance riders. Many European and Japanese manufacturers adopted this style several decades ago, but it was popularized by American brands like Indian and Harley-Davidson. Cruisers are renowned for having a lot of torque and bottom-end power, according to Cycle World. To accommodate varying riding tastes, Kawasaki offers several cruiser lines with distinct features.

Kawasaki Vulcan S

2021 Kawasaki Vulcan S

MSRP: $7,199

Engine Size/Displacement: 649 cc

Bike Type: Cruiser

Kawasaki Vulcan 900

MSRP: $8,199

Engine Size/Displacement: 903 cc

Bike Type: Cruiser

Vulcan 1700 Vaquero Kawasaki
The bagger cruiser role is filled by Kawasaki’s Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS. This $16,799 bike has a low-slung posture, hard-side saddlebags integrated into the stowage, and a sizable front housing containing the instruments and lights. A 1,700 cc V-twin engine with liquid cooling produces 107.6 pound-feet of torque. The Vulcan Vaquero has 16-inch tires, a 5.3-gallon fuel tank, anti-lock disc brakes with four-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers, and a six-speed transmission. Additional features include iPod and satellite radio compatibility, as well as electronic cruise control. The warranty on the Vulcan Vaquero is 36 months.

Kawasaki 1700 Voyager Vulcan
At $17,499, Kawasaki’s touring cruiser is the Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS. It also has a six-speed transmission, 16-inch tires, a 5.3-gallon fuel tank, anti-lock disc brakes with four-piston front and dual-piston rear calipers, a liquid-cooled 1,700 cc V-twin engine rated at 107.6 pound-feet of torque, and electronic cruise control. Plenty of built-in storage is available, and the audio system integrates an intercom headset. A 36-month warranty is provided for the Vulcan Voyager.

The Ninja 1000 Kawasaki
With a liquid-cooled 1,043 cc engine producing 81.7 pound-feet of torque, the Ninja 1000 ($12,199) is equipped with a 5.0-gallon fuel tank, anti-lock brakes, traction control, 17-inch tires, disc brakes with four-piston calipers up front and a single-piston caliper down back, and a six-speed transmission.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

The Ninja ZX-6R (non-ABS $9,999, ABS $10,999) features a 636 cc liquid-cooled engine making 52.1 pound-feet of torque. This bike comes with a six-speed transmission, traction control, an adjustable sport suspension system, 17-inch tires, brakes with four-piston Nissin calipers in front and a single-piston caliper in rear, and a 4.5-gallon fuel tank.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R

Finally, the ZX-14RR ($14,999) has a liquid-cooled 1,441 cc engine making 116.5 pound-feet of torque, along with a six-speed transmission, anti-lock brakes, traction control, a heavy-duty suspension system, 17-inch tires, brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers in front and twin-piston calipers in rear, and a 5.8-gallon fuel tank.

Z400 Kawasaki
The Z400 ($4,799) has a 3.7-gallon fuel tank, 17-inch tires, disc brakes, a six-speed transmission, and a 399 cc liquid-cooled engine with 28 pound-feet of torque.

Z650 Kawasaki
The 649 cc engine with 48.5 pound-feet of torque, dual-piston front and single-piston rear brake calipers, and a 4.0-gallon fuel tank are enhancements found on the Z650 ($6,999 non-ABS and $7,399 ABS).

Z900 Kawasaki
Following the Z400 and Z650, the Z900 ($8,399 non-ABS and $8,799 ABS) has a bigger 948 cc liquid-cooled engine that produces 73.4 pound-feet of torque. It sports a larger 4.5-gallon gasoline tank and a somewhat altered suspension arrangement.

The Kawasaki Z900RS
The Z900RS ABS ($11,199) is the Retro Sport model; a Cafe Racer version with enhanced design is available for $11,699. In terms of technology, this bike is similar to the Z900, but it has a very different retro look.

Motorcycle Touring Kawasaki
The Versys line, intended for adventure cruising, and the Concours line, intended for supersport touring, are two of Kawasaki’s touring motorcycle models.Given that cruisers and touring bikes are both big, powerful motorbikes, it makes sense that some customers might not be aware of the differences between them. However, because touring bikes have greater comfort amenities and cargo capacity than cruisers, they are more appropriate for longer excursions. Rather than just having a larger seat, some touring motorcycles are also made with modifications to their general engineering and design expressly to accommodate passengers.

14th Kawasaki Concours
The Concours is available in just one model for 2019: the 14 ABS ($15,599). A 1,352 cc liquid-cooled engine with 100.5 pound-feet of torque powers it. A 5.8-gallon gasoline tank, 17-inch tires, disc brakes with four-piston front calipers and a single-piston rear caliper, and a six-speed transmission are among the features. Along with an adjustable windshield, the Concours also includes standard hard saddlebags that can be locked to store your belongings. This model is covered by a 36-month warranty from Kawasaki.

The Versys-X 300 Kawasaki
The Versys-X 300 ($5,499 for non-ABS and $5,799 with ABS) is an adventure device. This model had a 4.5-gallon gas tank, disc brakes, a liquid-cooled 296 cc engine producing 19.2 pound-feet of torque, a six-speed transmission, and 19-inch front and 17-inch rear tires.

Kawasaki Versys 650
The 649 cc liquid-cooled engine of the intermediate Versys 650 ($8,299) produces 47 pound-feet of torque. It has a 5.5-gallon gasoline tank, adjustable suspension, anti-lock brakes, dual-piston front brake calipers, single-piston rear calipers, and a six-speed transmission.

Versys 1000 SE LT+ Kawasaki
This year, there is a limited edition Versys 1000 SE LT+ available for $17,999. The vehicle is equipped with a 1043 cc liquid-cooled engine producing 75.2 pound-feet of torque, a six-speed transmission, heated grips, a color display screen, smartphone connectivity, adaptive suspension, 17-inch tires, traction control, cruise control, LED cornering lights, anti-lock brakes, disc brakes with front and rear calipers that have four pistons each, and a 5.5-gallon gas tank.

Motorcycle Off-Road Kawasaki
The off-road bikes made by Kawasaki are called KLX models. While some KLX bikes are designed for both off-road and on-road riding, others are exclusively for off-road use. We’ll be using the 2020 model pricing and specifications for these lines. While some of these bikes are still available in 2019 models, others are brand new models for 2020.

Dirt bikes, another name for off-road motorcycles, are made to withstand harsh terrain on beaches, trails, and occasionally even racetracks. Large, knobby tires offer excellent traction on a range of terrain, and the suspension system is built to handle hard landings, jumps, and tricks. When looking for an off-road motorcycle, bear in mind that some are not permitted on public roads.

Kawasaki KLX 230

The KLX 230 (non-ABS $4,599, ABS $4,899) is a good place to start for both on- and off-road use. It had a 2.0-gallon gasoline tank, disc brakes with dual front and single rear pistons, a six-speed transmission, an air-cooled 233 cc engine, and front and rear tires measuring 21 and 18 inches, respectively.

KLX 250 Kawasaki
Similar in specifications to the KLX 230, the KLX 250 ($5,399) is a dual-purpose bike with a 249 cc liquid-cooled engine.

KLX 110 Kawasaki
Try the KLX 110 ($2,299), which is also available as the KLX 110L with wider wheels for an additional $200, if you solely plan to use it off-road. The KLX 110 is equipped with a 1.0-gallon gasoline tank, drum brakes, an air-cooled 112 cc engine, a four-speed transmission, and 14-inch front and 12-inch rear tires.

KLX 140 Kawasaki
There are additional 140L and 140G models of the KLX 140 ($3,099) available, which have bigger wheels and cost a little bit more. The standard bike has a 1.5-gallon fuel tank, disc brakes with dual-piston front and single-piston rear calipers, a five-speed transmission, an air-cooled 144 cc engine, and 17-inch front and 14-inch rear tires.

KLX 230R Kawasaki
The KLX 230R ($4,399) follows, including a 1.7-gallon gas tank, disc brakes with dual-piston front and single-piston rear calipers, a six-speed transmission, an air-cooled 233 cc engine, and 21- and 18-inch front and rear tires.

KLX 300R motorcycle
The KLX 300R, which retails for $5,499, features a 292 cc liquid-cooled engine, a six-speed gearbox, disc brakes with dual-piston front and single-piston rear calipers, a 2.1-gallon gas tank, and 21-inch front and 18-inch rear tires.

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