Kawasaki is set to debut five motorcycles in the US and three more at EICMA in November.
While it could be a revised version of the current lineup, there is a bit of talk behind the scenes that we might see a heavily upgraded ZX-6R.
This is based on the photos by Kawasaki, showing eight models (including a jet-ski) that is scheduled to debut this year.
One of them is rumoured to be a new ZX-6R, and the exposed exhaust canister is a small giveaway of the motorcycle.
Kawasaki already launched the updated Ninja ZX-10R last year; hence it is likely that the next in line to receive the same treatment is in the middleweight supersport, namely the ZX-6R.
If this is true, it could mark as a bold statement from the Japanese firm as all of its competitors have decided to end the 600cc range mainly due to Euro5 regulations.
A debut in EICMA will also mean that the ZX-6R will be available for the European markets; thus, an updated engine to meet the Euro5 homologation is on the card.
However, there are also rumours that it could be referring to the ZX-4R, a 4-inline 400cc sports bike inspired by the success of the ZX-25R.
Whatever it may be, we are excited to see what Team Green has in store for us.
If you’re in the market for an all-capable motorcycle, you might find the answer in the all-new Triumph Tiger Sport 660.
Built on the same platform as the Trident 660, the Tiger Sport 660 features the same triple-cylinder engine as its naked sibling and is set to go up against the Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Yamaha Tracer 7.
The triple powerplant delivers around 79hp @ 10,250rpm, and 64Nm @ 6,250rpm, with the British firm, claims 90 per cent of the torque is available from 3,600rpm.
Like the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 features two riding modes, Road and Rain, ride-by-wire with 6-speed transmission, and a slipper/clutch.
Braking is done by twin 2-piston Nissin radial callipers paired to a 310mm disc at the front and a 255mm disc at the rear. It also features dual-channel ABS that’s, unfortunately, can’t be turn off.
Other exciting features include 41mm Showa USD front forks with 150mm travel ad Showa rear monoshock with hydraulic preload adjustable.
Looking at the success of the Trident, the Tiger Sport 660 will follow the same formula and expand to a broader audience that seeks comfort and practicality.
It could potentially become the best seller from the Hinckley factory.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has recently announced Kawasaki Motors Limited as a new entity in charge of its motorcycle businesses.
KHI decided to introduce the spin-off motorcycle company after the brand witnessed an increase of 80 per cent sales since 2017.
Customers demographics are increasingly younger as well, as the Japanese firm revealed a number of riders in their 20s had grown significantly by 60 per cent within the same period.
Even before announcing Kawasaki Motors Limited, the company has already pushing to expand their factory in the US, including spending around USD265 million in global expansion projects.
To celebrate the new corporate identity, Kawasaki Motors Limited is branding itself with a new logo or an old one previously used on the H2 range.
The company decided to adopt the iconic River Mark as the official corporate logo. The design was conceptualized with the Japanese kanji for “kawa”, which means “river”. The logo was originally flown on the flags of ships owned by Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard, which later became KHI.
The new logo is a clear statement of intent that will shape the company moving forwards.
Italian motorcycle company, Benelli, is set to unveil a new 650cc adventure motorcycle as confirmed by a new patent filed by its parent company, Qianjiang Motorcycle.
While Qianjiang Motorcycle also runs its own QJMotor brand, the new patent suggests that it will cater to both of the brands.
Interestingly, the leaked images revealed a different take on a middleweight adventure bike, with a shorter windscreen, a single pod LED headlamp flanked by twin DRL (daytime running light), a chunky side fairing and a handguard.
The absence of a signature front beak (similar to Aprilia’s Tuareg 660 and Yamaha’s Tenere 700) also puts the motorcycle on a different design spectrum than other modern ADV machines.
The saddle features a split-seat setup with a big pillion grab rail, a similar aspect found on big ADV bikes such as the iconic BMW GS range.
Meanwhile, the 650cc V-Twin powerplant is underpinned by a new tubular steel trellis frame and is expected to punch out around 70hp, putting it around the same class as the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT.
The bike is also fitted with 19″ front, and 17″ rear spoke tubeless wheels, allowing the motorcycle to tackle both road and off-road conditions.
Despite the lack of further details, we can assume that Benelli or QJMotor will reveal the new motorcycle later this year in EICMA.
Inspired by the iconic 2006 GSX-R1000 K6, the Hamamatsu factory has revived the Phantom legacy with a special edition GSX-R1000R.
The Phantom is not just your regular GSX-R1000R with a different nameplate and paint job; this special edition motorcycle is also fitted with the same variable valve timing system that’s available on Suzuki’s MotoGP GSX-RR machine.
The 199hp inline 4-cylinder engine also comes with a bi-directional quickshifter, launch control, lean-angle sensitive traction control, three riding modes and a Yoshimura exhaust.
Suzuki also enhances the GSX-R1000R with track-focused brake and clutch lever guards, tank pad, fuel cap trim and a smoke double bubble screen.
The contrasting gold wheels and gold Showa Balance Free front fork goes well with the overall matte black livery.
According to the Japanese firm, the Phantom edition is the most powerful GSX-R ever built.
Other highlights include all LED light setup and fully digital LCD.
For those who are interested, the special edition GSX-R1000R is available in the UK for GBP17,499 (RM99k).
You’ve seen it on MotoGP bikes. Even your friends might have it. But what does it actually do? In this article, we’re going to talk about the very purpose of the brake lever protector and if you really need one for your bike.
From expensive performance parts down to the very details of the custom livery, it’s no secret that we fancy owning a bike that looks and performs like a MotoGP race bike. This includes the ever-so-popular brake lever protector you see many of your fellow riders have on their bikes.
But the lever protector is anything but an accessory in MotoGP racing. In 2011, the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) made it mandatory in all of the classes for the safety of the riders. Bikes aren’t allowed to race without the brake lever being completely protected. But what does it actually do?
As you can imagine, MotoGP racing is highly competitive. You often see the riders intensely racing side by side, especially when overtaking. The space between the riders when they get right up next to each other is so tight they could practically have a conversation. This is the reason why these bikes are equipped with the brake lever protector; it’s to prevent accidental braking in case the riders brush against one another.
What happens in the case of unintentional braking?
Two things normally happen when the front brake is unintentionally applied with enough force. The front brakes lock up, resulting in either the bike gets low-side and slides out of a corner, or flips front over at high speed. The latter is particularly dangerous and potentially fatal as the rider may be thrown off and land on their head or face first, causing serious injuries to the neck. Imagine if that were to happen at over 300km/h down the straight line. Either way, you can be assured it doesn’t end well.
With the brake lever protector, however, the lever is safe from accidentally being pulled and there is no risk of unintended braking which could cause serious crashes. It won’t stop crazy riders from advertently pulling your brake lever, though.
To let you better understand the importance of having the brake lever protected, let’s rewind to the 2006 Catalan Grand Prix. In the video below, you could see exactly how unintended braking activation resulted in a major incident involving six riders going into the first corner of the race.
Do I need a brake lever protector for my bike?
While it certainly gives your bike a great look, having a brake lever protector on a road bike seems downright unnecessary. Unless it’s a race bike or road bike that you regularly take to the track where in some cases mandatory.
Generally, we tend not to ride so fast and so close to each other on public roads. In fact, it’s a common practice to give other riders some space and stay away from reckless road users, be it a motorcycle or a car. However, let’s not rule out the possibility that it could happen on a public road considering the fact we do filter between traffics.
With that in mind, having a brake lever protector on a road bike does pose some other serious risks. For instance, it could get caught in somebody’s flailing jacket.
Similarly, the brake lever protector alone will not offer any sort of additional safety. Perhaps we should just focus on keeping a safe distance from other riders.
