2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400
2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX / H2 SX SE
2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ABS
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 SE
2014 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
2014 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650
2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 Performance
2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS
2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ABS
2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS
2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
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Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
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Year:2019
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Make:
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Model:
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Engine:inline-4
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Displacement:998 cc
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Top Speed:180 mph
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Price:15099
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Price:
More Power With A Wider Powerband
Kawasaki’s Ninja family has been a household name for over three decades now, and the factory aims to keep it that way with a couple of new models in the liter-bike range; the ZX-10R base model and its KRT variant. Toward that end, Kawi boosted power through a number of individual improvements throughout the engine. The engineers also added a few items that will certainly endear these siblings to the hearts of the race fans and wannabe knee-draggers out there, and they set up the head with those folks in mind as well. It doesn’t stop there; the electronics were upgraded with even more fandanglery on the menu, so without further ado, let’s dive into these new Ninjas and see what’s up.
Latest Kawasaki Ninja news and reviews:
2015 - 2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS
The Ninja ZX-14R ABS continues to serve as Kawasaki’s non-H2 Ninja flagship as we head into the 2019 model year. Essentially unchanged since this generation hit showroom floors back in ’12, the “14R” brings almost a liter and a half of four-cylinder supersport-goodness to the table along with the ride-quality and safety subsystems you’ll need to keep it under control. Make no mistake; this is a serious ride meant for experienced riders, and not another one of these racebike-looking commuters so popular with the masses right now.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 / H2 Carbon
Kawasaki gave the 2019 Ninja H2 and H2 Carbon a fairly major update ahead of MY2019 that goes far beyond any kind of token trim package treatment. The “new” category is well populated with items as minor as a new model-specific emblem up through a brand-new powerplant and electronic augmentation. Oh yeah, the supercharger that made this supersport line famous reprises its role with an efficient new design ramping up compression while it minimizes heat generation. As a result, this new pair comes with more of everything that made the previous gen a hit.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
Kawasaki’s Ninja family has been a household name for over three decades now, and the factory aims to keep it that way with a couple of new models in the liter-bike range; the ZX-10R base model and its KRT variant. Toward that end, Kawi boosted power through a number of individual improvements throughout the engine. The engineers also added a few items that will certainly endear these siblings to the hearts of the race fans and wannabe knee-draggers out there, and they set up the head with those folks in mind as well. It doesn’t stop there; the electronics were upgraded with even more fandanglery on the menu, so without further ado, let’s dive into these new Ninjas and see what’s up.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
Kawasaki’s Ninja lineup made a well-deserved impression on the sportbike sector, and the factory elevates its game yet again with the 2019 ZX-6R. This newest mid-size Ninja “636” carries a host of improvements that range from vanity-to-vroom with spruced-up looks, LED lighting and new instrumentation, just to name a few. The electronics were upgraded as well, and the new features stack with the incumbent power modes, traction control, and on the ABS-equipped model, Kawasaki’s own Intelligent Brake System. Them’s (sic) the high points, but there’s a lot more to know about this middle Ninja, so let’s dive right in, shall we?
2019 Kawasaki Ninja 125
Indoctrination is best started young, and Kawasaki shows that it agrees with that assertion with its new-for-2019 Ninja 125 targeting the youngest riders within the tiered licensing system favored by much of the EU and UK. The A1 bracket’s restrictions are fairly severe, and it takes a special machine to balance the limited performance requirements against what it takes to make something actually fun to ride. Kawi’s littlest Ninja brings the right blend of small-bike power and big-bike handling to the table to fit that bill, so today I want to check out this exciting new ride and see how it stacks up against the competition from some of the other big four.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki Ninja 125.
2017 - 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 650
Coming off an update in MY2017, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 remains a very capable sportbike as we move into 2019. The Ninja is powered by a 649 cc, water-cooled engine with all the wizardry needed to earn it a place in the iconic Ninja lineup.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki Ninja 650.
2018 - 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 400
Kawasaki took the next step in the struggle to find that perfect balance between displacement, performance and affordability with the new-in-2018 Ninja 400. This ride delivers the aggressive styling that you expect from the Ninja family with a host of improvements over the previous generation. More power, less weight and a mature presentation should hold the new Ninja in good stead in the highly-competitive small-displacement sportbike market that serves as the main battlefield in the contest to instill some brand loyalty in the increasingly important Millennial buyer base.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki Ninja 400.
Top 10 Sports-Tourers of 2018
Call them bikes that perfectly fill the gap between thrilling sportsbike and the gigantic touring machines, sports-tourers are simply long haul motorcycles with sportbike expectations built to get the best out of that long way home. Here is our list of 2018’s top ten machines offering the same capabilities as touring bikes but without sacrificing any of the sporty performance.
They tend to be a bit lighter and corner well but aren’t the most comfortable. The riding position tends to be a bit more relaxed compared to sports machines, there’s better wind protection, much better pillion comforts, transmission with lower gearing and usually a whole quick release pannier system designed in.
Top 10 Sportsbike of 2018
In a world where outright horsepower and straight-line speed hold center stage, these machines have blazed the streets and have swept us off our feet in the most fashionable ways possible. Built for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering, they come equipped with components from the industry’s best names to achieve a little more speed every single time they get on the paved asphalt.
With the emphasis of a sport bike being on performance, there are certain design elements that most motorcycles of this type will share. Rider ergonomics favor function. Apart form the high performing engines, they are built to cut through the air as smoothly as possible. High tech and expensive materials are often used on sport bikes to reduce weight.
2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R ABS
The Ninja ZX-6R bolsters Kawasaki’s mid-range sportbike presence with much the same race-tastic tendencies as its larger-displacement siblings, just in a smaller package. It goes far beyond the looks; the factory stuffed a four-cylinder plant inside the windtunnel-tested body panels with a full electronics suite to help keep it all under control. However, this doesn’t necessarily make the “6R” suitable for beginners, but rather an appropriate first or second upgrade, or perhaps as a funbike for weekend warriors. Today I want to take an in-depth look at this Ninja and see how it fares against a comparable model from another of the Big Four.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.
Kawasaki is out with its new 125cc Ninja and Z babies
The Japanese Green Team have officially released images and introductory videos of their new babies of both their sports and naked categories, finally after a couple of years of speculation ever since the 2017 EICMA. It is the Ninja 125 and Z125 that will be revealed at the upcoming EICMA in Milan.
Although we already have the naked Z125 in our markets, it will be replaced with a newer, more advanced update along with its sportier Ninja sibling. While doing so, Kawasaki will finally have a product to cater to the basic A1 license that has so far limited them to the use of mopeds.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR
With their bikes dominating the WSBK championships, we can see the direct impact of this on their street products. With the integration of technology and electronics from their motorsport experience, they have continuously pushed the limits for better handling and a thrilling ride experience along with ground-breaking technology catering to the rider’s needs.
For 2019, the ZX-10R series is receiving major updates to slay the competition. New developments in the engine architecture will take the power figures to 200 hp+ to all three models. The RR will be a limited edition affair with even more fineness inside that 998cc mill.
Kawasaki to add a Z125 and a Ninja125 to their 2019 lineup
For 2019, the Japanese green team is bringing in smaller babies of both their sports and naked categories to our markets finally after a couple of years of speculation ever since the 2017 EICMA. It is the Ninja 125 and Z125 that will be revealed at the upcoming EICMA in Milan.
Although we already have the naked Z125 in our markets, it will be replaced with a newer, more advanced update along with its sportier Ninja sibling. While doing so, Kawasaki will finally have a product to cater to the basic A1 license that has so far limited them to the use of mopeds.
Kawasaki adds more power to their 2019 ZX-10R superbikes
With their bikes dominating the WSBK championships, we can see the direct impact of this on their street products. With the integration of technology and electronics from their motorsport experience, they have continuously pushed the limits for better handling and a thrilling ride experience along with ground-breaking technology catering to the rider’s needs.
For 2019, the ZX-10R series is receiving major updates to slay the competition. New developments in the engine architecture will take the power figures to 200 hp+ to all three models. The SE will get self-healing paint while the RR will be a limited edition affair with even more fineness inside that 998cc mill.
Kawasaki Team 38 set a new world record for the fastest Ninja H2
Kawasaki took its Team 38 racing team, and the modded Ninja H2 to a place where the automobile is king and speed is the one true god. A piece of land bordered by mountains, and crusted in fine white granules of salt - The Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway.
The team has set a new world record for being the fastest Ninja H2 with the official figure of 209 mph. The record run was a part of the Speed Week from August 11th to the 18th, 2018, the same time where speed junkies from all over the world will land on this 10 mile stretch in the pursuit of holding the title for the fastest man and machine.
2019 Kawasaki Ninja H2 / H2 Carbon
When launched three years ago, the H2 was an elegant artwork of supreme violence making 207 hp, more power than any of the superbikes in competition then. Then came the rest of the chaps who caught on with the horsepower war, with the most recent Ducati V4 making 215 hp. But it looks like the Japanese Green team didn’t like losing this race yet.
So for 2019, they have bumped up their 998cc supercharged motor to produce a lathering 230 hp, and the non-street-legal H2R will be making a mind-boggling 300 hp at the crank! It will also come with a self-healing paintjob, new brake calipers, tires, TFT instrumentation and a new Bluetooth connectivity app.
Kawasaki has upped the game with the 2019 Ninja H2 machines
When launched three years ago, the H2 was an elegant artwork of supreme violence making 207 hp, more power than any of the superbikes in competition then. Then came the rest of the chaps who caught on with the horsepower war, with the most recent Ducati V4 making 215 hp. But it looks like the Japanese Green team didn’t like losing this race yet.
So for 2019, they have bumped up their 998cc supercharged motor to produce a lathering 230 hp, and the non-street-legal H2R will be making a mind-boggling 300 hp at the crank! It will also come with a self-healing paintjob, new brake calipers, tires, TFT instrumentation and a new Bluetooth connectivity app.
Kawasaki’s Team 38 setting up stage to create a new speed record atop the H2
Kawasaki is taking its Team 38 racing team, and the modded Ninja H2 to a place where the automobile is king and speed is the one true god. A piece of land bordered by mountains, and crusted in fine white granules of salt - The Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway.
The team is there to attempt and set a new world record in a category that has been undisclosed. The record run will be a part of the Speed Week from August 11th to the 18th, 2018, the same time where speed junkies from all over the world will land on this 10 mile stretch in the pursuit of holding the title for the fastest man and machine. Kawasaki has released a teaser video of the attempt this year at Bonneville.
2018 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R SE
With their bikes dominating the WSBK championships, we can see the direct impact of this on Kawasaki’s street products. With the integration of technology and electronics from their motorsport experience, they have continuously pushed the limits for better handling and a thrilling ride experience along with ground-breaking technology catering to the rider’s needs.
One such addition is the semi-active suspension unit that the folks from Kawasaki have equipped their new 2018 ZX-10R variant. Suffixed as ’SE’, the bike sits right in the middle of the ’R’ and the ’RR’, and is ready to slay the competition as one of the one of the most user-friendly and equally precise-to-use supersport in the world.
My Top Five Bike Picks For Women Who Don’t Want A Cruiser
Is being a woman and wanting to ride a motorcycle a big deal nowadays? It isn’t as much a ’big deal’ now as it was a few decades ago. Our culture is more open to folks of the female gender doing anything and everything we want to do, but there is still a certain barrier when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Why? Because traditionally, bikes were designed with men in mind, at least 5’ 8” tall and with enough upper body strength to wrestle the weight and pick one up if it ended up on its side. Women were generally relegated to cruisers because we are typically shorter than men and cruisers have the low seat heights. That is changing as more manufacturers recognize that there is a whole customer base out here with money to spend. So what shall we spend our money on if we don’t want a plain ol’ cruiser?
Continue reading for my top 5 motorcycle picks that aren’t cruisers.
2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX / H2 SX SE
Kawasaki’s Ninja H2 made a splash when it hit the market last year, and if you missed the window-of-opportunity to score one of the first-run models — or perhaps it was priced a tad out of your range — then I have some good news for you. Introducing the Ninja H2 SX and H2 SX “Special Edition.” Brand new for 2018, the H2 SX line presents itself as a sort of hypersport-next-door with large-ish windshield and relaxed rider’s triangle as part of the comfort-oriented features package. This new line adds a dose of “super” to the sport-touring genre with its supercharged four-banger that cranks out a generous 101 pounds o’ grunt with enough electronic fandanglery to help you tame the beast, or at least protect you from yourself somewhat. Commuter or ’really’ fast tourbike, the SX siblings cover a lot of everyday-riding ground for riders who are looking for more than run-of-the-mill performance. Is it too much? Let’s dig in and find out.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki H2 SX and H2 SX SE.
2017 - 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
The Ninja 1000 ABS was on the receiving end of an extensive rework in 2017 and carries it over straight into the 2019 model year. The electronics suite is indeed sweet with Bosch’s Inertial Measurement Unit on board along with Kawasaki’s Cornering Management Function, Traction Control and ABS. Long-distance capabilities were upgraded as well with better ergos, a lower saddle and a larger zone of protection due to the revamped fairing and windshield design. The delightfulness continues into the instrumentation with a new LCD screen display in an equally-new instrument panel. All this comes bundled with the proven 1,043 cc, 81.7 pound-foot engine to propel the Ninja 1000 into what Kawi hopes is a hybrid sport-touring niche that is a bit sportier than its tour-tastic Concours line, and more tour-capable than its other straight-up sportbikes and supersports.
2018 is here. And these top dogs are heading our way
Aspirin taken, ate some food, drank that much-needed water and took a hot shower. Hangover time is over and getting my head around the fact that I have to wake up early to work depressed me at first. But luckily the excitement brought with the launch of these new machines means we and I get to see them on our roads pretty soon, and I cannot wait to unveil the secrets they behold.
Unveiled at the back end of 2017, these hot machines give new life goals and expectations, not just for riders, but also to other manufacturers giving them no option but to up their game as well. Thanks to this, competition keeps getting hotter by the day, and we are ultimately rewarded with machines that beam innovation and technology.
Here are the top picks that are touted to take the market by storm in 2018:
Kawasaki’s 2018 Ninja H2 SX can see better in the corners
Every time I ride in the dark, be it in the city or the highways, I always wanted to see more ahead. Manufacturers have gone a great deal in headlight designing and have come a long way from halogen powered spots to the projector and the very recent LED powered multi-reflector beams.
State regulations also force manufacturers to maintain standards with illumination and light throw. Yet, there is always that ‘gray area’ in your light view you wished you did not have. Especially while tackling corners, where the edges of your light narrows as you lean.
Luckily manufacturers have a new trick up their sleeves to tackle this problem and Kawasaki shows it with their LED cornering lights on their brand-new Ninja H2 SX SE sport-tourer.
Kawasaki’s top dogs are US bound
The 2017 EICMA gave us a glimpse of what we can expect on our roads the next decade, and it sure looks exciting. Crazy looking concepts and technologically advanced machines filled the floor spaces in Milan, and the Japanese makers stole the show with Yamaha’s three-wheeled Niken and Honda’s tech-powerhouse, the Gold Wing traveler.
Kawasaki was not far behind. The Green Team put up a spectacular show with their gut-wrenching supercharged sports-tourer, the H2 SX, a fancy new superbike with a semi-active electronic suspension, the ZX-10R SE and the retro-classic Z900 RS.
Luckily for us, Kawasaki has decided that we deserve to drive them on our roads and are bringing all of them to the North American showroom floors.
Kawasaki adds electronic suspension to its new member of the ZX-10R class
With their bikes dominating the WSBK championships, we can see the direct impact of this on their street products. With the integration of technology and electronics from their motorsport experience, they have continuously pushed the limits for better handling and a thrilling ride experience along with ground-breaking technology catering to the rider’s needs.
One such addition is the semi-active suspension unit that the folks from Kawasaki have equipped their new 2018 ZX-10R variant. Suffixed as ’SE’, the bike sits right in the middle of the ’R’ and the ’RR’, and is ready to slay the competition.
After the mighty Ninja H2 and H2R, Kawasaki brings in the 207 hp H2 SX to the table
While we were still drooling over the radical H2 and H2R that can put any super sports to shame, Kawasaki decided to expand the overcharged family and give the same gut-wrenching soul to a biblical tourer.
Called as the ninja H2 SX, it was co-developed by Kawasaki’s motorcycle and aerospace division. This ‘world’s only’ supercharged hyper sport touring motorcycle will have the ultimate blend of power, performance, refinement, comfort and fuel efficiency.
Kawasaki unveils the brand new 2018 Ninja 400.
The Ninja 400 is not a badge you’ll see for the first time on a Kawasaki machine. The Japanese used to make the ‘Ninja 400R’ in 2011 for Asian, Canada and New Zealand markets. But was culled from the showroom floors within a couple of years of its launch.
The news of the new 2018 Ninja 400 has been doing the rounds on the internet ever since a Milwaukee television news broadcast gave us a glimpse of the 399 cc green machines while they were parked on the streets for a commercial shoot. Then, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) documents published indicated that the motorcycle would be coming to US shores soon.
All of this gave us the kicks, and it was only time before it was confirmed. Well, it’s now officially arrived as expected.
Kawasaki Ninja 400 is US bound for 2018.
Back in July, a Milwaukee television news broadcast had managed to give us a glimpse of the 399 cc green machines while they were parked on the streets for a commercial shoot. The footage gave us the kicks for the number plate clearly showed "Ninja 400" on it, and it was only time before it was confirmed.
Looks like it has now arrived. Spotted by friends at motorcycle.com, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) documents published indicate that the 399cc Kawasaki motorcycle will be coming to US shores amidst the existing Ninja 300 and the 650.
The Japanese Green outfit’s third supercharged monster is coming.
While we were still drooling over the radical H2 and H2R that can put any super sports to shame, Kawasaki decided to expand the overcharged family and give the same gut-wrenching soul to a biblical tourer.
Co-developed by Kawasaki’s motorcycle and aerospace division, this ‘world’s only’ supercharged hyper sport touring motorcycle, touted to be called as the ’Ninja H2 SX, will have the ultimate blend of power, performance, refinement, comfort and fuel efficiency.
Watch what happens when the engine of a Kawasaki Ninja explodes at 300 kph.
When factories make machines, they do so with extreme accuracy and precision. With a good amount of tolerance levels, their machines are made to last quite long. And if the supercharged Ninja H2 is what we talking about, it is the most technologically advanced machine to come out of the famed Japanese green outfit that created a new benchmark in the industry both in terms of construction and packaging.
When you take that 207 bhp monster and pump it all the way upto 300, you cannot expect even the best of Japanese engineering from saving your arse. That is exactly what happened to one unlucky Ninja H2 which ended up with an exploded crankcase when the bike was running at a whopping 300 kph in a motorsport event.
2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
Kawasaki seems to have mastered the dark arts of slaying the competition in everything they put their hands in. Especially the way all their Ninjas’ are up on the throats of every other faired motorcycle in their classes. Having diversified their skill sets in recent years, the fearsome Ninja brand got an upgrade on each of its models, with the latest one being this 2017 Ninja 1000. Basically, the sports bike which can hold a couple of bags on it and is a tad bit comfortable for longer stints.
The 2017 edition promises to be sportier and more eager to roar than the outgoing one to give you a competitive edge on those interstate highways and the streets. Like having the best of both worlds, this new bike takes on the pedigrees of the ZX-10R and the Concours brothers and puts them in a sought after package that leaves you with nothing to complain about. Here is our take on this new Green Machine:
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR
Towards the end of 2015, Kawasaki surprised everyone with the much-awaited upgrade to its litre class supersport, the Ninja ZX-10R. The motorcycle, which has always remained as one of the one of the most user-friendly and equally precise-to-use supersport in the world, received a thorough upgrade in each aspect, be its design, performance, mechanicals and set of electronics.
Within a year of its official launch, Kawasaki has mildly updated the motorcycle by giving in a few more equipment and mild changes to its powertrain. But instead of launching it as the ‘all new Ninja ZX-10R’, Kawasaki is terming this new version of the motorcycle as an additional variant of the same. Say hello to the new limited edition Ninja ZX-10RR then.
It promises to be sportier and more eager to roar than the standard ZX-10R with the Japanese Green team giving it WSBK hardware and software and has dropped all unwanted stuff to give you a competitive edge on the track and the streets. Here’s a quick look at what all changes do the new Ninja ZX-10RR is adorned with, over the standard ZX-10R:-
Launched in 2012 for the 2013 model year, the Ninja 300, displaced the old Ninja 250 with a few more cubes. This sport-bike looking ride offers the market a lightweight, easy to handle option with a 296 cc engine, a six-speed transmission and just enough alphabet-soup tech acronyms to be modern without whacking the price. As far as being a starter bike, yeah, you can call it that. It’s also for folks that want a sport-bike look in a commuter bike or just to have a bike with a smaller engine size so it doesn’t smack your wallet on insurance premiums. It’s smooth, it’s flickable and I might even call it a sport-bike trainer. As a starter or a trainer, you’ll outgrow it; but for a lightweight, fun bike, this could be your huckleberry.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki Ninja 300.
When it comes to sportbikes, and there are plenty to choose from, it’s one thing to build a racey-looking bike, but something else entirely to mass produce a bike that truly would be as comfortable on the track as it is on the street.
The Kawasaki Ninja has a long and illustrious racing history, and the ZX-10R carried Kawi to podium finishes over the years, and championship status in both the ’15 Rider’s Championship and the Manufacturer’s Championship, so it’s natural that Kawi would tap it to carry its race technology to the streets.
Enter the new-for-2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10R KRT Edition. Kawi blessed this bike with all the race-proven, superbike technology that propelled the Kawasaki Racing Team to its position as the dominant racing superpower within the aforementioned brackets. Usually I get to study bikes that do little more than pay lip service to the hardcore race enthusiasts, but this time, I’m faced with the Real McCoy, and I can’t wait to delve in and see what Kawi put together for us this year.
Continue reading for my review of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ABS and ZX-10R ABS KRT Edition.
Overview
30 Years at the top
For thirty years we’ve created ultimate Supersport machines equally capable on road and track. Always our mission has been singular – to be at the top.
With World Endurance, WSBK and WSS Championship wins, the Ninja’s define the Supersport category for racers and road riders alike. Now, to celebrate three decades of success, we announce three Anniversary Ninja models.
Ninja - top choice for thirty years. Kawasaki Ninja 300 30th Anniversary Edition Video2015 (...)
Overview
Built Beyond Belief
The launching point for the development of the Ninja H2™R motorcycle was a strong desire to offer riders something they had never experienced before. Convinced that an extraordinary riding experience would not be found by merelybuilding on the performance of existing models, the design team committed to developing the “ultimate motorcycle” from a clean slate.
The bike needed to deliver intense acceleration and ultra-high top speed, coupled with supersport-level (...)
Kawasaki made a splash in 1995 with the addition of the ZX-6R line to the Ninja family, and the reverberations are still felt 20 years later, with the 2015 ZX-6R 636 Performance as its top-shelf entry in the U.K. mid-size bracket. Built to take on its traditional competitors (Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki) in the sportbike market, this little Ninja comes with a few extra features in an attempt to give it an edge over other comparable models in its weight class. It will need all the help it can get, because it shares this chunk of the market with successful, long-established models such as the 2015 Suzuki GSX-R750 and the 2015 Honda CBR500R, to name a few. Let’s take a look at what Kawi is hiding under all those body panels to compete with such august company, shall we?
Continue reading for my review of the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 Performance.
The Kawasaki Ninja H2R has been billed as one of the year’s most exciting superbikes. For the most part, that hype has been justified, but like anything else in this world, even the mighty Ninja H2R isn’t perfect.
Owners in Australia are about to find that out the hard way now that there’s a recall notice from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission because of potential issues with the bike’s warning harness.
Normally, recalls from other regions don’t necessarily affect the same models in other places. But the situation with the Ninja H2R is different since there are only a limited number of Ninja H2R all over the world. So there’s a possibility, even though it hasn’t been announced yet, that other markets that have received the Ninja H2R could face a similar recall in the coming days or weeks.
As far as the problems itself is concerned, the ACCC has said that the warning harness on some Ninja H2R models may get pinched between some frame parts, leading to potential damage to the wire that could cause the engine to either stall, or worse, lead to excess fuel injection. The latter scenario is pretty scary since such a situation could increase the risk of the bike catching fire.
Fortunately, the Ninja H2R’s road version, the H2, isn’t affected by the same issue.
In case you own a Ninja H2R here in the US, do your due diligence and try to find out if the issues affecting some of the Ninja H2R models in Australia could somehow affect your model too. Better be safe than sorry, ladies and gentlemen.
Continue reading to read more about the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s recall of the Kawasaki Ninja H2R.
Kawasaki promised to unleash the Ninja H2R for a parade lap at the Isle of Man TT. The company was true to its word as Quattro Plant Kawasaki rider James Hillier put the beastly Ninja H2R through the paces around the hallowed track of the Snaefell Mountain.
As crowds began gathering in various spectator spots around the track, the palpable excitement of watching the Ninja H2R flexing its muscles prompted most of the people to pull out their mobile phones in anticipation of the H2R zooming past their respective locations. Those people watching from the Sulby Straight were even treated to an extra dose of the Ninja H2R’s power as reports have come out that Kawasaki’s newest superbike was able to reach speeds in excess of 207 mph in that particular section of the track.
Separate reports even said that Kawasaki told Hillier to take it easy on the bike, immediately prompting speculation that the Ninja H2R is actually capable of exceeding that 207-mph top speed if it really wanted to. That apparently is the kind of expectation that comes with a bike that has 300 horsepower on tap, waiting to be unleashed by anyone brave enough to test it to its limits.
Suffice to say, the Ninja H2R made a hell of an impression to the lucky folks fortunate enough to see its parade lap. This only adds to the bike’s already growing legend, a testament to the incredible product Kawasaki has built. Soon enough, prospective owners of the Ninja H2R will get to experience for themselves the debilitating power of this superbike.
If its parade lap around the Snaefell Mountain at the Isle of Man TT is any indication, future owners will have a certified monster on two wheels in its hands.
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 is one of those superbikes that belongs in its own category of motorcycle awesomeness, presumably included with descriptive words like “mental” or “bonkers.” Jay Leno knows that more than most, having already ridden the Ninja H2 and experienced first-hand the exhilarating power of 205 supercharged ponies on a superbike.
Knowing full well what the Ninja H2 is capable of, the automotive and motorcycle enthusiast decided to dedicate an entire episode of his hit web series, Jay Leno’s Garage, to learn more about the long and storied history of the H2 straight from the mouth of someone who knows what he’s talking about: Kawasaki Senior PR Coordinator Jeff Herzog.
The two discuss a plethora of topics pertaining to the Ninja H2, each one ending up with the same conclusion: the H2 is a bike designed for evil intentions. Leno even brought out a couple of H2 bikes from yesteryear just so he and Herzog can put in proper perspective the feeling of riding some of the fastest and most powerful bikes Kawasaki built in their respective generations.
And like all Jay Leno’s Garage episodes, I’d be remiss if I neglected to point out that Leno took all the H2 bikes for a run like only he could. I’d advise you guys to turn the volume up just so you can enjoy the ear-splitting spectacle of a supercharged Ninja H2 unleashing its banshee-like screams on the road.
There’s really nothing quite like an H2 blasting through the open road with little regard for noise pollution. That’s always been one of the H2’s calling cards and for as long as it’s been around, it’s a badge of honor it still proudly wears to this day.
As if the Isle of Man TT event isn’t already brimming with events, Kawasaki has just announced that is all-conquering superbike, the Ninja H2R, will be a part of the Monster Energy parade lap.
Quattro Plant Kawasaki rider James Hillier will pilot the Ninja H2R around the Snaefell Mountain, making it the first event that Kawasaki will unleash its prized superbike in a bonafide race track.
The Ninja H2R will be Kawasaki’s showcase model at the parade but it won’t be the only one. Joining Hillier in the ceremonial lap will be World Superbike riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes. Unfortunately, neither Rea nor Sykes will be piloting the Ninja H2R. Instead, they’ll each be riding the less awesome but still pretty cool Ninja ZX-10R.
The Isle of Man TT is a great track debut for the Ninja H2R, that is if it wants to strut its wares in one of the most demanding road courses in the world. Don’t expect it to go full blast, though, since parade laps normally don’t necessitate participating cars and motorcycles to go all-out.
That said, I’m still excited to see the Ninja H2R in action. It might not be in an element of its choosing, but with all the things we’ve heard about the superbike, now’s the time for it to finally show everyone what it’s made of.
Continue reading to read more about the Kawasaki Ninja H2R’s parade lap at the Isle of Man TT.
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The eternal question is car vs bike has been asked so many times the answer now probably lies somewhere in between the two protagonists. But even then, that hasn’t stopped people from testing it out for themselves, which is what Super Street Magazine did recently when it rolled out a Kawasaki Ninja H2R superbike and pitted it against a troika of supercars headlined by the Bugatti Veyron and also includes a McLaren 12C and a heavily modified Nissan GT-R that packs a walloping 1,350 horsepower.
As you can imagine, the Ninja H2R did quite well for itself, as it should since according to Super Street, this is the only H2R that Kawasaki USA has as of the moment. And let’s face it, even if it does produce just 300 horsepower - peanuts compared to what the three supercars have under their respective hoods - the much lighter superbike can be just as quick on a drag strip as any of its four-wheeled counterparts.
Actually, the H2R beat two out of the three supercars it competed against and the third one, even if it lost, was closer than most people thought. Care to venture a guess which of the three supercars bested the H2R on the drag strip?
I’d spill the beans but that would mean taking out the fun of actually watching the video for yourselves. Trust me at least when I tell you that you’d be surprised by the results.
Or maybe not depending on what you’re opinion is of aftermarket upgrades.
Kawasaki has announced a new special edition iteration of the Ninja 400 exclusive only to Japan, called the Ninja 400 Limited Edition.
The new limited edition version doesn’t stray too far away from the standard Ninja 400 sportsbike. In fact, it’s basically the same thing except for the the black and gold colors adorning the limited edition version. It’s a small change, but you have to admit that the new color scheme brings out a whole new level of sportiness and aggression to the overall look of the Ninja 400.
The black color does the majority of the work in giving the bike that stealthy appearance we secretly want in all of our bikes. Carbon-effect decals on the fairing and tank add a splash of luxury that blends well with the sinister look of the Ninja. The same can be said for the gold pinstripes that run on various angles on the fairing, matched with the golden wheels, brakes, and rear shock mount.
The overall look of Kawasaki’s latest limited edition bike fits perfectly with the Ninja name. The fact that only 300 units feels like a lot of interested buyers will be left out, not to mention interested buyers from the US and Europe.
Those people aren’t even going to get a sniff of the bike.
Continue reading to read more about Kawasaki’s newest limited edition version for the Ninja 400.
Motorcycle racing covers a wide spectrum of disciplines that aren’t necessarily tied into each other. There’s even a perception in the industry that MotoGP racers aren’t suited for the mud-soaked world of motocross while motocross riders would find it difficult to translate to the opulent style of top-class two-wheeled racing.
I don’t necessarily believe that and apparently, neither does Michelin, which just released the first episode of its new web series called “We Are All Racers.”
The episode features two racers from different worlds of motorcycle racing converging on one track to give us the kind of head-to-head battle we rarely see these days. On one corner is FIM CEV Superbike champion Kenny Noyes and on the other corner is Team Luc1 Motorsports’ Sylvain Bidart. The two couldn’t be more different from the other. One races with aKawasaki ZX-10R in the CEV Superbike European Championship while the other one races with a Honda CRF motorbike. in the SuperMoto GP.
Yet with their differences screaming loudly in the bikes they ride in competition, Michelin is elevating the thought that Noyes and Bidart aren’t really different from each, as is any other racer who rides on the saddle and competes in whatever race is being held all over the world.
What Noyes, Bidart, and every other motorcycle racer in the world share is a love and passion for racing motorcycles, no matter what kind of competition it is. They may use different bikes to serve their different racing disciplines, but no matter the circumstances, at the core of all of these people lies the heart of a true racer.
Sample state of the art Superbike supremacy on the class defining Ninja ZX-10R. Track or street, push the WSBK developed performance advantage with K-TRC traction control and a standard fit electronic steering damper. This Performance Edition comes equipped with Akrapovic exhaust, tankpad, bubble screen and pillion seat cover.
Continue reading for more information on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Performance.
Those who missed out on owning a Kawasaki Ninja H2 now have reason to celebrate. On the other hand, those who risked life and limb just to secure a piece of the limited edition supercharged bike are up-in-arms over what they perceive to be having the rug pulled from underneath them. Why the mixed reaction, you ask? Well, Kawasaki just announced that due to the incredible demand for the Ninja H2, it’s opening up new orders for a second wave of models for those who were too late to call dibs on the first set.
This is awesome news in the grand scheme of things. Ever since the Ninja H2 and its track-focused sibling, the H2R, were launched in November 2014, the two machines have been the talk of the motorcycle world. That much became clear when the first set of limited edition H2 bikes sold like snow cones on a warm summer day. The method by which Kawasaki used to score an H2 only added to the bike’s appeal. See, these bikes were never sold in dealerships because, quite frankly, Kawasaki didn’t need to. Instead, it offered the H2 on a first-come, first-served basis, even requiring interested customers to place a deposit for priority delivery on the bike and then making them wait for the spring of 2015 for the bikes to be delivered to them. Clearly, the circumstances surrounding taking ownership of a Ninja H2 were different and the price - $25,000 for the H2 - only adding fuel to its proverbial fire of exclusivity.
But business will always be business and when there’s an opportunity to capitalize on the incredible demand for the Ninja H2, Kawasaki seized without even batting an eyelash. So Kawasaki is opening up orders from a fresh batch of Ninja H2 bikes with deliveries expected to come sometime in June 2015. The company didn’t say how many bikes will be offered this time around, but make no mistake, these models will be scooped up just as quickly as the first batch, maybe even quicker than that.
As for those who feel slighted about supposedly being misinformed about the Ninja H2’s limited edition status, don’t feel too bad. Your bikes are expected to be delivered to you this month. By the time you see them, you probably won’t care about how many of these babies are out in the market, as long as you have one at your disposal.
It’s really a win-win scenario for everybody.
Continue reading to read more about Kawasaki’s decision to release more Ninja H2 bikes.
I know Christmas is still a little over eight months away, but it certainly must feel like the holidays for customers who pre-ordered the 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2. After months of waiting, Kawasaki has announced that the Ninja H2 has been delivered to select dealerships across the US where their eager owners can pick them up and finally go crazy with them.
The Ninja H2 is without question one of the most talked-about bikes in recent years so news that the hand-built bikes are ready to meet their owners is a huge deal.
Somewhat surprisingly, the deliveries of the Ninja H2 models happened sooner than I expected. The bike was only unveiled late last year in Europe and pre-orders only began in December 2014. Considering that the bikes are all hand-assembled, Kawasaki must have gotten a jump on production in order to accommodate all the orders coming in for the bike.
I don’t think expectant owners are going to complain about the quick turnaround because quite frankly, if I’m in their position, I’m already counting down the days when my Ninja H2 is delivered to me. Kawasaki also said that deliveries for the track-focused Ninja H2R are going to begin this month, giving new owners enough time to secure additional parts for the bike before they get that call from their dealerships that their new baby is already waiting for them.
For now, though, it’s the expectant owners of the Ninja H2 that should be rejoicing. The bike that you’ve been dreaming about since last year has arrived! Just be sure to temper your excitement as much as you can, or at least until that fateful phone call arrives, telling you that your Ninja H2 is ready to be picked up.
At that point, you have my blessing to go nuts.
Continue reading to read more about the Kawasaki Ninja H2.
