Features

MOTORCYCLE – Kawasaki Reveals Six More for 2006

A ZX-14, Ninja 650R, re-tooled ZX-10R, two new Vulcans and a dual sport marked the on-road products revealed at Kawasaki’s annual dealer meeting, held September 16-18 in Orlando.
Officials at Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA (KMC) call the 1352cc Ninja ZX-14 ($11,499) the company’s latest flagship. In fact, it’s the most powerful Kawasaki-branded bike ever created.
Powered by an in-line four evolved from the Ninja ZX-12R, the long wheelbase ZX-14 features Kawasaki’s unique aluminum monocoque frame, an inverted 43mm cartridge fork and new Uni-Trak linkage rear suspension.
Available in Passion Red, Ebony, or Candy Thunder Blue, the unit has a front cowl adorned with quadruple projector beam headlights, front and rear turn signals integrated into the fairing and rear cowl, and a LED tail lamp featuring a unique “V” design.
Most apparent when first inspecting Kawasaki’s new Ninja 650R ($6,299) is the bike’s lightweight trellis frame; under-engine exhaust; and laydown, off-set single shock in the rear.
Kawi officials said they carefully studied the interface between human and machine to make the Ninja 650R a worthy bike for a wide array of riders. They said the unit – powered by a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected DOHC 649cc parallel twin – is tuned for medium speed commuting environments.
Visual highlights on the Ninja 650R include an aggressive looking headlight design, an windscreen and full fairing, a slim tail cowl with a flush-surface tail lamp, front turn signals integrated into the fairing, a two-tone seat and a sculpted fuel tank.
The most recent incarnation of the Ninja ZX-10R survived for only two years. Kawasaki says the 2006 Ninja ZX-10R ($11,199) received a complete engine, chassis and aerodynamic makeover. A new frame features a revised stiffness balance, new motor mounts, more centralized mass, a relocated swingarm pivot, and a race-spec Öhlins steering damper; output is aided by a new fuel injection system, a heavier flywheel, and improvements to the shift linkage; and aerodynamic performance was altered with a new fairing, seat cowl, and dual under-seat exhaust system.
The 903cc Vulcan 900 comes in two models – the 900 Classic ($7,299) and 900 LT ($8,499). The LT is outfitted with saddlebags, a special seat, passenger backrest and an adjustable windshield.
The 2,053cc Vulcan 2000 comes in four models for 2006 – The Vulcan 2000 ($13,499), 2000 Limited ($14,999), 2000 Classic ($12,999) and 2000 Classic LT ($14,499). The Classic LT comes standard with saddlebags, passenger floorboards, passenger backrest and windshield.
Finally, the street-legal KLX250S ($4,699), styled in the same manner as Kawasaki’s KX motocross equipment, takes the place of the 250cc KLR.
Smaller brother to the ’06 KLR 650 ($5,199), the KLX features an electric-start liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine displacing 249cc. It’s available in Kawasaki Lime Green or black.

– Guido Ebert

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
EPG Brand Acceleration
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.