Kawasaki
KAWASAKI
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS
$19,399
Full-dress touring rigs need to have it all, and Kawasaki’s flagship Voyager certainly doesn’t leave much in the way of creature comforts back home in the garage. Classic cmiser styling, a 52-degree, liquid-cooled, single-overhead-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder V-twin, frame-mounted fairing and windshield, couch-like seats for rider and passenger, and generous storage capability are long-haul necessities. But there is far more to the Voyager because details like cmise control, an iPod-compatible, XM-ready audio system, and Advanced Coactive Braking Technology (K-ACT II) ABS are standard, too.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS/SE
$18,299/$18,699
It doesn’t matter if you want to use it as a commuter, a weekend warrior, or a long-distance traveler, the big Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS bagger can pull it off. Fifth and sixth gears in the 52-degree, liquid-cooled V-twin's transmission are overdrives for a relaxed ride and improved fuel economy. Adding to the bike’s versatility are twin 10-gallon-capacity hard cases, a frame-mounted fairing, and shorty windscreen. An iPod-compatible, XM-ready audio system can also be paired with select GPS units. Also available: A Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS SE model features two-tone Candy Burnt Orange paint.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad ABS
$17,499
Want to travel but don’t want to spend big bucks on a full-dresser? The Nomad nicely fills the gap between Kawasaki’s top-of-the-line luxury liner and its classic cruisers. A handlebar-mounted windscreen, lockable, color-matched hard saddlebags, passenger floorboards, luxury backrest, and cruise control give the Nomad substantial touring potential. The same torque-rich, technology-packed, 1,700CC V-twin engine found in the rest of the Vulcan 1700 range is used here as well. Air shocks with adjustable damping allow the rider to tailor the ride to the load. No wonder this bike is called the Nomad.
Kawasaki ZX-14R/ABS
$15,299/$15,699
All we can say after spending significant time aboard the 14R is: Wow! This monster posted Cycle World’s quickest-ever production-bike E.T. with a 9.47-second/152.83-mph pass. Just 2.6 seconds tick by for 0 to 60, and 100 arrives in just under 5. Not a surprise, really, since the 14R is the most powerful production motorcycle we’ve ever tested, making 192 hp and 113.2 pound-feet of peak torque at the rear wheel. What is a surprise is how good the ZX-14R handles. Traction control and selectable power modes help keep everything in check. Also available: The same bike with ABS.
Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS
Winning Cycle World’s Best Sport-Touring Bike award for three straight years (2008-'10) proves what a great motorcycle the Concours is. Despite facing strong competition, the Kawasaki has only improved as the years have quickly ticked by. Its engine utilizes variable valve timing for broad power, and traction control tames the rear tire when grip is compromised. When you need to shed all that speed, the 14’s ABS gets it done quickly and safely. An electronically adjustable windscreen, heated grips, and a keyless ignition fob are amenities that make the C14 as comfortable and convenient as it is fast.
$16,199
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R/ABS
Kawasaki was the first of the Japanese Big Four to embrace the electronic revolution. Taming the powerful inline-4 is a traction-control system that offers three levels of intervention, and the rider also can select from three power-output modes to suit the riding conditions. A slipper clutch keeps the rear wheel from hopping during downshifts at comer entry. The chassis uses a 43mm Showa Big Piston fork and a lay-down shock, while an Öhlins electronic steering damper communicates with a dedicated ECU for optimal damping. Also available: The ZX-10RABS is the same machine but with antilock braking.
$14,299/$15,299
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
While the racetrack-ripping ZX-10R gets lots of attention, more riders should actually target the Ninja 1000 ABS. Thoroughly reworked for 2014, this liter-class gentleman’s express combines dramatic performance with attractive styling and comfortable seating. Revisions include power upgrades for the 1,043cc inline-4 engine, two selectable engine power maps, three-mode KTRC traction control, and a taller sixth gear for relaxed cruising. Other tweaks include a remote rear spring preload adjuster, monoblock front brake calipers, revised standard ABS, and new instruments. Saddlebags are optional.
$11,999
Kawasaki Z1000 ABS
Kawasaki’s streetfighter gets a thorough rework for 2014 that makes it even more aggressive. The story begins with radical new styling, together with an upgraded 1,043cc inline-4 with new intake cam timing for better lowto midrange torque and revised engine mapping for sharper throttle response. Chassis upgrades include a lightweight Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) fork with easier adjustability, radial-mount monoblock front brake calipers and a revised standard ABS, and lightweight wheels. Lower final-drive gearing boosts acceleration, while a taller sixth gear relaxes cruising.
$11,999
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT
$8999
In cruiser circles, a 903CC engine is now considered a middleweight, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. For one thing, the Kawasaki 900 Classic LT weighs significantly less than its cousins in the 1700 line. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled, rubber-mounted, fuel-injected V-twin with belt final drive. It’s ready to hit the road with its cowhide saddlebags, redesigned seats for two, a padded passenger back-rest, and an adjustable, optically correct acrylic windscreen. The low seat height combined with this Vulcan’s relatively light curb weight makes it a great choice for a wide range of riders.
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom
$8499
The styling of the 900 Custom uses proportions that help make the bike look longer and lower than it actually is. A stout rear end is fitted with a fat, 180mm tire, but that image is countered at the front end with a skinny, 21-inch “pizza-cutter” wheel. This middleweight cruiser is quite affordable yet offers a V-twin engine with electronic fuel injection, liquid cooling, and rubber engine mounting for smooth and reliable performance. Twin-piston calipers at both ends clamp on to 300mm front and 270mm rear brake rotors for sure stopping power.
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic
$7999
With styling that harkens back to when motorcycles just looked like motorcycles, the 900’s “Classic” moniker is a perfect fit. Powered by a 903CC, single-crankpin V-twin, this most basic version of the Vulcan family is a no-nonsense machine. Rear suspension uses a single shock, conveying the look of a “hardtail,” but don’t think for a second that the 900 is “old-school”; features such as digital fuel injection, four-valve cylinder heads, and liquid cooling mean this bike is thoroughly modern. A new seat offers improved comfort for both the rider and passenger.
Kawasaki Versys ABS
$7999
If you want a fun and good-performing motorcycle that can fulfill many different riding needs, the Versys is hard to ignore. Powered by the same parallel-twin found in the Ninja 650 sportbike, the Versys has enough thrust for the stoplight-to-stoplight morning commute or apex-to-apex carving on weekends. Long-travel suspension includes an inverted 41mm fork, a gull-wing swingarm, an adjustable shock, and lightweight, Ninja-styled wheels, all of which help give the Versys nimble, easily controlled handling. Newly standard ABS and an adjustable-height windscreen add to the versatility of this asphalt adventurer.
Kawasaki Ninja 650/ABS
The Ninja 650 is a no-B.S. sportbike but with more-upright seating than a repli-racer and more-comfortable ergonomics. It’s sporty and modern, featuring a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected parallel twin with plenty of usable low-rpm grunt and strong midrange performance, making it a great commuter, twisty-road carver, or whatever you want it to be. A conventional 41mm fork and a preload-adjustable shock provide a sporting yet plush ride. Dual 300mm petal-shaped front brake discs provide good stopping power for spirited riding. Also available: The same bike can be ordered with ABS.
$7699/$7999
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R/ABS
Kawasaki decided that the supersized-600 formula is too good to leave on the shelf, so the engineers stroked the previous 6R’s 599CC engine to increase displacement to 636cc. They then added the middleweight supersport category’s most-sophisticated electronics package with three traction-control and two power modes. So more torque and power are on tap throughout the rev range, allowing the ZX-6R to be one of the most street-friendly middleweights on the road. And top-shelf chassis components make this the best 6R ever. Also available: The ZX-6RABS is the same bike with antilock brakes.
$11,699/$12,699
Kawasaki Ninja 300/SE/ABS SE
Kawasaki’s motto must read, “bigger is better” because Team Green definitely likes to upsize its sportbikes: The Ninja 300 replaces the highly successful Ninja 250. Power is provided by a liquidcooled, 296CC parallel twin that, like its 636CC ZX-6R big brother, gets its displacement increase through a longer stroke. An F.C.C. clutch offers slipper functions while also reducing lever effort. A steel frame, sporty suspension, and powerful brakes provide a chassis that can satisfy riders of all levels. Also available: The Ninja 300 SE features special paint and graphics, while the Ninja 300 ABS SE adds antilock brakes.
$4999/$5199/$5499
Kawasaki KLR650
For more than a quarter century, the go-anywhere KLR650 dual-sport has provided a great platform for riders who want huge versatility. A bulletproof, 651CC single provides enough user-friendly power to get you through almost any terrain. A 41mm fork with 7.9 inches of travel and a Uni-Trak rear suspension with 7.3 inches on a preloadand rebound-adjustable shock are plush on the road and can tackle all but the gnarliest off-road conditions. A large, protective fairing, a comfortable seat, and a 6.1-gallon fuel tank mean you can take big bites out of the landscape without the need to stop.
$6499
Kawasaki KLX250S
$5099
This lightweight single-cylinder dual-sport offers plenty of versatility for riders seeking a great commuter that can double as a trailbike or fun canyon-carver. An electric-start, 249CC engine meets California emissions requirements, making it street-legal in all 50 states. The steel perimeter frame is durable and rigid enough for off-road duty. A 43mm inverted cartridge fork provides 10 inches of travel, while a single shock has 9.1 inches of dampingand preload-adjustable travel. Wheel sizes are 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, meaning the KLX250S can be fitted with more-aggressive knobby tires.
Kawasaki KLX140/KLX140L
$3099/$3399
Here’s a mini that fills a lot of roles for the family that rides off-road. Its 144CC engine perfectly bridges the gap between the smaller KLX110 and larger playbikes, providing just the right kind of power that new riders and kids—as well as adults who like to act like kids—will enjoy. Electric starting means more time is spent riding than kicking. A clever two-stage clutch engagement feature helps newbies get the hang of starting and shifting. Also available: The KLX140L has a fully adjustable shock, larger wheels, and a taller seat height.
Kawasaki KLX110/KLX110L
$2299/$2499
The KLX110 is supposed to be a kid’s bike, so why can’t adults stay off it? Here’s why: It’s fun! No matter the rider’s age, this 111CC four-stroke single delivers user-friendly power that just about anyone can find amusing. Versatile features include electric starting and a four-speed manual transmission. A screw-type adjustable throttle limiter allows parents to control the amount of power that’s available for youngsters while they’re just learning to ride, then gradually back it off as skills improve. Also available: The KLX110L is an identical machine with more suspension travel and a higher seat.
Kawasaki KX450F
$8699
The KX450F continues to win races and championships year after year, in part because Kawasaki continues to refine and update the bike. The engine has a sophisticated EFI system that provides the basis for the bike’s Launch Control Mode and three preprogrammed ignition maps that can be selected with interchangeable couplers. The 48mm KYB Pneumatic Spring Fork (PSF) uses air pressure instead of the main fork springs for greater adjustability and reduced weight. A four-position-adjustable handlebar (now with softer, narrower grips) and two-position footpegs provide almost any rider with an ideal cockpit.
Kawasaki KX250F
The KX250F gets some serious improvements for 2014, starting with the first launch-control feature in the 250 class. Adopted from the KX450F, Launch Control maximizes available traction for strong starts. In addition, the transmission now features four-dog gears for smoother shifts, while revised shift forks improve shift feel. Other upgrades include thinner front engine-mount plates, a revised counter-shaft retainer, and shorter, softer grips. Carryover technologies include a race-ready 48mm Showa Separate Function Fork (SFF), a dual-injector EFI system with three engine maps, and an available KX FI Calibration Kit.
$7599
Kawasaki KX100/KX85
Although overshadowed by 250cc and 450cc four-strokes, the 100cc two-stroke class still has merit, as bikes like the KX100 slot squarely between minis and the big thumpers in power and performance. For 2014, Kawasaki overhauled the KX100 with engine, body, chassis, and chassis upgrades. New porting, jetting, and a revised KIPS power valve improve output, while an enlarged radiator better maintains cooling. Revised ergonomics include a six-way-adjustable handlebar mounting system. Also available: The KX85 is very similar but with a smaller engine and lower seat.
$4599/$4349
Kawasaki KX65
Although the KX65 is the smallest model in Kawasaki’s five-bike KX motocross family, it serves perfectly as either a step up from the 50cc automatic-transmission minis or else as a mount for a first-time MX racer who already has some good riding experience under his or her belt. Its high-performance liquid-cooled two-stroke engine and six-speed manual gearbox are stuffed into a full-race chassis outfitted with adjustable long-travel suspension and disc brakes. As such, the KX65 is an ideal choice for young racers hoping to emulate their supercross and motocross heroes.
$3699
