Kawasaki Motorcycles

About Kawasaki

Kawasaki motorcycles are manufactured by the Motorcycle & Engine division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The Kawasaki Company was founded in 1896 by Shozo Kawasaki as a shipyard meant for building oceangoing steel ships. At the beginning they constructed marine steam turbines, locomotives, freight cars, passenger carriages and bridge girders. In 1918 the Aircraft Department is established and after prolonged research Kawasaki succeeds in building Japan's first metal aircraft. Then came 1949 and they turned towards the motorcycles industry by making engines suited for motorcycles.

Kawasaki Aircraft initially manufactured motorcycles under the Meguro name, having bought out an ailing motorcycle manufacturer called Meguro Manufacturing Co. Ltd with whom they had been in partnership earlier, but later formed Kawasaki Motor Sales. Some early motorcycles display an emblem with "Kawasaki Aircraft" on the fuel tank. Kawasaki motorcycles from 1962 through 1967 used an emblem which can be described as a flag within a wing.

Kawasaki came out with their first bike in 1954, called Meihatsu. This bike had Kawasaki's own KB-5 engine. An improved model of the Meihatsu, called Meihatsu 125 Deluxe, was introduced in 1956.

Kawasaki was producing bikes for a while without much popularity, but technically progressing. Kawasaki started to be noticed as a big player on the motorcycles market due to the release of the 500cc H1 model (also known as Mach III). In 1973 Kawasaki introduced their first superbike, the Z1 which had a 903cc engine.

One of the most notable bikes in Kawasaki history, the GPZ900R came in 1983. This was the first model ever produced by Kawasaki to have a liquid-cooled engine and to reach 250 km/h. A year later they started to sell this bike in the US and they renamed it Ninja, thing which proved to be very benefactor, registering huge sales.

Their first ever motorsports victories were obtained by Dave Simmons in the FIM World Road Racing 125cc Championship. He won the West German and the Isle of Mann TT races and the series championship riding a KR-1. Then came 1981 and Kawasaki won the manufacturer's title in the FIM World Road Racing 250cc Championship, courtesy of A. Mang who was riding the KR250. Kawasaki's most notable win in their motorsports history was the Le mans 24-Hour Race back in 1983. The model which participated in that race was the ZXR-7.

Moto blog

Shakeup In The Kawasaki Media Relations Department

The public relations team at Kawasaki Motors Corporation led by Kevin Allen, Manager, PR + Brand Experience, has a new structure. Brad Puetz has been promoted to the position of Media Relations Supervisor and will be responsible for developing and implementing new public relations activities and new model launches. Greg Lasiewski will join the Advertising team as Senior Brand Communication/Sponsorship Specialist, managing the development and implementation of sponsorship, lifestyle and marketing programs for KMC.

The TT800 From Deus Ex Machina

Deus Ex Machina, the surf/moto shop known for creating throwback, one-of-a-kind motorcycles, has released its latest work of art, the TT800. Paying tribute to the highly successful Triumph factory TT machines from the mid-1960s, Deus’ expert builder, Michael Woolaway, created the TT800 for a customer requesting a new, old Triumph. It sources a Kawasaki W650 bored out to 800cc with CR carbs, a custom TT inspired exhaust, custom chromoly racing frame, re-valved Öhlins forks, and a custom gusseted swing arm for more stability. A Beringer six-piston caliper front brake provides stopping power.

2014 WSBK – Laguna Seca Results

Marco Melandri rebounded from last week’s disappointing Portimao round to win Race One at Laguna Seca while Tom Sykes extended his championship lead with a win in a red-flagged Race Two. Melandri got taken out of the second Portimao race after his Aprilia teammate Sylvain Guintoli slid into his RSV4. Melandri looked eager to make up for that DNF, leading every lap of Race One on his way to his third win of the season.

Meet Kawasaki WSBK Rider Tom Sykes At Ninja Bike Night, Thursday July 17

Fresh off a World Superbike win at Laguna Seca this past weekend, Tom Sykes is headed to Kawasaki‘s U.S. headquarters in Irvine, California on Thursday evening as part of Kawasaki’s Ninja Bike night. On Thursday, July 17, from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, come on out to Kawasaki HQ to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary Kawasaki Ninja.

2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R 30th Anniversary Edition Revealed

Kawasaki added a new limited edition 30th Anniversary Ninja model, revealing the 2015 ZX-14R in a special Firecracker Red and Metallic Graystone color scheme based on the colors of the original 1984 Ninja 900, the company’s first fully-faired sportbike. Kawasaki had previously announced 30th anniversary editions of the ZX-10R and ZX-6R, both bearing green livery remembering the company’s World Superbike and Supersport racers. Only 300 units of the limited edition Ninja ZX-14R will be produced for the U.S.

Kawasaki Ninja Nights, Laguna Seca, Only Two Days Away!

We’ve posted about this before, but we thought it was time for a quick reminder about the first ever Kawasaki Ninja Nights which will be happening this Saturday July 12, 2014 from 4:00–9:00pm next to the Kawasaki display in the Marketplace of Mazda Raceway. Festivities will include a three category bike show, featuring one class sponsored by Motorcycle.com. Voting for the show takes place from 4:30–7:30pm.

Tuner, Engine Builder, Team Owner Rob Muzzy Elected To AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame

Rob Muzzy, a top tuner, engine builder and race team owner has been elected to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Muzzy, who was elected to the Road Racing category, will be inducted at the 2014 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Oct. 17, in Orlando, Fla.

Four Classic Clubs Showcase Variety At AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

From custom café racers to beautifully restored Bridgestone motorcycles, a full range of motorcycling interests will be represented at BikeBandit.com AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, featuring Indian Motorcycle, July 11-13 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Classic Clubs that will be located on Championship Row include the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, Louisville Vintage Motorworks, Café Racer magazine and Bridgestone Motorcycle Club. The Club Corral, across from Championship Row, will include the Indian 4 Cylinder Club, the Kawasaki ZL Owners Association and the Cincinnati Classic British Motorcycle Owners.

2014 WSBK – Portimao Results

Kawasaki‘s Tom Sykes extended his championship lead while a Race Two collision between Aprilia teammates Sylvain Guintoli and Marco Melandri provided drama in the World Superbike Championship round at Portugal’s Portimao track. Sykes qualified on the pole in a sun-draped Superpole session but the clouds rolled in on race day, forcing teams to plan for mixed weather. An overcast sky presided over a dry Race One, leading to a mix of tire choices but all of the racers switched to wet tires for Race Two that saw the scheduled 20-lap length reduced to 18 laps.

Jeremy Toye Wins 92nd Running Of Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

On his first attempt at the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, road racer Jeremy Toye set a record in the premiere Open Class to win the category aboard a 2015 Kawasaki ZX-10R, celebrating the 30th year of the legendary Ninja brand. Prior to setting foot on the hill, Toye was confident he could get among the class leaders, aiming to beat the outright Pikes Peak motorcycle record, which was set by Carlin Dunne in 2012 with a time of 9:52.819. While that record remains intact, Toye was able to set a time of 9:58.687 to win the Open Class, finishing 6sec ahead of his closest rival, Fabrice Lambert aboard a Ducati.