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

Speed and Fuel TV to Broadcast Kawasaki’s Zero to Hero Challenge Starting This Week

Early this year, thousands of drag racers chased the dream and entered Kawasaki’s nationally-promoted “Zero to Hero Challenge,” hoping for the opportunity to face-off against multi-time champion Rickey Gadson and take home a new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R. Beginning this week, Speed and Fuel TV will broadcast the Zero to Hero Challenge across several time slots. Both cable networks will treat viewers to an inside look at the process all contestants went through on their way to challenging Gadson on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway drag strip in May.

Five minutes with Stuart Easton

Stuart Easton has been the sole hope for Scotland in BSB since his friend and mentor Steve Hislop left us nearly ten years ago. Rat boy, as he’s known to friends, shone in the 125 and Supersport class and until his horrendous crash at the North West 200 last year was a serious contender for the 2011 BSB title. Many (including himself) thought his career may have been over but he astounded everyone by climbing back on the podium just a few rounds into the 2012 season.

Report: 2013 Kawasaki ZX-6R to Return to 636cc Displacement

Kawasaki is reportedly set to unveil an updated Ninja ZX-6R for he 2013 model year with a return to a 636cc engine displacement. According to Motorcycle News, the 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R will receive a styling refresh to resemble the ZX-10R while bringing back the larger 636cc engine displacement used from 2002 to 2006 (the 2003 ZX-6R is pictured above). The British publication has gotten a hold of spy photos of the new ZX-6R being filmed for a Kawasaki promotional video on the Isle of Man.

2011-2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Recalled for Crankcase Oil Leak

Kawasaki is issuing a recall on its 2011 and 2012 Ninja ZX-10R due to a potential oil leak in the crankcase. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, engine oil may leak from the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R‘s crankcase from a machined area where the starter is mounted. Leaked oil may pool on top of the crank case and, under continued use, spill onto the rear tire, reducing traction and increasing the risk of a crash.

Thief Steals Motorcycle from Crash Victim

It already sucks when you’re involved in a motorcycle crash. I found that out myself first-hand recently. It’s even worse however when someone steals your bike while you’re lying on the ground with severe injuries.

Kawasaki Ninja 250 Updated for 2013

Kawasaki announced its 2013 Ninja 250 beginner model with an updated engine, ABS and ZX-10R-inspired styling. The changes come as Kawasaki faces competition in Honda‘s CBR250R which has stolen some of the Ninjette’s sales. The updated 249cc Parallel Twin engine receives new sleeveless die-cast cylinders as well as updated pistons, crankcases and a new exhaust.

Kawasaki Recalls Concours 14 for Rear Brake Problem A Previous Recall Failed to Fix

Kawasaki is issuing a recall for the Concours 14 for a rear brake pedal issue the company had previously tried to fix in 2008. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, road debris can get trapped between the brake pedal and a pedal guard, causing slight pressure on the rear brakes. The rear brake drag can cause the brakes to overheat, potentially leading to brake damage, a rear brake lockup or failure of the rear brakes.

Eric Bostrom to Race TTXGP for Brammo at Laguna Seca

Eric Bostrom has signed on to ride the Brammo Empulse RR in the electric motorcycle race at Laguna Seca July 28-29. The race is the final stop on the TTXGP‘s North American series and a joint event with the FIM’s ePower series. The AMA racing veteran will join Steve Atlas to represent Team Icon Brammo at Laguna Seca.

WSBK: 2012 Brno Results

Marco Melandri bit a chunk off of Max Biaggi‘s World Superbike championship points lead by taking a pair of wins at Brno. The double was the first in Melandri’s career and the first for BMW. Biaggi, who arrived in the Czech Republic with four wins and nine podium finishes in ten previous races at Brno, was held off the podium this year, shrinking his lead in the championship to 21 points from 48.

Former F1 Champ Fittipaldi Producing Limited Edition Kawasaki ZX-10R

Emerson Fittipaldi is probably best known for his four-wheel racing career which include two Formula One World Championships, a CART racing title and two Indy 500 victories. What might be less known, at least outside of his native Brazil perhaps, is Fittipaldi owns a pair of Kawasaki motorcycle dealerships. The 65-year-old former racer and his team has produced a limited edition run of 50 Kawasaki ZX-10R sportbikes in the black and gold colors of his 1972 F1 Championship-winning John Player Lotus 72 car.