Kawasaki KLX Motorcycles in Pensacola, page #8

Moto blog

Third Annual ‘The MEET’ at ACM

More than 2,000 attendees visited America’s Car Museum for its 3rd annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival ‘The MEET’ last weekend in Tacoma, Washington, where over 300 motorcycles and scooters were showcased on the Haub Family Field at LeMay. The event drew pre-1981 motorcycles and scooters from the U.S. and Canada, including an antique motorcycle display, swap meet, cruise-in and a 78-mile roundtrip tour from ACM’s Anderson Plaza to Mt. Rainier.

NHTSA Launches Recall Look-up by VIN Tool

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have launched a new free online tool that should make it easier for consumers to inspect their vehicles’ safety recall histories. The new search tool, available at http://www.safercar.gov/vinlookup, allows people to look for recall campaigns by entering Vehicle Identification Numbers.

Kawasaki Announces New Protection Plans

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced recently that after 28 years of providing coverage to Kawasaki customers, the Good Times Protection Plan (GTPP) has been rebranded as Kawasaki Protection Plus (KPP). Kawasaki Protection Plus offers all of the same factory backed coverage and extended service contract programs as GTPP, but through Kawasaki’s partnership with Service Group, KPP has added new products including GAP, Tire & Wheel, Prepaid Maintenance as well as all-encompassing coverage for other OEM brands in the form of Preferred Protection Plus.

Sykes Staying with Kawasaki Through 2016 WSBK Season

Reigning World Superbike Champion Tom Sykes has signed a contract extension with Kawasaki to see him continue to ride for Team Green through the 2016 season. Sykes, who currently holds a 44-point lead over Aprilia‘s Sylvain Guintoli with three rounds remaining in the season, has been with Kawasaki since 2010. Since hopping on board the Ninja ZX-10R superbike, Sykes has won 22 WSBK races and holds a record for 23 Superpoles in the current qualifying format.

Kawasaki Donates Motorcycle In Support Of Ocean Conservation

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced recently that it will donate a Ninja 650 sportbike for auction at the Oceana SeaChange Summer Party, attended by some of the largest supporters of Ocean Conservation in Hollywood including Ted Danson, Sheryl Crow and this year’s special guest, Leonardo DiCaprio. Proceeds from the auction of the Ninja 650 will go to Oceana’s mission of ocean conservation, a shared goal by Kawasaki who’s global mission is “working as one for the good of the planet.”  Some of Oceana’s victories include protecting Sperm Whales from California Fisheries, upholding Shark fin bans in the United States and many other policy victories for marine life and habitats in more than 150 countries.

Kawasaki World Debut At AIMExpo

Kawasaki has chosen the 2014 American International Motorcycle Expo as the venue to make the world debut of a yet unannounced motorcycle model. The model launch will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, this October 16-19.  “AIMExpo demonstrated last year that it can serve as the ideal platform for media and brand activities and Kawasaki will leverage this grand stage to reveal new products, as well as interact closely with dealers and consumers,” explains Kevin Allen, Kawasaki Manager, PR + Brand Experience. “We have some very exciting new product to share and AIMExpo is the perfect place to make these announcements.” Attendees will also witness the North American introduction of all-new vehicles in several categories from Kawasaki. Following the unveilings, all products will then be on full display for all to see inside Kawasaki’s booth (#2165) out on the AIMExpo show floor.  “Kawasaki joins an expanding list of key companies that sees AIMExpo as the perfect means to infuse energy into the powersports business in North America,” says Larry Little, Vice President and General Manager, Marketplace Events Motorcycle Group.

Cathy Butler Attempting Land Speed Record Aboard Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Kawasaki has had a great 30th anniversary so far for its Ninja line of models. To date, the highlights have included Jeremy Toye’s triumph at Pikes Peak, Tom Sykes leading the World Superbike Championship and the release of the 2015 Ninja ZX-14R 30th Anniversary Limited Edition. The celebrations haven’t finished yet, and the next milestone will be an assault on Bonneville Speed Week (August 9-15, 2014) in an attempt to set a new Land Speed Record at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The 2015 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R has been entered by catalytic converter specialist, ACAT Global, with the aim of proving its motorcycle products in the most challenging conditions.

Riding Impressions Of The Virginia Tech Bolt+ Video

During last weekend’s round of the eMotoRacing series, held at New Jersey Motorsports Park, the series had a special entry. Mixed among the Brammo TTXs and Empulse Rs that are normally seen in the series, the Bolt II electric motorcycle from Virginia Tech University filled a grid slot amongst them. Here, series founder, promoter and competitor, Arthur Kowitz tells us what it’s like to ride this completely student-built electric racing motorcycle.

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.