
Kawasaki Motorcycles
Updated April 2020
If you’re not aware Kawasaki’s parent company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, is a player in just about every transportation sector, from shipping to aerospace to mass transit – and that’s before we even consider KHI’s interests in energy production, industrial equipment, and recycling/environment. To the non-motorcyclist, Kawasaki’s Ninja moniker often refers to all sportbikes (the same way that Kawasaki’s brand name, Jet Ski, has been used generically for all personal watercraft by the uninitiated). Today, Kawasaki’s two-wheeled influence reaches through all categories of on- and off-road vehicles.
Kawasaki joined the motorcycle business in 1960 and is one of the major players from Japan. From the time it released the B8 125cc motorcycle in 1961, Kawasaki has seemingly never slowed down. Just five years later, Kawasaki produced Japan’s biggest bike – the 650W1. The first Voyageur touring model, based on the liquid-cooled KZ1300, hit dealerships in 1978. In 1981, Kawasaki launched the hugely popular 600cc sportbike class with the GPz550, and just two years later, the GPz900R “Ninja” is introduced to a stunned motorcycle press. The first ZXR-designated motorcycles reach the market in 1989 and are still going strong today. In addition to its vast lineup of street bikes, Kawasaki’s KX lineup of off-road motorcycles cannot be ignored, thanks largely to the racing success of James “Bubba” Stewart.
A large chunk of Kawasaki’s motorcycles includes its Ninja family of sportbikes, which is so big that it has three major branches: Sport, Supersport, and Hypersport. The Sport line consists of the Ninjas 400, 650, and 1000 ABS, while the Supersport subcategory wields the Ninja ZX-6R, Ninja ZX-10R, and Ninja ZX-14R. The Hypersport branch of the Ninja family tree consists of three siblings who represent the only factory supercharged motorcycles currently in production, the Ninjas H2 SX, H2, and H2R. If one of these bikes doesn’t raise your pulse rate, you’re probably dead.
Kawasaki has an extensive line of Z naked bikes ranging from the transformer-is Z H2 to the comfortably retro – and significantly less angular – naked, the Z900RS. Wrapping up Kawasaki’s model lines are the do-it-all Versys -X 300, Versys 650, and Versys 1000 LT plus the remnants of the cruiser era, the Vulcan’s S, 900, 1700 Vaquero ABS, and 1700 Voyager ABS. Kawasaki even has room at the Thanksgiving table for the retro classic W800 and the sport touring icon Concours 14 ABS. Those who like to get dirty on their motorcycles have the extensive KLR/KLX and LX lines, for a total of 11 dirt-focused hardware.
Kawasaki Ninja H2
Kawasaki Versys 650

The Kawasaki Versys 650 has been referred to by many (and owned by a few) MO staffers as the perfect do-it-all motorcycle. Its perky 649cc parallel-Twin is equally comfortable on grocery duty, canyon carving, weekend touring, and everything in between. Starting at $8,299, the price is easy to swallow, too.
Kawasaki Z900RS ABS

The Z900RS ABS proves that all Kawasaki’s aren’t angular and completely modern looking. The round lines remind us of the Z1 900 of yore. However, housed in the trellis steel frame is a thoroughly modern engine that you can use for around town trolling and still get your ya-yas out on a twisty road.
Kawasaki KX450

Developed by Team Green, the Kawasaki KX450 has what it takes to bring out the best in its riders. Propelled by a powerful 449cc Single utilizing the latest electronics (like Launch Control), the KZ can take you through all the terrains you might encounter, thanks to the 49mm Showa Coil Spring Front Fork and Uni-Trak rear suspension. You can even set up the KX to suit your dimensions through Kawasaki’s ERGO-FIT system.
Most Popular Kawasaki Models
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Kawasaki To Reproduce Cylinder Heads for 1970s Z1 Motorcycles
New, old, cylinder heads for some legendary Kawasakis more -
Returning 2021 Kawasaki KLX and KX Off-Road Models Announced
Kawasaki announced its lineup of KLX and KX off-road motorcycle returning for 2021. The 2021 KLX line will consist of the KLX230R and KLX140R (including the L variant with larger wheels), but not the KLX110 that was offered in 2020. The 2021 mini KX motocross line will include the KX100, KX85 and KX65. All returning […] more -
Kawasaki Launches Home Delivery Program
Add Kawasaki to the list of manufacturers supporting dealers with home delivery programs more -
Allen Millyard Starts His Garage-built KZ1400 Six
Too much caffeine more -
Kawasaki Announces Agreement With Roadrunner Financial To Offer Financing
The new agreement with Roadrunner gives credit builders and first-time buyers a chance to own a Kawasaki more -
Craigslist Ad o the Day: 1993 KX500
Of course it's street-legal, officer more -
New Kawasaki Triple Spotted in Testing!
Hang on, maybe it's not that new... more -
The Order Period For The 2020 Kawasaki Ninja H2™ Motorcycle Lineup Is Now Open
Now's your chance to put your name in for one of the three Ninja H2 models more -
Several Manufacturers Offering Test Rides At 2019 AIMExpo Outdoors
Here's your chance to come try several new 2020 models more -
O Dang, Its the Official Top Gun: Maverick Trailer
Complete with snippets of hot-rod Ninja then and now more -
2019 Isle of Man TT: Dunlop Senior TT Results
You would think that Dean Harrison would be sick of Peter Hickman by now. Harrison has finished exactly one spot behind Hickman in the Superstock TT, Superbike TT and both Supersport TT races this week. The pattern even extended back to last year’s Senior TT, where Harrison led for five and a half laps before […] more -
2019 Isle of Man TT: Bennetts Lightweight TT Results
Michael Dunlop is back on the top of the podium, taking his 19th career TT win riding the Paton 650 to victory in the Lightweight TT. Dunlop out-dueled Jamie Coward in the two-lap race, the two riders within a couple of seconds apart the whole time. After the first lap, Dunlop held a 0.748 second […] more -
2019 Isle of Man TT: RL360 Superstock TT Race Results
Peter Hickman won his third TT race of the week, and second in the same day following the Supersport TT Race 2, winning the 2019 Superstock TT. Hickman led through Glen Helen on the first lap, ahead of Dean Harrison and James Hillier. By Ballaugh, Hickman’s lead increased while Michael Dunlop passed Hillier for third. […] more -
2019 Isle of Man TT: Monster Energy Supersport TT 2 Results
After rain forced TT organizers to shuffle its race schedule for several days, the 2019 Isle of Man TT finally resumed with Peter Hickman winning the second Supersport TT race. Hickman beat out Dean Harrison and James Hillier for his fourth career TT win and first in the 600cc Supersport category. The race was shortened […] more -
2019 Isle of Man TT: Monster Energy Supersport TT 1 Results
Lee Johnston won his first career TT, taking the first of two Supersport TT events at the 2019 Isle of Man TT. Johnston won the race, shortened from four laps to two due to rain, averaging a speed of 126.449 mph on the Mountain Course. James Hillier held the lead early in the race, but […] more -
2019 Isle of Man TT: RST Superbike TT Results
Peter Hickman opened the 2019 Isle of Man TT by winning a shortened RST Superbike TT. Already reduced from six to four laps, the Superbike TT was called on the third lap after a crash at Snugborough that took the life of racer Daley Mathison. The race was immediately red flagged, with results reverting to […] more -
Kawasaki Good Times Demo Tour is Rolling to a Town Near You!
The time to try a new Kawasaki is now more -
Ducati Off to a Good Start in WSBK Testing
195.7 mph seems like plenty more -
Kawasaki Posting Over $1 Million In MotoAmerica Contingency
Win two superbike races aboard a Kawasaki and you could walk away from the weekend with $40,000 in your pocket! more -
Yoshimura Introduces 2019 Kawasaki ZX-6R 3/4 System and FE Kit
Ditching the stock Kawasaki ZX-6R exhaust for the Yoshimura system tosses nearly 11 pounds while gaining nearly 5% more power more -
2018 Kawasaki Z900RS and Z900 Recalled for Rear Brake Issue
Kawasaki has issued a recall for the Z900RS and the Z900 because of poor routing of the rear brake hose and rear wheel speed sensor wire. The recall is only for 2018 models, including both ABS and non-ABS versions of the Z900, but not the Z900 Cafe. The recall affects 1,173 motorcycles in the U.S. […] more -
Mav is Back in Top Gub 2!, er, thats an n, Top Gun 2
this time on a Kawi H2 more -
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. to Launch New Models at AIMExpo presented by Nationwide this October
Kawasaki making a worldwide debut at AIMExpo Thursday, October 11 and Motorcycle.com will be there to see it, live. more -
2018 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE Recalled for Loose Centerstands
Kawasaki is recalling the 2018 Ninja H2 SX SE because poor welding may prevent the centerstand from staying retracted. more -
Kawasaki Now Offering Exclusive Ticket Package for MotoAmerica
Kawasaki is offering its customers a 15% discount on MotoAmerica tickets for this season’s remaining rounds, plus you can ride your Kawasaki on the track during the parade lap and get an escorted grid walk for the Liqui Moly Junior Cup races. Definitely a pretty neat offer for Kawasaki owners interested in road racing. MotoAmerica: […] more -
Yoshimura Introduces Rearset Relocation Kit For 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400
While we at Motorcycle.com think the standard rearsets on the Kawasaki Ninja 400 are high enough, racers always want more more -
Yoshimura Introduces Alpha Slip-On For 2015-18 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT
Yoshimura has cut half the weight from the stock Versys 1000 LT exhaust while adding power with the Alpa slip-on more -
Jonathan Rea Signs on with Kawasaki for Another Two Years
As MotoGP teams and riders continue to shuffle around, WorldSBK’s Jonathan Rea and KRT Kawasaki are both more than happy to continue their partnership and journey together through 2020. Kawasaki: Jonathan Rea has signed a new contract with Kawasaki to remain in the WorldSBK championship as an official KRT rider for two more years. This […] more -
2018 Isle of Man TT: Pokerstars Senior TT Results
Dean Harrison led the 2018 Senior TT for five and a half laps until Peter Hickman laid down a record time of 16:42.778 on the final lap to steal the victory by just two seconds. Hickman’s final lap made him the first person to average faster than 135 mph on a single lap of the […] more -
2018 Isle of Man TT: Bennetts Lightweight TT Results
Michael Dunlop set a new lap and race record in the 2018 Lightweight TT while the upstart Paton dominated the leader board, taking five of the top six spots. The lone non-Paton rider among the leaders was Derek McGee who finished second on a Kawasaki, which typically forms up much of the grid. Of course, […] more -
2018 Isle of Man TT: Monster Energy Supersport TT 2 Results
Dean Harrison shattered the Supersport TT record books, besting the preivous record by 8.749 seconds to win his second career TT. The Silicone Engineering Kawasaki rider led from the start and for a while, the only rider who looked like he had a shot to catch him was Michael Dunlop. A 30-second penalty for exceeding […] more
Kawasaki Forums
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A site dedicated to the Kawasaki Vulcan rider where discussion can be found on all things Vulcan related.Kawasaki ZX Forum
This is a sited dedicated to Kawasaki motorcycles, including the ZX-6R, the ZX-10R, and the GTR 1400.Kawasaki Forum
Kawiforums.com is the leading forum for Kawasaki enthusiasts and owners where they can voice their opinions on all things Kawasaki.Kawasaki Ninja 250R Forum
Our Kawasaki Ninja 250 Forums cover the latest on Kawasaki's beginner motorcycle the infamous 250R.Kawasaki EX-500 Forum
Join our Kawasaki EX-500 forum for the best technical information, owner discussions, classifieds, and more at EX-500.comKawasaki KLR650 Forum
Our Kawasaki KLR650 Forum covers all there is for your Kawasaki KLR motorcycle.Kawasaki Versys Forum
Join our Kawasaki Versys community for everything there is to know about this unique Kawasaki motorcycle.Kawasaki Vulcan 750 Forum
Our Kawasaki Vulcan 750 forum is dedicated to the 750cc Kawasaki cruiser. Find a great community of Kawasaki enthusiasts discussing their latest motorcycle adventure.Kawasaki Z1000 Forum
Our Kawasaki Z1000 forum focuses on the late-model Z1000 motorcycle. Visit for a great resource of Kawasaki Z1000 owners.