Kawasaki

KAWASAKI

New Bikes '95

BIG-K SPANS THE SPECTRUM

NO CONFIRMATIONS FROM CLOSE-LIPPED KAWASAKI brass, but reliable rumors suggest the company will cater to a wide range of streetbike tastes with its new-for-'95 offerings. Expect a serious new 600cc sportbike, an 800cc-plus cruiser in the Harley mold and a parts-bin special 1100cc sport-tourer to appear at October’s Cologne Show.

As predicted in July’s Roundup, the twin-ram-air ZX-6R should be faster and more race-oriented than the company’s current ZX-6, which will continue to be sold. Insiders who have seen the new bike’s spec sheet say it should produce at least 100 horsepower, and are looking forward to racetrack shootouts with Honda’s new CBR600F3. Not that all this track-worthy excellence will come cheaply; expect a price in excess of $7000 for the 6R.

Kawasaki’s rumored new cruiser will join Suzuki’s Intruder in the 800cc class, probably with styling very much resembling a Harley-Davidson Softail’s. The 750cc Vulcan and 1470cc Vulcan 88 will reportedly remain in the lineup. There is no information about the new cruiser’s name or price.

More is known about the GPz1100S. Japanese sources say the bike features a ZX-11 motor in a ZX-10 frame, with styling based on the that of the 900 Ninja, which last sold here in 1986.

European sources say the bike will cost $10,850 over there at current exchange rates, about $300 more than the Suzuki’s RF900R’s price in Europe. Just a guess, but U.S. price should be in the $8000 range. In order to keep costs down, Kawasaki will reportedly fit the GPz with ZX-11 wheels, brakes and fork, but omit the 1 l’s ram-air induction system. The engine will be tuned for more torque, less top speed. Bodywork will be similar to that of the old 900 Ninja, but the fairing is said to be more aerodynamic.

With the arrival of the GPz, Kawasaki will stop making the 900 Ninja, which has been on sale in Europe as a bargain sportbike for the last 10 years. -Robert Hough