Kawasaki Goes Green
KAWASAKI GOES GREEN
ROUNDUP
WAIT FOR MUNICH? Not Kawasaki. A couple of weeks before the biennial German supershow, Kawasaki cut loose with its 2001 U.S. streetbike lineup.
Leading the way is the much anticipated ZRX1200R. Increases in both bore and stroke (along with a new head, beefier crank, bigger block and stainless exhaust system) give the CW Ten Best-winning super-standard a claimed 13 percent horsepower enhancement—look for about 110 bhp at the rear wheel. The swingarm remains a bridged tubular-aluminum affair, but it is now a largerdiameter, oval design with greater rigidity. The pivot point is 5mm lower, as well. Colorwise, a Black Pearl/Metallic Blue Violet complements the requisite Candy Lime Green/Vivid Purple Mica scheme. At $7899, the ZRX remains one of the best deals in motorcycling.
Speaking of Ten Best winners, the powerful ZX-6R hits the highways in three colors:
Candy Lightning Blue, Lime Green/Pearl Purplish Black Mica and our personal favorite, Pearl Chrome Yellow/Pearl Purplish Black Mica. Price is $8099. The zoomy ZX-9R and ZX-12R see only color changes, too. Candy Lime Green and Firecracker Red/Pearl Purplish Black Mica for the Nine ($10,199), and Metallic Lime Green/Ebony and Metallic Phantom Silver for the Twelve ($11,999).
Now costing $5999, the air/oilcooled ZR-7S joins the fairing crowd, courtesy of a moderately sized, color-matched plastic wind-blocker. That, a new gauge cluster and multi-reflector headlight are the bargain sport-standard’s only ’01 alterations. Look for it in Candy Persimmon Red.
On the large-displacementcruiser front, both the Vulcan 1500 Drifter and Vulcan 1500 Nomad (still available in both carbureted and fuel-injected form for $12,299 and $12,999) get larger, 5.0-gallon gas tanks with rounded edges for a “cleaner, more upscale look.” More importantly, at least from an aesthetic stand, the fullfendered Drifter now comes standard with a swelllooking solo seat. The original stylistically challenged dualposter is now an option. Two colors-Oxblood Red/Pearl Ivory and Ebony-are offered. Price? $11,799.
The Vulcan 800 Drifter, meanwhile, also gets the soloseat treatment, plus a boatload of chrome: engine covers, bullet headlight shell, fork and shock covers, handlebar and clamp, rear fender rail and license-plate bracket. Paint? Any hue you want, as long as it’s Candy Cardinal Red. Suggested retail is $7499.
Rounding out the retroscene, the Sixties-style W650 has more relaxed steering geometry, stiffer fork springs and revised damping, a largerdiameter front axle, re-angled instrumentation, reshaped seat and thinner gas-tank pads. It’s offered in Pearl Boulogne/Pearl Ivory for $6599.
New to the U.S. market, the entry-level Eliminator 125 is powered by a sohc, air-cooled Single loaded with novice-friendly features such as an automatic camchain tensioner, electronic ignition and under-tank choke. With a claimed 26.8-inch seat height and 282-pound dry weight, the Twilight Red machine should be a slam dunk among first-timers. Sadly, California’s super-strict emissions standards prohibit its sale in the Golden State. Everywhere else, the bike costs $2499.
It’s a solid lineup. And with the exception of the W650, ZR-7S and ZRX1200R, which have January and March release dates, every one of ’em should be in dealerships right now.z
Matthew Miles
