ˆ Kawasaki updates entire motorcycle line for '09

tags : 1700 vulcan , 1700vulcan , 2009 kawasaki , 2009 kawasaki ninja , 2009 ninja , 2009 zx-10r , 2009 zx-6r , 2009kawasaki , 2009kawasakininja , 2009ninja , 2009zx-10r , 2009zx-6r , er6n , kawasaki , kawasaki ninja , kawasakininja , klx250 , klx250s , klx250sf , super sherpa , supersherpa , versys , zx-10r , zx-14 , zx-6r

Kawasaki has pulled the covers off its new motorcycle line for '09, and there's lots to discuss. A revised, lithe ZX-6R sheds about 20 pounds, much of it from the engine itself. It also gets updated Showa Big Piston forks and a new look based on its big brother, the ZX-10R. Speaking of which, Kawi's literbike sees only a few changes for '09, most notably a new green, white and black color scheme that looks excellent. Moving from the top of the performance ladder, the middleweight Ninja 650 gets a new fairing that brings it more in line with the rest of the Ninja line, plus a few engine mods to meet new emissions regulations. In a bit of really cool news, the U.S. finally gets the ER6-n, essentially a naked version of the popular Ninja 650 -- we likey. On another sporty note, Team Green has unveiled the KLX250SF, a supermoto bike with a 250cc four-stroke engine, grippy 17-inch tires and long suspension travel. The 'moto is based on the KLX250S, a small-bore dual-sport bike that's finally 50-state emissions legal for '09. On a surprising note, the venerable Super Sherpa is back, along with its 250cc engine and old-school looks. Cruisers are still big sellers in the U.S., so the new 1700 Vulcans are likely to be a hit with a new V-Twin engine derived from Vulcan 2000's monster mill. The rest of the Vulcan line, along with the Versys, ZX-14 and Concours 14 see no real changes for '09 other than some new colors. And that about wraps it up.

posted : 10/3/2008 @7:52:48 PM

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