| Green With Envy: New Kawis For 2010 |
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By Gabe Ets-Hokin The economy is still suffering from its post-apocalypse hangover and bikes sales numbers are depressingly low, but you wouldn’t know it from the wave of new models 2010 has in store. Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced four new or heavily revised street models—the Concours 14, Z1000, ZX-10R and Versys—and some new off-road offerings in a new KLX110 and KLX110L  The biggest news is the Z1000, which is really all new, not just a heavy upgrade like the 2007 Z1000. I don’t have a lot of details, but it does have an aluminum frame, an “all-new” 1043cc engine that at least in a superficial visual comparison between the old Z1000, the new Z1000 and the ZX-10R really does look different. It also has a radial-mount four-piston front brake calipers, inverted fork, and very abbreviated bodywork that wouldn’t look out of place on Ducati’s new Streetfighter. The photo also shows an aluminum swingarm with eccentric chain adjusters and cool polished rims. Over all, the bike looks very compact, and if the motor only offers a 15-percent bump in power over the 2009 model, you can expect somewhere around 120 hp coming out of that fat back tire, and it could lose as much as 40 pounds thanks to the lighter frame and new mill. Kawasaki also mentions a cold-air intake equipped with a resonator to make a cool intake shriek at high rpm: pure Kawasaki! Looks like 2010 could be a good year for streetfightering, especially considering the Z1000’s $10,499 pricetag (which admittedly, is a sight higher than the 2009 model’s $8899 MSRP).  Fans of the 1000cc Ninja will be happy to know that even though the 2010 ZX-10R is much the same as last year, it gets some significant upgrades. An improved transmission—similar to the smooth-shifting unit in the ZX-6R—for easier, more-precise shifting. It also gets an upgraded Öhlins steering damper and “sharper” bodywork. Not that there was anything wrong with the old bodywork, mind you. There are other cosmetic touches, including a new muffler and inner fairing panels. The pricetag is $12,999. For fast and comfortable, the super-sport-touring Concours 14 is also revamped for oh-10. The big change is new electronics, with an upgraded (and optional) KACT-II “selectable” anti-lock braking system that “complements the rider’s brake inputs with supplementary force enhancements for improved braking performance on a wide variety of riding surfaces.” Sounds reminiscent of BMW’s servo-assisted system, but it’s also supplemented by Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC). Also reminiscent of BMW is a new package of amenities including heated grips and a multi-function trip computer. Except unlike BMW, the package comes standard with the bike. That’s right, standard. After all, why wouldn’t you want that stuff? In addition, there is new bodywork, tank-bag hooks (great idea!), new Bridgestone BT-021 tires, revised suspension settings, and something called “fuel economy assistance mode” that we assume doesn’t involve a pair of comfortable shoes and an Amtrak pass. It actually allows the rider to switch to a leaner FI map, increasing fule economy by up to 25 percent. We loved the 2008 Concours 14: this should sweeten the $14,599 pot (add $700 for the ABS/TCS).  For lower-budget travelling, the $7599 Versys gets some changes to make it more practical and fun to ride. There’s new bodywork that makes the Versys look more…um…well, nobody buys the Versys for its looks, right? More importantly, it gets a revised, adjustable windscreen, new rubber engine mounts and footpegs aimed at reducing vibration, new passenger grabrails and seat and new tie-down hooks for luggage. Finally, there’s something for your Mini-Me. Kawasaki’s $2099 KLX110 mini-moto gets some heavy revisions, including a more powerful engine, electric start and new four-speed gearbox (the old bike was a three-speed). It’s supplemented by the new $2249 KLX110L, with a higher seat, longer-travel suspension and a manual clutch instead of the KLX110’s centrifugal model. We’ll get you more info about all the new Kawis as it comes in. |