2021 Kawasaki KLX300 dual-sport (left) and KLX300SM supermoto (right). Photos by Kevin Wing.
We test two new models from Kawasaki: the KLX300 dual-sport (MSRP $5,599) and the KLX300SM supermoto (MSRP $5,999). Both are powered by a 292cc DOHC liquid-cooled four-valve fuel-injected single borrowed from the KLX300R off-road bike.
The KLX300 dual-sport is equipped with off-road-ready 21- and 18-inch wheels shod with Dunlop D605 knobby tires, a 43mm USD fork with adjustable compression damping and 10 inches of travel and a fully adjustable gas-charged Uni-Trak shock with 9.1 inches of travel. It has a 35.2-inch seat height and weighs 302 pounds wet.
The KLX300SM has 17-inch wire-spoke wheels shod with IRC Road Winner RX-01 rubber. Compared to the KLX300, the SM has stiffer suspension damping, less suspension travel, taller final-drive gearing and a larger front rotor.
Road Test Editor Nic de Sena spent a full day testing each bike, on public roads, at an OHV park (on the KLX300) and on a kart track (on the KLX300SM). He had a ball and says these bikes are great for newer riders or for those who just want to have fun on a budget. Check out his video review below:
The Kawasaki 650 LT received its last major update in 2015 and with ample storage capacity, a friendly parallel-twin engine, as well as an agile chassis — this middleweight sport-touring machine still entices. Photos by Kevin Wing.
When the current generation of Kawasaki’s Versys 650 LT appeared on the scene in 2015, the motorcycle landscape was a different place. Things like full-color TFT instrument panels, ride-by-wire throttles, and electronic aid packages with IMUs were reserved for an elite class. Today, those features are all but ubiquitous among liter bikes in nearly every category. They have even begun trickling down to select middleweights. Heck, the latest Kawasaki Ninja 650 has a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity.
In a rapidly advancing world, the Versys 650 LT has studiously marched on, gaining a devout following for its affordability and utility. Its basic analog and LCD dash works well enough — the first LT came out long before ride modes were a twinkle in an engineer’s eye for this segment. Modern LED headlights would be an improvement over its halogen bulbs. The 649cc parallel-twin engine is eager and astoundingly dependable while missing some of the excitement seen in competitors. All of that is mated to a compliant chassis that’s proven itself in commuting and touring roles.
A basic analog and LCD instrument panel is easy to read, including helpful features like a gear indicator. Simple and effective.
What I’m describing isn’t the flashiest model with the latest whiz-bang gadgetry; although ABS is standard, the 2020 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is a blue-collar workhorse — a bike of the people.
Two essential features define the LT model: hand guards and key-matched, quick-release 28-liter hard saddlebags that will hold a full-face helmet in each side. That’s plenty of storage for trips, short and long.
With a wet weight of 501 pounds, the 650 LT is commendably agile, tipping into corners easily. A slightly stiffer suspension setup would boost chassis confidence.
Saddle up on the 650 LT, and you’re met with a bolt upright, neutral riding position, and riser handlebars that elevate your arms comfortably. Interestingly, the seat height is a somewhat lofty 33.1-inches, but the pleasantly plush saddle and compliant suspension squish down, allowing my 32-inch inseam to plant my feet on the deck. Also, Kawasaki has done a decent job of keeping the Versys 650 LT chassis at a trim width, further aiding the plight of shorter riders. Toss in the adjustable windscreen, standard hand guards and decently sized fairing, and the rider is adequately protected from the elements on long rides or short. From the handlebars to the footpegs, just about every touch point is rubber damped or counter-weighted, whittling the engine’s vibrations down to a tolerable minimum.
The Versys’ beating heart is a 649cc DOHC parallel-twin powerplant, which churned out a respectable 63.2 horsepower at 8,700 rpm and 43 lb-ft of torque at 7,300 rpm on the Jett Tuning dyno. There are more powerful machines out there, yet I’d wager that this level of performance is about what most riders need. It’s approachable, welcoming and never overwhelming, happy to chow-down miles at freeway speeds or plod along in traffic — made that much easier by the light slip-assist clutch.
The 649cc proven parallel-twin engine provides tractable, predictable power that’s approachable, along with stout reliability.
Tractability is the name of the game on the 650, building power predictably and progressively until plateauing in the upper rev-range. There is some low-end grunt to be had, while ample mid-range power steals the spotlight’s attention. The 180-degree crank layout and pitter-patter exhaust note don’t exude performance by any stretch of the imagination. Still, the engine has a pleasing personality, revving up quickly once you crack the whip, capable of eking out more than an approving smirk. The only hiccup in the works is abrupt initial throttle response.
The LT’s sporty 6-speed transmission certainly gets a workout in the twisties, and you’ll also have the assist and slip clutch to help prevent wheel hop, should you bang down through the gears with too much gusto.
The conventional headlight setup does its best, but riders would benefit from an LED upgrade.
I suspect that many find the Versys 650 LT’s cooperative handling to be a high point, and I count myself among that group. Tipping the 650 into corners requires little to no effort, and it does so nicely, which is impressive considering its sizeable 501 pound wet weight. In urban and canyon environments, its adept flickability is one of its outstanding characteristics, paying dividends for novice and intermediate riders alike.
The 41mm fork with adjustable spring-preload and rebound damping and the shock featuring a snazzy spring-preload adjuster hide all of the road’s maleficence quite well, thanks to a relatively soft setup, though it’s unusual for a rear shock on a sport-touring bike to lack rebound damping adjustment. Still, to the potholes in the urban sprawl, phooey, I say!
28-liter hard cases are standard and fit a full-face helmet. They’re also incredibly easy to install and remove.
Of course, that is a setup choice done in the name of comfort. There is a downside: when faced with rough tarmac while cornering or correcting lines at pace, some nervousness is felt through the front end, which could be quelled by beefing up the springs and damping circuits. Luckily, the rear doesn’t suffer from the same issues.
The positives and negatives of the chassis are underscored on the wonderfully diverse stretch of tarmac known as California Route 58. The 650 LT’s agility shines when whipping through the winding sections of road, while riders with sportier desires may want a tauter chassis, less prone to fidgeting when leaned over on the edge of the tire. On abused sections of highway, the cushy suspension setup pays off in outright comfort.
Between the adjustable windscreen, hand guards and ample fairing, the 650 LT offers good wind protection.
Dual 300mm discs and 2-piston calipers in the front handle braking duties, providing decent stopping power and adequate feel. In the rear, a basic 1-piston caliper and 250mm disc are useful for line correction or low-speed maneuvering.
After a respectable run, the 2020 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT still has a solid foothold in its segment — it isn’t long in the tooth quite yet, but it is on its way. There is some salt and pepper in its hair concerning its technological offerings, yet even now it remains a good platform. Priced affordably and capable of filling multiple roles, the Versys 650 LT checks quite a few boxes for riders, making it a commendable workhorse.
The Z900 ABS is eager to get into the corners and doesn’t require much coaxing from the rider. Revised suspension settings help keep the chassis balanced. Photos by Kevin Wing.
When the 2017 Kawasaki Z900 naked bike leaped onto the scene, it quickly garnered praise for its no-frills, bare-bones approach to sport riding. Hold the cost-increasing rider aids, please — I want a good chassis, punchy motor and all-day ergonomics, said utilitarian riders. Kawasaki delivered as ordered, affordably, too, making it one of the best values in the class. This year, the 2020 Kawasaki Z900 ABS is getting a tech update without breaking the bank.
Kawasaki’s paint quality stands out in the class.
The pocket-protector-wearing bunch at Kawi waved their graphing calculators at the 2020 Kawasaki Z900 ABS and bestowed new technical amenities such as adjustable traction control, a full-color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and four selectable ride modes. Even the design department joined in, with a restyled LED headlight and indicators, shrouds and various covers that add up to just the right amount of Sugomi styling — all for a nominal $200 upcharge over the last ABS model. A non-ABS model is no longer offered stateside.
In 2020, Kawasaki’s Z900 ABS is coming out swinging with technology and features it never had. New to the party is adjustable traction control, selectable ride modes, and a full-color TFT instrument panel, not to mention a redesigned LED headlight and a slight aesthetic facelift. That’s a far cry from the stripped-down approach the Z900 took when first released in 2017, and it’s still a serious value.
On the engine front, the 948cc powerplant returns with minor finagling to the airbox intake funnels and a new fuel map to meet Euro 5 standards. The good news is that it hasn’t spoiled the party one bit, as the engine produced a healthy 113.3 horsepower at 9,800 rpm and 66 lb-ft of torque at 8,100 rpm on the Jett Tuning Dyno and power is delivered in an impressively linear fashion.
The inline four-cylinder engine is incredibly smooth and the lack of bad vibes is due in part to the rubber-mounted handlebar and footpegs. Additionally, footpeg weights also help keep vibrations in check.
There is plenty of low-end brawn and heaping midrange power on tap, thanks in no small part to the low 1st – 5th gear ratios in the slick 6-speed gearbox; 6th is overdrive. From the moment you release the light assist-and-slip clutch, the 948cc engine spools up quickly and will pull as hard as you like in the canyons, or take on a friendly, urban-minded role when scooting around traffic. This isn’t your stereotypical peaky inline-four engine and, in that sense, is far more versatile. The Z900’s powerplant is also silky-smooth, with no bad vibrations, allowing the acoustically tuned intake howl and exhaust note to come to the top of the mix.
With a sporty, short throw at the shift lever, the Z900 is practically begging for a quickshifter. Of course, we know that would increase the MSRP, but the perky engine and peachy transmission are primed for one.
The new 4.5-inch TFT dash is crystal clear and easy to read.
Freshly added is the 4.3-inch full-color TFT dash that is found on several Kawasaki models, paving the way for four selectable ride modes; Sport, Road, Rain and a customizable Rider mode. In Rider mode, owners can choose between Full or Low (55-percent max output) engine power, as well as the new 3-level traction control that can be disabled. ABS cannot be adjusted, per Euro 5 regulations.
I stuck with Sport predominantly since it has the least restriction and is, consequently, the most fun. A good whack of the throttle results in a cheeky front-end lift, while TC and ABS extend the leash for spirited riding without intervening aggressively. They’ll step in when needed, as any well-designed system will do. This does lead me to one complaint about the new Sport and Road riding modes. The throttle response is abrupt during the initial on-off application, requiring the wrist-calibration of a world-class surgeon. You can get it right but sticks out in my mind because of how great the throttle is everywhere else.
Kawasaki upped the rear spring rate by roughly 5% and also updated stock suspension settings.
Another bugbear is the unintuitive user interface on the Z’s shiny new dash. I’ll admit that diving into the menu’s depths isn’t something that owners regularly do; once you’ve found your settings, you’ll generally keep them. Prod at the dash long enough and you’ll figure it out, but I can’t help feeling like one of the monkeys from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” if only momentarily.
Speaking of new technology, the dash supports Bluetooth connectivity and the Kawasaki Rideology app, which has a host of features ranging from a riding log, text and call notification, to service information and more.
There isn’t much padding in the Z900’s saddle, but it helps Kawasaki achieve the low 31.3-inch seat height. It also contributes to some of the harshness felt when riding on bumpy tarmac.
Overall, the cockpit and bike feel svelte; you’re in command of the Z900 ABS and able to whip it around on a whim. At 31.3 inches, the Z900’s seat height is the lowest in its class, and Kawasaki has also done a fine job of whittling down the 4.5-gallon fuel tank where it meets the thinly padded seat, giving the bike a less-bulky feel.
Those characteristics pay off for riders with shorter inseams, since many full-sized motorcycles sporting taller seat heights are less accommodating. At 5-foot, 10-inches tall, my 32-inch inseam does see some knee-bend, although I’m not uncomfortable and can confidently flatfoot at a stop. Taller or leggier riders may experience more knee bend, making the 1-inch higher ergo-fit seat a wise investment.
New Dunlop D214 Sportmax tires perked up the Z900’s handling.
With a sporting 57.1-inch wheelbase and 24.5-degree rake, the Z900 is light and playful, ready to pounce at any corner, while its sturdy steel-trellis frame telegraphs information to the rider well. Kawasaki also says that the frame is beefed up around the swingarm area. It feels a sight nimbler than what the hefty 467-pound wet weight we measured would suggest — the bike could stand to hit the gym.
Whether you’re peeling into a choice mountain sweeper or zipping through traffic, the Z900 is surefooted at both ends, helped along by sportier Dunlop D214 Sportmax rubber that features a more aggressive profile, livening up the Z’s handling.
The low 31.3-inch seat height will be a boon for shorter riders, but it does create some knee-bend for my 32-inch inseam. Taller individuals will want to opt for the higher ergo-fit seat.
To complement the strengthened frame, Kawasaki tweaked the settings of the 41mm KYB fork, which features spring preload and rebound damping adjustment only. The horizontal back-link KYB shock now boasts a roughly 5-percent heavier spring rate, along with spring preload and rebound damping adjustment.
The initial setup isn’t supersport stiff, nor is it pool-noodle soft. The confidence-inspiring chassis is aided by an athletic setup that helps the Z900 stay balanced, even when you start pushing it to a brisk pace. Firming up the suspension might appeal to those who only venture to mountain roads on Sunday, giving those riders an edge when riding quickly, but it would be detrimental in other environments.
Kawasaki’s paint quality stands out in the class.
The MSRP-friendly suspension fares well in the city, although rough tarmac will expose a weakness in the shock’s non-adjustable compression damping, especially if you’re a heavier rider. That charge cannot be squarely leveled at the shock alone, as the thin seat padding is an accomplice in the crime of a harsh ride over bumpy tarmac.
Four-piston Nissin calipers that clamp onto 300mm petal discs handle braking duties, resulting in strong braking power and good feel at the adjustable lever. A single Nissin caliper works with a 250mm disc in the rear and is great for low-speed maneuvers or line correction. Together, the braking components do a fine job and remind us that spec-sheets don’t always tell the whole story.
The modest Nissin 4-piston calipers offer good feel and stopping power, once again proving that spec-sheets listing pricier components don’t always tell the whole story.
Kawasaki has upped their fit-and-finish game in recent years and even on the affordable Z900 ABS, that trend has continued. High quality paint on the fairings and frame make the entire bike pop, while graphic decals maintain the alluring price tag.
Undoubtedly, there will be those drawn to the 2020 Z900 ABS primarily due to its lovely MSRP. Smart consumers, indeed. Being budget-conscious used to mean you’d be making plenty of sacrifices in performance and features, and yes, its noticeably pricier competition will have a leg up in certain areas. Here, you’re not giving up much of anything on the street. Telling someone, “You get what you pay for” is usually a warning, but in this case, it’s just a good bike.
The Ninja 1000SX’s blade is sharper than ever in 2020, with several key refinements.
All right, so you want to go far but you also want go fast, and you need some carrying capacity and comfort while doing it. Asking the world, aren’t we? Maybe your supersport days are behind you, although not too far, and only street riding is on the menu now. Ah, friend, then you’re looking for a true sport-touring machine like the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX.
Now, let’s complicate this further. You also want IMU-supported cornering ABS and traction control, ride modes, cruise control, an up/down quickshifter and a full-color TFT display. Those amenities are easy to come by on the upper end of the sport-touring segment, where MSRPs have risen without remorse. But you’re not like most customers; you want it all at a reasonable price.
Seating position is fairly relaxed and upright, and this year’s slightly taller seat creates less knee bend.
The Ninja 1000SX is a machine that’s received continual honing on the engineering whetstone with subtle but crucial updates, and now, it’s been refined to a sharp point. This year, engineers focused on improving throttle response, handling, suspension, and rider and passenger comfort, while also tossing in an up/down quickshifter, cruise control and a TFT display…with only a $200 increase in the list price.
Sitting at the heart of the Ninja 1000SX is a lovely, torque-rich 1,043cc in-line four-cylinder engine. Internally, this is the same powerplant in the previous model, but now it boasts new electronic throttle valves and a throttle sensor to make its throttle-by-wire virtually faultless in any mode.
Put the Ninja into one of four ride modes: Sport, Road, Rain (low power) or a customizable Rider mode, and the Kawi’s lump will eagerly grab you by the scruff with its notable low-end grunt. From there, the massive mid-range takes over and leads you into serious top-end power that will see you quickly hauling the mail in comfort. On the Jett Tuning dyno the 1000SX churned out 124.3 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 75.4 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm at the rear wheel. Therefore fret not, recently retired sportbike rider—you can still land yourself in front of a judge easily.
The Ninja 1000SX’s in-line-four is a smooth runner, too, thanks to twin counterbalancers, and now revised camshaft profiles have also reduced tappet noise. What truly hides engine buzz now are new dampers beneath the seat, turning the formerly buzzy SX into something quite serene.
New three-piece fairings take inspiration from the H2 and ZX-10 sportbikes, turning up the drama. Graphic decals help keep the MSRP low but paint quality is top-notch.
All of the aforementioned mid-range puff takes a load off the new up/down quickshifter, since you’re able to settle into a gear and simply work the grip. The quickshifter itself shifts commendably on the upshift, letting you bang through that slick six-speed gearbox, but can lurch a tad when auto-blipping at lower rpm. Clutch pull at the adjustable lever is nice and light thanks to the slip-assist clutch, which also helps make sure things don’t get squirrely during aggressive downshifts.
To help the bike meet Euro 5 emissions regulations the intake and exhaust have been updated, beginning with two shorter 45mm intake funnels on cylinders one and four. Coupled with that change is an all-new 4-2-1 exhaust system that has additional catalyzers to ensure emissions standards are met and ditches the dual muffler setup, saving a claimed 4.4 pounds.
Stable and planted —those are the hallmark traits of the 1000SX when on the edges of the new Bridgestone Battlax S22 rubber.
Kawasaki’s Bosch IMU-supported rider aid package is up to snuff with the best of them, featuring cornering ABS (KIBS) and lean-angle-sensitive traction control (KTRC). Save for a bit of overzealous ABS intervention while trail braking in corners, those systems work as intended. TC can be disabled in the Rider mode, but ABS cannot, per Euro 5 requirements.
I will gripe about the actual selection of ride modes, as it takes an inordinately long time to complete when riding. Press and hold the mode button for one-Mississippi and do be sure to annunciate. Touch the throttle in any way and the process is interrupted with no indication. On most bikes these days, the indicated ride mode blinks or the rider is instructed to close the throttle to confirm the selection.
Large, easy to use controls make navigating the menu simple, but the time it takes to switch ride modes need to be shortened.
While on the subject of electronic doodads, we can speak about the 4.3-inch full-color TFT display that indicates everything you could ever want, along with maximum lean angle and brake pressure, for a bit of extra fun. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity. Tech savvy riders will be interested in Kawasaki’s Rideology app, which once paired to your bike features a riding log complete with your route, trip and bike telemetry data. Owners can also customize motorcycle settings as well.
The Ninja 1000SX’s communicative aluminum parameter chassis and sporty 56.7-inch wheelbase are unchanged, but in order to improve the SX’s handling, rake and trail have been tightened up slightly to 24 degrees and 3.9 inches. The updated 1000SX tips in with more eagerness than before, especially at low speed, which it definitely needed. Tight, slow twisties don’t impede the 1000 like they used to and it still holds a line beautifully, with loads of front-end feel.
Bright LED headlights are now standard.
Low-speed bleed ports have been added to the damping circuits of the fully adjustable 41mm Showa fork, relieving negative pressure during an initial hit and making the ride that much more plush. In the rear, a Showa Horizontal Back-Link shock featuring a remote preload adjuster and rebound damping adjustment helps keep the bike in shape.
In practice, the Showa kit offers up a luxurious ride, hiding everything except the most egregious of compression bumps from your senses. It also does a good job of keeping the bike’s 512-pound wet weight in control while cranked over on its seriously grippy new Bridgestone Battlax S22 tires. The shock, in particular, might protest if you start reliving your superbike days—but you aren’t giving up much, and I bet you can guess who will fare better on the ride home.
Kawasaki ditched the petal-style rotors for 2020, improving braking performance.
Kicking the fit-and-finish up a notch is a freshly designed ZX-10R-inspired three-piece fairing set with integrated turn signals. This update paved the way for a new four-position windscreen that achieves a more vertical position. Just don’t try to adjust it while riding, as the release button is precariously placed between the upper triple clamp and instrument panel. In the uppermost position, it directs air toward the top of my helmet on my 5-foot, 10-inch frame—any position below that I felt a good amount of buffeting. Height-blessed riders may want to opt for the taller accessory-touring screen.
Those coming from touring machines with picnic table-sized fairings may feel somewhat exposed on the SX, but I actually enjoy feeling the breeze. The fairings also boast internal venting, redirecting hot air from the rider. It seems to work well on the left side of the bike. On the right side, the clutch cover obstructs airflow if you’re one to tuck your boot against the frame. At temperatures below 90, it wasn’t something I noticed and the bike does well in the heat.
The 1,043cc in-line four cylinder engine is punchy as ever, even with Euro 5 emissions standard compliance.
Of course, we’d be remiss to omit the new LED lighting that provides much more visibility at night. If that night is particularly chilly, the $298.95 accessory heated grips may be to your liking.
Riser handlebars offer a comfortable reach that doesn’t put excessive weight on your wrists and create a riding position residing on the sporting side of neutral. It’s appreciated in the twisty bits and comfortable for freeway mile munching. The comfort hits continue with rider and passenger seats that have been redesigned with denser foam and an improved shape. The seat height is raised marginally to 32.3 inches, which helps reduce knee-bend, making the rider triangle more agreeable on longer outings. There are also accessory low and high seats to help suit your needs.
Twenty-eight-liter saddlebags can stow away full size helmets with a little room to spare.
Long-distance riders will undoubtedly grumble about the lack of a centerstand. Currently, Kawasaki doesn’t offer one, but I say toss a jack stand in the bags and pack a plug kit.
Added to the scrap pile are the former petal-style rotors, which have been replaced with traditional 300mm discs and four-piston Tokico calipers. Feel at the adjustable lever is good, with plenty of power on tap, but could certainly be enhanced by upgrading to steel braided lines. In the rear, a single 250mm disc and single-piston Tokico caliper allow for decent modulation.
The 4.3-inch TFT instrument planel displays everything you need at a glance—in or out of direct sunlight.
The true advantage of a proper sport tourer is its luggage options, and the Ninja 1000SX is equipped with rails to accommodate 28-liter factory saddlebags. At $1,129.95, you’ll get color and ignition key-matched bags that’ll pack away a large size lid when it’s positioned just so. Interestingly, these bags are compatible with all bikes in the Ninja H2 SX and Versys lines. There is an accessory top box option as well, but it can’t be used simultaneously with the side bags due to weight concerns.
Where Kawasaki goes from here with the Ninja 1000SX is something of a conundrum. Save for remedying a few minor quirks, the evolution of the SX is complete. Totally reinventing the SX will undoubtedly drive the price higher, upsetting its appealing cost-to-benefit ratio. For 2020, Team Green has taken a good sport-touring machine and made it a great one, while also ensuring that it’s still one of the best overall values in the segment.
The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX has been honed to a fine point in 2020 and there’s no better place to experience it than a choice set of twisties.
Nic’s Gear: Helmet: Arai Corsair-X Jacket: Alpinestars GP Plus R V3 Pants: Alpinestars Cooper gloves: Alpinestars GPX Boots: Alpinestars Jam Drystar
2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX Specs:
Base Price: $12,399 Price as Tested: $13,529 (28-Liter Hard Saddlebags) Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles Website: Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line four Displacement: 1,043cc Bore x Stroke: 77.0 x 56.0mm Compression Ratio: 11.8:1 Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: 15,000 miles Fuel Delivery: DFI with 38mm ETV throttle bodies x 4 Lubrication System: Wet sump, 3.2-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip- and-assist clutch Final Drive: X-ring chain
Electrical Ignition: TCBI with digital advance Charging Output: 341 watts max. Battery: 12V 8Ah
Chassis Frame: Aluminum twin-spar perimeter w/ engine as stressed member, aluminum subframe & swingarm Wheelbase: 56.7 in. Rake/Trail: 24.0 degrees/3.9 in. Seat Height: 32.3 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm USD fork, fully adj., w/ 4.7-in. travel Rear: Horizontal back-link shock, adj. for spring preload (remote) & rebound damping w/ 5.4-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 300mm semi-floating discs w/ opposed 4-piston radial monoblock calipers & ABS Rear: Single 250mm disc w/ 1-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 6.0 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 190/50-ZR17 Wet Weight: 512 lbs. Load Capacity: 435 lbs. GVWR: 947 lbs.
Performance Horsepower: 124.25 horsepower @ 9,500 rpm (as tested) Torque: 75.40 ft-lbs of torque @ 8,000 rpm (as tested) Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gals., last 1.1-gal. warning light on MPG: 90 AKI min (low/avg/high) 39.6/37.6/33.9 Estimated Range: 185 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,000
Distinctive styling sets these modern-day UJMs apart from each other, but they’re very similar otherwise. Their nearly 1,000cc engines are liquid-cooled, transverse in-line fours with DOHC and four valves per cylinder. They roll on 17-inch cast wheels with tubeless radials, and have standard ABS and traction control, adjustable suspension and radial-mount monoblock front calipers. They have upright riding positions with minimal wind protection. And they all look good parked in front of Morro Rock. Photos by Kevin Wing.
Remember UJMs? If you were a motorcyclist in the ’70s, or have a soft spot for bikes from that era, then you remember them well. Honda kicked it off in 1969 with its groundbreaking CB750, the first mass-produced motorcycle with a transverse in-line four-cylinder engine and an overhead camshaft. It was an air-cooled four-stroke with a five-speed transmission, a front disc brake, an electric starter and an upright seating position.
Honda created the formula and other Japanese manufacturers followed it. Kawasaki launched the mighty 903cc Z1 for 1973, Suzuki introduced the GS750 for 1976 and, late to the party but the biggest reveler in the room, Yamaha brought out the XS1100 for 1978. Similarities among these and other Japanese models of varying displacements led “Cycle” magazine, in its November 1976 test of the Kawasaki KZ650, to coin what became a widely used term: “In the hard world of commerce, achievers get imitated and the imitators get imitated. There is developing, after all, a kind of Universal Japanese Motorcycle…conceived in sameness, executed with precision, and produced by the thousands.”
Those UJMs, and the standards of performance and reliability they established, revolutionized the world of motorcycling. Decades later, descendants of those progenitors carry their DNA into the modern era. To see how well the formula holds up in the 21st century, we gathered examples from Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki for a neo-retro comparo. (As much as we would have loved to include Yamaha for a proper battle of the Big Four, its contemporary XSR900 is powered by an in-line triple that colors too far outside the lines of the UJM formula.)
Like all three bikes in this comparison, the Honda has an upright seating position that puts no strain on the rider’s wrists, shoulders or back, but its footpegs are the highest.
Honda’s CB1000R, like its granddaddy, has a transverse in-line four, but it’s a more highly evolved one featuring liquid cooling and dual overhead cams with four valves per cylinder — a configuration shared by all three bikes in this comparison. Derived from the pre-2008 CBR1000RR sportbike, the CB’s 998cc engine has been tuned for low- to midrange power and its 6-speed transmission has an assist-and-slipper clutch. Like the others, the CB1000R’s standard equipment includes ABS and traction control, but it’s the only one here with throttle-by-wire and riding modes (Sport, Street, Rain and customizable User), which adjust throttle response, engine braking and traction control.
With the lowest seat height, lowest footpegs and most room for a rider, passenger and luggage (as well as a magnet-friendly steel tank), the Kawasaki is the natural choice for longer rides.
A round headlight and an exposed engine are about the only styling traits shared by the “Neo-Sports Café” CB1000R and the CB750. Kawasaki’s Z900RS, on the other hand, is a spitting image of its forebear. Round mirrors on long stalks, bullet-shaped analog gauges, a teardrop tank, a bench seat, a sculpted tail and gorgeous Candytone Green paint with yellow stripes are all inspired by the original Z1. Even the flat spokes of its cast wheels are designed to look like spoked wheels of yore. Derived from the Z900 streetfighter, the Kawasaki’s 948cc DOHC in-line four has revised cam profiles, lower compression, a heavier flywheel, a second gear-driven balancer and narrower exhaust headers for a mellower feel, and its stainless steel 4-into-1 exhaust has been tuned to deliver an old-school four-banger growl.
Rodolfo Franscoli’s redesigned Katana brings the distinctive elements of the original into the 21st century, though the fairing and flyscreen offer more style than wind protection.
Jenny’s Gear Helmet: Shoei RF-1200 Jacket: AGV Sport Helen Pants: Joe Rocket Alter Ego Boots: Sidi Gavia Gore-Tex Tail Bag: Nelson-Rigg
Suzuki’s entry in this contest is the new-for-2020 Katana, a modern interpretation of the iconic 1981 GSX1100S Katana, which revolutionized motorcycle design by treating the bike as a whole rather than a collection of parts. Originally conceived by Hans Muth and reimagined by Rodolfo Frascoli, the Katana has a small fairing and windscreen, and, like the CB1000R, a stubby tail section. Based on the GSX-S1000 naked sportbike, the Katana is powered by a 999cc DOHC in-line four derived from the 2005-2008 GSX-R1000, tuned for street duty with milder cam profiles and valve timing, steel rather than titanium valves, lighter pistons, a stainless steel exhaust and a 6-speed transmission with an assist-and-slipper clutch.
Three bikes, three editors, two days. Before hitting the road, we strapped on soft luggage. None have centerstands, and only the Kawasaki has a steel gas tank that accommodates a magnetic tank bag, which carried our tools, flat repair kit and air pump. Its long, wide bench seat also has room for a good-sized tail bag. With their short tails and small pillions, the Honda and Suzuki only have space for small tail bags. Because the Suzuki’s bodywork is more stylish than functional, the Honda and Kawasaki are completely nude and none have hand guards or heated grips, we were exposed to the elements. We bundled up in layers for our mid-January test and pointed our wheels north, taking freeways and back roads up California’s Central Coast.
Although UJMs of the ’70s and ’80s were sometimes derided for their sameness and lack of style, the formula they created for smooth power, all-around performance, bulletproof reliability and affordability is still being used today.
With their refined, Swiss watch-like in-line fours, these modern-day UJMs are impeccably smooth. Snicking their transmissions into sixth gear and cruising at a steady speed is a sublime experience, with minimal vibration or unwanted perturbations. None have cruise control, but with fuel capacities ranging from 3.2 gallons on the Suzuki to 4.5 gallons on the Kawasaki and as-tested fuel ranges between 130 and 173 miles, the need for gas will likely precede the need for wrist relief. Upright seating positions and windblast on the chest keep weight off the wrists on all three, but there are notable differences in legroom. The Honda and Suzuki have the tallest seat heights (32.7 and 32.5 inches, respectively) as well as the highest footpegs, putting much more bend in the knees — especially on the Honda — than the comparatively spacious Kawasaki. Even though the Kawi has the lowest seat height (31.5 inches) and lowest pegs, on none of these bikes did we find ourselves dragging pegs in tight corners.
With the lightest weight and best suspension, brakes and tires, the CB1000R is a pleasure to bend through curves.
It’s in those tight corners that these bikes further distinguish themselves. With only 10 pounds separating their curb weights and modest differences in chassis geometry, their engine performance, brakes and suspension are what set these bikes apart. In terms of outright horsepower and torque, the Honda and Suzuki, both of which have sportbike-derived engines, come out on top. The Suzuki is the strongest, churning out 142.1 rear-wheel horsepower at 10,300 rpm and 75.9 lb-ft of torque at 9,200 rpm on Jett Tuning’s dyno, though its advantage over the others is mostly above 8,500 rpm. The Honda peaks at 125.5 horsepower at 9,800 rpm and 70.6 lb-ft at 8,300 rpm, but it’s much weaker than the Suzuki and Kawasaki below 7,500 rpm, a deficiency that’s obvious on corner exits and roll-on passes. Although the Kawasaki generates only 100.1 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 67.5 lb-ft at 8,500 rpm, in the midrange it gives the Suzuki a run for its money and leaves the Honda in the dust.
With their more compact cockpits and high-revving power, the Honda and Suzuki lean more toward the sport end of the sport standard spectrum. Their smoothness makes them sneaky fast, and their stock suspension settings are firmer than the Kawasaki’s. All of these bikes have fully adjustable upside-down forks and preload- and rebound-adjustable single rear shocks (KYB on the Kawasaki and Suzuki, Showa on the Honda), but the Honda’s suspension, especially its Separate Function-Big Piston fork, is the most compliant. Sportbike-caliber front brakes, with pairs of radial-mount monoblock 4-piston opposed calipers clamping large discs, deliver serious stopping power across the board, but the Honda has a slight edge in feel. Adding to a sense of confidence on the Honda are its Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S21 radials, which have noticeably more grip (but likely less mileage in the long run) than the Dunlop radials on the Kawasaki and Suzuki.
With its spacious cockpit and dimensions and soft suspension, the Z900RS requires more effort to hustle around corners.
Despite being down on peak power and more softly sprung, the Kawasaki is by no means a boat anchor or a couch on wheels. It’s plenty fast, but its mission is clearly different than that of the Honda and Suzuki. The Z900RS stokes the flames of nostalgia while providing a more spacious, relaxed and comfortable riding experience, with every potentially rough edge sanded smooth. The Katana, on the other hand, is essentially a GSX-S1000 with plastic bodywork and a more upright riding position. In isolation there’s little to complain about when riding the Suzuki, but compared to the Honda and Kawasaki, it feels less refined, with more driveline lash and less precision during gear changes.
With its power, riding position and firm suspension, the Katana is the most sportbike-like of our trio of modern UJMs.
UJMs were the first motorcycles to be called “superbikes,” a name that came to be more appropriately applied to the racer replicas that proliferated in the late ’80s. These modern-day UJMs fall into the more mundane-sounding “sport standard” category, but there’s nothing mundane about 100-plus rear-wheel horsepower, high-spec brakes and suspension, standard ABS and TC, and a level of capability that’s truly impressive. For sheer power and sporting prowess, the Suzuki gets top marks, but its small 3.2-gallon gas tank and high price ($13,499) make it a tough sell. Priced a bit lower at $12,999, the ultra-smooth Honda has a strong top end as well as throttle-by-wire, riding modes and the best suspension and tires, but its weak midrange and high footpegs limit its overall appeal. A relative bargain at $11,199, the Kawasaki won us over with its throwback styling, spacious and comfortable seating, strong midrange, seductive sound and decent fuel range. If you do what we did — strap on some luggage and explore some of your favorite roads for a couple of days — you’re guaranteed to have a good time. Isn’t that why we ride?
These modern UJMs are best suited to day rides or weekend jaunts. Their fuel ranges are low by touring standards and they don’t accommodate much luggage, but they’re reasonably comfortable, smooth and a heckuva lot of fun to ride.
Frame: Mono-backbone steel frame, single-sided cast aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 57.3 in. Rake/Trail: 24.7 degrees/3.8 in. Seat Height: 32.7 in. Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, fully adj., 4.3-in. travel Rear: Single shock, adj. for spring preload & rebound damping, 5.2-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 310mm floating discs w/ 4-piston monoblock radial opposed calipers & ABS Rear: Single 256mm disc w/ 2-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.5 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 6.0 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 190/55-ZR17 Wet Weight: 463 lbs. Load Capacity: 390 lbs. GVWR: 853 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 4.3 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 91 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 30.7/35.8/39.9 Estimated Range: 154 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,250
2020 Kawasaki Z900RS ABS Specs
Base Price: $11,199 Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles Website: kawasaki.com
Engine
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line four Displacement: 948cc Bore x Stroke: 73.4 x 56.0mm Compression Ratio: 10.8:1 Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: 15,000 miles Fuel Delivery: DFI w/ 36mm throttle bodies x 4 Lubrication System: Wet sump, 4.2-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, wet assist-and-slipper clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
Frame: High-tensile steel trellis w/engine as stressed member, cast aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 58.1 in. Rake/Trail: 25.4 degrees/3.5 in. Seat Height: 31.5 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm USD fork, fully adj., 4.7-in. travel Rear: Single shock, adj. for spring preload & rebound damping, 5.5-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 300mm discs w/ opposed 4-piston monoblock calipers & ABS Rear: Single 250mm disc w/ 1-piston caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 5.50 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 180/55-ZR17 Wet Weight: 472 lbs. Load Capacity: 398 lbs. GVWR: 870 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 90 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 34.5/38.5/45.4 Estimated Range: 173 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 3,750
2020 Suzuki Katana Specs
Base Price: $13,499 Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles Website: suzukicycles.com
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line four Displacement: 999cc Bore x Stroke: 73.4 x 59.0mm Compression Ratio: 12.2:1 Valve Train: DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: 15,000 miles Fuel Delivery: EFI w/ SDTV & 44mm throttle bodies x 4 Lubrication System: Wet sump, 3.4-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated assist-and-slipper clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
Frame: Cast aluminum twin-spar w/ cast aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 57.5 in. Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/3.9 in. Seat Height: 32.5 in. Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, fully adj., 4.7-in. travel Rear: Single link-type shock, adj. for spring preload & rebound, 5.1-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 310mm discs w/ radial-mount monoblock 4-piston opposed calipers & ABS Rear: Single 220mm disc w/ 1-piston pin-slide caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 6.00 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 190/50-ZR17 Wet Weight: 473 lbs. Load Capacity: 407 lbs. GVWR: 880 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 3.2 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 90 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 36.2/40.6/46.5 Estimated Range: 130 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,000
Even on modern-day UJMs we still like using an old-school paper map to plot our route on the back roads of California’s Central Coast. That’s Hollister Peak in the background (just above Editor Tuttle’s head), one of the Nine Sisters—a chain of small volcanic mountains that includes Morro Rock.The Honda CB1000R’s in-line four is a street-tuned version of the engine that powered the pre-2008 CBR1000RR. Unique in this trio, the Honda has a trick-looking single-sided swingarm. Suspension front and rear is by Showa, with a top-spec Separate Function-Big Piston upside-down fork up front.All-digital display with white graphics on a dark background is generally easy to read in bright sunlight. Red light on the right can be set to change colors with different gears, modes, etc.The Kawasaki Z900RS’s 948cc in-line four is the smallest, least powerful engine here, but it has a strong midrange and its tuned exhaust sounds fantastic. That bench seat, that sculpted tail with a small kick-up, that taillight and that Candytone Green paint take us right back to the original Z1. Those analog gauges, with their chrome bezels matching the handlebar, are stunning and easy to read in all conditions. The tasteful LCD display in the middle packs in useful info.The Suzuki Katana’s 999cc in-line four is the beast of the bunch, cranking out 142.1 horsepower at the rear wheel. A modern interpretation of a motorcycle design icon, the Katana is the only bike here with bodywork—a small fairing with a square headlight, a flyscreen and the Hans Muth-designed Katana logo. In addition to Glass Sparkle Black, it’s available in Metallic Mystic Silver like the original. Light-on-black digital display is busy and hard to read in bright sunlight.
New cornering lights flare out the fairing lowers a bit and light the way through bends at night. Photo by Kevin Wing.
Considering how popular the Versys 650 has become, almost from the moment it was introduced in the U.S. for 2008, we found it decidedly strange that Kawasaki only blessed Europe and Asia with the larger Versys 1000 when it appeared for 2012. OK, the styling was funky, but it had great bones, and when Team Green finally redesigned and brought it stateside for 2015 as the Versys 1000 LT, we liked it so much we gave it our Motorcycle of the Year award…and wore the tires off our long-term test bike. Here was a motorcycle that combined all of the good traits of adventure bikes — comfortable, upright seating; compliant, longer-travel suspension; good wind protection and moderate weight — with performance and handling near that of a liter-class sport-touring machine. In short, a sport-adventure “VERsatile SYStem” for riders with little or no off-road aspirations.
The Versys 1000 SE LT+ ate up the curves of California’s bumpy Carmel Valley Road in Monterey County so effortlessly it was easy to take in a lot of the idyllic scenery at the same time. Photo by Kevin Wing.
By retuning the liquid-cooled, 1,043cc DOHC in-line four from the Ninja 1000 to create a table-flat torque curve for better touring manners — without sacrificing much of the Ninja’s screaming top-end hit that is catnip to sport-oriented riders — the Versys 1000 LT package could handle rough back roads or smooth highways, long two-up tours or commuting, a sedate group ride or a tire-shredding rip up a canyon road. As a more comfortable alternative to the Ninja 1000, including plusher passenger accommodations, Kawasaki further sweetened the Versys 1000 LT deal with standard saddlebags, an adjustable windscreen, a centerstand, hand guards and a luggage rack. The only complaint we had is a common one among adventure-styled bikes — a tall 33-inch seat height — but a ¾-inch lower accessory seat is available, and the stocker is so thickly padded it’s easily reworked.
The clincher was the Versys 1000 LT’s price of just $12,799 in 2015, well below the competition despite its similar features and standard saddlebags.
Multi-functional TFT display is bright and has Touring and Sport modes with different information displays. Photo by Kevin Wing.
Fast forward to 2018, and the (love it or hate it, it’s here to stay) era of electronic rider aids was bypassing the basic-but-just-$12,999 big Versys, which only offered ABS, traction control and two power modes (Full and Low) for the button addicts. So for 2019 Kawasaki took the bold step of raising the new Versys 1000 SE LT+ price to $17,999, and filled the $5,000 gap with semi-active electronically controlled suspension, throttle-by-wire, cruise control, a quickshifter, heated grips, inertial measurement unit (IMU)-based 6-axis input for the now multi-level traction control and cornering ABS, four integrated ride modes that link to the suspension, TC and power levels, and LED head, tail and cornering lights. The command/control window into all of it is a bright, new multi-function TFT display with Sport, Touring and night modes as well as Bluetooth smartphone connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology app. The TFT display shares dash space with a big analog speedometer and a 12V, 45-watt accessory socket.
Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension (KECS) tames the Versys 1000 SE LT+ long-travel fork and shock quite well in bumpy and smooth corners. Photo by Kevin Wing.
Drilling down into the technical minutiae of each electronic feature is best left to the thick owner’s manual, but a few are worth detailing here, such as the Cornering Management function that uses both ABS and TC — with input from the IMU — to “assist” a rider experiencing sudden acute pucker factor to hold an intended line through a corner. I did not try this, and don’t ask me to. And the ride modes are a well thought-out platter of Sport, Road, Rain and customizable Rider choices that select either Full or Low power delivery (both of which are smooth and linear, with no annoying throttle abruptness), three levels of TC or TC off, and Hard, Normal or Soft suspension damping (rear spring preload is set separately). For example, Sport selects Full power, minimal TC and Hard suspension. In the Rider mode (our favorite, of course), you can set your own combinations, and fine-tune each of the suspension’s three damping settings. Finally, a comprehensive menu display gives you adjustment and on/off control over things like the quickshifter, cornering lights, shift light, etc.
Liquid-cooled, 1,043cc DOHC in-line four from the Ninja 1000 offers ample power and long service intervals. Photo by Kevin Wing.
Since all of this stuff is hung on essentially the same basic powertrain, chassis and running gear from 2015-2018, you can fire up the Versys 1000 SE LT+ and without even looking at the instrument panel enjoy its broad, smooth powerband, roomy comfortable ergonomics, good wind protection and exceptional braking. The fairing is a bit broader and more protective now due to the cornering lights, its 17-inch wheels front and rear with sport-touring rubber give the bike good grip and sweet, stable handling, and it has plenty of cornering clearance. Our 2019 test bike made similar power output numbers to our 2015 model (see the dyno chart), which makes sense, since the counterbalanced engine is unchanged. And Kawasaki Electronically Controlled Suspension (KECS) is a sweet addition, mainly because it adjusts damping in the new high-end cartridge fork and BFRC (Balance Free Rear Cushion) lite rear shock in real time depending upon conditions, and lets you quickly change the overall stiffness of the suspension for a softer or firmer ride.
Making the engine a stressed member in the Versys’ twin-spar aluminum frame enhances stiffness and saves weight, and a gear-driven counterbalancer in its in-line four-cylinder engine tames vibration down to just a slight buzz in the seat at times. Photo by Kevin Wing.
I was less impressed with the new cruise control, which didn’t hold the bike’s speed well, and wasn’t immediately responsive to attempts to raise or lower the set speed. The quickshifter is also a disappointment — though it works adequately it lacks the crispness of other up/down quickshifters and had a vague, mushy feeling at the shift lever. New owners may also be frustrated by the learning curve required to display information and make vehicle menu selections, which is not at all intuitive. Changing ride modes on the fly in particular needs a rethink, since you must close the throttle for far too long to do so.
Windscreen adjusts easily over a 2-inch range and provides good protection without buffeting. Photo by Kevin Wing.
OK, though some of its new features are still a work in progress, there’s a lot to like about the Versys 1000 SE LT+. The seats are plush, the new heated grips work great and the mirrors, windscreen, adjustable brake and clutch levers and LED cornering lights are all very functional. Can’t say enough about the locking saddlebags either, each of which holds 29 liters or a full-face helmet and can be removed and installed in a snap (and you can add a 47-liter accessory top case). Load capacity and alternator output are quite good, and the bike pops right onto its centerstand with little effort, a remarkable achievement for any nearly 600-pound motorcycle. Ride it on Low power with a tame wrist and you should easily top 45 mpg and 250 miles from the 5.5-gallon tank, though it does require premium fuel.
Dual floating petal rotors with radial-mount opposed 4-piston calipers are super strong and linear, and cornering ABS is standard. Photo by Kevin Wing.
As an adventure-styled motorcycle with a 17-inch front wheel and no real off-road ambitions, the Versys 1000 SE LT+ is unique among liter-class Japanese ADV bikes, which generally have a 19- or 21-inch front, more ground clearance, undercarriage protection, etc. That Kawasaki chose to fit the new Versys with a raft of contemporary electronic features before the latest Concours 14 sport tourer demonstrates how hot adventure bikes have become — if not actual ADV riding — and makes it even more road ready. For 2020 the Versys will be offered in eye-popping Emerald Blazed Green/Pearl Storm Gray rather than the Metallic Flat Spark Black/Pearl Flat Stardust White of our 2019 test bike, and we can’t wait to see it…especially if it’s from the saddle.
2019’s black-and-white color scheme has been replaced with a beautiful emerald-green and black combo for the 2020 Versys 1000 SE LT+. Both use a special Highly Durable formulation that Kawasaki says allows minor scratches to self-repair. We didn’t have the heart to try it…. Photo by Kevin Wing.
2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ Specs Base Price: $17,999 (2020 model) Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles Website:kawasaki.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse in-line four Displacement: 1,043cc Bore x Stroke: 77.0 x 56.0mm Compression Ratio: 10.3:1 Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: 15,200 miles Fuel Delivery: DFI w/ Keihin 38mm ETV throttle bodies x 4 Lubrication System: Wet sump, 4.2-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet assist-and-slipper clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
Chassis Frame: Twin-spar aluminum w/ engine as stressed member, tubular-steel subframe & cast aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 59.8 in. Rake/Trail: 27 degrees/4.2 in. Seat Height: 33.1 in. Suspension, Front: 43mm USD fork, KECS fully adj., 5.9-in. travel Rear: Single back-link shock, KECS fully adj., 5.9-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 310mm petal discs w/ opposed 4-piston calipers & ABS Rear: Single 250mm petal disc w/ 1-piston caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 5.50 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 180/55-ZR17 Wet Weight: 584 lbs. Load Capacity: 470 lbs. GVWR: 1,054 lbs.
Performance Fuel Capacity: 5.5 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 90 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 33.8/39.1/41.7 Estimated Range: 215 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 3,600
2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ dyno run courtesy of Jett Tuning
The 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 650 has finally come into its own, with a light restyle and TFT display capping off needed improvements introduced back in 2017. Photos by Kevin Wing.
What a difference a few years make. When we pitted the Ninja 650 against two rivals back in November 2016, we came away unimpressed — Kawasaki’s street-oriented sportbike felt overweight and uninspiring compared to its lithe sparring partners. But then Team Green put the Ninja on a diet and training regimen for 2017, shedding 43 pounds thanks to a new steel trellis frame, hollow-press aluminum swingarm, wheel assemblies and engine changes. The offset lay-down shock was replaced with a Ninja ZX-10R-derived horizontal back-link shock, and the new package was wrapped in sharper, sportier bodywork.
In addition to the significant weight loss, the Ninja’s 2017 training regimen included improvements to its engine, brakes and ergonomics. The liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder, 649cc parallel twin was retuned for better performance in the low- to midrange, where most street riders spend the majority of their time, and it got new injectors for more precise fueling, a mechanical gear position indicator, a revised airbox, a redesigned exhaust and smaller throttle bodies. A new 2-piston Nissin front brake caliper provided noticeably better performance and feel, and optional Bosch 9.1M ABS was said to be lighter and more responsive. (Read the complete details in our First Ride Review of the 2017 Ninja 650 here.) Suddenly this was a fighter to be reckoned with.
Included in the restyle are twin LED headlights that proved to be extremely bright for both daytime visibility and nighttime usefulness. Wide mirrors offer a good view of more than just the rider’s elbows. Photo by Kevin Wing.
For 2020, the Ninja 650 seems to have reached a milestone in its development, with refined styling that brings it inline with its ZX-6R and ZX-10R siblings, a new 4.3-inch full-color TFT display with switchable background color and ambient light sensor, connectivity to Kawasaki’s Rideology app and the latest Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tires. Specs and features only tell half the story of course; like a martial artist, mastering the movements is one thing — putting them to use is another. Since it was Senior Editor Drevenstedt who rode the revamped 2017 model, I haven’t been on a Ninja 650 since the 2016 comparo, and after spending five hundred or so miles on this newest version it’s clear this is a much improved motorcycle.
New for 2020 is a 4.3-inch TFT display, with an easy-to-read design and ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts brightness. It also allows the rider to connect the Ninja to their smartphone via Bluetooth and Kawasaki’s Rideology app. Photo by Kevin Wing.The display has two different background color options; I found the black background to be the easiest to read, even in direct sunlight. Photo by Kevin Wing.
Overall performance figures haven’t changed that much — peak horsepower is slightly down, mid-range power and torque are slightly up and peak torque is about the same — but with 43 fewer pounds to lug around, the 2020 Ninja 650 is now responsive, quick on its feet and quite fun to ride, emitting a rewarding intake howl as the rpms spin past 5,500. Its steering geometry has been sharpened, with the rake tightened up by a degree and the trail reduced by 0.4 inch, and ergonomics are small-frame-friendly — seat height is down more than half an inch to 31.1 inches, clip-ons are perched well above the triple clamp and the 4.0-gallon gas tank is narrow between the knees. So while my 34-inch-inseam legs got a bit cramped on longer rides and I found myself wishing for thicker seat padding (Kawasaki’s one-inch taller “extended reach” seat might solve both issues), I found the Ninja 650 to be comfortable enough for a 2½-hour-long freeway slog to Palm Springs or an afternoon ride on some favorite canyon roads.
The Ninja 650’s riding position is comfortably sporty, with tall, wide clip-ons, a low seat and reasonably placed footpegs. Photo by Kevin Wing.
Kawasaki says that about 60% of Ninja 650 owners primarily use it to commute and ride recreationally, but it’s on those sporty canyon roads that the Ninja’s newfound fighting spirit truly shines. It’s quick and flickable, with enough power to remain entertaining without demanding too much of its rider, nor requiring license-risking levels of speed. As is common in this category and price range, suspension is still rather basic, a bit underdamped and non-adjustable except for spring preload on the rear shock — the 41mm KYB fork has 4.9 inches of travel and the KYB shock 5.1 inches. Subsequently the bike can get pretty nervous when riding aggressively in rough corners, but on smoother roads the Ninja tracks through corners with confident stability, and the new Dunlop rubber offers predictable grip and feedback. An assist-and-slipper clutch mated to the six-speed gearbox also makes easy work of quick downshifts and commuter traffic alike.
Assist-and-slipper clutch makes easy work of stop-and-go traffic and quick downshifts. Both the brake and clutch levers are adjustable. Photo by Kevin Wing.
The 2020 updates are admittedly mostly cosmetic, but they’re like an outward representation of the Ninja 650’s forward progress — a black belt, to continue our martial arts analogy. The TFT display includes a slew of useful information, all easy to read even in direct sunlight, and new twin LED headlights not only look the business but also function extremely well, throwing bright white light far down the road as well as to each side. Overall this new Ninja 650 is at peak form, representing the new heights of performance and style we can now expect from today’s middleweight motorcycles.
Performance Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gals., last 1.0 gal. warning light on MPG: 87 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 59.9/60.9/62.0 Estimated Range: 244 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,400
Three brands, three middleweights, three engine configurations, three very distinct personalities. Which one are you? Photos by Kevin Wing.
Three riders walk into a dealership…. (I know it sounds like the start of a bad joke but bear with me.) All three are in the market for a new middleweight motorcycle, and each has a unique style and riding experience in mind. They’re in luck — thanks to a challenging economy, increasing growth in female ridership and a need to attract younger riders, manufacturers are doubling down on the small- and midsize-displacement market, meaning there’s a middleweight machine out there for just about anyone. We gathered three of the newest for an unorthodox Comparo Review; rather than pitting them against each other in a head-to-head battle, we thought instead we’d focus on each one’s unique personality. So here we are, the door just swung closed behind us, and our first rider already seems to know exactly what he wants.
We find him standing next to the Honda CB650R, where he’s admiring the waterfall of header pipes cascading from its 649cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC in-line four. The replacement for the stale CB650F, this fresh CB650R rounds out Honda’s Neo-Sports Café lineup, slotting in between the CB300R and CB1000R released for the 2018 model year.
Honda gave the middleweight CB more than just a facelift, with new wheels, an updated steel frame and a new, smaller fuel tank that combine to drop a claimed 9.2 pounds (11.6 pounds on the ABS version), a new inverted 41mm Showa fork with adjustable preload, a slightly more aggressive riding position and a redesigned airbox. The engine got a few tweaks as well, with new pistons and valve timing and a redline that’s been bumped up 1,000 rpm to 13,000. Also new this year is optional HSTC (traction control), which is only available on the ABS-equipped model and can be switched on and off on the fly.
Liquid-cooled, DOHC in-line four is the most potent of the trio, with 83 peak horsepower on tap.Switchable HSTC (traction control) is only available on the ABS model (which our test bike was not). LCD gauge includes range to empty, fuel gauge, gear indicator and a clock.
The result is a seriously sporty machine that will pluck at the heartstrings of any rider yearning for the howl of a rev-happy in-line four in an affordable, fun-to-go-fast package. This is a bike that’s happiest when wound up, with the real action not kicking in until about 6,000 rpm. Per the Jett Tuning dyno, the CB650R spins out a respectable 83 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, with torque topping out at 43 lb-ft at 8,200. “Go fast or go home,” says our rider as he swings a leg over the nearly 32-inch seat.
Footpegs are just a tad higher and farther back than before and the wide, flat handlebar is lower and more forward, but the riding position is still relatively comfortable, especially when compared to the drop-down sport position of our other two comparo bikes. With suspension front and rear being preload-adjustable, it’s easier to find a happy medium for sporting canyon runs and bombing around town, and powerful radial-mount, 4-piston front brakes pinching big 320mm discs provide more than enough stopping power. As someone unaccustomed to an in-line four with less engine braking than a twin, I was happy for the peace of mind those brakes offered when winding things up on a twisty road. While the CB could be a good first bike (Honda says 25% of its 650cc bikes are bought by first-timers), it’s got enough juice to keep an experienced rider happily entertained.
“And,” smiles our first rider as we wander away, “it’s the right color: red.”
It might be fair to say that rider number two is the polar opposite; he’s drawn to the Kawasaki W800 Cafe, a new model (in the U.S. and Canada) for 2019 that evokes the look and spirit of the original 1966 W1. For him, sheer performance numbers aren’t a priority, but rather classic good looks and a timeless sense of style — although a few modern conveniences like a bright LED headlight, ABS and fuel injection don’t hurt.
With the possible exception of the paint, which is a polarizing metal-flake-brown and silver combo (I happen to like it), the W800 checks all the retro-loving riders’ boxes in the appearance department. Central to that is the 773cc air-cooled, SOHC vertical twin, with its distinctive bevel gear shaft-driven cam and 360-degree firing interval. Despite its balance shaft the engine vibrates significantly at idle and throughout most of the powerband, but the wide-ratio 5-speed gearbox shifts smoothly (thanks in part to the assist-and-slipper clutch) and the chrome peashooter mufflers burble modestly. “It’s got character,” shrugs our rider.
Air-cooled parallel twin looks the part, but vibrates excessively at lower rpm and idle. ABS is standard on the single front and rear discs.Classic round gauges include analog speedometer and tachometer and LCD trip info; there is no gear indicator, fuel gauge or consumption data.
That character extends outward from the engine, with the old school double-cradle frame that was designed using Kawasaki’s advanced dynamic analysis software for new school handling, 18-inch spoked wheels rolling on tube-type Dunlop K300 GP rubber, dual rear preload-adjustable shocks, a 41mm gaitered fork and a classic clubman drop-down handlebar. The 31-inch two-tone seat is comfortable enough for about an hour at a time, and the riding position is sporty yet civilized.
Mid-mount footpegs will drag early, the vertical twin generates a middling 46.7 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 44 lb-ft torque at 4,600, and the two brake discs, one front and one rear, both with 2-piston calipers and standard ABS, aren’t up to true sport riding levels, but that’s not what the W800 is all about. Cruising city streets and weekend jaunts into the countryside are what it was made to do, and you’re almost guaranteed to draw some admiring eyeballs when you get to your destination.
Now where did our third rider go? Ah, she discovered the Suzuki SV650X, which mixes the best of both worlds — sporty and retro — and also happens to be a time-tested, proven platform that’s been pasting smiles on faces since 1999, the year the original SV650 launched. In the intervening 20 years there have been S models with clip-ons and half fairings, but in my opinion this new-for-2019 café-racer X variation is the most true to the SV650’s spirit.
The bones haven’t changed: it’s still powered by the same 645cc liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90-degree V-twin that pulls strongly from idle to its peak of 69.3 horsepower at 8,700 rpm and 43.3 lb-ft of torque at 8,100, wrapped in a familiar steel trellis frame. Dual 290mm discs with 2-piston calipers up front and a single 240mm/1-piston combo at the rear work well, and ABS is standard. It’s shod with the best tires of the trio, grippy Dunlop Roadsmart IIIs.
If it ain’t broke…. Liquid-cooled 645cc 90-degree V-twin is still tractable and fun.The SV gets standard ABS and solid if not great braking performance.LCD gauge is simple and easy to read, with range to empty, a fuel gauge, a gear indicator and a clock.
The SV650X also continues to be one of the most user-friendly middleweights out there; nearly everything about it is approachable, from its one-touch Easy Start feature and Low RPM Assist that automatically raises engine speed when releasing the clutch, to its 31-inch seat, narrow waist, predictable powerband and no-frills, easy to read, comprehensive LCD gauge.
It’s responsive and stable, cool as a cucumber, never demanding too much of its rider even when the road gets twisty, and with some suspension work it could be a great track day warrior. Best of all, it doesn’t need to be wrung out in order to have fun, and is equally happy munching through traffic or carving up canyons — though not for hours on end. The fairly long reach to the clip-ons requires a strong core, lest too much weight is placed on the hands, and the low seat and tallish footpegs create an aching need to stretch out cramped-up knees. That said, if you’re young enough, fit enough and/or willing to rest often enough, the SV650X is a cool ride that looks, feels and sounds great.
The Choice
So which one am I? The Kawasaki looks the part, but its annoying vibration, squishy suspension, uninspiring power and high price tag are turnoffs. The quick, flickable Honda is a hoot to ride, but my personal preference is for low-end grunt over a high-strung in-line four. I don’t have a long commute and we have plenty of more appropriate touring bikes in the Rider garage, so for cruising around town and half-day blasts up the local canyons, the cool-as-a-cucumber Suzuki best matched my personality. Wait…does that make me the “cool kid”?
Jett Tuning Dyno results for the 2019 Honda CB650R, Kawasaki W800 Cafe and Suzuki SV650X.Jett Tuning Dyno results for the 2019 Honda CB650R, Kawasaki W800 Cafe and Suzuki SV650X.The Suzuki’s low and forward clip-ons demand youth or stamina, or both. The Kawi’s clubman requires a less dramatic lean, while the Honda is upright and all-day comfy.
Frame: Twin-spar steel w/ aluminum swingarm Wheelbase: 57 in. Rake/Trail: 32 degrees/4.0 in. Seat Height: 31.9 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm USD fork, adj. for preload, 4.25-in. travel Rear: Single link-type shock, adj. for preload, 5.04-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 320mm discs w/ opposed 4-piston radial calipers Rear: Single 240mm disc w/ 1-piston pin-slide caliper Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 5.50 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 180/55-ZR17 Wet Weight: 441 lbs. Load Capacity: 342 lbs. GVWR: 783 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gals., last 0.8 gal. fuel light on MPG: 86 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 43.0/45.3/48.2 Estimated Range: 186 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,250
Photo by Kevin Wing.
2019 Kawasaki W800 Cafe Specs
Base Price: $9,799 Warranty: 1yr., unltd. miles Website: kawasaki.com
Engine
Type: Air-cooled parallel twin Displacement: 773cc Bore x Stroke: 77.0 x 83.0mm Compression Ratio: 8.4:1 Valve Train: SOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: 7,600 miles Fuel Delivery: DFI w/34mm throttle bodies x 2 Lubrication System: Wet sump, 3.4-qt. cap. Transmission: 5-speed, cable-actuated assist-and-slipper wet clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
Electrical
Ignition: Digital Charging Output: 154 watts max. Battery: 12V 10AH
Chassis
Frame: Double-cradle steel w/ steel swingarm Wheelbase: 57.7 in. Rake/Trail: 26 degrees/3.7 in. Seat Height: 31.1 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm fork, non-adj., 5.1-in. travel Rear: Twin shocks, adj. for preload, 4.2-in. travel Brakes, Front: Single 320mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper & ABS Rear: Single 270mm disc w/ 2-piston caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Spoked tube-type, 2.50 x 18 in. Rear: Spoked tube-type, 3.00 x 18 in. Tires, Front: 100/90-H18 Rear: 130/80-H18 Wet Weight: 488 lbs. Load Capacity: 407 lbs. GVWR: 895 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gals., last 1.1 gal. fuel light on MPG: 87 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 34.1/40.3/52.9 Estimated Range: 161 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 3,500
Photo by Kevin Wing.
2019 Suzuki SV650X Specs
Base Price: $8,399 Warranty: 1yr., unltd. miles Website: suzukicycles.com
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled 90-degree V-twin Displacement: 645cc Bore x Stroke: 81.0 x 62.6mm Compression Ratio: 11.2:1 Valve Train: DOHC, 4 valves per cyl. Valve Insp. Interval: 14,500 miles Fuel Delivery: DFI w/ SDTV & 39mm throttle bodies x 2 Lubrication System: Wet sump, 2.9-qt. cap. Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch Final Drive: O-ring chain
Frame: Steel trellis w/ steel beam-type swingarm Wheelbase: 56.9 in. Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/4.2 in. Seat Height: 31.1 in. Suspension, Front: 41mm fork, non-adj., 4.9-in. travel Rear: Single link-type shock, adj. for preload, 5.1-in. travel Brakes, Front: Dual 290mm discs w/ 2-piston floating calipers & ABS Rear: Single 240mm disc w/ 1-piston caliper & ABS Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 17 in. Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 17 in. Tires, Front: 120/70-ZR17 Rear: 160/60-ZR17 Wet Weight: 437 lbs. Load Capacity: 488 lbs. GVWR: 925 lbs.
Performance
Fuel Capacity: 3.8 gals., last 1.1 gal. fuel light on MPG: 87 AKI min. (low/avg/high) 38.9/53.1/58.7 Estimated Range: 202 miles Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 4,250
Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000 sport tourer is getting a host of updates for 2020, enough in fact that it’s been given a new (sort of) name: the Ninja 1000SX. When we last tested it back in 2017 (read the review here), we were impressed with the tour-ready Ninja’s comfort and handling, so we’re looking forward to getting a ride on this updated model.
The Ninja 1000 already included modern electronic rider aids such as an IMU-based KTRC traction control system, ABS and power modes. But for 2020 the Ninja 1000SX also gets an electronic throttle, a.k.a. throttle-by-wire, cruise control and new integrated riding modes — Sport, Road, Rain or Rider (manual) — which link the KTRC and power modes for easy on-the-fly adjustments.
New electronic throttle also enables the addition of cruise control. All functions on the new TFT display are also accessible via the switchgear.
It also comes equipped with an up and down quickshifter (KQS) as standard, the latest Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S22 tires, a revised windscreen with three rather than two positions, a light restyle and a new TFT display with two modes (one for touring and one for sport riding) and Bluetooth smartphone connectivity via Kawasaki’s Rideology app.
Kawasaki also says it’s tweaked the potent engine with revised cam profiles for quieter operation, shorter intake funnels for cylinders 1 and 4 to help reduce emissions and a new exhaust system with a single right-side muffler rather than the previous dual-sided design, reducing the Ninja 1000SX’s weight by a claimed 4.5 pounds. Suspension also received a tweak in the form of a new low-speed slit on the fork’s damping pistons for smoother fork action.
The 2020 Ninja 1000SX cuts a more svelte profile thanks to the switch to a single muffler.
Best of all, the 2020 Ninja 1000SX is priced just $200 more than last year’s model, coming in at $12,399. It’s available in one color option: Metallic Graphite Gray/Metallic Diablo Black. Kawasaki accessory 28-liter quick-release bags are an $899.95 option.
Keep scrolling for more photos….
Hard 28-liter saddlebags start at $899.95.New TFT display in sport mode, showing lean angle.This graphic shows the change in the intake funnels for cylinders 1 and 4.Cockpit of the 2020 Ninja 1000SX. Tall clip-ons haven’t changed, but the TFT display and new three-position adjustable windscreen are new.
Kawasaki is updating its Z650 and Z900 naked sport bikes for 2020, with the Z900 receiving the most significant changes that bring it up-to-date and closer to its competition technology-wise.
The Z900, which was first launched back in 2017, impressed us from the start with its smooth, tractable power and rider-friendly character, but we dinged it for its lack of electronic rider aids when compared with the competition. (Read our comparison shoot-out review of the 2017 Z900 and the Yamaha FZ-09 here.) Kawasaki has addressed that complaint for 2020, giving the Z900 updated electronics, plus some tweaks to the frame and suspension and a light facelift.
Ride and power modes are new for the 2020 Z900.
Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) includes three modes: Modes 1 and 2 control ignition timing to prevent wheel slippage in sport riding conditions, while Mode 3 has higher sensitivity and controls ignition timing, fuel and air for ultra-smooth operation. Two power modes operate independently, with full and low (approximately 55% of full with a milder throttle response) options.
Additionally, the Z900 also offers Integrated Riding Modes that link the KTRC and power modes for quick and easy adjustment to suit a giving riding situation. There are four modes, Sport, Road, Rain and Rider (manual).
The 2020 Z900 will be equipped with a 4.3-inch TFT display that incorporates Bluetooth smartphone connection via the Rideology app.
Other changes for 2020 include a new 4.3-inch TFT instrument that incorporates Bluetooth smartphone connection via Kawasaki’s Rideology app, a revised frame with added strength in the swingarm pivot area, updated suspension settings, slightly revised styling that includes an LED headlight and new Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tires.
The 2020 Kawasaki Z900 will be available in Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black and Candy Plasma Blue/Metallic Matte Fusion Silver for $8,999 ($9,299 for ABS version).
2020 Kawasaki Z900 in Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Z650 gets a light style refresh that includes an LED headlight, TFT display with Rideology app connectivity and new Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tires. It will be available in Metallic Spark Black and Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black starting at $7,249 ($7,649 for ABS version).
2020 Kawasaki Z650 in Metallic Spark Black.2020 Kawasaki Z650 in Metallic Spark Black/Metallic Flat Spark Black.The 2020 Z650 will be equipped with a TFT display that includes Bluetooth smartphone connectivity via the Rideology app.
