Kawasaki India to launch 4 motorcycles in January 2017: Report

Supersport, naked street fighters as well as retro-styled motorcycle are coming from Kawasaki next year.

Japanese motorcycle maker Kawasaki is reportedly planning to start next year on a high note. The company is reportedly planning to launch four new motorcycles in the first month of next year. The motorcycle caters into supersport, naked street fighter as well as retro style segments. Here are the details of four new bikes from Kawasaki India.

2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650

The middleweight sports motorcycle is one of the most popular products of Kawasaki in India. Kawasaki unveiled the 2017 Ninja 650 at the INTERMOT show in October in Germany. The latest version has received styling in line with the elder sibling, the ZX-10R, and it has reduced weight by up to 19kg. The new Ninja 650 has received a sharper and aggressive stance compared to the outgoing model. The new version comes with twin-split headlamps. The rear section of the motorcycle has been tweaked to add freshness.

The new version is powered by the same 649cc parallel twin engine that has been re-tuned to improve low- and mid-range torque delivery. The new version loses out 3hp of power resulting in 6.8 percent better fuel economy than its predecessor. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox and gets a slipper clutch as standard.

Kawasaki Z900

One of the star attractions of the 2016 EICMA motorcycle show held in Milan in November was the Kawasaki Z900. The Z900 will replace the Z800 in India. The new motorcycle boasts of an all-new steel trellis frame and a new 948cc engine. The new 124bhp motor has been extracted from the bigger Kawasaki Z1000. Kawasaki claims it has worked on the motor to make this bike more nimble with reduced seat height to 794mm and an overall weight of 210kg (lighter by 20kg). The street fighter motorcycle also gets a cosmetic upgrade in line with the Z1000.

Kawasaki Z650

The Z650 features Sugomi inspired looks of its elder sibling, the Z1000. It features a cosmetic makeover with a sculpted fuel tank with a mirror paint finish like the Ninja H2. The motorcycle also features with tank shrouds, contrast colour on the frame and striking headlamp design. It will be powered by a 649cc twin-cylinder engine expected to generate 69bhp. The Z650 will be based on a new trellis steel frame and it will get assist and slipper clutch along with the ABS. The Z650 will replace the ER6-n in Kawasaki's portfolio.

Kawasaki W800

To tap the growing interest in retro-styled motorcycles, Kawasaki will launch W800 in India. The W800 is powered by 773cc V-twin air-cooled engine that develops 47bhp and 60Nm of torque mated to a five-speed transmission. Based on the double-cradle and high-tensile steel, the W800 features 39mm telescopic fork up front and five-way adjustable twin shocks at the rear. The W800 will go up against the popular Triumph Bonneville family in India. Pricing of the W800 is expected close to the Harley-Davidson Street 750 which is priced at Rs 4.9 lakh.