Kawasaki Motorcycle Road Tests
& Reviews
Kawasaki Motorcycle Guide
The Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Division has been manufacturing motorcycles since 1954. The trademarked names of some of Kawasaki's powersports machines–from Kawasaki Ninja sportbikes to Kawasaki Vulcan cruisers to Kawasaki Jet Ski personal watercraft–have become household names.
2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Road Test
Rider Magazine
June 3, 2011
photography by Adam Campbell [This 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 Road Test was originally published in the February 2011 issue of Rider magazine] The Ninja 1000 feels right at home in tight, twisty conditions with modest weight and zippy power. Perhaps because of our Puritanical roots, naked bikes aren’t... Read more »
California Sport-Touring Loops on the Kawasaki Concours 14
Clement Salvadori
April 7, 2011
story and photography by Clement Salvadori The road unrolls rapidly before me, the endless ribbon of two-lane blacktop smoothing out the hills and curves, disappearing around an oak tree, straightening briefly, then angling left and up. As it crests it slides right and down, and I drop a gear and apply... Read more »
Five 2010 Kawasaki Motorcycles Under $8,000: KLR650, Versys, ER-6n, Ninja 650R, KLX250S
Rider Magazine
August 6, 2010
photography by Kinney Jones [This Five 2010 Kawasakis Under $8,000 feature was originally published in the August 2010 issue of Rider magazine] 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Kawasaki’s flagship bikes such as the Concours 14, ZX-10R and Voyager top many a wish list, but when it comes to parting... Read more »
2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager Road Test
Donya Carlson
August 6, 2010
Riding the 892-pound Kawasaki Voyager around town is a little like taking a Carnival Cruise ship across a pond. Once on the open road, though, the big touring cruiser transforms into a comfy companion, with 10 gallons’ worth of lockable packing space in each saddlebag and a top trunk that will hold... Read more »
2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1700 Road Test
Rider Contributor
March 29, 2010
story and photography by Rich Cox [This 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1700 Road Test was originally published in the May 2010 issue of Rider magazine] 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1700 in action. Bike testing for me is most pleasurable in small doses. For touring bikes, my favorite venue is the weekend overnighter.... Read more »
2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Road Test
Rider Contributor
March 1, 2010
photography by Adam Campbell and Kinney Jones [This 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Road Test was originally published in the April 2010 issue of Rider magazine] 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 in action. Contemporary high-end sportbikes typically offer all of the best stuff in a single package. Trick fully adjustable suspension,... Read more »
2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 Road Test
Rider Magazine
December 18, 2009
photography by Rich Cox [This 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 Road Test was originally published in the February 2010 issue of Rider magazine] 2010 Kawasaki Concours 14 Comparing a fast motorcycle to a rocket ship is a common metaphor. Rockets conjure images of the eyeball-flattening acceleration and yahoo... Read more »
2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom SE and Classic LT Road Test
Rider Contributor
October 9, 2009
by Lance Oliver; photography by Alfonse Palaima [This 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom SE and Classic LT Road Test was originally published in the November 2009 issue of Rider magazine] 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom Classic LT A demo ride on the new Voyager was the hardest ticket to get at the Kawasaki... Read more »
2009 Kawasaki ER-6n Road Test
Rider Magazine
July 17, 2009
photography by Kevin Wing [This 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n Road Test was originally published in the September 2009 issue of Rider magazine] The 2009 Kawasaki ER-6n The first question that popped into my head when I heard the name of Kawasaki’s newest Candy Plasma Blue sportbike is, “Who in the world came... Read more »
2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700 Road Test
Clement Salvadori
May 19, 2009
Head out on the highway, and this new Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager 1700 will take you to the ends of the continent, fully equipped to keep you happy as the miles roll up on the odometer. There is an exceptional sweet spot at around 75 mph, and you can imagine doing a thousand-mile day with ease. This Kawasaki... Read more »
