Top 10 Kawasaki Motorcycles (Best Of)

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Kawasaki is a Japanese manufacturer of motorcycles, and the company has produced some excellent rides over the years.

The brand has retained its place in the industry for almost 64 years. It has some of the best models on the market, such as the Ninja 300, Ninja 400, Ninja 650, Ninja ZX-6R, Ninja ZX-10, Ninja H2R, Ninja Z1000, Ninja GPZ900R, Z125 PRO, and Z900RS.

The most popular Kawasaki motorcycles have garnered a lot of traction over the years because of their reliability, performance, and ride quality. From small-sized models to huge high revving beasts, Kawasaki has tried it all to become one of the most popular motorcycle manufacturers.

We've compiled this list of the 10 best Kawasaki motorcycles, which will help you make the right buying decision if you are interested in getting a ride from this brand. We have tested several Kawasaki motorcycles and selected the top models to ensure that you get your hands on a ride that suits your needs.  

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Kawasaki Ninja 300

Over the last few years, the 250cc entry-level category has grown in both revenue and engine capacity, with Yamaha and Honda both strengthening the availability of their smaller bikes to roughly 300cc. In 2013, Kawasaki jumped on the bandwagon with the Ninja 300, an updated version of the Ninja 250R.

The engine is fairly identical to the Ninja 250R's, with the addition of 49cc due to a longer stroke layout. The Ninja 300 now has an extra horsepower – up from 25 to 39 – and the engine has much more torque, making low-down going smoother and gentler.

The good elements of the 250R, though, persist: the little Ninja is still quite good in terms of fuel efficiency, with users recording up to 75mpg, and it's just as tiny and compact, weighing around 360 pounds dry.

The frame is similar to the 250's, with a steel structure and swing arm, rudimentary suspension units, and solitary front and back brake discs. The bodywork has been updated.

The most significant upgrade on the Ninja 300 was, however, a higher compression ratio. This resulted in the sports motorcycle's engine having a larger displacement and producing more power. Furthermore, the carburetors were upgraded to accommodate electronic injection.

Kawasaki ensured that the Ninja 300 had a reasonable price tag so that more customers could enjoy the pleasure of riding this beauty. The motorcycle also has a GP-style clutch, which allows you to pull in the shift lever with minimal stress.

All you really need are two fingers to start shifting gears. On the Ninja 300, shifting through the speeds is a thrill; everything has been fine-tuned to the extent that the motorcycle nearly appears like it has a quick shifter.

Kawasaki Ninja H2R

A supercharged sport motorcycle like the Kawasaki Ninja H2R is built to tear up the track and is a testament to Kawasaki's technical expertise. This motorcycle is designed for performance, with its stability-enhancing fairing, balanced, robust steel trellis chassis, bracing handlebar, and MotoGP-inspired gearshift interacting with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Because of its mind-boggling characteristics, the Kawasaki racer is not a street-legal motorcycle and can only be used on tracks. This ageless beast is managed exclusively by its outstanding top-quality braking and has a 1000cc engine that develops 310 horsepower at 14000 rpm and a max torque of 165 Nm at 12500 rpm.

The most recent model, the 2021 Ninja H2R, is the replacement of the Ninja H2. The motorcycle is best described as a cross between Kawasaki's top auto style and Formula One specifications, with the help of aviation technology. Only Matte Spark Black is offered for the H2R.

Kawasaki has maintained its customer base highly exclusive for this feral beast when you see the price and "track-only" excellence. Due to the installation of heavy tech elements and other traits, the super motorcycle is significantly heavier in terms of volume. The Ninja H2R weighs around 475 pounds, which is noticeable when cornering but does not detract from the driving experience.

It is, without a doubt, the most technologically advanced ride on the market. The Ninja H2R is only suitable for expert riders as beginners will struggle to control and maneuver it due to the ride's excessive weight and incredible power.  

The equipment has been upgraded in the most recent version of this motorcycle: lean angle has been added, and the boost pressure indicator has been updated to represent both sections and enhance percentage.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

For the 6R, Kawasaki didn't set out to smash top speed goals; instead, they wanted to focus on durability, reliability, and ride comfort.

Since 1995, when the very first model went off the assembly line, the Kawasaki ZX-6R has held the title of one of Kawasaki's most potent urban sport motorcycles. The Ninja ZX -6R is equipped with a powerful 636cc engine, cutting-edge technology, and a light frame. The engine has been tuned for both the road and the track, providing a thrilling ride in a variety of conditions.

Dual 4-piston monobloc frontal brake calipers grip 310 mm petal rotors to give a seamless yet forceful braking performance to help strike apexes with accuracy and keep a right line through corners.

Furthermore, the motorcycle has a redesigned aggressive appearance that is influenced by increased displacement. The Ninja ZX-R has angular and aggressive lines that stay loyal to the Ninja identity. The adjustable Uni-Trak rear suspension with adaptive dampening helps put energy to the floor while maintaining rear wheel grip. This results in smooth braking and consistent handling on and off the racetrack.

In terms of aesthetics, the motorcycle's frontal cowl and windscreen style reflect the next stage in the process of the Ninja motorcycle, putting the ride further ahead of the competition. Each LED headlamp comes with a position lamp as well as low and high beams for maximum brightness.

Kawasaki was already creating lightning-fast racing motorcycles, but in order to produce this ride, the Japanese automaker challenged itself to produce something never seen before. It may have ushered in a new era of high-performance motorcycles.

Kawasaki Ninja 650

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 has positioned itself as a viable choice for individuals looking to go from a single-cylinder vehicle to a midsize motorcycle. It's still one of the most beginner-friendly 650cc bikes on the market. Nonetheless, the Kawasaki Ninja line-up has seen a number of changes and experimentation over time.

The company has done everything under this label, from lesser engine size bikes to superior builds. The Ninja 650's engineered two-cylinder 649 cc engine produces a peak energy of 67 bhp at 8000 rpm and a maximum force of 64 Nm at 6700 rpm.

With a totally fresh style and structure, the revised Kawasaki Ninja 650 immediately catches attention, making this motorcycle appealing to a wide range of riders.  The ride is a standout in its category, and the engine's decent power enables you to concentrate on technical handling rather than trying to balance the ride.

Kawasaki is not only concerned with the overall ride performance but also with engine quality. The Ninja 650 has been designed to be more cost-effective and efficient in terms of gasoline consumption. Not just that, but the ride's appearance says everything. Kawasaki has been able to establish this design language as a standard, and it has proven to be successful.

The side bodywork is a major update on the Ninja 650, with just the appropriate amount of cuts and folds to match the rest of the style. Moving to the back, the only external similarities to the earlier models are the cowl and LED taillight, with the 650 receiving a redesigned pillion seat with broader sides and additional padding for enhanced comfort. The Lime Green color scheme complements the new layout, and stickers designed by the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) add to its allure.

Kawasaki has also redesigned the instrument cluster with a modern 4.3-inch full-color TFT display with Bluetooth technology to stay current. The graphics are clean and well-organized, making it simple to understand important data such as speed, transmission position, and engine revolutions.

Kawasaki Ninja Z1000

You are wrong if you believe that all Kawasaki models are designed solely for racing. Despite its Ninja heritage and reputation as the producer of one of the world's fastest motorcycles, the company experiments with different types of motorcycles. Kawasaki released the Ninja Z1000 in the year 2000, which was designed to be a motorcycle for the everyday rider.

This ride, unlike other Ninja models, was not designed for racing. It was designed for everyday use, which is why it differs from the normal racing orientation that other models tend to have.

The Kawasaki Z1000 boasts a difficult-to-define streetfighter flair that is distinctive enough to let everybody know they're witnessing something unique. In a dramatic change from its sport motorcycle counterpart's disguising bodywork, the redesigned Z1000 removes extraneous coverings and bodywork to reveal the greater functionality of its components.

With the latest Z1000's Sugomi style, Kawasaki has taken its Z design language to another level. From its daintily sculpted forms that evoke a hunched predator to long and arduous specifics like specific Z logo ignition keys, machined aluminum steering stem bolt, and exquisitely contoured "Z" motif seat cushion, to the precise tolerances of its bodywork, the spectacular outcome has a unique charm that tends to help set the groundwork for the excitement to come!

Kawasaki's engineers focused their efforts on making the Z1000 more powerful and efficient than ever before. Its thrilling inline-four engine generates the kind of power that propels you away from curbs and out of bends in a way that smaller engines simply can't do. The Z1000 engine provides powerful, instant-on power that can put many hardcore riders to shame.

The DOHC 16-valve liquid-cooled engine has updated intake cams that increase torque in the lower to midrange. Improved airbox vents and cylinder connecting passageways allow this sleek street fighter to extend its legs more when the road opens. The precise power of its engine helps it to excel in practically any street-gang activity, whether it's cruising about town, sport riding, or logging miles on the highway.

Kawasaki Ninja 400

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 made its debut in 2018. It boasts a larger displacement, more horsepower, and a sportier appearance, but it's also quite pricey. The ride was built with a revolutionary cage-style linear steel frame that gives high rigidity while being light.

Because of its well-thought-out ergonomics, linear torque curve, and good-handling suspension, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is recognized as a superb novice motorcycle and an astoundingly good small-displacement bike.  It has a DOHC parallel-twin engine with a displacement of 399cc.

According to Kawasaki, the engine is said to produce 45 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 28 pound-feet of torque at 8,000 rpm. The original Ninja 300 couldn't make it past Euro4, so it was replaced with this new Ninja 400, which boasts better performance than its predecessor thanks to an all-new motor and structure, resulting in a 17-pound weight reduction.

The motorcycle has taken on a more athletic style, resembling the Ninja H2. The 2021 Ninja 400 established itself as a leader in the small capacity sportbike industry, matching the appearance of its larger brothers. The Ninja is a great value and a lot of fun to ride.

A smooth, controlled ride with approachable power, great ergonomics, and class-leading efficiency is suitable for beginner riders while also enticing experienced riders. With clip-on handlebars, sharp bodywork, and a lightweight trellis frame comparable to the H2, the Ninja 400 radiates its track influence and goal. Don't be put off by the track-ready appearance; newer riders will feel at ease on this bike thanks to its size and 30.9-inch seat height and the available ABS and assist and slipper clutch technologies.

The Ninja 400 is just as entertaining on the road as it is on the racetrack. Over the 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 400 and 2019 Kawasaki Ninja 400 KRT Edition, the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 400 receives no new improvements. There are ABS and non-ABS versions of the standard 2020 Ninja 400. The only other distinction between these versions is the paint colors available. Pearl Blizzard White and Metallic Spark Black, or Metallic Magnetic Dark Gray or Phantom Blue, are two new color styles for 2020.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10 "Tomcat'

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10 was a sports motorcycle produced by Kawasaki Motorcycles from 1988 and 1990. It was the largest production motorbike in 1988, with a maximum velocity of 165 miles per hour. Kawasaki's premier sportbike, the GPZ1000RX, was succeeded by the ZX-10.

The engine had the same capacity as its ancestor but with 36 mm semi-downdraft CV carburetors and a shorter valve angle. Internal engine modifications included an 11.0:1 compression ratio, thinner pistons, and larger valves. It featured Kawasaki's first aluminum perimeter chassis, which has since become the industry standard. Aerodynamics were said to be superior to previous models.

Of course, the ZX-10R wouldn't be the first Kawasaki to be branded a 'Ninja,' and it was a much-anticipated design from the green squad, which had a history of producing lightning-fast motorcycles. Kawasaki acquired a fan following with the ZX-9R Ninja, while other companies made their road-focused sports bikes smaller. The Nine combined a usually powerful Zed motor with a generously proportioned frame, and it maintained a strong following among Kawasaki loyalists for its all-around road abilities.

The ZX-10R departed from Kawasaki's reputation of making comfortable' real world' motorcycles with its extremely small dimensions, and although winning the fight of the spec sheets, it appeared that the ZX-10R stepped over the line of extremes for most users.

The third iteration of this bike was a substantial design advancement, resulting in a model that was almost entirely new. It had traction control, which was a rudimentary technology when compared to the extremely advanced electronics on other bikes, including radial brakes and more horsepower.

Kawasaki stated that the 2008 ZX-10R had 185 horsepower and that ram air could add another 10 horsepower at high speeds. It was also a touch heavier, thanks to additional emissions controls, and the shape was tweaked again, with a wider wheelbase and more rake and tail.

Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R

The Kawasaki GPZ900R is among the most prominent sport motorcycles in the company's line-up. Kawasaki published a video of the GPZ900R that highlights the model's evolution over the years.

The GPz900R was a unique sport ride that catapulted Kawasaki to greater levels in the 1980s and 1990s sportbike rivalry. The motorcycle is undoubtedly one of the most significant Kawasaki rides of that time, and it has a sizable and enthusiastic fan base. To understand what the GPz is all about, you must try an early version; only then will the brilliance of the design become evident.

The GPZ900R was given the nickname "Ninja," and the phrase "Ninja = GPZ900R" became famous among Japanese motorcyclists. The newly built liquid-cooled engine had a lot of new features, both positive and negative, but it was still a fantastic engine that was well-liked all around the world.

The GPz went on to conquer production racing during the first few seasons after its introduction, with racers quickly discovering the ride to be practically flawless right out of the box, especially for the long and complex TT races, with GPz's taking the first three places, as well as new lap and race records, in the 1984 manufacturing race.

The GPz is an attractive classic with an appearance that obviously proves business, but it is also a reliable device capable of commuting to work, with that durable engine and excellently placed together, instructed chassis providing a fun-filled and quick ride. To put it more simply, it is still a brilliant choice despite the fact that the ride was introduced several years ago. It is also a design symbol, easily recognized as a ground-breaking vehicle with few frills and thrills.

Kawasaki Z125 PRO

The Kawasaki Z125Pro gives you the exhilaration of moving quickly on a small ride. For excitement, good fuel efficiency, and a bargain-basement cost, it's compact and rapid. Certainly, it wins hands out as a sports motorcycle. It's also a commuter if you must negotiate congested highways because it's compact, light, and thin, making it easy to maneuver through traffic.

As the first motorcycle for someone unfamiliar with two-wheelers, it's a friendly ride, not at all frightening, and free of the electronics that are sometimes used as a fallback. Kawasaki used a simple, backbone-type chassis with a strained engine instead of the down tubes and cradle pipes to shed some weight on this small fanatic.

The manufacturer also went to great lengths to make the Z125 PRO as agile as practicable, with a 26-degree steering head angle, 2.7 inches of trail, and a 46.3-inch wheelbase. The 6.1-inch stopping distance allows for deep bends and speed bumps, while the 31.7-inch seat height prevents the bike from seeming as short laterally as it is longitudinally.

Kawasaki's tiny killer is powered by an air-cooled thumper engine, which is quite similar to the engine used by its strong contender. The mill is fed through the SOHC, two-valve head by a 24 mm throttle body with electronic fuel injection, and the Kawasaki Automatic Compression Release (KACR) system opens the exhaust valve only a little to let out a little pressure for simple starts.

The oversquare 56 mm bore and 50.6 mm stroke engine has a 125cc displacement and consistently delivers power at high rpms. At 6,100 rpm, it produces 6.5 pounds of torque, but you'll need to rev it up to 7,800 to obtain the full 8.3 horsepower. These are not exactly amazing stats, but enough to get the bike down the road quickly.

Kawasaki Z900RS

Kawasaki's vintage classic reintroduces the legendary Z900 in a modernized form with this version. The Z900RS is inspired by the Z900 and echoes the styling elements of the original Z1 from the 1970s. It delivers good, acceptable performance with an unbeatable retro appearance.

Kawasaki provided the Z900RS with its own chassis, more flexible steering kinematics, a larger wheelbase, and a slew of other alterations to the engine's internal parts, as well as enhanced suspension and braking, all of which are exclusive to the Z900RS. Therefore, the bike achieves the best combination of ride comfort and competitive riding capability.

Kawasaki technicians detuned the 948cc Z900 motor from 125bhp to just 111bhp, enabling it to achieve a huge amount of power at slower speeds, from 9500 rpm to just 8500 rpm, and maximum torque from 7700 rpm to just 6500 rpm, giving the Z900RS a more reduced grunt feel.

The Z900RS has completely adjustable twisted forks up front and an infinitely adjustable mono-shock in the back, which not only delivers a supple and controlled ride in most riding circumstances but also excellent handling abilities.

As if that wasn't sufficient, Kawasaki also gave the Z900RS a smaller first gear to make taking off from a complete stop easier. As a response, the Z900RS might feel jerky on the throttle, notably in first gear, to the inexperienced wrist. Before you become used to the furious acceleration with only a slight crack of the throttle, you'll need to do some wrist training.