New Vulcan 1700 Voyager

Kawasaki have released a series of 1,700 cc cruisers that replace the existing 1,600 cc beasties.

The Vulcan 1700 Voyager is the king of the crop, featuring full touring gear including a frame-mounted fairing and leg shields, a new fuel-injected 1,700 cc V-twin, throttle-by-wire EFI control, and an optional sophisticated linked braking system (that applies additional braking pressure to ensure maximum braking efficiency) which comes with ABS models.

Convenience/luxury features include a sound system – including iPod and MP3 connectivity – cruise control, and saddlebags and trunk

New 1700 motor.

The new engine is derived from the Vulcan 2000 power plant, but with a single overhead cam rather than the 2000-series' pushrods. Cruise control operates up to nearly 140 km/h, and the sixth speed is an overdrive. Carbon-fibre belt drive is fitted, and is said to be 40% stronger than previous units.

An interesting tech feature is a water-cooled alternator that produces 48.5 amps of output ... that would run an average house if you didn't run more than two appliances at a time.

Unusually for a cruiser touring bike, the suspension sounds fairly high-tech with dual adjustable air-shocks at the rear and pre-load adjustable 45 mm forks up front.

You may have to leave the kitchen sink at home, but a 50 L top box and 38 L each saddlebags provide a pretty decent amount of luggage room.

More new 1700s

Vulcan 1700 Nomad 

Featuring most of the mechanical and electronic ideas introduced on the new Voyager, three other 1700 models will be available for 2009 from Kawasaki: the Vulcan 1700 Classic, Classic LT and Nomad.

The LT is basically a slightly dumbed-down Nomad (no cruise, for example) that shares the Nomad's windscreen and luggage.

The frame is claimed to be slightly lighter and 40% stiffer than that of the 1600, and has a shorter wheelbase for improved low-speed response. The bikes also share the Voyager's upgraded suspension.

Kawasaki Canada are still pondering whether these will come in as 2009s or early release 2010s, so it may take a while before we see them. Price has yet to be announced too.

2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R

The 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R comes with 10 Kg less weight, better low and midrange power, improved front suspension and refined bodywork.

Bore and stroke remain the same at 67 mm by 42.5 mm, but "double bore" velocity stacks, with one stack placed inside another, are claimed to improve intake flow, and efficiency of combustion is said to be better as a result.

A two-piece aluminum subframe lowers the seat height by about 10 mm, and handlebars are placed closer to the rider and turned in slightly. A new exhaust system and short side muffler help remove weight. A revised ram-air casting, which now supports gauges and mirrors, also helps trim mass.

Monster Energy colours

A 41 mm Showa "Big Piston Front" fork should reduce turn-in effort and improve front-end feel, and changes to rake and trail (24 degrees and four inches, down from 25 degrees and 4.3 inches) offer lighter and quicker steering according to the company.

The ZX-10's Ohlins steering damper is now installed on the 6R. The slipper clutch remains. Fairing and front fender have been revised, and the instrument cluster resembles the ZX-10R's gauges.

MSRP is $12,299.00 and it comes in green, orange, blue and 'Monster Energy Drink' black.

Ninja 650R sans fairing.

The ER-6n is basically a naked Ninja 650R that has been available in Europe for some time now, but with its 2009 revamp it'll also come to Canadian shores for the first time.

The new ER-6n shares its trellis frame, offset laydown rear shock, swingarm, suspension and chassis with the new 2009 Ninja 650R. Seat height is 785 mm (5 mm lower than the Ninja) with a claimed dry weight of 174 kg.

MSRP is $7,799.00.

Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Kawasaki's 2009 Ninja 650R gets many refinements designed to make it sportier and easier to ride.

Revised fuel injection for the liquid-cooled DOHC, 8-valve 649 cc parallel twin is intended to increase bottom-end torque and smooth out the low-to-mid rpm response, as well as allow it to rev more quickly.

The engine is now rubber mounted to reduce vibration through the seat. A new steel trellis frame is lighter and reduces width at the knees and footpegs, and the swingarm has been stiffened.

Bodywork has been updated and a new dual headlight is used, while a taller fuel tank adds more of a supersport look to the bike.

Instruments are MotoGP-inspired, the company says, and include a new fuel gauge, digital speedo, clock, odometer, dual trip meters, and a digital tach.

MSRP is $8,199.00 and it's available in green or blue ... yes, yes we have a red one in the pic, but just try and imagine it in green. Or blue. Whatever you'd like really – as long as it's green or blue. Unless you're European, then red is fine.

KLX250SF Supermoto

Kawasaki has made a 250 supermoto model based on the KLX250S dual sport.

The KLX250SF wears road-worthy 17-inch radial tires and sits on lower suspension than the dually, however, and reduced wheel-travel front and back lowers the centre of gravity for better on-road handling and stability.

The 249 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single uses a gear-driven counter balancer to reduce vibration, and is fed by a 24 mm Keihin carb. It drives the rear wheel through a six speed transmission.

Suspension is fully adjustable front and rear, and the 43 mm USD fork offers 231 mm (9.1 in) of movement. Dry weight is a claimed 137 kg (302 lb). A single large petal-type disc is fitted up front.

MSRP is $6,199.00 and it's available in black only.

Super Sherpa has the strength of 23 horses!

Kawasaki have announced the return of their Super Sherpa 250 thanks to the high gas price shock fueling a demand for smaller motorcycles.

Unlike what the name might suggest, the Super Sherpa is not really a Mount Everest jogging local, carrying tea and oxygen for the honkeys. No, it's also a 249 cc dual purpose machine with the power of 23 moderately fit horses.

The motor's air-cooled with DOHC, four valves, a balance shaft and a carb. It's housed in a steel frame with 36 mm front forks and an aluminum swingarm/monoshock rear. That translates to 9.1 inches of travel fore and 7.3 aft.

The 21" inch front and 18" rear wheels use aluminum rims for better off-road use (less likely to bend yer rims) and there's a bash plate to protect the motor from big rocks.

Braking is by single disc brakes X 2, seat height is 831 mm (although Kawasaki claim slender profiling which helps shorties touch the ground) and claimed curb weight is 128 Kg (282 lbs).