As seems common with many other sports bikes this year, Kawasaki is introducing a ZX10 that has almost nothing except the name in common with its predecessor.

A highly-revised chassis and engine complete with a form of traction control (Kawasaki calls it "torque management") are complemented by larger brakes, lighter wheels, and crisper, more aerodynamic bodywork. The bike is lighter and transmission ratios have been changed.

If all this sounds like race-oriented changes, you'd be right. Rumour has it that a lot of the changes were influenced by the Canadian Kawasaki superbikes last year — Jordan Szoke was certainly the most successful ZX10 pilot anywhere in 2007.

Price in Canadian showrooms: $14,599. 

The venerable EX250 gets significant upgrades for 2008, the most obvious being the change to (today's) conventional 17-inch wheels and bodywork strongly reminiscent of the ZX6 and ZX10.

More power -- significantly, more mid-range -- will make the little sport bike easier to ride, and the single muffler combines with the body shapes to create a strong ZX-family resemblance.

A larger front caliper and petal-shaped disc upgrade braking performance to match the new engine and tires, while the shock has been revalved and a new 37 mm fork has been fitted up front. 

The petite Ninja retails in Canada for $4,249.00. 

Based on the off-road KLX300R, the KLX250S offers street gear and electric starting to create a dual-sport machine definitely biased toward the dirt side of the equation.

A four-valve head ensures good breathing and power, while fuel injection is eschewed in favour of a good (relatively) old-fashioned Keihin 34 mm carburetor.

A big 43 mm inverted front cartridge fork features 16-way adjustable compression damping, while the rear Uni-Track set-up offers both compression and rebound adjustments. Disc brakes are used at both ends. MSRP is $5,799.00.