Yuji Horiuchi, Managing Director (L) and Shigeto Nishikawa, Deputy Managing Director (R)- India Kawasaki Motors Pvt Ltd astride the Ninja 1000 & Z1000
India Kawasaki Motors has been the perfect ninja, lying low all these years testing the waters and is now the ultimate juggernaut with probably the largest range of premium motorcycles spanning various segments. After the recent launch of the ZX-10R and the ZX-14R India Kawasaki Motors (IKM) has today launched the spanking new Z1000 and the Ninja 1000 (also known as the Z1000SX) both priced at a stunning Rs. 12, 50,000 (ex-Showroom, Pune & Delhi).
Commenting on the launch, Mr. Yuji Horiuchi, Managing Director, India Kawasaki Motors said, “The Indian high-end motorcycle market offers tremendous growth opportunities. We had recently launched two of our flagship models and received impressive response for these products. To further strengthen our presence in the country, we are now launching two more global products targeted at specific audiences. We are also launching our first exclusive showroom in North India, to strategically expand our national footprint. With incessant support from our long-standing partners, Bajaj Auto, we look forward to taking the Kawasaki brand in India from strength to strength.”
India Kawasaki Motors has an initial target for sales of 100 units per model per year. While currently concentrating on the Maharashtra and NCR regions, expect IKM to soon expand its operations through the country.
Kawasaki Z1000
The Z series of Kawasaki motorcycles embrace the ‘Sugomi’ philosophy, which embraces adjectives like awesome, imposing, exuding presence and awe inspiring when developing not just the design of the motorcycles but also the engine character and chassis response. The Z1000 uses an upgraded 1,043cc inline-four with DFI. Suspension up front is taken care of by Showa’s latest – Showa Separate Function: Big Piston Fork (SFF-BP) that is light weight and easily adjustable. The Kawasaki logo on the “monobloc” radial-mount front brake caliper is laser etched for bragging rights and wears a black alumite finish. The new six spoke aluminium alloy wheels save nearly 3.3 pounds. The gearing has been modified for a shorter final-drive gearing and a taller 6th gear to help you cruise the highway comfortably. The subframe has also been designed to accommodate the slender, short menacing stance of the motorcycle. The fully digital instrument cluster is also new, and we’ve always loved Kawasaki’s wacky tacho on these new models.
The ‘sugomi’ Z1000 comes in one standard colour that it calls Golden Blazed Green/Metallic Graphite Grey.
Kawasaki Ninja 1000
The Ninja 1000 is powered by the same 1,043cc inline-four with DFI. The KTRC Traction Control system in the Ninja 1000 offers three different traction control modes. Add to that selectable power modes which can help cut back power by 50% in tricky situations and you’ll realize the Ninja 1000 might be the most rider friendly litre class machine in India. The Ninja 1000 also gets a taller 6th gear. The hybrid instrument cluster includes a classic analog tachometer and a digital display. The Ninja 100 also gets remote rear spring preload adjuster allowing for quick tuning for passenger and luggage weight. The subframe is new and compatible with Kawasaki’s new accessory saddlebag mounts. The saddlebags though are optional but look great when installed integrating well with the design of the motorcycle. Considering its intent to tour all corners of India, the Ninja 1000 has an adjustable windscreen that has three positions.
The Ninja 1000 is available in two colours : Candy Lime Green and Candy Cascade Blue.
