Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126933
/ The Ninja 750 is claimed to be capable of revving to 14,500 rpm; an all new engine puts Kawasaki in the high performance 750 market. The KZ305.has been reintroduced for 1987; nothing fancy or high-tech, just an entry-level cruiser that weighs in at 340 pounds. low and features a fat 160/80-15 rear tire; the bike comes in ebony or luminous vintage red. Kawasaki has expanded its twocylinder sport bike market for 1987 with the addition of the EX500; the EX500 will accompany the Ninja 250 that saw its introduction in 1986. The EX500 is powered by a modified version of the liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine found in the 454 LTD with a larger displacement - 498cc - and a claimed 20 percent increase in power. The EX500 also features a lightweight perimeter frame, a dual piston caliper front brake, Uni-Trak rear suspension, a half fairing and 16-inch wheels front and rear. Returning on the sport bike front for Kawasaki are the Ninja 250, the Ninja 600 and the Ninja lOOOR. There will also be a Ninja 600RX Limited Edition for 1987. The 600RX will feature an ebony paint scheme with red and' gold pinstripes accents and a lightweight aluminum frame; only 1000 of the Ninja 600RX are being offered for sale in the United States. Kawasaki has reintroduced the KZ305 for 1987. Kawasaki claims nothing fancy or high-tech with its aircooled, four-stroke, parallel twin engined KZ305. The bike features electric start, a six-speed transmission, belt-drive, and a front disc brake while weighing in at 340 pounds. On the touring side of Kawasaki's lineup is the top-of-the-line ZN 1300M Voyager. With its six-cylinder powerplant, on-board computer and air compressor and full-dress accessories, the Voyager leads the way in Kawasaki touring. The big Voyager is joined in the touri ng ra n ks by the ZG 1200-BI Voyager. For what Kawasaki bills as a tourer for those who want to travel long distances at high speeds in comfort, the company once again offers the ZG 1000-A2 Concours. Returning for 1987 are the VN750A3 Vulcan, the ZL600-A2 middleweight muscle bike and the EN450A3 454 LTD. On the dual-purpose front for Kawasaki in 1987 is the KL650, the KL250and the KElOO. The KL650 for J 987 has features for dirt, street and touring making it what Kawasaki terms a triple purpose bike. The KL650's liquid-cooled, dual overhead cam, four-valve, singlecylinder engine is based on the KL600 from 1986, but has a claimed 14 percent more horsepower and 19 percent more torque. For off-road use the KL650 has nine inches of travel in the The top-of-the-line ZN 1300 Voyager is Kawasaki's six-cylinder tourer; an on-board computer and air compressor and full-dress accessories. The new KL650 dual-purpose bike for 1987 comes equipped with a sixgallon gas tank and a frame-mounted fairing with a windscreen. front and rear as well as an engine skid plate, hand guards and stainless steel exhaust system. For touring, the bike features a six gallon gas tank, a frame-mounted fairing with windscreen and a rear rack. • 23