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/146688
improve heat transfer while allowing closer engine tolerances and, thus, increased horsepower, the electrofusion cylinder is a first for a Kawasaki production four-stroke. In addition, electrofusion gives the cylinder more porosity, making it more resistent to abrasion and seizure. The R-model also features a different intake cam, digital ignition and less flywheel mass. The on/off-road version also differs in that it features an electric starter, powered by a maintenance-free battery,. while the off-road-only model features a kick starter. Both powerplants sit in perimeter frames, similar to those used in Kawasaki's KX motocrosS line. Both the KLXR and KLX feature 43mm upside-down fork and bottomlink Uni-Trak rear suspension. The KLXR, however, utilizes a nitrogencharged rear shock with 16-way compression and rebound damping adjustment. The pair come equipped with disc brakes, front and rear. The KLXR weighs in at 276 pounds (dry) while, the KLX tips the scale at 337 pounds (dry). The lime green KLX650R carries a suggested retail price 0'£ $4499 while the all-black KLX650 will sell for $4699. The third all-new motorcycle in the Kawasaki line is the ZRllOO, a sort of second-generation Z-l - Kawasaki's muscle bike of the 70s. The ZRllOO uses a new version of the 1062cc four-stroke, air-cooled engine used in the ZG1200 (Above) The ZR1100 is Kawasaki's only Voyager. The powerplant features a all-new street bike gear-driven engine balancer, an oil cooler, an automatic carn chain tensioner and for 1993. (Right) The ZX-l1, though, and a five-speed traru,mission. One mode~ the ZX-6 (below) feature on this classic design is the dual have been updated spark plugs in each cylinder, providing for 1993. better flame propagation with less tendency to detonate. The ZRltOO engine sits in a one-piece double-cradle frame, with a removable right downtube for easy engine access. It uses 43mm front fork and rear reservoir shocks featuring four-way compression and rebound damping and five-way spring pre-load adjustment. The ZR1100 uses dual disc front and a single rear disc rear brake. The ZRllOO carries a suggested retail price of $6999. Kawasaki is claiming that their new and improved Ninja ZX-6 will prove to be a Honda CBR600 beater. The ZX-6 features a refined engine with lightened valves, exhaust tappets, pistons, rods and crankshaft; less flywheel mass; a reduction in the size of the crank pin diameter (from 33mm to 30mm); shorter cylinder skirts; a higher compression. The wheelbase on the new ZX-6 is also slightly shorter than on the previous model, and it features an an aluminum sWingarm and aluminum perimeter frame. In addition, the body work has been changed, the riding position altered and it now utilizes twin ram induction to mcrease volumetric efficiency. The ZX-6 will sell for a suggested retail price of $6199, while the 600R holds a suggested retail price of $4899. The big change to the ZX-7line comes mainly from the standard ZX-7. It now features the double ram induction, an upped compression ratio, a new frame and swingarm (a different construction, but the same geometry), and revised front forks (smaller diameter). According to a company spokesman, the ZX-Ts front and rear suspension have been tuned more for street riding than in past years. The bike also features include an all-new hollow cast and. new body work, which like that on the ZX-6, was designed to lower the co-effiextruded aluminum swingarm, a new dent of drag. The race-ready ZX-7R, sleeker fairing, longer wheelbase, more rake, the dual C;1ir induction system and meanwhile, hasn't changed much. Changes have been done to the jairing, larger exhaust silencers. The ZX-ll will frame and swingarm; but the suspension sell for $8799. The rest of the street bike lineup is unchanged. The ZX-7R has a suggestincludes the Ninja 250R ($3099), Vulcan ed retail price of $9799 and the ZX-7 sells 500 ($3999), EX500 ($3699), Ninja 600R for $7399. ($4899), Vulcan ($5099), Concours The changes to the ZX-ll, meanwhile, ($7399), Voyager X11 ($9599), and, Vulcan 88 ($6999). Other on- / off-road bikes from Kawasaki include the KElDO ($1549), KLR250 ($3149), and the KLR650 ($3899). There are also two KDXs, the 200 ($3249) and the 250 ($4099) to accompany the KX motocross line already featured in a previous issue of Cycle News. No doubt the biggest round of applause at the new model introduction during the recent Kawasaki dealer sho.w in San Diego went to two new TV commercials and several print media advertisements that will appear on the tube and in publications in the near future. Gone is the "Let the good times roll" theme, replaced by spectacular special effects shots and a one-word message, (N "Kawabunga!" 17