Kawasaki Motorcycles - Cruisers - Dual Purpose:

Kawasaki has been making quality motorcycles for decades and their current lineup of cruisers, sport bikes, motocross, off-road, super sport, and dual purpose motorcycles should keep the interest of any fan. Whether you enjoy cruising the backroads on a Vulcan or racing down the highway on a Ninja at 150 MPH, Kawasaki will deliver performance, reliability, and comfort for some of the best prices when compared to the competition. I have personally been around motorcycles for 2 decades and seen the evolution of the modern super sport bikes and some of the elite cruisers. My brother used to own a Ninja 600 back in the 1980's and I thought that motorcycle was a "rocket", but since then street bikes have only become more powerful and faster than ever. I don't have a lot of experience with dirt bikes and motocross, but after reading some reviews we hope to fill you in on the latest offerings from Kawasaki and seperate the mediocre from the best in class.

---

The Vulcan cruiser from Kawasaki is offered in a variety of engine sizes and styles. There is the Vulcan 2000, Vulcan 2000 LTD, Vulcan 2000 Classic, 2007 Vulcan 2000 Classic LTD, Vulcan 1600 Classic, Vulcan 1600 Mean Streak, Vulcan 1600 Nomad, Vulcan 1500 Classic, Vulcan 1500 Classic Anniversary, Vulcan 900 Classic, Vulcan 900 Classic LT, Vulcan 800 Drifter, Vulcan 750, and the Vulcan 500 LTD. We don't have space to review them all here, but we will start with the Vulcan 2000 for $13499 which experts describe as "the perfect combination of power, style, and craftsmanship" from this V-Twin cruiser. The 2053cc engine has forged pistons and alloy connecting rods which are strong and light. We like the elegant chassis and 200/60R series rear tire for a stable ride. Owners say the bucket type front seat provides plenty of comfort for longer rides. The 2007 Vulcan 2000 Classic LT goes for $14499 and we prefer it to the Vulcan 2000. Trying to find the right design and features for an entry level cruiser is what manufacturers try to do each year to persuade buyers their way. The Vulcan 9000 Classic ($7299) stands out apart from other cruisers. The "new Vulcan has a huge 180/70-15 rear tire paired with a cruiser-friendly 130/90-16 front tire, both of which are wrapped around shiny chrome wire-spoke wheels". The 5-speed gearbox will race you up to 100 MPH fast enough and the belt drive will improve the ride quality and suspension. The Eliminator 125 is the smallest cruiser we've seen and a great starter bike for less than $2700. Kawasaki makes 2 dual purpose motorcycles which supply qualities essential for both street and off-road riding. The 2007 KLR650 retails for $5199 and is both versatile and comfortable in the city and on the side roads. The four-stroke provides low and mid range power. The KLX 250S is both smaller and cheaper at $4699 is a street legal model with electric start.

Sport and Super Sport Bikes:

Kawasaki sport bikes are fun to ride, extremely fast, and handle as well as most racing motorcycles yet are street legal. The 2007 lineup includes the Z1000, Z750S, ZZR600, Ninja 650R, Ninja 500R, Ninja 250R, and the Concours. We will focus our review to the eve popular Kawasaki Ninja 650R ($6299) - both affordable and ridable for most beginners, the 650R comes loaded with a "very compact liquid-cooled DOHC 8-valve 649cc Parallel Twin engine with fuel injection". The 6-speed transmission will propel you past slower traffic on the highways and give you a comfortable commute through city streets. I rode a Ninja 600 almost 2 decades ago and was amazed at the power and handling. A recent test drive on the 650R showed me just how far sport bikes have come since then with a more comfortable handle bar design, riding position, and even more power. The Ninja 650R should provide any beginner with enough power (maybe too much) and maneuverability for a thoroughly fun experience. I was in an accident on my Honda Interceptor years ago and the odds of any motorcyclist getting in an accident are fairly high so take a good motorcycle training course to learn the basic of riding a motorcycle to improve your chances of avoiding an accident. Sure sport bikes are fun, but since they accelerate so fast they are dangerous. The super sport series from Kawasaki features the Ninja ZX-14, Ninja ZX-10R, Ninja ZX-6R, and the Ninja ZX-6RR. We found some reviews online of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R ($11199) and pulled the finer points from what customers had to say and included them here. The new ZX-10R has been overhauled with a new engine, chassis, and aerodynamically improved even with more weight and a longer build. You get 173 HP which makes mid range and high end acceleration even more noticeable.

Motocross and Off-Road Dirtbikes:

The Motocross models from Kawasaki for 2007 are the KX450F, KX250F, KX250, KX100, KX85, and KX65. The 2007 KX450F ($6899) offers improved bottom and midrange power for better acceleration "from the starting gate and stronger drive out of corners". The new 5-speed transmission gives the rider more versatility in "difficult rhythm sections". The 449cc liquid cooled, four-stroke engine has titanium valves, 41mm titanium exhaust header for increased power, and superior braking. Motocross enthusiasts will enjoy riding all the Kawasaki dirt bikes on the track and in racing situations. The Off-Road selection includes the KLX110 and the KLX300R. The 2007 KLX 300R ($4949) per reviews, rides great on trails, provides reliable performance, and enough comfort for long days of aggressive riding.

Kawasaki Mule:

The Kawasaki Mule sells between $5800 and $10800 and the 3010 Trans4X4 was named the 2006 American Hunter Vehicle of the year. Comes with a fully automatic transmission, 2 or 4 wheel drive options, cargo payload expands from 400 to 800 pounds in the 2 person mode. You can get the Kawasaki Mule in either a diesel or gas version, both offering rugged durability. There are about 9 different models to choose from with the Mule - 600 Mule, 610 4X4 Camo, 610 4X4, 3000 Mule, 3010 4X4 Camo, etc. You can review all models with descriptions of each and all the features and pricing at http://www.kawasaki.com/product_category.asp?category=3&tag=utility.

Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.

Review and Internet Guide Index: Cell Phones: - Apple iPhone Review - iPhone Wallpaper - Bluetooth Headsets Computers and Internet: - Amazon Kindle Review - Apple MacBook Air Review - Best Selling Wireless Routers Household/DIY: - Replacing a Furnace - Most Popular Bread Makers - Kitchenaid Mixers Cars and Automobiles

Audio/Video Electronics - Best 50" LCD TVs - What is Tivo and how does it work? - Flip MinoHD Review Top-Rated Digital Cameras and Photos: - Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT DSLR - Top HD Video Cameras - Buying a Digital SLR Camera MP3 Music, Players, Speakers: - Top-Rated Headphones and Popular Earphones Rankings - iPod Touch - Free MP3 Music Downloads Entertainment/Hobbies

Health & Fitness: - Teeter Inversion Tables - Recumbent Exercise Bikes - Adjustable Dumbells Ratings Finance - Car Insurance Quotes - Mortgage Payment Calculator - Debt Consolidation Travel - Disneyland Hotel Guide - Hotels and Lodging - Top 10 Things to Do in New York Fashion/Beauty Sports and Outdoors