2015 TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Kawasaki Z125
Honda's popular Grom commuter won't have its own way anymore, with Kawasaki unveiling the Z125 in Japan, offering both centrifugal and manual clutch versionsThe 2015 Tokyo Motor Show has promised plenty on the motorcycle prototype front — and we'll be seeing that over the next couple of days — but today's press day in the Japanese capital has also revealed some new production fare, with the Kawasaki Z125 one of them.
Billed as Kawasaki's "nimblest super naked model to date", the Z125 is designed to take on Honda's popular Grom at its own miniature game. The new Kwaka weighs 100kg (about the same as a 250cc motocross bike), and comes with 12-inch wheels, 30mm upside-down forks, underslung muffler, offset laydown shock, 12-inch wheels and 200mm disc brakes. There is also an LED taillight.
The engine is a 125cc SOHC fuel-injected, air-cooled four-stroke, in two forms: one with a centrifugal clutch (the Z125) or one with a manual clutch (Z125 PRO). There is a four-speed gearbox. Total output is most certainly below 10hp, so top speed would probably be 100km/h at a reach.
Those spec levels are eerily similar to the Honda Grom, which was introduced in 2013 and has been a massively popular bike in both developing and mature markets, including America. It's small, fun and extremely easy to ride.
The Grom isn't sold in Australia — yet — and we're now awaiting word on whether the Z125 will beat the Honda to the punch.
Kawasaki's smallest capacity commuter in Australia is the Z250SL.
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