Intermot show: Kawasaki expands line-up for 2017

Kawasaki bought a swathe of new model announcements to press day of the 2017 Intermot show in Cologne starting with limited-edition versions of both its range-topping supercharged H2 line-up and its ZX-10R superbike.

As well as an all-new limited edition H2 Carbon edition which will sit between the base model H2 and the race-only H2R and of which only 120 will be made, the firm also announced a series of updates which will be applied to the now three-tiered 2017 range.

Most notable is the addition of Öhlins’ top-shelf TTX36 rear shock as well a somewhat gimmicky lean-angle display on the dash which, much like the official MotoGP coverage, gives you real-time lean angle information or, if you’re too scared to look, will record and display the maximum reached. A bi-directional quickshifter with auto-blip has been added to work with the six-axis IMU and minor exhaust changes have been carried out to pass the new Euro 4 regulations.

Kawasaki followed Honda’s lead and also unveiled a 500-units-only homologation special of its current Superbike. Dubbed the ZX-10RR, it too boasts lightweight forged aluminium wheels to reduce unsprung weight, as well as various engine tweaks.

The cylinder head has been modified to accept the race cams should you purchase the optional race kit, the cases are thicker to cope with the extra strain and optional, too, is the inclusion of an adjustable steering head single or swingarm pivot point.

In the same vein as Ducati’s all-new 937cc SuperSport sportstouring machine, Kawasaki has announced updates to its sportstourer, the Ninja 1000. While an IMU brings both traction control and cornering ABS to the table, nothing says sportstourer like the new height-adjustable double-bubble windshield. The engine is largely unchanged, with enough revisions to get it over the Euro 4 line, while a revised rear shock and linkage has resulted in a lower seat height than the outgoing model (now 815mm). There’s an even lower one in the long list of options available to, like the Ducati, steer your Ninja 1000 to a more sport or more tourer focus.

Perhaps the most important news for the Japanese brand in terms of potential sales is a heavily updated Ninja 650 is set to replace both the superseded faired version as well as the naked ER-6 model.

The 2017 Ninja 650 is a whopping 19kg lighter than the model it’s set to replace and has undergone significant styling updates that will have fans of the ZX-6R sportsbike doing a double take.

While its slightly down in power than the 2016 model due to having to jump through Euro 4 hoops, the weight reduction and a claimed eight per cent improvement in fuel economy will more than make up for it. It’s got a beefier swingarm, Nissan-branded calipers, an under-engine exhaust and a 790mm seat height.