Kawasaki’s KSR110 is a fun little 111cc Supermotard bike which is quickly gaining popularity around the world, especially in Japan and South-East Asia. A number of tuning companies have cropped up, catering for the KSR like Takegawa, Kitaco, Striker and others.

Carrozzeria of Japan, which manufactures Ohlins suspension for popular Japanese motor vehicles, has introduced the Ohlins Type 36HRCL rear suspension strut for the KSR110. The KSR’s cornering speed in racing helps improve lap times, making it a critical part for victory in events like KSR Cup one-make races. In addition, general roadgoing maneuverability of the KSR110 in both urban and highway situations due to its wide range of possible settings. The Ohlins Type 36HRCL (Part No. SR-SU60-R) features an external reservoir for damper settings for damper pressure adjustment and an adjustable spring perch for height adjustment. This tasty looking Ohlins setup will cost you about US$1030 (RM3,334).

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Kawasaki recently introduced the D-Tracker and KLX250 (Off-road version of the same bike) in Malaysia and BikerVoodoo has also presented information on Military bikes, but here is something that I’m sure you’ll find interesting – the JGSDF Military Kawasaki KLX250!

The USMC now uses the M1030M1, a Diesel variant of the Kawasaki KLR650 based motorcycle, but in earlier times also used the KLR250D8.

The military Kawasaki KLR250, predecessor to the KLX250, was in production for about 20 years and has been used by a variety of personnel for duties as mundane as domestic base courier services, all the way to in-theatre communications, scouting, special forces use, and even airborn troops. The KLR250 was used by the USMC, US Army, USAF and also the Canadian military. It has seen action in Grenada, Panama and Desert Storm. In spite of the military success achieved by Kawasaki in North America, Japanese Ground Self-Defence Forces (JGSDF) has utilised the Honda XLR250R as a military motorcycle but in recent times, the JGSDF has turned to Kawasaki for their KLX250 instead.

The militarised KLX250 is equipped for reconnaisance and also equips artillery units. In addition to being set up for all-terrain use, the KLX is painted Olive Drab all over, and the powerplant is blacked out. Racks for stowage of equipment, radios and packs are fitted, along with black out taillamps, and protective bars for the front and rear lights.

SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 2,135mm
Width: 885mm
Height: 1,210mm
Weight: 117kg
Max. Speed: 135km/h
Crew: 1
Manufacturer: Kawasaki Heavy Industries

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This interesting video posted on YouTube shows how a Japanese special builder takes a stock Kawasaki KSR110 and converts it into what he calls a ‘KR110 Endurance‘. This is his production diary.

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Did you think that only larger motorcycles could be tuned and modified? Takegawa is known for making tuning parts for smaller bikes and made a name for themselves producing tuning parts for the Honda Monkey and Gorilla, two of the worlds definitive midget motorcycles. Kitaco and others have been also making a name for themselves. Lately the Kawasaki KSR110 has joined the fray, albeit being a bit larger, which does no harm in encouraging people to even use it as a daily commuter. One interesting spin-off is that enthusiasts have been modifying the KSR110, abandoning its Supermoto looks and converting the bike to a sort of track racer look. This video shows what can be done with a KSR110, which the makers have dubbed the “KR110 Endurance”, partly inspired by the Kawasaki K1000J, a bike as big and strong as beef cattle!

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Yoshimura R&D, one of the world’s largest motorcycle aftermarket parts suppliers, have unveiled their TRC slip-on exhaust system for the 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250. With a brand new design and numerous improvements, Yoshimura have developed an exhaust system perfectly matched to the style and performance of the Ninja’s 249cc parallel twin.

Their slip-on exhaust system features their popular TRC muffler in Carbon Fiber, Stainless Steel, or Titanium trim, matched with a stainless steel tailpipe and laser cut tailpipe heatshield, all conceptualized together to complement the Kawasaki Ninja 250’s looks. Yoshimura R&D was established in 1954 by Hideo ‘Pops’ Yoshimura.

TRC Stainless/Stainless Slip-on (P/N 1406275) – US$429.00 MSRP
TRC Stainless/Titanium Slip-on (P/N 1466277) – US$499.99 MSRP
TRC Stainless/Carbon Slip-on (P/N 1406272) – US$549.00 MSRP

Yoshimura’s TRC exhausts aren’t exactly cheap but you can be assured that Yoshimura’s philosophy is such that all of their products are made as a result of knowledge learned from racing. Cost considerations are scrimping on materials are not part of this philosophy.

2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R power & torque curves, before and after fitting a Yoshimura TRC exhaust

Yoshimura is the largest sportbike aftermarket pipe manufacturer in the world. They ship out thousands of pipes each month to customers all around the world. Being in the business for over 50 years has brought their reputation to a point where it has driven sales to the level of making Yoshimura an industry leader.

SOURCE: YOSHIMURA R&D

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The “CopBike” is a custom-built Kawasaki Vulcan 1500J Drifter concept bike by Cobra’s Special Project Division, USA.

Denny Berg of Cobra SPD (Special Project Division) was responsible for the design and fabrication of the bike, which looks like a vintage police bike reminiscent of an Indian V-Twin. Cobra took 1 month to assemble the bike, which was painted by Taylor Design of El Cajon, California.

The bike has been featured on their website and has been reviewed in Motorcycle Cruiser and Motociclismo (Italy).

GENERAL INFORMATION
Design/Concept: Ken Boyko, Denny Berg, Cobra S.P.D.
Fabrication: Denny Berg
Paint: Taylor Design, (El Cajon, CA)
Assembly Time: 1 Month
Make & Model: 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500J Drifter

ENGINE:
Modifications: None
Pipes: Cobra 2-into-1 Upsweep
Fuel System: Kawasaki Fuel Injection

CHASSIS:
Type: VN1500J Prototype #2
Modifications: None

SUSPENSION:
Forks: Lowered 2-1/4″, Cobra Fork Kit, PJ1 Paint
Rear: Lowered 2″, Progressive Suspension #412, 12″
Modifications: None

WHEELS:
Front: VN1500J, PJ1 Black Paint, Metzeler ME77 (120/90-16)
Front Brakes: Stock
Rear: VN1500J, PJ1 Black Paint, Metzeler ME77 (130/90-16)
Rear Brakes: Stock
Driveline: Stock, Drive Shaft

ACCESSORIES:
Bars: VN1500J
Controls: Stock, 1975 Kawasaki Z1 Mirrors
Instruments: Stock
Tank: Stock
Fenders: Stock
Seat: Kawasaki Police 1000
Lighting: VN1500C Headlight, Cobra Spotlights, Stock Rear, Bullet Signals
Pegs: Stock, Cobra Floorboards
Miscellaneous: “Fake” Kick-starter, Harley “Springer” Horn, Cobra Freeway Bars, Cobra Light Visors, and Drifter Windshield

SOURCE

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You may have noticed newspaper advertising for the Kawasaki D-Tracker in Malaysia recently. Kawasaki Malaysia actually launched it in November 2007. It retails for RM23,999.

Engine type: 4-stroke liquid cooled single
Displacement: 249cc
Valve system: DOHC 4 valve
Starting: electric
Transmission: 6 speed
Suspension front: 43mm inverted fork with 20 way compression damping
Suspension rear: bottom-link UNI-TRAK with piggy back resorvoir shock, adjustable preload, 20 way compression and 18 way rebound damping

The Kawasaki D-Tracker is also available in the following colour schemes.

NST has a review on the Kawasaki D-Tracker here. No offence to Boon Siew, Hong Leong Yamaha and the others but Kawasaki Sunrock / Kawasaki Malaysia have set the pace and those who don’t follow suit or exceed the pace set by Kawasaki may risk losing their top-of-mind share of the Malaysian motorcycle customer. What do you say guys? Bring in your latest models please! Malaysia is not a nation of 100% mopeds only!

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I was out today to buy motorcycle gloves (that’s another story), when I saw this in a watch shop.

Casio produced these exclusive Kawasaki Racing Team G-Shock watches a few months ago. Casio G-Shocks are famous for being able to withstand hard knocks so this is the ideal watch for any devoted Kawasaki rider. The Kawasaki Racing Team Casio G-Shock comes in a specially designed case. The G-Shock, as it name suggests is shock resistant (perfect for Moto-X eh?). Among other functions this watch has a triple-split stopwatch and dual 100-lap memory. It allows a rider to actually put his or her need for speed to the test!

OFFICIAL CASIO PAGE

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Host of the History Channel’s military history documentary Mail Call, retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant Ronald Lee Ermey narrates this short video clip on the United States Marine Corps Combat Motorcycle School. Featuring the tough-as-nails Kawasaki KLR650 and the Diesel version, the M1030M1. The M1030M1 JP8/Diesel Military Motorcycle has been under development since 1998. It is designed to operate reliably and efficiently on Kerosene based fuels to include Diesel Fuel and Aviation Kerosene. Hayes Diversified Technologies (HDT) is under contract with the United States Marine Corps to delivery over 440 M1030M1s. Production was scheduled to begin in March of 2006.