Kawasaki

Auto Trader Insights: The leading NZ car blog for reviews, news, and expert buying and selling advice
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2 February 2023

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R confirmed for New Zealand

Kawasaki is adding to its local sporting ZX line-up with a junior high-performance Ninja dubbed ZX-4R. The 4 clearly signifies its 399cc engine capacity, though coincidentally also stands for its cylinder count. Sporting a fresh engine and frame, there are two new variants available internationally, the ZX-4 SE and ZX-4 RR, and they should both be available later this year.
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29 September 2021
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Kawasaki shrinks retro bike into Z650RS

Kawasaki has miniaturised its Z900RS and halved the cylinder count, the result being the Z650RS. It’s another retro sport model with looks inspired by the Z1 of the...
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4 August 2021
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2021 Kawasaki Z H2 – H-Bomb review

We’d been raring to ride Kawasaki’s H2, the modern successor to its banzai two-stroke namesake of the 70s. Is it a scary supercharged monster or what? “Ever ridden...
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5 June 2020
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2020 Kawasaki Ninja 650L review

Kawasaki has updated its excellent 650 line-up, the faired Ninja with new styling, reminiscent of the boss H2. Is the LAMS model as fast as it looks? We’ve...
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7 November 2019
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2019 Kawasaki Z650 LAMS ABS review

Learner bikes continue to evolve and improve, and this Kawasaki Z650 example is great evidence of that. It looks the business and is light and feisty. Plenty of...
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7 August 2019
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2019 Kawasaki Z400 ABS review

Kawasaki has added a naked 400 version of its smallest Ninja. It’s roughly as quick as the faired bike, but costs less. Could be this is the ultimate...
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7 July 2019
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2019 Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE review

This update to an easy going, road-biased adventure tourer adds tech and even more comfort but at a price. Meet Kawasaki’s Versys 1000 SE, with electronic suspension. Can...
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8 March 2019
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2019 Kawasaki Versys-X 300 review

Think a 300 can’t cut the touring mustard? Here’s one that reckons it can, the Versys-X 300. We jump aboard and take it ‘any roads’ riding. In case...
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12 August 2018
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2017 Kawasaki Ninja 650 ABS review

Kawasaki has overhauled its evergreen Ninja 650, imbuing it with a lighter frame and an engine with even more midrange than before. It looks smart and it gets...
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12 June 2018
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2018 Kawasaki Z900RS review

New bikes that hark back to old faves from last century are popular right now. Here’s another that is done almost to perfection. We ride Kawasaki’s Z900RS, its...
8 April 2025
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Kawasaki develops more horse power

Here’s something you don’t see every day, a robot that thinks it’s a horse. Kawasaki, normally associated with sportsbikes, has now produced a four-legged, robotic device. Known as CORLEO, it moves just like a horse. Okay, so it’s not from Kawasaki per se, but from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the owner of the bike division. Think of CORLEO (hypothetically) as the
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6 November 2024
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New Kawasaki Z900 is A Complete Makeover

There’s lots of new stuff for what was already a rather desirable naked middleweight neo-retro bike. It’s virtually a new machine and it seems much more sports oriented this time around. The special SE model remains with better brakes (Brembo M4.32 monobloc four-piston calipers up front) and suspension (Ohlins boingers front and rear). Not that the standard Nissin radial-mount four-piston calipers
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3 October 2024
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Extra Grunt and SE Model for Kawasaki’s Sport-Tourer 

Entering its fifth generation, Kawasaki’s Ninja 1100SX sport-tourer gains another 100cc and extra low and midrange urge for improved long distance travel. There’s also a new SE model with high-end Brembo and Ohlins components. Its combination of sport performance and aggressive Ninja appearance with a relaxed riding position are all part of this sport- tourer’s enhanced package. Extra grunt An
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8 November 2023
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Learner Kawasakis Now 500 Twins

With rivals like Honda CB 500 and CFMoto 450 SR/NK, Kawasaki must have figured it was time to enter the half-litre street bike fray. So at EICMA 2023, the company unveiled the Ninja 500 and Kawasaki Z 500, a new engine powering the pair. Few details are available about the 500-class twin-cylinder motor Kawasaki has installed in its new Ninja
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