This is Kawasaki's NAV 4e, and I got to take it around the neighborhood for a day during the global launch a couple of months ago
Kawasaki stressed to us that although appearances might be deceiving
The link above goes to my long-form written review
but if you're more of a visual person and you want the short
it's up on the RideApart YouTube channel right now
The most immediate differences are suspension
you probably know exactly how much fun it isn't if you roll over rough pavement
It's all pretty standard stuff if you're just going about your low-speed business
but a lot of other machines don't necessarily keep those lumps and bumps from making you question whether you've just given yourself a weird back injury.
Going over rough curbs or broken pavement wasn't a problem
The area we were test driving these PTVs in didn't really have potholes
or I would have gladly tested it over one of those so I could report back on how it did
you can spend more time listening to your chosen tunes on your way to wherever you're going.
Hit the video and read the written review if you want to know more about it
it might not be the worst choice if you only travel a short distance in your neighborhood on the regular
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tweaking its styling and adding an electronic throttle and six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
but not the Z1100 fans of the liter-class naked bikes were hoping for
It turns out we just needed to be a bit more patient
as we can now confirm that a Kawasaki Z1100 is coming for the 2026 model year
The confirmation comes to us via a newly released executive order from the California Air Resources Board certifying the models using Kawasaki’s 1,099cc Inline-Four engine
the executive order listed a brand new ZR1100HT model code
when Kawasaki Motor submits certification data to CARB or the U.S
it lists the commercial name of its products that are carried over from previous model years but lists model codes for brand new
The “T” in this case stands for the 2025 model year
We know from Kawasaki’s usual nomenclature that ZR codes are reserved for naked Z models
The CARB certification doesn’t tell us much else
except that it shares the same 1,099cc Inline-Four engine as the Versys and Ninja 1100 models
the engine claims an output of 133 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 82.5 lb-ft of torque at 7,600 rpm
while the Ninja claims about 134 hp and 83.2 lb-ft
We suspect the Z1100 will swing closer to the Ninja than the Versys with its performance figures
If there was one criticism leveled against the Ninja and Versys 1100 models
it’s that Kawasaki didn’t change much else beyond the engine displacement
as the Z1100 will be a brand new addition to Kawasaki’s Z range
The last naturally-aspirated naked Kawasaki displacing more than 1,000cc was the 2021 Z1000
you’d have to go back even further back to the Zephyr 1100 and ZRX1100
CARB certifications confirm the Z900 will return for 2026
considering it did receive some updates for 2025
What is interesting is that the executive order for the Z900 and Z900 SE also includes three new model codes in the ZR902AT
The three retro-styled RS variants meanwhile were not listed in any of the executive orders released thus far
leading us to suspect the three model codes are for the 2026 Z900RS
We expect these three variants to receive the IMU and electronic throttle that the regular Z900 received for 2025
The CARB executive orders don’t tell us when we might expect to see any of these 2026 models announced
We had to wait until the fall for Kawasaki to confirm the Versys 1100 and Ninja 1100SX
and would not be surprised to see a similar timeline for the Z1100 and update Z900RS models
Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008
has developed a firm grasp of industry trends
A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles
if there's a new model on the horizon
you'll probably hear about it from him first
More by Dennis Chung
I would love to see an updated version of the ZRX 1100
The old ZRX had an undefinable something a dyno or spec sheet simply can't measure - it was cool
It doesn't seem right for Kawasaki not to have a super-naked in its lineup
The super naked category is stacked with high-horsepower models
It will be interesting to see what approach Kawasaki takes
Ducati is on to something with a host of 115-120 HP motorcycles
New tech and features up the inline-four naked’s game
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Kawasaki’s modern motorcycle legends blend power
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The victory makes Al Ahli the third Saudi club to win the competition in its various guises
joining city rivals and twice winners Al Ittihad and Riyadh's four-times champions Al Hilal
"We are so proud," said Al Ahli goalkeeper Édouard Mendy
"Once we knew the final eight would be played in Jeddah it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans
Since I came here 18 months ago they have supported us so much
to continue to win trophies and make this club as big as it was before."
Twice inside the opening six minutes Louis Yamaguchi denied the home side, the Kawasaki goalkeeper blocking Ivan Toney's viciously struck right-foot effort before making a point-blank block at the resulting corner from Ziyad Al-Johani
The Japanese outfit almost silenced the crowd in the 11th minute with a moment of individual skill from Marcinho, the Brazilian gliding beyond Ali Majrashi to bear down on goal only to shoot across the area and past the far post
Toney fired wide and Roger Ibañez was just off target with a curling effort from the edge of the area as Al Ahli increased the pressure
the opener eventually came with 10 minutes remaining of the first half when Kawasaki gave away possession close to their own goal
Firmino fed Galeno in space 25 metres out and
the former Porto man bent a perfectly-measured right-foot strike into the top corner
the Saudi side capitalising on their opponents being temporarily down to 10 men with left back Sota Miura off the field injured
bursting through on the right side of the area to clip a cross into the six-yard box that the quickly arriving Ivorian Kessie rose to head home
Substitute Sai van Wermeskerken nodded wide as Kawasaki sought a way back into the game and substitute Tatsuya Ito
the hero of Kawasaki's semifinal win over Al Nassr
Ito flashed another strike across Mendy's goal and Ibanez denied Shin Yamada a late opportunity as Al Ahli celebrated victory in their third appearance in the final
after runners-up finishes in 1986 and 2012
Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli beat Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to win the Asian Champions League Elite title for the first time at a raucous King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday
\"We are so proud,\" said Al Ahli goalkeeper Édouard Mendy
\"Once we knew the final eight would be played in Jeddah it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans
to continue to win trophies and make this club as big as it was before.\"
Twice inside the opening six minutes Louis Yamaguchi denied the home side, the Kawasaki goalkeeper blocking Ivan Toney's viciously struck right-foot effort before making a point-blank block at the resulting corner from Ziyad Al-Johani
The Japanese outfit almost silenced the crowd in the 11th minute with a moment of individual skill from Marcinho, the Brazilian gliding beyond Ali Majrashi to bear down on goal only to shoot across the area and past the far post
Toney fired wide and Roger Ibañez was just off target with a curling effort from the edge of the area as Al Ahli increased the pressure
Japan introduced staggering new motorcycle technology
This vehicle presented an exceptional non-electric motorcycle that delivered 310 horsepower to the global market
The Kawasaki hydrogen-powered motorcycle seeks to transform markets through its powerful
which exceeds both electric bike and gasoline bike technology
Numerous sales-based impressions have emerged since Kawasaki launched the Ninja H2 into its global markets
Through its advanced environmental technologies
this motorcycle demonstrates future sustainable transportation possibilities for people
The Ninja H2 serves as an advanced motorcycle that drives the industry toward cleaner operational alternatives
Unlike traditional gas and electric motorcycle technologies
the exclusive power system used in the Ninja H2 consists of a supercharged hydrogen engine system
The hydrogen-oxygen process produces electricity through fuel cell operations
the technology produces environmentally beneficial chemical solutions superior to standard motorcycle fuel options for high-performance vehicles
The Ninja H2 offers unmatched riding capabilities to motorcycle users. With its 310 horsepower engine, this bike achieves the fastest acceleration speed among all its type
Engineered design techniques and modern technology combined with these features make the motorcycle outperform other high-spec motorcycles
The Ninja H2 excels in riding control beyond its excessive power output to deliver safety and excitement for riders during their travels
The Ninja H2 makes three essential contributions to its performance through its lightweight construction
The motorcycle’s aerodynamic shape improves speed and gas efficiency
and the supercharger supports high-speed capability
Among top-quality motorcycles in the market
the Ninja H2 stands as an unmatched leader
The Kawasaki company’s breakthrough in electric motorcycle development was achieved by introducing its superbike powered by hydrogen
Environmental performance from hydrogen fuel cells makes the Ninja H2 better for the environment than regular gasoline motorcycles provide to their users
The latest innovation demonstrates how sustainability programs around the world integrate hydrogen through its presentation of hydrogen as a viable renewable power solution for future applications
Hydrogen fuel cells provide better features than standard and electric power supply models
which lowers the environmental footprint during vehicle transportation
The supply of hydrogen stays plentiful while renewable energy sources make its creation possible
creating a sustainable and flexible energy solution
Hydrogen fuel cell technology in the Ninja H2 shows how sustainable transportation systems of tomorrow will become possible
The Ninja H2 introduction created extensive enthusiasm and interest throughout the motorcycle community
Kawasaki has secured dominance as a leader in environmentally friendly transportation
Successful adoption of the Ninja H2 can provide the industry foundation for developing additional hydrogen-powered vehicles
which will reshape the future of motorcycles
After introducing the Ninja H2 to the market, its influence will transform the motorcycle industry significantly. More manufacturers’ exploration of hydrogen technology will set the direction for markets to transition toward cleaner, sustainable motorcycles. Developments at Kawasaki should motivate different companies to dedicate investments toward hydrogen-powered vehicles
thus creating innovative and sustainable products within the industry
The market obtains the exceptional Ninja H2 through Kawasaki as its leading innovation
which merges performance excellence with sustainability goals
The superbike harnesses 310 horsepower from hydrogen power while producing zero emissions to demonstrate sustainability in transportation
the Ninja H2 astonished people across the globe while establishing a benchmark for motorcycles in the forthcoming industry evolution
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- History is guaranteed in Saturday's AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) final. At the end of their meeting at the King Abdullah Sports City, either Al Ahli or Kawasaki Frontale will have secured a first Asian crown
becoming the 25th club to secure the continent's biggest club football prize and providing a new champion for the first time since Kashima Antlers in 2018
Al Ahli supporters celebrate the team's after victory vs
Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals. Photo by Clicks Images/Getty ImagesBut now
Al Ahli stands alone as Saudi Arabia's representative on Asia's biggest stage
After a fifth-place finish in last year's SPL
Al Ittihad didn't even qualify for this year's ACLE or the Asian Champions League 2
while Jaissle's unit comprehensively defeated Al Hilal 3-1 in the semifinals on Tuesday to reach the decider; the result that
were supposed to complete an all-Saudi final the following evening
as well as take a step out of Al Hilal's shadow
only to be stunned and deservedly beaten 3-2 by Kawasaki
Kawasaki boss coach Shigetoshi Hasebe wryly suggested that Al Hilal and Al Nassr fans may prefer to see his side win on Saturday
the chance to play in these high-profile fixtures can't always be counted on
can secure vindication after fans staged a revolt against the club to support him when reports circulated he was set to be replaced by Massimiliano Allegri in January
But with this spotlight come significant expectations
Jasissle said in his pre-game press conference that he didn't want to "make the different circumstances bigger than they are," but said circumstances have undeniably put his side in a commanding position to secure their first Asian title before a ball is even kicked on Saturday evening
Mahrez's wages alone are reportedly around three times the size of Kawasaki's entire squad
Kawasaki Frontale players celebrate their win vs
Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals. Photo by Clicks Images/Getty ImagesAl AHli are also better rested
having had an extra day to prepare after their semifinal win; nor have they been taken to extra time in the knockouts
as Kawasaki were against Al Saad in the quarterfinals
And whereas Azzurro Nero had to fly 16 hours to Jeddah to reach this week's ACLE Finals
Al Ahli are playing in their home stadium on Saturday
vast majority of those in attendance expected to provide them with raucous
And then there is the broader context of this year's final
both the Supercoppa Italiana and Supercopa de España are staged in the Middle Eastern country
which has also ensured football in Asia will effectively centre upon it for the next decade; hosting possibly four more of the newly centralised ACLE Finals before they are staged elsewhere
Should Al Ahli's stars deliver in the manner they're capable of producing
they play the way they have been across the past week
and their fans in the stands provide the kind of hostile wall of noise they're expected to
then meeting expectations shouldn't prove a worry
But Al Hilal and Al Nassr both brought greater expectations and star power than Al Ahli into their semifinals
"players aren't playing with their wallet."
Joey Lynch is in Jeddah reporting on the AFC Champions League Elite Finals as a guest of the Asian Football Confederation
Their reward was a date with Saudi Pro League giants Al Ahli in Saturday's decider at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
90 minutes standing between Azzurro Nero and a first-ever continental crown
as well as the not-insignificant challenge of overcoming one of Asia's biggest spending clubs
in their win over Al Nassr -- is valued at €15.28m
But after engineering a deserved win over an even more-expensively assembled side in the semifinals, Hasebe -- who only arrived at Kawasaki in January after leaving Avispa Fukuoka -- had a simple riposte when the gulf of resources was put to him
it's a very important factor but the players aren't playing with their wallet or their credit card on the pitch," he remarked
"Maybe the budget will affect things somehow
isn't the only challenge that Kawasaki faces
As was the case with their semifinal, they will be afforded one fewer day to prepare than their opponents, with Al Ahli having punched their ticket with a 3-1 win over fellow Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal on Tuesday
Further, with the Asian Football Confederation adopting a new centralised format for the ACLE finals, their Jeddah-based foes will be playing in their home stadium in the final -- the same venue that hosted their comfortable 3-0 win over Thai champions Buriram United in the quarterfinals and their victory over Al Hilal
Hasebe confirmed that none of his players would be unavailable for the contest on Friday and
after giving plaudits to the Kawasaki fans who had trekked from Japan
also sent a brief stir through the local press pack by noting with a sly grin that Riyadh-based Al Nassr and Al Hilal fans may prefer a Kawasaki win to an Al Ahli one
even if the visitors can attract a few defectors
King Abdullah Sports City is expected to be a wall of green-clad noise on Saturday
Al Ahli supporters largely drowned out their Al Hilal rivals on Tuesday
the stadium is unlikely to have a 50-50 divide this time
"The fans are incredible," said the former Manchester City star
"They've always been but the last game was incredible
Tomorrow I don't think it will be half-half
Though acknowledging that his side would use the advantages they had
Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle was hesitant to "make the different circumstances bigger than they are," emphasising that "there are two teams on the pitch [playing] with the same rules."
there exists a heavy weight of expectation on the German's side heading into the final
both from their supporters and those that have observed the significant investment that has been poured into the PIF-owned club
"It's important to stick with the routine," he said
so just focus on the things you can influence
better approach] then what I would have been before would have been wrong."
and orange accents on the seat and decals placed carefully on the front and sides of this completely unridden X-2
you'll notice in the photos that all of the warning stickers and documentation are also in Japanese
Someone imported it into Minnesota at some point
There's no title or registration at this point
so that's something for the new owner to sort out if they feel so inclined
Examine the engine compartment and you'll see a 635cc two-stroke parallel twin engine fitted with a 40mm Keihin carburetor
This late-20th-century gem is currently located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and is being offered for sale on Bring a Trailer by a private party
and the bid is currently up to US $8,600 at the time of writing
in the middle of the afternoon if you're in US time zones
So you'll need to move quickly if you think this is something you want to add to your collection
there's only one question you need to ask yourself
are you going to keep it locked away in its crate for another 30 years
Or are you going to work hard to recommission it and get it out on the water this summer
Let us know what your choice would be if it was yours in the comments
Is more displacement but less peak power a good thing
these discount offers will be available till May 31 or at least till stocks last
Kawasaki India is offering a slew of discount offers to the tune of ₹45,000 as part of its ‘Summer Carnival: Big Rides
The nature of discounts include benefits and cashback offers
These benefits are valid till the end of this month
and are subject to availability as long as stock lasts
Interested customers can avail these benefits against the ex-showroom price
(Also Read: 2025 Kawasaki Eliminator Launched At ₹5.76 Lakh)
(Also Read: 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 500 Launched At ₹5.29 Lakh)
the discounts come right after Kawasaki updated all of the bikes
mentioned above earlier this year complying with the latest emission norms
all the bikes became more expensive than before
this discount and benefits are an attempt by Kawasaki to lure customers who can look past the price hikes.
(Also Read: 2025 Kawasaki Ninja 650 KRT Edition Launched At ₹7.27 Lakh)
Moving forward, Kawasaki is expected to update the rest of its portfolio to comply with the latest emission norms. This would include the likes of the Ninja H2 SX SE, and the Vulcan S, etc. Its affordable W range of roadster bikes which include the W175 and W175 Street should also be updated soon.
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The big-spending Saudi Pro League team succumbed when Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga struck after Sadio Mané's deflected effort in the 28th minute had cancelled out Tatsuya Ito's 10th-minute opener for the J-League side
Aiman Yahya scored from distance with three minutes left for Al Nassr to set up a tense finish
Kawasaki will next face Al Ahli
another Saudi side boasting a squad packed with high-profile foreign internationals
in the final on Saturday with both clubs looking to win their maiden continental crown
"It was a very difficult game but the players were able to show their best performance on the pitch," said Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe
"We're showing what we've been building since pre-season and I'm happy with that."
Underdogs Kawasaki, who had needed extra time to defeat Qatar's Al-Sadd in the quarterfinals on Sunday, made an encouraging start, with Marcinho outmuscling Marcelo Brozovic to win possession 35 yards from goal before shooting wide
Four minutes later Shigetoshi Hasebe's outfit had taken an unexpected lead
Ozeki's pass to the left found Marcinho and, after the forward's centre was headed towards the edge of the area by defender Mohamed Simakan
the unmarked Ito lashed a first-time volley into the top corner to stun the Saudi fans
Al Nassr struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages, a Jhon Durán shot that flew high and wide after he was fed by Ronaldo in the 18th minute was a rare sight of goal for Stefano Pioli's side
That changed when Mane levelled the scores, the former Liverpool man benefitting from a slight deflection off the shoulder of Yuichi Maruyama that took his right-foot shot past Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi
Ronaldo then rattled the frame of the goal with a header moments after sending an overhead effort wide of the target as Al Nassr started to take control of proceedings
But with four minutes left in the half Kawasaki reclaimed the lead through the doggedness of Ito, whose determined running unsettled the Al Nassr defence. While Bento saved the winger's close-range shot
Frontale's decisive third came 14 minutes from time after Erison drove along the Al Nassr byline to set up fellow substitute Ienaga to strike
Yahya thumped home Al Nassr's second in the 87th minute before Yamaguchi twice denied an increasingly desperate Ronaldo in injury time as Kawasaki claimed a famous win
who has failed to win any major trophy since his move to Saudi Arabia
was seen in tears on the field following the loss
The big-spending Saudi Pro League team succumbed when Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga struck after Sadio Mané's deflected effort in the 28th minute had cancelled out Tatsuya Ito's 10th-minute opener for the J-League side
Aiman Yahya scored from distance with three minutes left for Al Nassr to set up a tense finish
Kawasaki will next face Al Ahli
\"It was a very difficult game but the players were able to show their best performance on the pitch,\" said Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe
\"We're showing what we've been building since pre-season and I'm happy with that.\"
Underdogs Kawasaki, who had needed extra time to defeat Qatar's Al-Sadd in the quarterfinals on Sunday, made an encouraging start, with Marcinho outmuscling Marcelo Brozovic to win possession 35 yards from goal before shooting wide
Ozeki's pass to the left found Marcinho and, after the forward's centre was headed towards the edge of the area by defender Mohamed Simakan
Al Nassr struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages, a Jhon Durán shot that flew high and wide after he was fed by Ronaldo in the 18th minute was a rare sight of goal for Stefano Pioli's side
That changed when Mane levelled the scores, the former Liverpool man benefitting from a slight deflection off the shoulder of Yuichi Maruyama that took his right-foot shot past Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi
But with four minutes left in the half Kawasaki reclaimed the lead through the doggedness of Ito, whose determined running unsettled the Al Nassr defence. While Bento saved the winger's close-range shot
brought in to serve as the foil to a bigger star
only to put in a performance that stole the limelight
Wednesday evening wasn't supposed to be about Kawasaki advancing to a first-ever continental decider, which they did by defeating Saudi Pro League powers Al Nassr 3-2 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
It was supposed to be about Cristiano Ronaldo booking a place on Asia's biggest stage after missing out last year. About Sadio Mané, Jhon Durán, and Marcelo Brozović joining him
It was supposed to be about Al Nassr's massive investment in its squad delivering it a first final appearance in 30 years
It was supposed to be a crowning moment for Saudi Arabian football, as an all-SPL final between Al Ahli and Al Nassr was set for Saturday evening
"There were some big names playing here," Kawasaki winger Tatsuya Itō
The Japanese side, meanwhile, were coming to the contest with a day's less rest than their opponents and, after needing extra-time to defeat Al Saad on Sunday, also an extra half-hour on their legs -- Al Nassr having comfortably handed Yokohama F. Marinos 3-1 the day prior
Whereas the side in yellow had only needed to make the short flight from Riyadh to Jeddah for the game and thus had a sizable contingent of support in the stands
Frontale needed to undergo the nearly 16-hour journey from Japan and only had a small pocket of blue cheering them on from a corner of the ground
But then Shigetoshi Hasebe's side only went and upset the apple cart
Yuto Ozeki's 41st-minute strike gave them a 2-1 halftime buffer after Itō's 10th-minute opener was cancelled out by Mané
38-year-old substitute Akihiro Ienaga, after some standout work from another substitute in Erison in the build-up, then delivered a cushion in the 76th -- one large enough to absorb Ayman Yahya's 87th-minute stunner and secure a Hollywood ending
"We're happy to be seen as the underdog," goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi told ESPN
being clinical in the moments they were given the chance to be
and not making the same kind of errors that dragged down the Saudi Arabian side
it ultimately didn't matter that they surrendered three-quarters of possession
When the moments came where they needed to act
much of the fallout will fall on Al Nassr's elimination
such is the nature of their star power; Ronaldo's exit will drive traffic from Jeddah to Jacksonville and everywhere in between
But Wednesday evening was also a historic moment for Azzurro Nero
after setting the standard in Japanese football for so long
Kawasaki is headed for Asia's grandest stage
Having only gotten as far as the quarterfinals previously
Kawasaki Frontale are now one win away from a maiden AFC Champions League Elite title. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty ImagesUnder former coach Toru Oniki
they were frequently unassailable on a domestic level
winning four league titles between 2017 and 2021
But in all that time, they only ever managed to make it into the final eight of the Asia's premier club competition just the once, in 2017. On that occasion they fell to Japanese rivals and eventual winners Urawa Red Diamonds
winning the first leg of their tie 3-1 only to fall to a 4-1 defeat in the return contest
Now, their thoughts can turn to the final, to history, where they'll be tasked with producing another remarkable performance to stop an increasingly-rampant Al Ahli outfit that defeated Al Hilal 3-1 on Tuesday evening
"For me, this is very important not only for the club but also for Japanese football, for the J1 League," said Itō
"This is a great opportunity to show the level of the J1 League
the manager said we came here to change perceptions and make history
when Durán stung the palms of Yamaguchi inside the opening 60 seconds
Hasebe had spoken about wanting to challenge the perception that Al Nassr's progression to the final was a fait accompli before the game
and -- while that has shown to be sage-like in hindsigh -- this wasn't the best of starts
But then the Japanese side began to show signs of life
Of hints that they weren't going to be passive bit-players for the evening
Al Nassr imposed themselves back on the game
with the talent that a squad valued at nearly US$200 million affords
and with one of the finest continental performers of all-time in Ronaldo leading the line
nearly all of the possession was in the hands of those in yellow
and the game was camped out in the Kawasaki side of the field
A moment of brilliance from Mané then restored parity -- the former Liverpool star holding off Itō as he cut inside before lacing an effort from the top of the box that took a slight touch that ensured Yamaguchi could only palm the ball into his net
Sadio Mané originally fired Al Nassr level at 1-1 and constantly threatened Kawasaki Frontale -- but too few of his teammates were able to match his endeavour. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty ImagesIn the 33rd, Ronaldo had his best chance of the game: soaring over Kōta Takai to meet a lofted Brozović pass with a trademark header
It was the type of header that has filled highlight reels of the Portuguese superstar for over a decade
his 40 years still unable to suppress the superhuman spring he can generate with his legs
But while the Al Nassr skipper had Yamaguchi dead to rights
the Colombian could only fizz his shot wide of the post
It was a turning point as, two minutes after, Itō pounced on a pass that went behind Ozeki and sprinted into the box. His attempted pass for Soma Kanda deflected back into his path and
he couldn't do anything about Ozeki's follow-up
This has cost us the match," Stefano Pioli said through an interpreter
the Al Nassr coach spending much of his post-game news conference the subject of furious questioning from local media
"I feel the sorrow that the Al Nassr fans feel
Al Nassr's attempts to crush their opponents under the weight of possession and territory were reprised in the second
setting the stage for Erison to take the ball towards the corner flag
What was about to happen suddenly started to dawn in the minds of all in attendance at that point
Ayman's 87th-minute strike closed the deficit to within one and time seemingly slowed to a crawl; Al Nassr throwing everything they had at Kawasaki
Durán somehow couldn't get a proper shot off when the ball bounced to him in the box soon after the restart
Yamaguchi produced a series of stunning saves in added time
including one incredible effort with his legs to deny a Ronaldo free kick
only for the desperate defence to clear the ball away and
his hopes of adding an Asian crown to his European ones
It was an ending that felt scripted in Hollywood
Even something like my Honda Ridgeline is nearing $50,000
and there are those who wouldn't even consider it a truck
And that's largely because full-size and heavy-duty trucks cost so freakin' much to buy
a four- to six-person UTV that's as capable as your 1995 Ford Ranger
and won't put you in the poor house if you throw a full grown elk into the back of it
At least that's my thoughts after thoroughly putting it through its paces at the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana last month
when the temperatures kept fluctuating between bitter cold to whiteout conditions
and turn up the heat felt like a godsend to those who have to go into the elements day in and day out
Full stop, if I were working outside every day, I wouldn't have purchased my Can-Am Maverick X3 Max
but instead something with a freakin' enclosed cab
click the video above to hear me talk more about the new 2025 Kawasaki Ridge Crew
and more about what I think of the new side-by-side
Yet, it wouldn't be too harsh to suggest there is something quite unconventional about the current Kawasaki Frontale outfit
Kawasaki are hardly a team that have come from nowhere. Between 2017 to 2021, they were the dominant force in Japanese football with four J1 League title triumphs in five years
who have since gone on to establish themselves in Europe
the furthest Frontale reached on the continental stage was the quarterfinals of Asian football's premier club competition
Kawasaki's current iteration already bettered that even before their stirring victory over Al Nassr. In beating Qatar's Al Sadd three days earlier
they had secured a maiden last-four appearance
the profile of this team is a far cry from that of their predecessors
Still only 20 but already capped by the Samurai Blue
Kōta Takai promises to be a future star of Japanese football. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)Kawasaki only have a solitary current Japan international on their books
he only has two caps to his name and just made his first start back in March
When Kōta Takai was born in September 2004
Ronaldo was already one season into his first spell at Manchester United and already on the path to greatness
Takai is certainly one for the future but -- from the way he battled manfully against Ronaldo and Durán -- he is also one for the here and now
Where it gets interesting are the stories of the rest of the Kawasaki team behind their impressive run to the ACL Elite final
Lining up alongside Takai in the heart of defence on Wednesday was Yuichi Maruyama
The 35-year-old probably signed for the club at the start of 2024 content that was going to be a back-up option. He only started in the league five times last season. Yet, injury to Brazilian defender Jesiel has resulted in the veteran thrown into the fray and he has hardly disappointed
Kawasaki Frontale captain Yasuto Wakizaka only made his league debut at 24 but has blossomed into one of the best playmakers on Japanese football's domestic scene. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty ImagesCaptain Yasuto Wakizaka is another late-blooming tale of success
He only broke through for his top-flight debut as a 24-year-old but is now one of the J1 League's best playmakers. Kento Tachibanada and Asahi Sasaki are other accomplished Frontale products who perhaps may never move to Europe but are still carving out creditable careers for themselves
Then, there is also the next in line in Soma Kanda and Yuto Ozeki
19-year-old Kanda was handed a first professional start against Al Nassr and did not look out of place leading the line
had the tough task of replacing Wakizaka in the No
10 role but would even find himself on the scoresheet
The youthful exuberance both displayed in pressing from the front was a huge factor behind Kawasaki's ability to unsettle Al Nassr right from the opening whistle
Credit for that gamble which paid off goes to another intriguing story in Shigetoshi Hasebe
Although he might not have been the most-obvious of candidates originally
Kawasaki Frontale's decision to appoint Shigetoshi Hasebe as the replacement for the long-serving Toru Oniki has led to a maiden continental final. Hiroki Watanabe/Getty ImagesWhen Kawasaki and Oniki
the man who presided over their glorious era
decided at the end of last year that was it time for a fresh start
few would have had Hasebe at the top of the list of possible replacements
He was, after all, a coach who never boasted anything higher than a 43.5% win record at any of his previous clubs. His best achievement was a 7th-place finish in the J1 League in 2023 but the caveat to that was that he achieved it with a relatively-unfancied Avispa Fukuoka outfit
he also led them to their first major silverware in the form of the J.League Cup
Hasebe might not have been the most-glamorous of choices but the pragmatism from his experience in more-trying of environments perhaps meant he was the right one
He is still some way from getting them back on track towards the summit domestically
with Frontale currently 8th in the J1 League
but he is doing something that even Oniki could not manage
They will head into Saturday's final as the underdogs once again yet
given how the SPL's representatives were expected to dominate the competition -- with some even believing an all-Saudi Arabian final was a foregone conclusion - it is a brilliant breath of fresh air that an underdog story has emerged
if anything has been learned from their semifinal performance
it will be sheer folly to write off their chances before a ball is even kicked
Even if they are the unlikeliest of ACL Elite title challengers
firing and ready to embrace the opportunity to break their continental hoodoo
In 2025, however, fielding a galaxy of stars in a squad valued at approximately US$200 million with global superstar Ronaldo as its core, the Riyadh-based side entered this year's tournament widely expected to reach their first final since 1995, when they lost 1-0 in extra time to Korean side Ilhwa Chunma (now Seongnam FC)
These forecasts have only been magnified by the Asian Football Confederation staging the first iteration of the centralised ACLE Finals format in Saudi Arabia and opponents Kawasaki having one fewer day to prepare than their opponents, after going 120 minutes in their quarterfinal win over Al Saad on Sunday
Al Nassr has already won one continental crown this week
claiming the first iteration of the AFC eChampions League Elite
Speaking through an interpreter, Pioli -- who has been linked with a move to Serie A side Roma -- confirmed his side wouldn't carry any fitness concerns into Wednesday's clash and that they were ready to embrace the "privilege" of being under pressure
"It is an honour to be in a semifinal," said Pioli
We need the whole group of them to qualify for the final
It is an honour for me to be in this match
We're doing our best to prepare to be at our best
The results of the Saudi teams reflect the trends of the Saudi league."
Kawasaki Frontale are the last remaining East region representatives in the AFC Champions League Elite after Gwangju FC, Buriram United and Yokohama F. Marinos were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Clicks Images/Getty ImagesWith Al Hilal and Al Ahli set to meet in the ACLE's first semifinal on Tuesday evening, J1 League outfit Kawasaki is the lone remaining club from the East region in the competition
The preeminent power in Japanese football during the 2010s
2025 is the first time Azzurro Nero has reached the final four of Asia's premier club tournament
And while their coach Shigetoshi Hasebe has repeatedly spoken of challenging perceptions of it being a fait accompli that the title will be heading to Saudi Arabia
he also cautioned against placing the weight of an entire region on his side's shoulders on Tuesday
"We are representatives from [the] East Asian clubs
"We cannot have that kind of responsibility
[Saudi Arabia] invests a lot in football right now; that's why three teams are in the semifinals
Nobody knows what's going to happen tonight or tomorrow
"Many people think the Saudi teams are going to win
I want to break that type of perception tomorrow night
Lacking the sheer star power of their opposition
Hasebe flagged the ability of his side to function as a collective unit as being key to their unlikely hopes of an upset
as well as not being overawed by the occasion
"The key point is not to be afraid of the famous players," midfielder Kento Tachibanada said
The Ninja-based bike features special high-pressure hydrogen tanks where you'd normally find saddle bags, and while Kawasaki doesn't list a horsepower figure for the machine, it should easily clear the standard H2's 239.6 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque figures given hydrogen's higher specific energy than gasoline
Kawasaki tossed test rider Matthias Hoeppner on the bike and trotted him around the 2.566 mile Le Mans circuit for the gathered motorcycle-mad masses
the prototype appears to be bigger and bulkier than a typical H2
Kawasaki claims the engine is even more responsive than its gasoline-powered counterpart
because hydrogen burns quicker and with a wider combustion range than even high-octane fuels
The engine effectively only emits water vapor
making this a carbon-neutral riding experience
Will hydrogen take over as the fuel of the future for motorcycles
like the idea of hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines
providing a familiar riding experience to gasoline internal combustion
with the sound and vibration we all know and love
It's possible that hydrogen will be one avenue that we pursue for low- or no-emission future riding
but it's unfortunately significantly more energy intensive to manufacture and pressurize than any other form of propulsion
Hydrogen combustion engines are only truly carbon neutral if the hydrogen was separated and pressurized using clean electricity from solar
and it would be far more efficient to just put those electrons in a battery and power the bike on electricity at that point
I'm not yet convinced that hydrogen is the future of riding
let me ride your weird supercharged hydrogen bike so I can find out first hand
The 2025 Expo in Osaka served as the stage for the public unveiling of an incredibly innovative concept from Kawasaki – the CORLEO
this concept features four legs and resembles a robot that blends the shapes of a motorcycle and a horse
The robotic legs allow it to navigate more complicated terrain
one of the key highlights of the Kawasaki CORLEO – whose control relies on weight detected by the footpegs and handlebars
it remains a futuristic machine designed for off-road mobility
There is no indication of if or when it could become a reality
this did not stop Kawasaki from imagining its operation in a video
The Honda Grom is one of the most beloved small motorcycles in the world
it's often a rider’s first step into motorcycling
we enter the usual season of quarterly and annual reports from major manufacturers
The Rocket Lion comes from Honda Motor Center León and is one of the standout entries in the Iberian Honda Garage Dreams contest
The Ducati Desmo 450MX was officially launched this year
marking the first motocross bike from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer
And with it come several dedicated accessories
known as one of the largest car manufacturers globally – staying true to its origins
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Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli beat Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final to win the inaugural Asian Champions League Elite on Saturday
Galeno's 35th-minute wonder strike and Franck Kessie's header seven minutes later proved enough for the high-priced Al Ahli side
strongly backed by 60,000 fans at their home King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah which hosted the final
Kawasaki came into the final after knocking out Al Sadd of Qatar 3-2 in extra time in the quarterfinals last Sunday before stunning star-studded Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr
The J-League side fell at the last hurdle but produced memorable performances at the centralized eight-team finals tournament
where they were handed the toughest schedule of any team with two-day turnarounds after a long journey
"I've inherited the team from (predecessor Toru) Oniki and we've done well to get here
but I'm filled with frustration after not fulfilling my role," new Kawasaki manager Shigetoshi Hasebe said
but I believe there were things we were lacking and we have to look back on those to elevate ourselves
We're really thankful to our fans who came all the way and cheered their hearts out
Former England forward Ivan Toney fired an early warning shot with a powerful drive to test Louis Yamaguchi before Ziyad Al Johani
one of two Saudi Arabian players to start for Al Ahli
had a close-range effort denied by the Kawasaki keeper off a corner
Frontale winger Marcinho nutmegged Ali Majrashi down the left and forced a crucial fingertip save from former Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy in the 11th minute at the other end and the match was finely poised until Brazilian Galeno curled in a stunner into the top right corner from 20 meters out
Kawasaki soon went a man down temporarily with left-back Sota Miura
who had kept Riyad Mahrez quiet until that point
found himself unmarked down that side and delivered an accurate cross for former Milan and Barcelona midfielder Kessie
first through defender Sai van Wermeskerken's 57th-minute header at the far post
Fellow substitute Tatsuya Ito followed with two crisp strikes inside the last 15 minutes but both narrowly went wide and there was no breakthrough coming their way
"I felt nothing beats individual quality," said Kawasaki's 20-year-old Japan defender Kota Takai
"I think today's performance is where I really am at the moment
We just lacked the ability and will try again to go higher."
"I was relaxed mentally and there weren't many moments I was beaten
but I need to pay more attention to details when facing wonderful
Kawasaki were looking to become the fourth Japanese club to be crowned the Asian champions this century after Urawa Reds
Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers won the tournament under its previous edition
Saudi Arabia will also host next season's finals and has also been provisionally confirmed as host for the three following seasons through 2028-2029 by the Asian Football Confederation
Football: Kawasaki beat star-studded Al Nassr to reach ACLE final
Football: Marinos lose 4-1 to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in ACLE last 8
Football: Liverpool to play F Marinos for 1st game in Japan in 20 yrs
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Grown up with shagged sliders all your life
Still listen to the music you did when you were 20
but your knees and wrists can’t take it anymore
Photography by Ryan Nitzen & Kevin Wing
They’re brilliant on track and your favorite backroad
and they impart a feeling to the rider that other bikes simply can’t match
sportbikes don’t make good touring buddies
and riding one at the posted speed limit feels like neutering a pitbull
Kawasaki has known this for ages and has been pushing the Ninja 1000 as an alternative to knackered knees since 2011
over time the Ninja 1000 became the Ninja 1000SX
as the Z1000 saw a quiet demise from Kawasaki’s lineup
it gained a foothold as one of two machines to use that particular motor
the Ninja (and the Versys for that matter) has gained capacity from 1043cc to 1099cc
This increase in displacement is achieved through a 3mm longer stroke
milder camshaft profiles and intake work have seen peak power reduced from 140 horsepower to 134
The good news is these changes have given the SX a stronger low- to mid-range torque curve for more sedate-speed riding
When Kawasaki put new “high lift,” not “higher lift,” cams in their ZX-6R back in 2024
the company said it was trying to make an engine that was designed to have its nuts revved off more tractable
and offer more useful performance for the street
But in reality it was also to appease the emissions gods
It’s the same thing again in 2025 for the SX
you need a larger capacity to make a similar amount of horsepower
your 1000 SX would be producing truly woeful numbers
This is the reason KTM can’t seem to sit still for even one year as they continually up the capacity of their street bikes
the last being the fully programable mode that lets you fiddle around with traction control (levels 1-3 plus Off) and choose between Full or Low power modes (Low power gives you 75 percent of the available throttle with a softer response
Kawasaki delivered a peach of an engine for its given performance realm
It’s supremely smooth at low rpm and punches at high rpm
which makes pulling out and passing cars on the freeway way easier than you’d believe
Sixth gear roll-ons at 60 mph have you sitting around 4500 rpm
which is right in the sweet spot for some pretty impressive acceleration
There are oodles of mid-range torque to boot
but I’m sorry to say that the motor lacks a little character and style
It is undoubtedly a superbly engineered power unit
but the personality is a little soft for my liking
I’d have wanted a bit more excitement when opening the gas
although I will say Kawasaki’s kept the induction roar that the original 1000 was so well known for
Part of the reason for the lack of charisma comes from just how smooth that gear shift is
Kawasaki’s refined the new quickshifter to work from 1500 rpm and up
and it’s so damn good at what it does it’s almost robotic
I had the same complaint about the motor in the Versys (it is the same thing
but it doesn’t make those feelings any less prevalent
I can hear the Kawasaki execs shaking their heads and asking what they have to do to appease such a snooty writer
Get the motor spinning between 4000-7000 rpm
and there’s more than enough performance on hand
and you can pull away from the lights in fourth gear easily
Suspension is conventionally adjusted in the 41mm Showa fork
adjustable three ways like any good fork (comp
the same one that has resided in plenty of past Kawasakis
Kawasaki’s even given you a remote preload adjuster for those days when you’re taking the missus on the back—super handy given the suspension doesn’t come with wires and electronic switches like the Versys SE LT does
especially so given the Bridgestone Battlax S23 rubber that comes as standard
Given the claimed wet weight of 516 pounds
you’ve got a bit to play with and it is not as nimble as something like a Tracer 9 GT
but the Kawasaki will hustle along your favorite backroad plenty well
A few turns of preload will do most riders the world of good to stop the chassis running wide under power on corner exits
I had zero complaints in the handling department
but just because it has a fairing doesn’t mean it corners like a ZX-6R
Given the raised handlebar position (a trademark of the 1000/1100SX)
and a reasonable bend in the knees given the footpeg position
long days are easier on this than on many other bikes on the market
doesn’t buffet your head like some of the bike’s class competitors
I recently completed a 180-mile-plus round trip to meet a mate for lunch
and it struck me as odd halfway home that I couldn’t think of a bike I’d rather be on for the combined task of a few nice backroads
Kawasaki’s done splendidly well to craft a sport touring steed that’s happy in each of the aforementioned circumstances
and I got off at the end of the day with hardly an ache—which is saying something for my broken body
The SE ABS gains Brembo M4.32 radially mounted four-piston front brake calipers and steel-braided brake lines
although feel is a little diluted thanks to the master cylinder and the fact that the power needs to go through an ABS unit before it reaches the caliper
That’s the same for pretty much everyone who sells a bike in 2025
but the Kawasaki’s feel at the lever still leaves a bit to be desired
One notable change is the increase from 250mm to 260mm for the rear brake
The 2024 rear brake disc was already bigger than most other bikes on the market
but Kawasaki decided to up it a little further
the 1100SX doesn’t come standard with my test bike’s 28-liter hard cases
which is a bummer considering the sticker price of the base bike
You’d be mad not to pick these up at purchase
as they hold enough for a weekend away and will fit a full-face helmet
unless you’ve got one of those helmets with a bunch of useless wings on the back
And you’d also want to pick up the heated handgrips from the accessory catalog
which is a shame because they should come as standard fitment for
Kawasaki’s been pushing their Rideology The App (to give it its full and proper name) smartphone app for years and if you were to pick up a 1100
I’d suggest taking the time to learn the system
Mission control is still the 4.3-inch TFT display and allows you to use turn-by-turn navigation
The Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE ABS may come with less horsepower than the old 1100
It’s a very good sport touring steed with more performance in the areas that matter
and if you option up so you’ve got some luggage
this is a bike you’ll be able to cover many
even if its personality is a little vanilla at first glance
Robotics & Automation News
May 2, 2025 by Mark Allinson
When Kawasaki first unveiled its concept of a robotic horse
many people may have thought of it as not much more than an interesting – or even fascinating and alluring – curiosity
However, when we look at the idea more closely and remind ourselves how globally successful Kawasaki is in the motorcycles market – and indeed the industrial robotics market
we start to take the idea of a hydrogen-powered robotic horse more seriously as a market proposition
Kawasaki is a globally recognized leader in the motorcycle industry
known for its high-performance bikes and engineering innovation
As a division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries
its Powersports & Engine segment encompasses motorcycles
contributing significantly to the company’s bottom line
Kawasaki sold approximately 478,125 motorcycles worldwide
While this was a slight decline of 1.1 percent from the previous year
it saw strong growth in Europe and Eastern Europe
the company projected production of 520,000 units
The Powersports division generated $4.02 billion in sales and posted $327 million in net profit – the highest of any segment within Kawasaki Heavy Industries
This background suggests that Kawasaki is not a novelty brand dabbling in robotics for fun
It is a serious engineering company with a large and loyal global customer base
and a record of taking bold ideas to market
The Corleo robotic horse may still be in the concept stage
but it reflects Kawasaki’s ambition to expand into new mobility categories
Corleo is a four-legged hydrogen-powered robot designed to traverse complex terrain with enhanced stability and minimal environmental impact
Corleo sits at the intersection of personal mobility
As a rideable robot that uses a 150cc hydrogen engine to power its legs
it offers capabilities that conventional vehicles struggle with
Corleo’s quadrupedal design and AI-driven gait adjustments could make it more effective and less damaging to the terrain
Corleo would compete with off-road motorcycles
and possibly advanced legged robots like Boston Dynamics’ Spot
If even 1 percent of Kawasaki’s motorcycle buyers opted for a premium robot like Corleo
that would translate to 4,000-5,000 units annually
potentially generating $50 million or more in revenue
Kawasaki’s Corleo may have begun life as a curiosity
but with the company’s industrial muscle and innovation history behind it
the robot horse could yet find a viable market niche
but that’s exactly the kind of challenge Corleo is built for
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“What’s too painful to remember,” sings Barbra Streisand
“we simply choose to forget.” It sounds like a good formula
most folks have a pretty darned good memory of their pain
even though they would probably like to forget about it
wrong-headed relationships and excessive consumption of sloe gin swiped from your buddy’s parents’ liquor cabinet (all of which can lead to equally excessive projectile vomiting) leave indelible and painful marks on the noggins of otherwise responsible humans
the first year of the Kawasaki H2 750 two-stroke triple
Even Babs had a soft spot for two-strokes; her current husband
rode a two-smoker Yamaha on the old “Marcus Welby
Two-strokes were the way we were in those days
and H2 owners were the luckiest people in the world
Cycle News’ editor Art Friedman took a unique approach to testing the new Kawasaki in the May 30
Even though he was an experienced road racer
Friedman decided to put the 750 superbike through the paces—as a tourer
that would’ve been akin to asking Raquel Welch to grill burgers
Kawasaki’s Mach III H1 500 was the fastest kid on the streets
Agnew would you want to make like a Good Sam and take him on a road trip
“The Kawasaki 750 is as fast as you will ever need a bike to be
That’s all.” But what his fellow staffers also discovered was that it was more than just a speedy motorcycle; it was also a good one
“the 750 is much more confidence-inspiring and flexible
engine flexibility and controls are much more comfortable and civilized on the 750
performance-oriented riders may be happier with the 500.”
Even though the two powerplants looked similar on the outside
the H2 was clearly designed to be the more mannerly machine of the two
Milder port timing resulted in a much wider powerband
The peak horsepower rating (74 bhp) was reached with the three pistons slinging it at 6800 rpm
But what piqued Friedman’s interest was lugging the bike along at 2000 rpm
The owner’s manual warned against such misuse of a snappy two-stroke
as such shenanigans would lead to fouled plugs
But the Kawasaki behaved well in the lower range
and the staffer couldn’t resist plodding along
the bike did ultimately oil soil one of its plugs
Lest ye think that this H2 was too much Bruce Wayne and not enough Batman
the staffers did note that “the H2’s easy performance will often put you a great deal further from the speed limit than you realize without checking the speedo
Whacking the throttle on hard in first or second will bring the front wheel up.”
The Kawasaki’s 430 pounds made it feel like a lightweight machine and helped it earn good grades for its handling characteristics
The Kawasaki did “a superb job of road holding on the twisting roads
The steering geometry and weight distribution are spot on.”
and the cushy seat absorbed any residual road ripple
there was once a day when a manufacturer didn’t expect a rider to have to begin the hunt for a better saddle for their new bike before they even left the dealership
And while we are once again pining for the way we were
a small compartment under the rear fender for carrying a few items
has been burdened with the wrong image,” Friedman wrote
“if I had to ride across the country and back
I would choose the Kawasaki without hesitation.”
Smart cyclists who purchased the H2 new in 1972 for $1386 and have kept them will be happy to know that such machines were fetching $50,000 at this winter’s Mecum Auction in Las Vegas
an investment of $80 in one 1972 Berkshire Hathaway stock is worth $788,000 today
Warren Buffett would trade anything for a ride on the fast yet friendly Kawasaki H2
Al Ahly clinched their maiden Asian Champions League title at the third time of asking with a 2-0 win over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in Jeddah on Saturday
finally lifted the continent’s top club trophy at their King Abdullah Sports City Stadium thanks to two first-half goals in quick succession from Galeno and Franck Kessie
All knockout stage matches of this season’s competition were held in Jeddah, offering Al Ahly a considerable advantage on home turf
The triumph also saw high-profile stars Roberto Firmino
and Riyad Mahrez etch their names into the history books as the first players to win both the UEFA Champions League and the Asian equivalent
having lifted the European title with Liverpool
backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund
also pocketed $10 million in prize money for their success
Under the guidance of German coach Matthias Jaissle
Al Ahly completed the tournament undefeated
winning nine and drawing four of their 13 fixtures
Kawasaki Frontale were making their debut in a Champions League final
having never progressed beyond the quarter-finals before this season
Despite their semi-final heroics in ousting Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr
with new signing Ivan Toney testing goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi inside five minutes
Ziyad Al Hosani’s close-range effort was kept out from the ensuing corner
Frontale did offer a threat through Brazilian winger Marcinho
who danced down the left before narrowly missing the far post with a low shot
But the Saudis looked more menacing throughout the opening half
teed up Galeno on 35 minutes and the Brazilian winger marked his €50 million January switch from Porto with a stunning 25-yard strike into the top corner
Firmino delivered another telling contribution
floating a cross into the six-yard box for Kessie to meet with a thumping header to double the advantage
The assist brought Firmino’s tally to seven for the tournament — one behind team-mate Mahrez
Frontale, meanwhile
failed to muster a single shot on target in the first half
The Japanese outfit improved slightly after the interval
with substitute Tatsuya Ito firing two efforts just wide
but they never seriously threatened to mount a comeback
Firmino and Mahrez both missed the target with speculative efforts before the Brazilian forward was substituted to a standing ovation in the 74th minute
Al Ahli now join fellow Saudi sides Al Hilal and Al Ittihad in the exclusive club of Champions League winners from the Kingdom
capping off a flawless campaign with a night of celebration in Jeddah
a former close associate of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and a notable…
subscribeExplore Topics:AIBiotechnologyRoboticsComputingFutureScienceSpaceEnergyTechRoboticsKawasaki Is Building a Robot You Ride Like a HorseThe Corleo robot is a concept
Kawasaki recently revealed a computer-generated concept for the Corleo, a “robotic horse.” A video shows the automated equine galloping through valleys
The Corleo promises a high-end robotic solution to provide a revolutionary mobility experience
Kawasaki’s current motorbikes are constrained to roads
but a machine with legs has no boundaries—it can reach places no other vehicles can go
But how feasible is it for the Corleo to achieve such a level of agility and balance
while safely carrying a human through natural environments
Let’s discuss what would be needed to achieve this
A robot is a complex machine with two main components: a body and an information processing unit
The body has a morphology that determines the robot’s function and carries actuators (devices that convert energy into physical motion) and sensors to act in the world and understand it
The information processing unit is usually a computer
which implements algorithms to process data from the sensors
They have a suitable body for going under furniture and not getting stuck (their flat top can also give your cats a ride)
The actuators are the motors that spin the wheels and the vacuum system
They have have impact sensors to detect collisions
and some even have cameras to help them understand the environment
and the vacuum’s computer will determine the best way to execute it
The Corleo is a quadruped robot
one of the most stable legged robot configurations
The four legs seem strong and capable of flexing forward and backward to run and jump
But they also seem limited in movements known as abduction and adduction
you will open your left leg—this is the abduction motion helping you keep balance
Adduction is the opposite motion—a movement towards the midline of the body
Perhaps this is just a limitation of the concept design
the Corleo needs this articulation to ensure a safe and smooth ride
need to continuously balance and support their own weight
They also provide a level of suspension to cushion the rider
They need to be strong enough to push the robot’s body forward. On top of that, the Corleo will also carry a person. While this is currently possible, such as with the Barry robot or Unitree wheeled robots
the Corleo also aims to gallop and jump over gaps
This would require even more dynamic and stronger actuators than the previous examples
A manually driven car or motorcycle doesn’t need sensors or a processing unit, because the driver steers the car depending on what they see. But a robotic horse needs more sophisticated control systems to determine how to move the legs, otherwise we would need both hands and even our feet to drive it
Locomotion control has been an active area of legged robotics research since the 1940s
Researchers have shown that a legged machine can walk down a slope without motors or sensors (which is called passive locomotion)
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If only proprioceptive sensors—the types of sensors that tell your phone when to rotate the screen—are used to control balance, it’s called blind locomotion because it doesn’t rely on information from the external environment. When a robot also uses exteroceptive sensors to determine how to walk, which refers to sensors that pick up information about the environment, it’s called perceptive locomotion
I could not spot any visible cameras or lidars—laser range finders
but it would be reassuring to know that the Corleo has a way to “see” what’s in front of it while walking
While it will be manually steered (so that it doesn’t need to navigate autonomously), its locomotion system needs sensor data to determine how to step on rocks or detect if the terrain is slippery. Its sensors should also be reliable under different environmental conditions. This is already a huge challenge for autonomous cars
it promises to be a more capable version of a quad bike
This can open new opportunities for transportation in remote areas
But I’m more excited about the technological advances that the achievement of such a platform implies. Legged robots do not necessarily need to look like quadrupeds or humanoids
Self balancing exoskeletons, such as Wandercraft’s Personal exoskeleton or Human in Motion Robotics’ XoMotion
are legged robots that are revolutionizing the lives of people with mobility impairments
The technological advances implied by the Corleo could be of major benefit to the development of assistive devices for disabled users
Current progress in legged robotics suggests that many features proposed by Kawasaki are feasible
But others pose challenges: Corleo will need the endurance to walk in the wild
and implement the safety standards required for a vehicle
These are all major hurdles for a reasonably sized robot
I’d be unsure if this can be achieved as a whole
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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I’ve been on very few launches where I’ve heard so many adult motorcycle journalists giggle
It was a bike that could imprint a smile on the most seasoned rider’s face
while also making itself available to new riders as a tool to accompany them as they grow
since we were apparently going to what seemed like an off-road all-you-can-eat
would the KLX230R be a kind of dirt bike version of the Ninja 500
my skill level and eagerness to progress on dirt—a current side quest—would make me the perfect person to tell you if the KLX230R does what Kawasaki says it should: inspire confidence while remaining more capable than the terrain you throw at it
If the KLX230R could give me the ability to put my off-road knowledge into practice
if I wound up dominating the bike in just a day
then it’d be hard for me to recommend it to anyone who wanted to do anything more than potter around farmland
To the proving ground in the Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) I then went
there were more trails than you could cover in days of riding
nadgery single tracks that forced you to keep your head down or get flatlined by a tree branch
It was on these tracks that Kawasaki’s new off-road ergonomics made me feel like I was riding the bike with confidence in the front end
the handlebars are 25mm farther forward and 13mm higher
All this puts you in a more commanding position over the front wheel
and anyone who’s ridden off-road knows how important it is to have confidence in the front
But if it wasn’t for a major chassis change
the new ergonomics might have had me feeling a little too aggressive than I was comfortable with
The KLX230R’s seat height now sits at 905mm
and from the first moment I threw my leg over and felt both feet touch the ground
I started to do away with the insecure thoughts I was initially having
Kawasaki achieved this confidence-inspiring upgrade by redesigning the rear subframe to trace a lower line
all without removing seat padding—there’s actually 6mm more padding—or sacrificing suspension travel
because we sent this model down some scarily steep terrain
I needed all 9.8 inches of travel from the 37mm non-adjustable Showa forks to ensure I had enough for any unexpected dips while on the brakes
It was a mixture of the KLX230R’s new chassis and ergonomics
which include a steeper rake and shorter wheelbase
that made the bike feel so nimble even in my relatively untrained hands
And although I’ve ridden full-fat 250 and 450 motocross bikes
not once did the KLX feel like a bike for a teenager
It simply felt more manageable—I had more confidence in sticking it where I wanted
If the tweaks to the KLX’s chassis gave me more confidence
it was the new fuel-injected 233cc air-cooled engine that allowed me to exploit it
The KLX230R puts out just shy of 19 horsepower at 8,000 rpm
which isn’t going to set anyone’s hair alight
But what this engine lacks in out-and-out power
it makes up for in usable torque straight from idle
I cannot overstate how tractable this bike is in low to mid RPMs
which puts far less stress on the rider in tricky terrain
This is such a stark contrast to some of the more “serious” off-road motorcycles that are seemingly one RPM away from stalling or ready to tear the bike out from under you
And it’s no accident the KLX behaves like this
Kawasaki used a narrower intake port and smaller intake valve in addition to a new ECU tune
which was created especially to match the increased low-mid range torque.The fact that I more or less knew the KLX230R wasn’t going to stall but wouldn’t leave me on my back if I was a bit more aggressive with the throttle
gave me the confidence to start being playful with it
I was popping the front wheel over obstacles on the enduro course and slinging the bike out of turns on a mini motocross track by dumping the clutch with a fistful of throttle
These are two things I never would’ve imagined saying if you’d asked me what I’d be doing on the KLX230R launch
the KLX230R features a Uni-Trak rear suspension unit that offers 9.8 inches of suspension travel to match the front forks
As my confidence grew on the mini motocross track
I edged closer to finding the limiting factor of the relatively basic suspension
I was asking things from this suspension that I had no right to and it was still putting up with the abuse happily enough
which is partly why the majority of the day was spent asking this bike to do things it shouldn’t
But it’s not just an agricultural workhorse that can take a beating
the KLX230R comes with the technology you’d expect from a new motorcycle
and the style you’d expect on a premium bike
Let’s remind ourselves again that this bike costs less than $5,000 and features an electric start
and FI warning lamp at the center of the cockpit
I wouldn’t want any more tech than that on this bike
but I wouldn't want one feature less if were exploring some new trails and leaving my bike unattended on public lands
there’s no escaping the fact that trail bikes have a history of
But if you really think that about the KLX230R
I reckon you’re being a bit of a hater because for 2025 it’s not far off looking like something from the KX lineup
There’s a new front fender that was stolen straight from a KX and the rest of the bodywork got a refresh too
it’s been designed not to catch your gear while riding
and I can say I didn’t get caught between the plastics once
that’s the last thing I’d need to distract me
Even the brake and clutch levers got shortened to add some style
most subtle stylistic feature on this model are the black rims
So you’re not limited when it comes to tire selection on the KLX230R
I could see myself learning a lot on this bike before progressing to something more performance-orientated
but when I asked Kawasaki’s Media Relations Supervisor who was the KLX’s most common buyer
I was told it’s usually people over the age of 40 who’ve been through the motocross ringer and don’t want the hardship of a bike that’s barking mad anymore
they want to put their skills into thrashing a bike if the mood takes
whether you’re looking for a route into the world of off-road riding and want something that’s more than capable of letting you find your way
or you’ve done your time and want to rip on a bike that’ll happily take the abuse
The biggest takeaway from my day on the KLX was just how much fun it was to ride
Every journalist was grinning and generally hooning
And I say there’s an argument to have this inexpensive
playful bike in practically any gearhead’s garage
Common wisdom holds that you never get a second chance to make a first impression
And while a smart person might gather the facts over time and let those color their opinions appropriately
that first impression will still probably take up mental real estate
Down to a person, everyone I know who's seen this thing has asked me about Kawasaki's new golf cart. To which I, since I attended the official launch for this vehicle, have responded that "Kawasaki stresses that it isn't a golf cart." And have then told them that Kawasaki's official website for this vehicle is located at notagolfcart.com
Someone really registered that domain name
since I've now driven the Kawasaki NAV 4e Limited for myself
you might ask me if I think it's a golf cart
which usually have slightly faster top speeds than golf carts
Since the Kawasaki NAV 4e can do at least an indicated 19 miles per hour, it's just under the 20 mph top speed cap for a PTV in many legal jurisdictions, such as Glynn County, Georgia
the NAV 4e is not quite fast enough to meet the definition of a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV)
which is typically between 20 and 25 miles per hour and may be regulated differently
and we all know the Internet doesn't like nuance
And maybe that's what Kawasaki is counting on
If the Internet loves something more than cat videos
Keyboard warriors clacketying about how "ackshually
your RONG" in comments sections everywhere; not to mention whole bot armies summoned into battle for those unlucky enough to not have strong comment moderation policies
Apart from Kawasaki's strategy in its insistence that the NAV 4e isn't a golf cart
I'm here to tell you that there are substantive differences between the NAV 4e and
the Club Cars you might see roaming freely at RV campgrounds and other places where low-speed transportation is most commonly used
and it can comfortably seat multiple people
But if you've ever gone over a curb or tree root or speed hump so hard on a golf cart that you're worried you may have incurred spinal damage
I have good news for you: The suspension on the NAV is definitely a step up
but it'll probably be a far cry from what you're used to
That's true even if you're in a NAV 4e that's fully laden down with all four seats filled
and maybe (just maybe) towing an unlucky friend whose e-bike battery ran out
it's "NAV," not "Nav," because the name is an acronym
which stands for "Neighborhood Activity Vehicle." Kawasaki's vision for the NAV 4e is that
in communities (gated or otherwise) where PTVs and LSVs are able to be driven on public roads
this will be the ne plus ultra version of a PTV
The NAV 4e was built from the ground up as an entirely new vehicle
though; and while it may retain styling cues from other Kawasaki vehicles
it did not explicitly repurpose items from those other vehicles—save for just one
and it's a really important and intriguing one
See, if you're already up on your Kawasaki UTVs
you may already be familiar with Kawasaki's Quick Release Mount system
It's a cool little system that's used to lock a host of Kawasaki accessories into place on its UTVs
using a set of proprietary little locking mechanisms that secure your chosen accessories to your vehicle
I asked if that meant there will be crossover compatibility of accessories between Team Green's UTV lines and the NAV 4e
The NAV 4e is a different size; luggage racks and other things meant to fit it probably wouldn't be a good fit for a Ridge
if you're the type of person who has a Ridge or a Mule
and you also pick up a NAV because you're all about that active neighborhood life
then you might be happy to know those KQR mounts will work across all your vehicles
The Kawasaki NAV 4e is operated using a standard key; no electronic key fob here
full-color LCD dash display can show you navigation
as well as facilitate smartphone pairing with either your Android or iOS device of choice
Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included if you're driving the NAV 4e Limited
That's Kawasaki's top-of-the-line NAV 4e variant
and the one with the most bells and whistles straight from the factory in Nebraska
It's also the only one that comes with speakers built into the canopy
so you can appreciate the sweet tunes you crank through your Apple CarPlay or Android Auto pairing
One of the available accessories is a subwoofer you can stick up where the frunk is on an unmodified NAV 4e
you could totally find some elsewhere if Kawasaki doesn't sell it
all about customization and making it your own
and they sounded pretty decent through the stock speakers
They're placed at all four corners of the canopy
so both driver and all three passengers should be able to hear the music well
That's especially true since it's a super quiet
Listening to music or having conversations while the vehicle is in operation is a breeze
The foot pedals are simple; there's a brake pedal in the middle
with a lockout/emergency brake just in front of that
it clicks into place with a satisfying clunk so you know it's really locked in
and your NAV 4e isn't going anywhere you don't want it to
and is pretty easy to modulate in operation
The NAV 4e comes equipped with 14-inch wheels (niceness varies by trim level
and you can make surprisingly tight turns as long as you aren't afraid to really crank that steering wheel full lock in either direction
I know this because Kawasaki thoughtfully provided a little autocross course for us to check it out
the engineers are very proud of what they've accomplished here
The autocross was probably a little more spirited than you're likely to experience cruising around your neighborhood
Storage space is both capacious and thoughtful
if this is meant to be a Neighborhood Activity Vehicle
you'd better be able to take some stuff along with you
Especially since we were driving these guys in the desert to test them out
There are no less than six cupholders built into the Kawasaki NAV 4e
Each one can accommodate up to a 30-ounce tumbler
so all your Stanley cups and Yeti tumblers and any other big bois you might have should fit nicely
Maybe not one of those absolutely ginormous Big Gulp mugs
There are also plentiful USB-C and -A mounts
so you and your posse can all charge all the things
and the electric powertrain and battery setup doesn't involve the front at all
Kawasaki turned that area into a nice storage space
a little frunk that can fit a good amount of groceries
or your pickleball set (they're big on pickleball
as well as a small (but open) storage space in the back
If you're not traveling with passengers in the rear seat
you can also fold it down flat for even more storage space
that's where the KQR mounts can come in handy; available accessories include a cool metal storage rack that can handily corral your grocery bags or whatever else you're carrying back there
so it doesn't fall out if you decide to drag a knee through a corner
I kid; you probably won't be dragging knees
Or maybe you will; I don't know how you're going to modify this thing
speaking to Kawasaki's accessories folks also revealed the degree to which they put thought into accessories for the NAV 4e
Say you decide to use the little storage rack and the KQR mounts
And say you'd like the use of your rear seat back
There are nice little recesses where you can store the KQR mounts when they're not in use
And there's also a little rack where you can stash the storage bars
and you can carry people in the back seat again without having to worry about leaving your storage bars somewhere
Since my least favorite thing about a parcel shelf in a hatchback is having to figure out where to put it if I'm carrying something too big back there
but I definitely appreciate this level of attention to detail
The rear seat on all NAV 4e trim levels flips down so you have a flat surface to carry cargo if you want
Other OEM accessories we saw include available side mirrors (the stock NAV 4es only come with a rearview mirror as standard)
a big plastic zip top to protect occupants from rain (the sides zip away and roll up
so you can have ventilation too if you want)
When asked if there's a mount for wheelchairs
I was told that one isn't currently available
I was also told that I was the second person to ask about it
I also suggested how useful a bag hook in the front passenger footwell would be
much like the ones offered on a lot of small scooters (particularly ones sold in Europe and Asia)
If you're driving a NAV 4e out by yourself
having your bag near to hand instead of in the back seat or frunk is something a lot of people (myself included) prefer
Kawasaki told me that a hook like this doesn't currently exist
but that it's a good idea and they may take it into consideration in the future
but the accessory rear storage rack can easily accommodate your golf bag contraband
should you choose to flout categorization with your NAV 4e
Grow your grass above HOA regulation height
or grow native plants and encourage your local monarch and native bee populations
The seats are simultaneously plush and firm
Since we only had a few hours with the NAV 4e
I'm not sure how well they'd hold up to the elements
I can tell you that they do get very toasty in the sun
so Kawasaki says that it's well protected against both dust and precipitation incursion
The Kawasaki NAV 4e comes in three trim levels: NAV 4e
The base NAV 4e comes with a lead acid battery
while the other two come with lithium ion batteries developed in cooperation with Inventus
charging is a simple matter of plugging it into a standard household outlet and leaving it alone for some time (exact amount varies based on battery
as well as how depleted you allowed it to get before charging)
The base 2025 Kawasaki NAV 4e (with lead acid battery) starts at an MSRP of $12,999
The top-of-the-line fancy NAV 4e Limited that I drove and cranked BTS and Blackpink out of starts at $19,999
is there a place for a $20K not-a-golf-cart in today's market
depending on where you live and what your daily driving needs are
I will say that speaking to the Inventus folks about their lithium ion battery technologies was super interesting
because they told us that they tested the batteries at super cold temperatures
And also informed us that there's an integrated battery heater (and smart charging system
so fire worries are minimized) to keep your battery performance optimal even in Minnesota winter temps
The fit and finish is indeed what you'd expect from Kawasaki
if you're familiar with any of its other products
but it’ll also make the traveling you do infinitely more enjoyable.Justin Coffey
By Thursday morning my ears were already tingling
That tingle graduated to a burn around noon
and by the time 5 o’clock rolled around I could positively hear the thing talking me out of my weekend commitments
“I bet we could make it to the casino before sunset…If we hit the road now
we’ll be in Key West by happy hour…I know a great restaurant 200 miles from here...”
go fast: the Versys’ powerful engine and comfortable ergonomics are ideal for long-range missions
I fought it for as long as I could, but when you’ve got a touring bike in the garage, you’ve got the only excuse you need to go very far, very fast. I was up before the sun on Friday morning, stuffing everything I’d need for the weekend into the Versys’ factory hard bags: a change of clothes, a passport, and a toothbrush
That’s the beauty of a bike like the Versys 1100
you don’t need much of a plan to go take a big trip
I knew there was a private hot spring on a Mexican hillside with my name on it
An eight-hour ride would land me in Valle de Guadalupe
a scenic valley in Baja’s burgeoning wine country
and with a little luck I’d be neck deep in hot water in time to watch the sun slip behind Monte Ulloa
This is precisely what the Versys 1100 is made for
and that’s a beautiful way to travel if you ask me
A lot of people don’t know what to make of the Versys 1100, so they mistakenly call it an adventure bike
Look beyond the tall stature and wide handlebar and you’ll see the Versys for what it really is: a sport touring bike with better ergonomics
a good sport tourer like the 2025 Versys is made up of two equally important components—there’s the thrill-seeking “sport” character that thrives on a curvy road
and then there’s the comfort-oriented “touring” stuff that makes the bike a pleasure everywhere else
The first leg of my journey was mostly interstate
so I reckon I should start with the touring bits
Day One was an eight-hour slog of four-lane blacktop
the sole purpose of which was getting across the Mexican border and into my hotel as fast as possible
I'd pay good money to avoid 200 miles of high-speed interstate on my naked bike
You sit perfectly upright on a comfortable seat
tucked behind a tall (and adjustable) windshield
set the electronic cruise control to your preferred velocity
I left at sunrise with heated grips pampering my hands through the chilly morning hours
then it's back to the grind for a final stretch of highway before the border crossing
Kawasaki gave the Versys a bump in displacement this year
and the new 1,099cc engine cruises with minimal vibes
and everything from the ECU to the flywheel has been refined for better low and midrange torque
Power is ever-present and buttery smooth in the way only an inline-four can deliver
and view like this certainly don’t hurt
The result is a machine that never feels stressed and always has more to give
I never need to drop a gear to get around big trucks
and even at the upper limits of acceptable highway speeds
the big Versys still returns a reliable 40 mpg
Kawasaki’s newly refined up-and-down quickshifter is clean and precise
It even works well down in the lower revs as I short-shift my way through the busy streets of Tijuana
there’s one final stretch of big ocean views along the coast
then it’s time to cut inland and snake my way into the fertile valley outside Ensenada
I’m parking the Versys on the cobblestones of Banyan Tree resort
and before long I’m soaking my birthday suit in a steaming hot pool under the clearest night sky I’ve seen all year
This is what a touring motorcycle will do for you if you let it
but it’s got plenty of suspension to smooth out the occasional dirt road
everything you could ask of a weekend getaway
rain was in the forecast for Sunday afternoon
which meant I had to boogie home if I wanted to stay dry
This is where the “sport” part of the “sport touring” equation comes into play
it’s important to remember that the Versys 1100 shares a motor with its more aggressive cousin
I planned my return route along a string of winding mountain passes
heading north into El Testerazo before dropping down into Tecate to cross back into the U.S
it’s billiard-smooth curves through Dulzura and Jamul before finally dropping back on the interstate above San Diego
Kawasaki’s electronic suspension makes fast corners as drama-free as interstate cruising
it's easy to forget you’re on a sporting machine at all until you get the Versys above 6,000 rpm
and the Kawasaki feels more like a superbike and less like a stagecoach
all the Versys’ convenience features became performance upgrades
the electronic rider modes: This full-service electronics suite had been there all along
but now it was working in service of fun rather than comfort
The Versys 1100 gets Kawasaki’s impressively refined “KECS” system (Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension)
which automatically adjusts the bike’s damping 1,000 times per second to ensure you’re getting the best ride possible
The Versys has four selectable riding modes
including a customizable user setting that lets you go as mild or wild as you please
and whether you’re speeding up or slowing down
and then spits out picture-perfect performance for every conceivable road condition and riding style
The end result is a bike that’s extra plush when you’re racking up highway miles
but automatically switches to attack mode when you’re pushing it around corners
it’s a magic carpet ride that gives you exactly what you need before you can even think to ask for it
ComplaintsI cruised back into town just as the first raindrops began to fall
which is the kind of trail magic all seasoned travelers are familiar with
and serendipity seems to be a lot more common when you travel on two wheels
I’d argue the Versys is nearly faultless
Its “get on it and go” character is just as effective for long hauls down the interstate as it is twisty mountain passes
and between the electronic rider aids and utterly dialed electronic suspension
the bike is never more than a button press away from perfectly sorted for any scenario
All this clutter for a single USB-C outlet
The first and most glaringly obvious is that while the addition of USB-C charging is nice to have
the giant pager-sized dongle Kawasaki added to the left handlebar seems borderline insane
There’s room inside the fairing for something much cleaner and less intrusive; this massive brick and accompanying bracket have got to go
The second is the Versys’ windshield, which provides great coverage but requires a complete stop and both hands to adjust. I know quick and easy single-hand adjustments are possible because I’ve ridden Triumph’s latest Tiger 900
you’ll need to stop and use both hands
it's better to go too firm than too soft on a touring bike
my first upgrade would probably be an aftermarket saddle from Corbin
and one of the best two-up sport touring bikes money can buy
When a sport touring motorcycle is done right
Not only will it get you traveling more often
but it’ll also make the traveling you do infinitely more enjoyable
Kawasaki’s Versys 1100 SE LT is the prototypical bike for that sort of travel
equal parts comfort and capability with loads of advanced technology to boot
You won’t find a European competitor with electronic suspension and factory hard bags for this kind of money
and you may not find an easier bike to simply ride and enjoy anywhere at any price
as the latest 2025 Versys 1100 SE LT now retails for $19,499
There are definitely cheaper ways to enjoy seeing the world on two wheels
but for a discerning sort of rider who wants all the bells and whistles at a fair price
the Versys remains the best option under $20k.
I hoped that spending a weekend ripping this bike around some of Southern California's best roads would make me fall in love
Full Disclosure: Kawasaki invited me to San Diego to see the pinnacle of dirt bike racing up close and personal
The bike manufacturer put me up in nice hotels
and loaned me a new Ninja 7 Hybrid to ride around for a couple of days
I drove my own car to Southern California for the event
I should start by explaining a little bit about how this bike works
The first thing you'll note when you sling a leg over the saddle is that there is no left foot shifter and no clutch lever
and you'll notice it many more times throughout your ride when you go to grab a lever or click a downshift
There are three main riding modes for this bike
In EV mode this bike is a lovely little around-town commuter for dozen miles or so
The battery has a fairly small 1.37 kWh nominal capacity
so you're relying on regenerative braking and engine charging to top it up
The electric motor only makes about 12 horsepower and only operates in the bottom four gears
so EV mode is only good for about 42 mph and acceleration is tepid at best
but good enough to keep up with surface street traffic
Electric mode shifts the transmission automatically
so you can pretend like you're on a sport-bike-shaped e-scooter
but unless your morning commute is under a dozen miles and all surface streets
In this mode you have your choice of automatic transmission or thumb-shifter manual
so you might find yourself in sixth gear before you hit 40 miles per hour
which is certainly not the quickest way to get anywhere
I saw around 80 miles per gallon in around-town riding in this mode
rides much like a sport-bike-shaped scooter
and I found it a bit jarring to buck three or four times before reaching the other side of the intersection
Pop it in manual and you can hang on to those gears as long as you want with a more economical tune than sport mode
Sport Hybrid mode is quite obviously the best of the bunch
so you'll have to remember to tap those + and – buttons whenever you need a gear
The shifts in Sport are crisp enough to make the ride engaging
but much like any early single-clutch manumatics from sports cars of 25 years ago
it can be a little jerky if conditions aren't precisely perfect
It's definitely good enough to get a little hustle going on a twisty road and have a lot of fun with it
but a traditional toe shifter is certainly more precise
When you're in Sport mode with a wrist full of twist
you can jab the only button on the right that matters: the e boost button
This easily-reachable button gives the bike "I'm giving it all she's got
You can use this to jam past a slow car on the highway
or shoot up out of a corner when you reach a long straight on your mountain road rip
It's exhilarating and joyful acceleration that feels like the "Fast And Furious" movies make hitting a nitrous button look
You can also pre-load this button when you're stopped at a traffic light so that when you take off from a stop you're giving it the full liter-eater beans
Kawasaki claims a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds for this bike
I spent about 300 miles in the saddle over the course of three days
but not so bad that I couldn't run a full tank of fuel through it without getting off to stretch
Maybe the whizbangery of the hybrid system would get old after a month or so
but I was constantly excited to flip through modes and try something new
It's definitely like riding a normal motorcycle
but with so much abnormal about it to keep things spicy
Far and away my biggest gripe about this bike is the shift between full electric and hybrid
In order to swap from EV to HEV you can't be travelling at more than 16 miles per hour
More than once I was running in electric mode on surface streets and went to merge onto a faster stroad or highway and topped out at 42 miles per hour before realizing the gas engine wasn't going to kick on and let me accelerate faster
I would have to pull over and slow down to less than 16 in order to kick on the gas engine and get back on the road
I'm sure if you owned this for a long time you'd just get used to it
the 450-cc engine is giving its all and needs every bit of the bonus electric power to keep up
but the longer wheelbase and extra weight conspire to make tighter mountain roads a little unwieldy
On a big open race track the Ninja 7 Hybrid would probably walk a lot of bikes
but on the switchback Mount Palomar roads I took this machine to visit I probably would have been quicker and more comfortable on the basic Ninja 500
This gripe pales in comparison to the other two
but I found the switchgear a little too busy and difficult to operate without screwing it up
More than once I went to tap the upshift button and hit the similarly-shaped high-beam flasher
I definitely thumbed the horn a few times when I meant to be grabbing for a downshift
It's the little things that make you comfortable on a bike
and a couple of these mis-shifts left me a little gun-shy of riding any faster than about six tenths
My smallest gripe of all is that this bike doesn't look special
I pulled in to a little roadside convenience store on a twisty road that bikers frequent and started chatting with them about the ride and how beautiful (though cold) the day was up on the mountain
Nobody gave this boring silver-painted steed a second glance until I mentioned that it was a hybrid
but if I were spending this much money I'd want it to stand out a little more
when it should have been shouting about its tech-forwardness with bright paintwork and a massive in-your-face HYBRID livery
At $12,499 the Ninja 7 Hybrid is an impressive $6,100 more expensive than the Ninja 500 SE ABS it cribs its gasoline engine from
Admittedly there is a ton of cool tech in the hybrid Ninja
Everything about this motorcycle should appeal to me
Early adopter tech folks with a city commute will thrive on this bike
and will probably be able to keep up with most riders on a weekend blast to the twisty roads
Frugal at the pump with a secret speed fetish
the Ninja 7 Hybrid is just a few implementation tweaks away from being a great bike
but maybe isn't quite the right formula to stir the soul just yet
Motorcycle buying in America is such an emotion-driven purchase
If Kawasaki keeps pressing on with hybrid bike tech
it could have a hit on its hands in one or two generations
The first Toyota Prius was also a compromise that didn't really fit anyone's lifestyle
but after four generations of development it's probably the best daily driver on the planet
maybe the Ninja will be everything for everyone
Is this bike a connection to the future where hybrid motorcycles have been perfected
FROM AFP NEWSAl Ahli Beat Kawasaki Frontale To Win Asian Champions LeagueBy AFP - Agence France Presse
ShareResizeReprintsThe Barron's news department was not involved in the creation of the content above. This article was produced by AFP. For more information go to AFP.com.© Agence France-Presse
The folks on patrol quickly shuttered our attempts at photography with a grave
your typical American speaking little more than English – and doing even that poorly
This only added to the anxiety brought on by the solemn setting
I swallowed hard as a stern woman in uniform stared into my eyes
unflinching as I handed over my passport and documents
After reviewing my paperwork with slightly more than a cursory glance between pages
the Guardia Nacional officer slammed a stamp onto the pages
and with a “Bienvenido a México,” we were set to head south into the Baja peninsula
While it's fairly clear that Kawasaki bumped the Versys' displacement by 56cc to bring the tall tourer up to snuff for ever-tightening regulations
interested parties will fill up on a bigger portion of torque from the new mill
The Baja Peninsula contains the two most western states of Mexico: Baja California
the peninsula conjures up images of surfing and racing
A place that time forgot; where you can sit on the beach
and spend the day letting the lapping Sea of Cortez lull you into a nice afternoon siesta
Things move at a different pace in this part of the world
and that’s what made it a perfect destination for our 10 assembled vaqueros mounted up on Kawasaki’s 2025 Versys 1100 SE LT
As Mr. Chung sussed out through his sleuthing – which was later confirmed – the changes for the 2025 model versus the 2024 bike are significant in some ways
You’d be forgiven if you weren’t able to pull the ’25 model out of a line-up of 2024s because the styling hasn’t changed an ounce
What has changed is the long-legged tourer’s Inline-Four engine
Kawasaki has bumped displacement from 1,043cc to 1,099cc by increasing the stroke by 3mm
This has given the new Versys a 13 horsepower boost according to Kawi
placing the claim at 133 hp in addition to a bump in torque in the upper half of the rev range
Additional changes to the Versys’ mill include a “fine-tuned” piston shape
narrower intake ports to increase intake velocity
Fifth and sixth gear are now longer while reduction ratios have been massaged to optimize the delivery of torque
The slip and assist clutch is carried over and works to mitigate rear tire hop under even the most botched transmission manipulations
The chassis has gone on unchanged to the previous model with the aluminum frame using the engine as a stressed member to wrap up the entire package
Also unchanged is the Kawasaki Electronically Controlled Suspension (KECS) which consists of a Showa cartridge fork and BFRC shock
The fork offers up 5.9 inches of travel with electronically adjustable rebound and compression damping
Showa utilizes what it calls a Damping Force Chamber which handles compression and rebound damping independently to suppress pressure balance changes which can cause cavitation leading to oil degradation and wear in shock performance overall
Shock preload adjustment is electronically controlled for rider
Being able to adjust suspension settings for the most part without hopping off of the saddle makes this “versatile system” just that much more so
Continuing with the electronics conversation
Kawi has kept the four ride modes which alter power delivery
traction control (switchable between four modes including off)
The active suspension adapts every millisecond to what's happening with the IMU and throttle position
all rider aids are IMU-backed to deliver lean sensitive functionality
the Kawasaki Versys is ready to set it and forget it when it comes to choosing a setup for your tour
we’ve matured… or at least our bike selection has
The Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT has longer legs (and a longer name) that make touring a breeze and this Versys doesn’t require keepin’ ’er tapped deep into the rpm range for hours on end
we made our way out of Kawasaki’s Irvine HQ post haste
setting our 17-inch wheels south toward a land that’s quite the opposite from the fully (constantly) developed heart of Orange County
All it takes is a controlled release of the clutch lever to start appreciating the smooth torque-rich character that the now 1,099cc Inline-Four cylinder has on offer
Although it spools up more slowly at speed
whether you’re on the freeway or strafing your favorite backroads
Perhaps where it’s most useful is low speed riding around town
Folks with a steady left hand could nearly forget about the right one as the engine pulls from a standstill without necessary assistance from the throttle
While the Versys’ bigger mill feels smooth in most situations at the touch points
between 6-7,000 rpm the vibes make themselves known in a big way through the bar
things smooth out both before and after that point
Mounting up on the Versys 1100 SE LT (the only trim sold in the U.S.)
your tush is welcomed by a large flat seat with a comparable one ready to accept your passenger’s
While there’s room to move around this saddle
we were only 65 miles into the ride when I started getting antsy
After seeing a few others in our band of misfits start to squirm and stand up
I realized I wasn’t the only one whose posterior had found the Versys’ seat foam inferior
the Versys boasts a massive adjustable windscreen
though adjusting it while moving is ill-advised given that it takes two hands to do so
didn’t stop me from setting the cruise control and doing just that
its gargantuan size can hamper the field of view
The ergos of the Kawasaki Versys are just what one wants for a tour
and given we were actually going to pound out some miles
the thicc 33.1-inch seat height requires every bit of my 30-inch inseam
smooth torque delivery and nicely balanced chassis
Kawasaki has managed to hide the Versys’ 571-pound curb weight surreptitiously
we made our way inland toward the Banyan Tree Vaya hotel nestled in the Valle de Guadalupe
This gave us our first chance to stretch the Versys’ long legs
Hustling through mountain passes at full tilt in Sport mode
the new mill delivers respectable performance while the stiffer suspension helps the bike maintain composure as the pace quickens
it can build to the point where you feel the chassis getting overwhelmed
exhibiting flex that blows past just giving feedback straight to downright noodly
Combined with less than stellar braking performance
you’ll be better suited to keeping things at a legal pace
If you’re riding the machine in a more mature fashion and not just trying to wring the thing for all it’s worth
you’d likely be perfectly content hustling the Versys through a set of bends
Kawasaki told us 20% of Versys buyers are over the age of 65 while 25% are under 44
Team Green also mentioned 30% percent of owners use their machines for bouncing around town or reeling in sport bikes on their favorite mountain roads
Only 15% use their Versys for long distance touring
The Versys may have once been considered an “adventure bike” back in the early days of the current ADV trend thanks to sporting nearly six inches (!) of suspension travel at each end and similar ground clearance
but it now finds itself sharing much of the same touring space as the Ninja 1100 SX
though not nearly as conventionally sporty
I was thankful for the extra ground clearance as we made our way off-piste into the vast network of dirt roads leading to farms and vineyards in the region
We didn’t ride through anything I would think twice of cruising down on a Harley-Davidson
the Versys’ stilts give you slightly more comfort when exploring the unknown
Within a few miles we arrived at our hotel
the Banyan Tree Vaya offers up excellent views
and exquisite local faire – all of which were thoroughly sampled
Carrying the key-matched luggage back to the bike in the morning
and headed back north as our Baja Blast was coming to an end just as quickly as it had begun
The Kawasaki Versys 1100 is just as useful and adept at bouncing around town as it is ready to take you a few hundred miles to a quick getaway south of the border
it’s just as willing a partner to crush many more miles in comfort while delivering a cush ride from its semi-active suspenders
Should you trade in your 2024 Versys for a 2025
The light refresh probably isn’t going to be motivating enough to lure current owners
the 2025 Versys 1100 SE LT with its smooth
well-mannered engine getting a bit of a bump in torque and its carried-over comfortable touring chassis
2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT Specifications
DFI with Keihin 38mm ETV throttle bodies (4)
Wet mutli-disdc manaul Assist & Slipper clutch
43mm inverted fork with KECS-controlled compression and rebound damping and manually-adjustable preload; 5.9 inches of travel
KECS-controlled compression and rebound damping and electronically-controlled preload adjustment; 5.9 inches of travel
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Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com
and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles
passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO
More by Ryan Adams
And the Versys 650 is no longer sold in the USA
All I needed was to read the "Sighs" to know I don't want/need this bike
The many decades in the motorcycle industry have given Kawasaki the kind of experience and technical know-how that only comes with age. Its prowess can be seen in its machines, which are some of the most eye-catching bikes available today
either come from the late 20th century or the 21st century
which is disheartening because there are a number of awesome motorcycles from the company's early years as a motorcycle manufacturer
From the humble B8 and W1 to the powerful A1
let's go over three of the most underappreciated motorcycles from Kawasaki's early years
Although Kawasaki was founded in 1878 by Shōzō Kawasaki
it wasn't until the mid-20th century that the company decided to try its luck in motorcycle making
it was tinkering with motorcycles and motorcycle parts
three-cylinder machine considered the fastest accelerating bike in its class
which was the first motorcycle completely built by Kawasaki
The company had also been involved in a number of motorcycle projects through its Meihatsu subsidiary
it had not built a complete motorcycle by itself until the B8
123.5-cubic-centimeter engine that produced 11 horsepower
with a fuel consumption of 168 miles per gallon
The B8 was more than a special bike at the time of its release
Its quiet engine and torque won many hearts across the country
did even more to attract the public's attention to Kawasaki
the B8M marked the first production racing motorcycle by Kawasaki
Known as the Red-Tank Furore thanks to its red fuel tank
the B8M won numerous races in the Japanese Motocross Championships
propelling Kawasaki not only into the racing scene but also into the wider motorcycle community as a brand to watch closely
a motorcycle whose engine boasted the largest displacement in any Japan-made motorcycle at the time of its release
The engine in question was a 34.1 cubic-inch
four-stroke parallel twin-cylinder OHV motor that pushed out 50 horsepower and 41 pound-feet of torque
The engine's bore and stroke came in at 74 by 72.6 inches
with the motor registering a compression ratio of 8.7:1
The W1 took the recognition the B8 had established and built upon it
The company gained global recognition for its bikes
with the W1 standing as a testament to Kawasaki's ingenuity
The Kawasaki W1 650 has several significant features that have shaped motorcycle culture over the years
which was a change from the more common smaller displacements of the time
ensuring heads turned whenever you rode by
The bike would cement Kawasaki as a talented and equally capable manufacturer on a global scale
While the B8 had introduced Kawasaki to the world
the W1 solidified every assertion the B8 had made
opening a completely new playing field for the Japanese motorcycle maker
The W1 also played a crucial role in ushering in the era of multi-cylinder motorcycles
an age that would give rise to the superbike
rotary-valve engine that produced 31 horsepower
Kawasaki had developed the bike not only for its Asian clientele but for the United States and its endless roads
the bike would do more than sell in America
It would also destabilize the then-existing monopoly created by the likes of Honda and Yamaha
The A1 Samurai had a few good things going for it
its name included the word "Samurai," which might have been why it became a bestseller in the U.S.
which historically cannot get enough of Samurais
The A1 was such a beast on the track that Kawasaki introduced a racing version of the bike
But that didn't stop it from winning several races across the globe
The bike would live on through the A7 Avenger
Even more fascinating is the fact that the A1 is a direct ancestor to the Ninja line
Dedicated off-road and trials motorcycles can do incredible things in the hands of an expert rider
but imagine what they could do with legs instead of wheels
That’s an idea Kawasaki is exploring with its new Corleo concept
Related: JLR Employs Robot Dog That Can Hear Gas Leaks And Inspect Plant Machinery
Most of us know the Kawasaki brand through its two-wheeled products, plus its quads and side-by-sides, and maybe its jetskis, too. But less well known is the fact that the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group also contains a robotics division
and the Corleo represents a merging of those minds
Anyone who has tried both a motorcycle and horse will probably be familiar with the riding environment
The seat looks a bit like a saddle from the equine world and there are stirrups slung below the main body structure
Up ahead there’s a set of reins-cum-handlebars in front of a hi-tech digital instrument pack that could have been lifted from an expensive exercise cycle
But it’s the lower half of the beast where things get a little nutty
Instead of the wheels you’d find on a regular Kawasaki designed for land use
there are a set of legs complete with hooves shod in slip-resistant rubber
And you can forget horses at this point because these legs have more in common with the limbs on a big cat judging from what they can do in the video below
Motive power comes from a 150cc hydrogen engine that sends electricity to each leg and enables the Corleo to walk
run and leap across even the most uneven terrain
sensors in the stirrups and bars picking up movement and relaying it to the legs
Kawasaki says even beginner riders will feel confident because crossing water or climbing over rocks requires non of the expert skills necessary when trying to overcome the same obstacles on a traditional off-road motorcycle
Even nighttime rides shouldn’t be too daunting because the Corleo doesn’t rely on a simple light but projects information onto the ground and the machine actively works out how to handle the terrain for the rider
The Corleo makes its public debut at the Future Society Showcase Project at the 2025 Japan International Expo, though don’t get to excited about production possibilities. It seems designed to showcase hydrogen power that Kawasaki plans to introduce to its two-wheelers early in the next decade rather than hint at a radically reimagined 2026 Kawakai enduro bike lineup.
But when you look at what four-legged robots from the like of DARPA can already do, it’s not a great leap to imagine we could be riding something like this 20 or 30 years from now. A horse that doesn’t poop? A motorcycle you don’t fall off? Sounds good to us.
AquacultureMotorcycle company Kawasaki just farmed its first fishAlong with the help of Maruha Nichiro
Kawasaki is operating a farm at what it claims to be the highest breeding density in Japan
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Kawasaki has introduced a bold new chapter in personal mobility with the launch of the CORLEO — a robotic
off-road vehicle designed to bring the thrill of motorcycle riding to rugged
Engineered with four independently moving legs and advanced rider-monitoring systems
CORLEO blends Kawasaki’s motorcycle DNA with robotics to offer a new kind of outdoor adventure
CORLEO’s legged mobility system is powered by drive units in each limb
delivering superior stability and shock absorption
Its swing-arm rear legs move independently from the front
smoothing out rough terrain and allowing riders to maintain a steady forward-facing posture — even while scaling steps or uneven ground
mean brand if this teaser is to be believed
I mean if my interpretation of the teaser is correct
we hear the unmistakable sound of a blow-off valve
leaving no doubt that this project will revolve around the H2's glorious engine
I think a H2-powered UTV is a pretty fair take based on this info
that'd mean this UTV could pump out 239.6 hp at 11,500 RPM and 104.9 lb-ft of torque at 11,000 RPM
That's probably more than double the hp output of the brand's flagship sports UTV
These are truly ridiculous figures for side-by-sides
but necessary to tackle the most difficult off-road races in the world
Polaris and Can-Am have been the only true contestants in the rally-raid UTV classes
so adding a legitimate threat to the mix from Kawasaki would be a welcome treat
When Kawasaki launched the supercharged Ninja H2 in 2013
it established itself as having a bonkers motorcycle
particularly from any of the other Japanese big three
and we're getting a supercharged H2-powered UTV from Kawasaki
it'll once again establish itself as the headbanger of the Japanese big four
Kawasaki made a dedicated Matrix-style page where you can sign up to "Apply for future clearance" and learn more about Project H2 when more information is available
Al-Ahli triumphed in the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in history after a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale
The Saudi Arabian side were crowned champions of Asia
becoming the 25th different side to win the competition
Galeno curled home a delightful strike from outside the area after 35 minutes
the Brazilian whipping into the top-right corner with a dipping strike from Roberto Firmino's simple offload
Firmino was again the creator seven minutes later when his lofted right-sided delivery found Franck Kessie to thump a header beyond Louis Yamaguchi from close range
who dumped Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr out in the semi-finals
were unable to cope with their opponents and offered little threat throughout
failing to register a single shot on target all game from their seven attempts
The victory makes Al-Ahli the third club from Saudi Arabia to win the continental title after previous successes by Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad
Firmino's first-half creative display stole the show
especially with his pinpoint delivery for Kessie's unmissable header from inside the six-yard box
The former Liverpool star has contributed to 13 goals in the competition this season (six goals and seven assists)
only managing more in a continental tournament in 2017-18
when he registered 17 (10 goals and seven assists) in the UEFA Champions League
His dominant performance helped Al-Ahli become the fifth team to win this competition without any losses
given Al-Ahli accumulated 1.13 expected goals to Kawasaki's 0.33 in a one-sided final
Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez made history when the Saudi Arabian side won the AFC Champions League final on Saturday
the company offers a few entry-level models for those who are just getting into these high-speed machines
Some of the popular options include the Ninja 400 and 500
bikes that may actually have more in common than you think
At first glance, both the Ninja 400 and Ninja 500 seem similar. However, the most significant difference between them is that, as of this writing, the 500 is still in production, while the 400 is not. Even more intriguing is that the Ninja 500 actually replaces the Ninja 400
it does not necessarily render the Ninja 400 obsolete
the base 2023 model of the Ninja 400 came with a 399cc
The engine had a bore and stroke of 70.0 millimeters by 51.8 millimeters and a compression ratio of 11.5:1
priced between $5,699 and $5,899 for the ABS variant
liquid-cooled engine capable of 51 horsepower
The engine's bore and stroke are 70.0 millimeters by 58.6 millimeters
The bike also features a 6-speed transmission and the aforementioned Uni-Trak rear suspension
Additional differences between these two bikes include the type of technology available on both bikes
While the Ninja 400 came with Kawasaki's economical riding indicator and an assist and slipper clutch for its engine management technology
the Ninja 500 includes both these features
The Ninja 400 and Ninja 500 share many similarities
Let's start with their chassis management technology
Both bikes offer options for Kawasaki's Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and come with Ergo-Fit
which makes them resemble their more powerful supersport siblings
They also feature the same single semi-floating 310-millimeter front disc brakes and 220-millimeter rear disc brakes
The bikes also have almost identical dimensions
The Ninja 400 measured 78.3 inches in length
the Ninja 500 measures 78.5 inches in length
The Ninja 400 had a road clearance of 5.5 inches and a fuel capacity of 14 liters (3.69 U.S
while the 500 had a road clearance of 5.7 inches and a fuel capacity of 3.7 gallons
While the Ninja 500 is an upgrade to the 400
the bike is largely the same as its predecessor
the increase in power may be sufficient to warrant a difference