Kawasaki Adds New Versions of Existing Models for 2016

2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS Café
2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS Café

At the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo), held in Orlando, Florida, on October 15-18, 2015, Kawasaki showed the U.S. press and public its all-new 2016 Ninja ZX-10R, a nearly World Superbike-spec sportbike that it says is the “most track-focused sportbike ever.”

See photos and read more about the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Kawasaki also unveiled new additions to its 2016 lineup, including the Z800 ABS naked sportbike (which was announced last June) and variants of several existing models.

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See photos and read more about the 2016 Kawasaki Z800 ABS

2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS SE
2016 Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS SE

2016 Vulcan S ABS Café and Vulcan S ABS SE
Last year, Kawasaki introduced an entry-level cruiser called the Vulcan S, powered by the same liquid-cooled, 649cc parallel twin found in the Versys 650 and Ninja 650. The light, frisky, agile bike was the first to feature Kawasaki’s Ergo-Fit system, with multiple footpeg positions, seats and handlebars to accommodate a wide range of riders.

Read our 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S review

New for 2016 is the Vulcan S ABS Café ($7,999), which incorporates a new tinted windscreen and custom paint scheme—Metallic Matte Carbon Gray with Metallic Matte Phantom Silver tank highlights and a Candy Lime Green sports stripe down the middle—to give it a café racer look. It also has a matching green shock spring and green wheel stripes. Also new is the Vulcan S ABS SE ($7,599), with a special two-tone Metallic Imperial Blue and Metallic Spark Black finish and matching blue wheel stripes.

Returning for 2016 are the Vulcan S ($6,999) and Vulcan S ABS ($7,399) models in two new colors (Candy Matte Orange or Urban City White).

2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE
2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE

2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE
Kawasaki’s mighty Ninja ZX-14R ABS ($14,999), which was last updated for 2012 and has a liquid-cooled, 1,441cc in-line four that’s one of the most powerful motorcycle engines in production, returns for 2016 with an updated LCD instrument display. Featuring an aluminum monocoque frame, two engine power modes, 3-level KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) and adjustable suspension and disc brakes (ABS is standard) designed to handle big power, the ZX-14R is the King Kong of sportbikes. It’s available in a Golden Blazed Green / Metallic Spark Black paint scheme.

Read our 2012 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R review

New for 2016 is the Ninja ZX-14R ABS SE ($15,499), which features Brembo brakes similar to what’s found on the Ninja H2/H2R and Ninja ZX-10R, as well as stainless steel brake and clutch lines, special Metallic Matte Carbon Gray paint and blacked-out emblems.

2016 Kawasaki KLR650 in Matrix Camo Gray
2016 Kawasaki KLR650 in Matrix Camo Gray

2016 Kawasaki KLR650
One of the most long-lived and beloved models in Kawasaki’s lineup is the bulletproof KLR650 dual-sport. Powered by a liquid-cooled 651cc single with DOHC and 4 valves, it still mixes fuel and air with a Keihin CVK40 carburetor. Updated for 2014 with stiffer suspension and a new seat, the KLR650 returns unchanged for 2016. It’s available in Candy Lime Green or Ebony for $6,599 or a new Matrix Camo Gray color scheme for $6,899.

Read our 2014 Kawasaki KLR 650 review

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