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.

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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