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Exhaust-Notes.com | Kawasaki
Kawasaki Motorcycles
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Famous for their mean, green racing machines Kawasaki are one of the 'big four' Japanese motorcyle manufacturers. The extensive model line has produces some truly iconic bikes over the years.
The Z range, which really came into ascendancy in the late 70s and early 80s, attracted a cult following which persists to this day. Kawasaki have recently tried to recapture the streetbike spirit of the early Zs with the recent launch of the Z1000 and Z750, both of which feature minimal aggressive and angular bodywork and impressive engines. The Z1000 is blessed with some of the best looking standard exhausts to ever grace a stock motorcycle, regrettably they stifle the engine's potential significantly so replacements are worth a look.
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In recent years Kawasaki haven't been enjoying that much success on the track, but they seem to have over compensated for that in their race replica bikes. The ZX-10R is a real hooligans tools with phenomenal power, razor sharp (and unforgiving) steering all in a package the size of a 600. Its little brother, the ZX-6R, spent several years enjoying an extra 36cc overs its class rivals and was a better bike for it, though the capacity has now been brought back in line with the rest of the field.
Long before Suzuki's Hayabusa arrived on the scene, the ZZR1100 was the original hypersports bikes, capable of top speeds nearing 200mph straight out of the crate. Its smaller counterpart, the ZZR600, while getting a little long in the tooth, remains an extremely competent sports tourer, and a steal in performance terms at current prices. Both ZZRs feature twin exhausts, a set-up becoming increasingly rare among sportsbikes. What the twin outlets do give is some thumping power in the mid-range so while 2 into 1 replacements are popular you might like to consider staying with 2 and replacing both for something a little lighter and a little louder.
Finally there's the ZRX1200, which shows no signs of ageing for me sitting alongside Yamaha's XJR1300 as the best looking retro muscle bike.
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