Kawasaki Kite Festival in early April

 
The annual kite festival at participating Kawasaki dealers has a long tradition and heralds the start of the season in spring. The highlight for customers is the early look at the new models.

Petrol talks and shop talk are the order of the day when visitors to the kite festival meet at the Kawasaki dealership at the start of the season and find out about the new models and colours. The 2025 model range once again has some exciting motorcycles in store.

The Versys 1100 and Ninja 1100SX are launched with higher-displacement engines to inspire even more in everyday life and on tour. Three millimeters more stroke on the crankshaft compared to their 1000 predecessors give both significantly more torque and pressure from low and medium revs. In addition, their engines are now equipped with a quickshifter with a blipper function, which works perfectly from 1,500 rpm. In the respective SE variants, you can also look at a TFT color display, which comes up with a new voice control via the Rideology app.

Less elaborate, but no less likeable, the new W230 and its sister Meguro S1 roll onto the motorcycle stage. The design with drop tank and round engine covers is clearly based on its big sister W800. The 233 cc single-cylinder engine produces 17.5 hp at 7,000 rpm, which has an easy time with a full tank of 143 kilograms of kerb weight and invites you to enjoy cruising. The low seat height of just 745 millimetres is also inviting, making it easy for even shorter drivers to handle everyday driving.

The new Z900 focuses much more on performance. The in-line four-cylinder engine was made suitable for Euro 5+ and retuned in the process. But the driving performance has not suffered at all. On the contrary: With only one hp less, the new one puts in a lot of effort in peak power (124 hp) from the middle of the rev range, and in combination with new, elaborate electronics and modified transmission ratios, it makes even more impressive progress here. A six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire are the prerequisites for many driving aids, including cruise control. Also striking is the revised design with new LED headlight, sharper lines, aluminium radiator grilles, tapered handlebars and light strip rear light as well as radial four-piston fixed caliper calipers at the front, 5-inch TFT display with voice control, turn-by-turn navigation and integrated USB-C socket. As before, there is also a 70 kW version as a basis for pilots with the A2 driver's license, as well as an SE model with Öhlins shock absorber and brake calipers from Brembo. Very pleasing for all buyers: The prices have not only remained stable despite the additional equipment, but have even been significantly reduced for many model variants. One more reason to take a close look at everything at the kite festival!

Last but not least, the carryover models will also shine in new colours at the kite festival. In short, there are enough reasons to mark the date of April 5, 2025 (or April 6 for some dealers) in your calendar and get there on time. There is a lot to see, hear and experience.