Apparently Europe has been getting these for awhile, but this is new to the US for 2009. I had been planning on my next bike being a naked SV650 but I think the SV just took second seat to this thing.
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=373
Another Ninja 650R derivative (other is the Versys)...basically a 650R but naked and with regular bars instead of clipons. Similar power and weight to the SV650 but IMO a more updated, badass look that I would feel less inclined to mod the shit out of as soon as I got it home. I've been digging the Versys for awhile, but the ugly ass headlight was a deal breaker and sitting on it feels like a liter class sportbike with motocross suspension. I don't mind the height of the 300lb DRZ, but on something nearing 400lbs I like a lower center of gravity.
I really hate the idea of buying another brand new bike...but if I sit on one and it feels right I could decide to sell my DRZ and get this. The alternative would have been to buy a used SV650 for $3k or so and put full dirt trim on the DRZ. I can't justify having two brand new street bikes at a time so if I sprung for the ER6n I'd probably pick up a used WR250 or something for dirt.
Went to the Kawasaki dealer today to see if they had any but they didn't. First guy I asked didn't even know what I was talking about but the guy he asked said he'd ordered 2 or 3 and they'd be in around the end of the month or beginning of next.
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=373
Another Ninja 650R derivative (other is the Versys)...basically a 650R but naked and with regular bars instead of clipons. Similar power and weight to the SV650 but IMO a more updated, badass look that I would feel less inclined to mod the shit out of as soon as I got it home. I've been digging the Versys for awhile, but the ugly ass headlight was a deal breaker and sitting on it feels like a liter class sportbike with motocross suspension. I don't mind the height of the 300lb DRZ, but on something nearing 400lbs I like a lower center of gravity.
I really hate the idea of buying another brand new bike...but if I sit on one and it feels right I could decide to sell my DRZ and get this. The alternative would have been to buy a used SV650 for $3k or so and put full dirt trim on the DRZ. I can't justify having two brand new street bikes at a time so if I sprung for the ER6n I'd probably pick up a used WR250 or something for dirt.
Went to the Kawasaki dealer today to see if they had any but they didn't. First guy I asked didn't even know what I was talking about but the guy he asked said he'd ordered 2 or 3 and they'd be in around the end of the month or beginning of next.