The hosts of Common Tread test if two $1000 used bikes–a 2009 Kawasaki Versys 650 and a 2015 Honda CBR300R–can be good track machines.
Battle of the Bikes: Will Honda, KTM, or Kawasaki Rider Take the AMA Supercross Victory?
Ken Roczen, Cooper Webb, and Eli Tomac are in the top three spots at the Arlington, TX AMA Supercross 2021. As the riders take a quick test ride over the track before racing, it’s hard to tell who is going to take it tonight. The heats feel chill, everyone is laying low for the main. …
The Kawasaki KLR650 Is Back To Explore Once More
2-wheeled off-roading fans certainly had reason to mourn when Kawasaki discontinued the KLR650 in 2018. Although the dual-sport was a bit of a dinosaur, its simplicity was part of its appeal; hence its 32-year production run. Still, while used models are plentiful and affordable, the cancellation left Kawasaki without an entry for the currently-booming large-capacity …
2020 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe vs. Yamaha XSR900: Going Beyond Nostalgia
Aping the classics is a common theme in the motorcycle world today. You have café racers, bobbers, scramblers, and bikes like the Trail 125 and Monkey. However, with improvements in bike technology, even though the 2020 Kawasaki Z900RS Café and Yamaha XSR900 recall their predecessors, they offer more than design alone. But which one of …
2020 Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe vs. 2019 Honda CB1000R: Which Captures the UJM Spirit Better?
When the Honda CB750 launched in 1969, it helped create a new kind of bike: the Universal Japanese Motorcycle. Over the next few years, other Japanese manufacturers like Kawasaki would release UJMs of their own. Eventually, this class of bike morphed into the standard motorcycle segment. This, given the current retro trend, gives us the …
The Honda XR650L vs. Kawasaki KLR 650 – Let’s Put the “Duel” in Dual-Sport
Kawasaki and Honda have ruled the motorcycle scene for decades. Their fierce rivalry has produced some of the coolest motorcycles ever made. The competition drives both companies to continually produce high-quality performance machines that make bike lovers crazy trying to pick between the two. The dual-sport powerhouse models from each company are probably the most …
The Honda FourTrax Rancher and Yamaha Kodiak Aren’t the Only Affordable ATVs Worth Your Money
ATVs are an undeniable blast. An adventure on a wooded trail with the sound of your machine and the scent of its exhaust is a type of freedom that isn’t reserved for the rich and famous. There are good affordable ATV options out there. The Honda FourTrax Rancher and the Yamaha Kodiak are two of …
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 Was Voted the Best Motorcycle for Beginners
Today’s motorcycles offer plenty of new technology. They’re also designed for various functions and types of riders. There are standard/retro, adventure, cruiser, superbike, supermoto, electric, and mini versions. But some people are looking for a motorcycle for beginners. The top pick of the bunch is the Kawasaki Ninja 400, according to Popular Mechanics. The best …
2020 Triumph Rocket 3 vs. Kawasaki Z H2: Which Is the Fastest Pizza Delivery Bike?
Activities like camping and overlanding show that enjoying motorcycles can be about more than sheer speed. However, sometimes that’s exactly what you need from a bike, even outside of the racetrack. For example, if you need to deliver food like, say, a pizza before it gets cold. And more power, or just more engine, are …
Do You Need a Sportbike as Super as the 2020 Ducati Panigale V2?
It doesn’t have the Panigale V4’s engine, but the 2020 Ducati Panigale V2 doesn’t need it to deliver serious speed. Plus, it’s more affordable than the V4 model, which is a good thing for riders interested in setting lap times and carving up roads. As a result, Popular Mechanics called it the best superbike of …
New Teaser Might Show Kawasaki’s Plan to Get Back Into the Dual-Sport Game
Middleweight dual-sport motorcycles might just be the most fun a person can have on two wheels. They are light, nimble, easy to ride, adventurous, cheap, and reliable. One of the kings of the dual-sport world is the Kawasaki KLR 650, and in 2018 after nearly 30 years, Kawasaki discontinued its legendary dual-sport. As the folks …
The 2021 Aprilia RS 660 Is Ready To Spar With the Kawasaki Ninja
When it comes to affordable sportbikes, the Kawasaki Ninja lineup tends to be a common choice. And if you want to ride on the racetrack more than the street, you go for the ZX models. But just like the higher-capacity models have competition, such as the Ducati Panigale V2, so do the medium-capacity ones. In …
Is Kawasaki Bringing Back the Legendary KLR650?
Dual sports are some of the best motorcycles for off-roading. They combine the simplicity and capability of dirt bikes with just enough comfort for on-road travel. And one of the best and most iconic models is the Kawasaki KLR650. Unfortunately, it’s been off the market for several years now. But new rumors suggest the Japanese …
How Well Does the 2020 Ducati Streetfighter V4 S Scrap With Its Naked Bike Rivals?
As approachable as the Panigale V4 S is (for a superbike anyway), Ducati’s latest Streetfighter might be even more so. But the Italian marque doesn’t have a monopoly on the high-performance naked bike segment. So how does the Ducati Streetfighter V4 stack up against the competition? Naked bikes vs. streetfighters The term ‘naked bike’ actually …
The Best Cruiser Motorcycles Under $10,000 on Sale Today
While a standard motorcycle, like the Street Triple R, is a good all-around bike, it’s not the best for every situation. For relaxed, long-distance riding, a cruiser motorcycle makes a bit more sense. And, while some cruisers come with large price tags, you don’t need to break your budget to afford one. There are a …
Kawasaki’s Supercharged Hybrid…2-Stroke Motorcycle?
Increasingly-tougher emissions regulations make for interesting, and high-performance, motorcycle tech. For example, Yamaha’s getting back into turbochargers, for one. And Kawasaki is working on putting a manual transmission in an electric motorcycle. However, that’s not the only new bike the Japanese company seems to be developing. There are already rumors about the brand’s 200-hp supercharged …
The Kawasaki KZ900 LTD Was the First Power Cruiser
Even before the supercharged 200-hp Ninja H2, Kawasaki offered some pretty powerful motorcycles. And that includes cruisers. Today, the idea of a ‘power’ or ‘muscle cruiser’ isn’t that unusual. Harley-Davidson, Ducati, and (arguably) Triumph offer bikes that fall into those categories. But the 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 LTD was the first. How the Kawasaki Z1 led …
2020 Motorcycles: The Leading Liter Bike
When it comes to 2020 motorcycles, liter bikes are the most exciting. Each of these superbikes boasts a powerful 1 liter-displacing engine and trickle-down race technology. But we already know all of these sportbikes are fast. Which ones are the fastest and baddest of all? Here are the leading liter bikes of 2020. Everyone has …
Yamaha Is Getting Back Into Turbocharged Bikes
High-RPM redlines and more cylinders are usually how motorcycle companies increase performance. But Yamaha is going to use something that, while common in cars, isn’t really seen in bikes: forced-induction. Not a supercharger, like on the Kawasaki Ninja H2, though. Instead, Yamaha is re-introducing turbocharging to its motorcycle lineup. The Yamaha turbocharged bike news Performance …
The Best Used Off-Road Motorcycles Under $10,000
There are a number of excellent affordable motorcycles that you can take off-road. However, some may be nervous about bringing a brand-new bike to get banged up off-pavement. However, as is the case for most beginner bikes, the simple solution is to get a used motorcycle. It’s likely already been beat-up a bit. Plus, buying …
The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R: 250cc, 4 Cylinders, 17,000 RPM
Though it makes a motorcycle with a 200-hp supercharged engine, Kawasaki also offers bikes with engines better-suited to newer riders. Bikes like the Z125 Pro, and the Ninja 400 sportbike. And as bikes like Honda’s RC166 show, sometimes the smallest engines are the most impressive ones. That’s a sentiment the upcoming Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R clearly …
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R: New vs. Used
The 2020 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R is a top performer among others in its class. The ZX-14R motorcycle enjoys a loyal and loving fan base––and for good reason. This Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle is a powerful machine and buying it new is all too tempting. But if you want to save some money, you are probably already …
The Kawasaki Vulcan May Be Getting the Ninja H2’s 200-Hp Engine
Harley-Davidson isn’t the only motorcycle company with cruisers. While Kawasaki may be better known for sportbikes and dual sports, it also offers café racers, touring bikes, and cruisers. In fact, the Kawasaki Vulcan is one of the quickest cruisers on sale today. But it may be getting even quicker. New rumors suggest Kawasaki may be …
Eli Tomac’s Dirt Bike
Over the last three seasons, we’ve watched Eli Tomac achieve a ton of wins and podium finishes aboard his Kawasaki KX450F motorcycle. Now, he’s won his first 450SX championship title. Obviously, he’s a fantastic rider with grit and determination. He also puts on a show every race with passes and crashes for the books. But …
The Best Affordable Sport Bikes That You Shouldn’t Overlook
Although there are plenty of exciting, stylish, and fast motorcycles on the market, some are priced more like cars. And considering how affordable used cars, even sports cars, can be, it can be difficult justifying a bike purchase. Especially for something like a sport bike. The Suzuki Hayabusa may be fast, but it’s not exactly …
Busa Flies, Ninja Dies
After an absolute rollercoaster ride of whether or not Suzuki would discontinue the Hayabusa or unveil a new touring speed machine, we’ve been over here sort of scratching our heads. The Kawasaki Ninja hung on and produced a new 2020 ZX-14r even after rumors of Hayabusa’s retirement which began in 2018. Though the Busa has …
Hayabusa vs. ZX-14r: Which is the Superior Sportbike?
Since the 1990s, sportbikes have brought something to the motorcycle industry that is all their own. The sheer speed and incredible power to weight ratio is the name of the game and neither of these beasts is playing around. Not recommended for the inexperienced rider, the Hayabusa and the ZX-14r are motorcycles designed to maneuver …
Kawasaki Will Make an Electric Motorcycle With a Manual Transmission
Although the lack of extensive fast-chargers limits their long-distance capability, electric motorcycles can be excellent urban commuters. In addition, the lack of clutch makes them good for beginning riders, or those without manual experience. However, the EV conversion market shows that electric cars and trucks, at least, can still use manual transmissions. And now, Kawasaki …
The Fastest New Modern Café Racer Motorcycles
There’s a whole host of neo-classic motorcycles available today. Customers can choose from scramblers, bobbers, cruisers, a modern Honda Cub, and hand-built carbureted models based on 50s British bikes. Arguably, though, what kick-started this trend was the rise in café racers, previewed by the Ducati Sport 1000. Even Harley-Davidson is working on such a bike. …
The Most Popular Motorcycles for Beginners You Should Check Out
Finding the perfect motorcycle for a beginner is a tricky process that can take some time. What are the best models you should be looking for?
Fastest Touring Motorcycles by 0-60 Time
Motorcycles are ridden every from dirt trails to paved roads. For the latter, standards and cruisers tend to be popular choices. Cruisers in particular offer an attractive combination of relaxed riding with casual speed. Quite a few cruisers can actually out-accelerate some high-end sports cars. However, over long stretches of road, touring bikes are the …