Kawasaki’s summer release includes two revamped motorcycles – July 3, 2006

Although Kawasaki Motor Corp., USA plans to hold its dealer meeting in September, the company already released information regarding a portion of the products destined for dealer showrooms in 2007.
Kawi’s “Summer Release” line-up includes 24 of the 61 models offered in 2006, but only two radically revamped motorcycles — the KX250F ($5,999) and KX450F ($6,899).
Kawasaki said changes to the KX250F’s engine and chassis make it an even more potent track weapon in 2007. The engine was upgraded to add more bottom-end grunt, then mated to a strengthened five-speed transmission and a revised chassis featuring increased longitudinal rigidity for lighter, quicker steering.
The 2007 KX250F will be available in Kawasaki lime green with new colored wheel hubs and race team graphics. Optional parts for purchase are scheduled to include magneto rotors with different inertias, a 12-tooth countershaft sprocket, top mounting clamp for an oversized handlebar, aluminum and steel rear sprockets, solid petal brake rotors for wet races, different springs for the front fork and rear shock, manual decompression lever and cable, and a 20-inch front wheel.
Also radically updated to improve handling and maximize acceleration, the KX450F received engine modifications to produce enhanced bottom-end and midrange thrust, a new five-speed transmission, reduced frame spar rigidity, and new fork internals mated to what Kawasaki said are the industry’s first diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated fork tubes.
Like its smaller sibling, the new KX450F also will be available in Kawasaki lime green with race team graphics. But, to set it apart, the big 4 gets colored surface treatment on the wheel hubs and engine covers.
Other motorcycles included in Kawasaki’s “Summer Release” program are the KX65 ($2,799), KX85 ($2,999), KX100 ($3,349), KX250 ($5,999), KLX110 ($1,699), KLX300R ($4,949), KLR650 ($5,199), Ninja 500R ($5,049), ZZR600 ($7,299) and Vulcan 2000 Classic LT ($14,499). psb