We’ve had some early peeks at the Kawasaki ZX-25R sportbike, and it looks like a great bike but, sadly, it’s not scheduled for Canada, as far as we know. Pity, because this just-unveiled version of the bike looks particularly exciting.
Several Euro mags are showing photos of a track-optimized version of the bike sporting a ton of carbon-fibre. Fuel tank, fairings, seatpan/seat cowling, subframe, and swingarm cover are all carbon-fibre, there’s also a new windscreen, and new controls (rear-set footpegs, adjustable levers). The rear shock is upgraded to a fully-adjustable race-style unit, although the front forks are the same. And there’s a new NASSERT-R Evolution Type II exhaust (sourced from Beet Japan), and new Dunlop race tires.
There’s also word the high-revving four-cylinder 250 is supposed to make close to 50 hp, although the engine itself is allegedly unchanged.
Why go to all this trouble for an “entry-level” bike? Simple. While North Americans often poo-poo 250s (enlightened CMG readers aside, of course!), the quarter-litre class is considered more than enough power in other markets. In some places, it’s the biggest bike that riders can afford, due to insurance and licencing regulations. In other places, it’s the biggest bike that riders are allowed.
So Kawasaki built this screaming small-capacity sportbike, and now Kawi’s built a spec series around the bike, which was supposed to start in Japan this year. Of course, that may not happen (thanks again, COVID-19, you bastard!), but this bike is intended to promote that program. It also shows just how cool this platform is, so get used to it — hard as it may be to believe, bikes like this are a big part of the future of international roadracing.
Not bringing this bike to N/A is an excellent example of why the industry is struggling here. This is a perfect example of a very exciting bike that could invigorate the market and the brand ,, hell maybe even a whole new generation ,, my mind is swimming !! I still think it could or should have been a triple ! especially from Kawi ,, oh well one can hope .
It becomes complex (expensive) to make different bikes equally competitive. Even in World Superbike they have to play with rev limits every year to attempt to level the playing field. The only truly equal racing is everyone on exactly the same bike, each rider does their own suspension settings, thats it. Racing in North America is on life support already, Covid is going to decimate sponsorship even more. C
Spec. series for here too, please !
Are you listening Canadian Kawasaki ?
They were barely able to figure out the 300 series a few years ago and they already had the bikes.