Kwak counters VStrom

[wkid_one]

From www.motorcyclenews.com


Kawasaki is launching a rival for Honda's Varadero and Suzuki's V-Strom.

The KLV1000 uses a 90-degree V-twin 996cc fuel-injected engine making close to 100bhp in a twin-spar aluminium frame. Outside of cruisers, this is the first V-twin Kawasaki has offered, but it is essentially a re-badged Suzuki TL1000 engine, like the one used in the V-Strom.

The firm has close ties with Suzuki for bike development these days and other similarities between the new Kawasaki and the current Suzuki are clear to see. Click here to see the V-Strom.

In our next issue of MCN, out on Wednesday February 11, we'll bring you full details of the wide range of accessories Kawasaki will be making available for the bike, together with its arrival date in the UK and full technical spec.

The KLV1000's price has yet to be announced but the V-Strom costs around £7000 and it's unlikely the price of the Kawasaki will be much different.

The KLV weighs 208kg, has a 22-litre fuel tank, a three-way adjustable screen and an 840mm seat height.

[merv]

What do the people on here that are Kawasaki fans think of the fact that if you buy a Kawasaki its a Suzuki anyway? Or is it the subtle differences that they might do that you think still make them unique or better?

[Pickle]

What do the people on here that are Kawasaki fans think of the fact that if you buy a Kawasaki its a Suzuki anyway? Or is it the subtle differences that they might do that you think still make them unique or better?

Its still a suzuki, like the DRZ400/ KLX400 and the new KXF250 and the new quads. There is no difference except for the name on the tank and the colour of the bike so you have to check who is giving you the best deal. Now thats from a one eyed Kwak

[What?]

It's nothing new in the car world. One car, five badges, just so you can sell a mazda to a died-in-the-wool ford fan.
With the exception of a few communist state manufacturers, it may be fair to say that all the manufacturers put out good product, and they have also all made some crap.
Goes to show what a wank brand loyalty is, I reckon.

[Hitcher]

What do the people on here that are Kawasaki fans think of the fact that if you buy a Kawasaki its a Suzuki anyway? Or is it the subtle differences that they might do that you think still make them unique or better?

They're doing it with cruisers as well. Spot the differences between the Suzuki 1600 Marauder and the Kawasaki 1600 Mean Streak... (The Suzuki has the nicer arse)

You can fool some of the people some of the time... Although this sort of rebadging seems to fool Australians -- Nissans rebadged as Fords and Holdens rebadged as Toyotas (and vice versa). Makes you wonder why they bother...

[Rainbow Wizard]

Man those things have gotta be the most prolific on the roads in France, they look great, are obviously exceedingly popular, and come in a good range of sizes. Maybe Honda can't keep up with the european demand for them?

[unhingedlizard]

performance bikes did a review on the TL1000s recently, they reckoned the Kwaker was merely a rebadged Vstrom and for some reason costs 40 pounds more?

[cowpoos]

Its still a suzuki, like the DRZ400/ KLX400 and the new KXF250 and the new quads. There is no difference except for the name on the tank and the colour of the bike so you have to check who is giving you the best deal. Now thats from a one eyed Kwak

You are wrong... new kxf250 is all kawasaki and the quads are kawasaki...in the USA suz used kvf700 quad...with a new colour...but they now have their own 700.

Their used to be swaping games...and the drz-klx 400 is still part of that...kawasaki is buy TL1000 engines for new bike...coz suzki has a stock pile of the bastards that it can't really use as the make fuck all power under euro 2 [current...why sv is guttless] and euro 3 [coming in soon and going to be interesting for tl engined bikes] cagiva has stopped using them in the rapters because under euro 3 they will be making less power than they do now.