When a Kawasaki is actually a Suzuki.

**inlinefour** · 22nd July 2006, 00:33

Well before I was looking at buying the DRZ400 I was looking at them and the KLX400 in the local dealer, which just so happened to be the agent for both manufacturers. One of the sales blokes actually said to me the first time I was looking that the KLX was actually the same as a DRZ. He then told me to look at the ID plate on the KLX's frame. Sure enough on there was clearly printed made by Suzuki. I had a bit of a laugh and must admit I liked the KLX more. Reciently I have been looking for a bigger tank for the DRZ I brought second hand at a price too good to refuse (if anyone has info on long range tanks I'd appreciate it). I came accross this site:

http://www.klxzone.co.uk/klx_400_new.html

Nothing really new when it comes to motorvehicles as car manufacturers have been making cars together and putting their respective logos onto the end result. I see there are actually suttle differences in the two bikes, but they are pretty much the same. I like the green more myself, but have ended up with the custard yellow. I wonder what other bikes have been a result of the manufacturers getting together to build? Not much of a ground breaking topic, but its something I've been thinking about for awhile. I imagine that a few brandwhores could be mighty upset if they found out their pride and joy was not in fact a 100% what they actually thought it was...

**onearmedbandit** · 22nd July 2006, 00:36

The relationship between Kawasaki and Suzuki is well over though.

The TL engine has ended up in a lot of different bikes, bit different to what you're getting at though.

**skidMark** · 22nd July 2006, 00:44

as long as my kawasaki has nothing to do with honda ill cope

**Bonez** · 22nd July 2006, 08:15

Originally Posted by markauckland

as long as my kawasaki has nothing to do with honda ill cope

ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US!

**Motu** · 22nd July 2006, 09:15

Green and yellow? Simillar thing with my Fluke Scopemeter - they are made by Phillips and marketed in europe as Bosch.Fluke are yellow,Bosch are green.

**thehollowmen** · 22nd July 2006, 11:56

I was sad that it was over, I'd been given a better quote on the Kawasaki verson of the DL1000 and was going to get it.
poopy

**inlinefour** · 22nd July 2006, 14:14

Originally Posted by markauckland

as long as my kawasaki has nothing to do with honda ill cope

Anything too powerfull would definitely be far too much for you to handle and yes we are aware that you'd not cope with that. Never mind mate, maybe once you have grown up that might change eh?

**XTC** · 22nd July 2006, 14:25

Go to www.safaritanks.com

They do a 28Litre for the DRZ/KLX400.
Retail in aus $650 from R&V Aqualine Industries
Email: Enquiries@rvaqualine.com.au

Andy.

**inlinefour** · 22nd July 2006, 14:42

Originally Posted by XTC

Go to www.safaritanks.com

They do a 28Litre for the DRZ/KLX400.
Retail in aus $650 from R&V Aqualine Industries
Email: Enquiries@rvaqualine.com.au

Andy.

Bling sent.

I've ordered and are waiting to hear back from them. Mint, not cheap,

but well worth it for what I want...

**XTC** · 22nd July 2006, 16:36

Glad I could help. Found there ad in the TBAM magazine.

**inlinefour** · 25th July 2006, 19:51

Originally Posted by XTC

Glad I could help. Found there ad in the TBAM magazine.

Costing me $600-00 aussie dollars and will take 2 weeks to get here. Im going to love not having to carry an extra fuel container and goto places that I might not have because of how much fuel I carry. I suspect I will do a bit of wondering on my next lot of time off should the tank arrive before the 14th of August. Anyone got any good ideas of where I should go, have 5 days, North Island only.

**Bob** · 26th July 2006, 00:02

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

The relationship between Kawasaki and Suzuki is well over though.

The TL engine has ended up in a lot of different bikes, bit different to what you're getting at though.

Suzuki (and Yamaha at least) selling their engines to other companies to use has been going on for years. Pretty sure Hyosung started out buying Suzuki engines before building their own version.

As for the relationship between Suzuki and Kawsaki - as you say, they have now cancelled it (think, off the top of my head, it was cancelled last year sometime).

But the interesting thing as regards what the dealer said... is that he hasn't got it quite right! What Kawasaki and Suzuki initially had was an agreement to "commonise parts" to save on expense. I believe this was mainly utlised in the trailbike sector.

They only produced one "genuine" same bike - Suzuki's V-Strom is the same as the Kawasaki KLV1000, except for colour and badge. I think the general reaction to this was bewilderment on the part of the public - the V-Strom continues to be made but the KLV1000 didn't shift units and has been dropped (from the UK range anyway).

**Zukin** · 26th July 2006, 09:23

Originally Posted by inlinefour

Costing me $600-00 aussie dollars and will take 2 weeks to get here. Im going to love not having to carry an extra fuel container and goto places that I might not have because of how much fuel I carry. I suspect I will do a bit of wondering on my next lot of time off should the tank arrive before the 14th of August. Anyone got any good ideas of where I should go, have 5 days, North Island only.

When are you looking at going?

**pritch** · 26th July 2006, 10:51

Originally Posted by inlinefour

Anyone got any good ideas of where I should go, have 5 days, North Island only

That "North Island" should take care of the impolite suggestions...

There's the road from Murupara to Waikaremoana and Wairoa if your looking for scenic metalled road. It might be nicer to stay at Waikaremoana than Wairoa. (Not that I've got nothing against Wairoa...)

What about the Gentle Annie? It's supposed to be tough at any time, could be ridiculous in winter. You would need to be absolutely self sufficient..

**Zukin** · 26th July 2006, 11:20

Originally Posted by pritch008

That "North Island" should take care of the impolite suggestions...

There's the road from Murupara to Waikaremoana and Wairoa if your looking for scenic metalled road. It might be nicer to stay at Waikaremoana than Wairoa. (Not that I've got nothing against Wairoa...)

What about the Gentle Annie? It's supposed to be tough at any time, could be ridiculous in winter. You would need to be absolutely self sufficient..

I would like to think that the roads you described are the other way around?

Gentle annie is now a walk in the park?
There is not allot of gravel left now, more on the Taihape side than on the Napier Side.
Still a very scenic drive.
Take a detour up comet road, goes up for about 5kms, narrow and winding, watch for cars and deer

I love the Waikaremoana road, it would be a great rally stage, but it is a SH so no good