Kawasaki launches three new superbikes

Kawasaki Motors have finally revealed their 1,441cc superbike ZZR1400 ABS, touted as the King of all sport bikes.

The launch took place at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur recently in conjunction with the NST/Maybank COTY2U Autoshow 2011.

The metallic spark black superbike was launched at exactly 3.33pm (as number 3 coincides perfectly with the launch of three bikes) by Kawasaki Motors (M)  Sdn Bhd executive chairman Raja Dato’ Hanipuddin Bin Raja Dato’ Nong Chik.

A crowd of over 300 people swarmed the  ZZR1400 ABS along with two other models – the metallic magnesium grey 1,043cc Versys 1000 and the metallic dark green 773cc W800.

The ZZR1400 ABS weighs 268 kg and produces a maximum power of 147.2 kW (200 PS) at the rate of 10,000 rpm (S.E. Asia) with a maximum torque of 162.5 Nm at the rate of 7,500 rpm (S.E.Asia).

Among its key features, the new bike sports stronger, longer swingarm, increased rigidity of steering head, sportier suspension and lightweight wheels.

The ZZR1400 ABS is directly descended from the original Ninja and is priced at RM99,000 and it  will be marketed in January next year.  Versys 1000 priced at RM75,000 and expected to hit the market next month December and the W800 priced at RM58,000 will be available by next week.

The attractive pricing for the three superbikes is set to bring a lot of enthusiasm and excitement to superbike fans.

“There are not many big bikes around as everybody is driving. Nowadays you can see that there are a lot of choices in the market such as the European makes. We believe the overall superbike quantity will go up but it is good that we provide a good spread of choice to the Malaysian public with our launch of the three new superbikes,“ said Jeffrey Lim Chee Sing, general manager of Kawasaki Motors (M) Sdn Bhd.

“The  most important factor for the sales of superbikes is financing so if the financiers are willing to support two-wheeled financing then it will help the industry to grow much faster. We work with CIMB, now we are working with Maybank and we hope to work with as many banks as posssible because by having the banking support, then the industry will grow.”

On the number of units expected to sell, Ooi Choon Beng, manager of sales department (CBU) said that they do not have a particular target and their priority is to provide urban mobility to our existing customers who wish to upgrade.

“Nowadays our concern is basically the jam on the road which is quite bad. You can imagine the number of hours spent on the road and the most importantly, here is what we can provide our customers with – urban mobility,” said Ooi.

“All the three units are CBU. The launch today is the first in Asia and followed by another in Milan. The first shipment of 20 units of the W800 model has already arrived so we will be sending them out to our dealers by next week. We expect to receive the first batch of Versys 1000 by middle of next month and the ZZR1400 ABS in January 2012,”

“We will be conducting a roadshows in the country by next week to all our big bike (CBU) dealers using the models at the launch for our customers to view,”