2001 Kawasakis

The biggest news from Kawasaki for 2001 is the extensively updated ZRX1200R (top photo). The previous generation ZRX1100 was a good bike, but was really in need of some extra power. Kawasaki has done a complete redesign of the bike in an effort to make it more competitive in this booming segment of the market.

The displacement has been increased from 1052cc to 1164cc by increasing both the bore and stroke dimensions. The motor has a brand new cylinder head, cylinders and crankcase. It also features a new exhaust system, which on California models will feature a catalyzer - making the bike available in California for the first time. The clutch has also been redesigned to cope with the added power.

Kawasaki also made many improvements to the chassis in an effort to make it stiffer, and handle more responsively. In addition, a new wider 180/55ZR17 rear tire has been added, and is fitted to a wider 5.5-inch rim.

The ZRX1200R will have a MSRP of $7899 and will be available in early 2001. Available colors will be Candy Lime Green/Vivid Purple Mica, or Black Pearl/Metallic Blue Violet.

Also new for 2001 is a new entry level bike called the Eliminator 125 (second from top). It’s an air-cooled 124cc SOHC single-powered cruiser. The little Eliminator has the lowest seat height of any Kawasaki streetbike. This combined with its light-weight (282 pounds) should make it a great bike for first time buyers. It will not, however, be available to the California market.

Kawasaki also updated the ZR-7, which is now called the ZR-7S (second from bottom). The bike was introduced last year as an inexpensive standard, and receives a new look via the addition of an upper fairing, redesigned instrument cluster, headlight and mirrors. The bike will be available in Candy Persimmon Red, and carries a MSRP of $5999.

From the dirt side is the new KX85 (bottom photo), which has a claimed 10 percent increase in horsepower over the previous KX80. The improvements come from a slight increase in displacement, in addition to a redesigned cylinder head, crankshaft, and piston. Suspension improvements include stiffer springs front and rear to help eliminate bottoming-out. The KX85 has been restyled to resemble its bigger brothers - the KX125, and KX250, MSRP is $3199.