Axel Bassani to Join KRT

Axel Bassani has been confirmed as a Kawasaki Racing Team rider for the 2024 season and beyond. He will join established KRT rider Alex Lowes to complete the team’s line up for next season on the official Ninja ZX-10RR.
Bassani (24) is one of the most exciting talents to rise from inside the WorldSBK paddock in recent years. He has amassed six podium finishes since he made the jump to WorldSBK racing in 2021, finishing ninth overall that year and scoring his first podium at KRT’s home round of Barcelona – Catalunya, on his MotoCorsa Ducati.
The ambitious and increasingly skilled Bassani would score three podiums the next season as he finished seventh overall. He was the top competitor in the Independent Riders’ standings in 2022, beating his closest opposition by over 100 points.
At time of writing he is fifth in the overall WorldSBK standings in 2023, and easily the best Independent Rider with two rounds to go.
His relative youth and obvious talent has made him an attractive proposition for many teams and with Jonathan Rea leaving the KRT set-up for 2024, Bassani was seen as the best prospect to be teamed up with Alex Lowes for a full campaign next year.
Bassani has scored six WorldSBK podiums already and is looking forward to having his first ride on the official KRT Ninja ZX-10RR machine once his contract with his current team expires.
Axel Bassani, stated: “I'm really happy for the important opportunity that Kawasaki is offering me. I will give the best of myself on and off the track to achieve the best possible results, hoping to give all the Kawasaki fans great emotions and satisfaction! I want to thank my family for the sacrifices made and Lorenzo Mauri for the path we have taken together which has allowed me to stand out in recent years. See you soon on the track.”
Guim Roda, Team Manager of KRT, stated: “Our 2024 strategy was set months ago, but Rea's move made us rethink the organisational logic at KRT. We spoke internally with KMC and the decision was to take a younger rider with the potential to win races and who knew how to take advantage of all the KRT experience. His image is fresh, sincere, fun and has a lot of potential to represent Kawasaki's image in the world. Alex Lowes will now need to apply all of his experience, while Axel will have a bit of time to learn. We are very happy with the structure we have proposed for 2024 and we are very motivated to enjoy racing and take advantage of the best aspects of the Ninja ZX-10RR. I hope the fans enjoy next season with this latest project we are working on.”
Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Motors Europe, Race Planning Manager, stated: “While we continue to compete for wins and podiums in the remaining races of the 2023 season with Jonathan and Alex, already the Kawasaki Racing Team is long-term planning for next season. It is almost impossible to express the impact that Jonathan has had within the Kawasaki racing family and as he leaves us at the end of the season there is a golden opportunity for a rider new to our racing project to make an impression. We are delighted to have signed Axel and our feeling is that his impressive track record so far is only a small indication of his future potential. We look forward to realizing that potential and seeing him blossom on the KRT Ninja ZX-10RR.”
Shigemi Tanaka, General Manager of Marketing and Sales Division, Kawasaki Motors Ltd., Japan, concluded: “Our WorldSBK racing project has achieved multiple manufacturer and rider World Championships in recent years; first with Tom Sykes and then thanks to Jonathan Rea. The news that Jonathan will move elsewhere in 2024 signifies the end of one incredible chapter and the beginning of another in Kawasaki’s illustrious racing history. The global Kawasaki family welcomes the news that Axel Bassani joins the KRT racing project for the coming season and we are confident that, in partnership with Alex Lowes, we will once again field two exciting and success hungry riders on our iconic Ninja machinery in the 2024 WorldSBK Championship.”
2024 Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki livery unveiled at Motorcycle Live!

The official Kawasaki British Superbike team, Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki, unveiled their 2024 livery today on the opening day of Motorcycle Live. Riders Jason O’Halloran and Max Cook were present in front of a large crowd on the Kawasaki stand.
2024 will be the first time that Australian rider O’Halloran will ride for Kawasaki, but the 26-time British Superbike race winner has already got his first taste of the Ninja ZX-10RR at a positive shakedown test last month. Joining the experienced Aussie will be Cook, who remains with the team following an impressive debut Superbike season in 2023.
The team welcome new title sponsor Completely Motorbikes for 2024, alongside AJN Steelstock, with both brands featuring prominently on the FS-3 Racing prepared Kawasaki. The team have continued with the popular retro-inspired livery for next year, mirroring the special Ninja 40th anniversary edition of the road-going Ninja ZX-10R, which will be available from Kawasaki dealers from January.
“The retro scheme has always gone down incredibly well with race fans, so that, combined with the fact customers can now purchase a ZX-10R in similar colours, meant it made sense to continue with this theme for 2024. It’s a stunning look and one that stands out incredibly well on track, and we can’t wait for it to do so once again in 2024, hopefully at the front of the pack!”
Tracker announced as the Title Sponsor of the Kawasaki British Superteen series

Kawasaki UK is excited to be welcoming the UK’s leading stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) specialist, Tracker Network U.K., as the Title Sponsor of the all-new one-make series, the Tracker Kawasaki British Superteen Championship.
First announced in July, the series is designed to provide a valuable stepping stone for young riders, with each entrant racing the all-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR. After a series of test sessions at the final rounds of the British Superbike Championship, combined with rave reviews of the bike in the press, grid spots are filling up fast ahead of the opening round at Oulton Park in May.
Alongside prominent branding on each Superteen bike, in turn raising awareness of its offering to the next generation of riders, Tracker has also become an official partner of Kawasaki UK. This exciting collaboration enables all new Kawasaki owners to purchase Tracker Vantage – the ultimate defence in the event of bike theft – through their local Genuine Kawasaki dealer.
Tracker Vantage boasts integrated GPS technology supported nationwide by UK police forces. In addition to its unique police partnership, Tracker offers its customers a wide range of security features including geofence alert, bike down safety feature and movement alert. Customers choosing to equip their new Kawasaki with Tracker Vantage will also enjoy lower premiums when purchasing through Kawasaki Insurance.
Mark Rose, Managing Director at Tracker:
“We have been protecting riders for decades against the risk of theft. Our stolen vehicle recovery solutions won’t prevent a bike from being stolen but it will significantly improve the chances of it being quickly located by the police and returned to its rightful owner. We are thrilled to not only have this opportunity to showcase our brand to track side enthusiasts during the series but also partner with Kawasaki UK to safeguard its customers.”
Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK:
“We are delighted to welcome Tracker as the title partner of our new series and also to Kawasaki UK. We are really excited about the Superteen Championship in 2024 and look forward to seeing a packed grid of riders all on board our Ninja ZX-4RR machines with the Tracker logo sitting pride of place on each bike. We also fully endorse their fantastic SVR solution, which will be available to purchase with your new Kawasaki at every genuine dealer.”
Kawasaki Ninja and Z EV models Spark a New Era
From Kawasaki – a company with seventy years of motorcycle experience – a new era is about to dawn with the unveiling of two ground breaking battery powered, zero emission EV machines set to underline its “Go with Green Power” commitment unveiled at the 2022 EICMA motorcycle show.

Created to sit proudly within the 125cc class of current motorcycles, the new Kawasaki EV machines will be available in Ninja and Z family styles as Z e-1 and Ninja e-1 with both able to boast mid-capacity type chassis and running gear specifications delivering typical Kawasaki fun to ride characteristics mated to zero emission desirability.
With a near silent and efficient brushless motor rated at 5kw (with a useful maxim of 9Kw on demand) this duo of EV models rely on an innovative twin (removable) battery solution with the batteries wired in parallel unlike competitors delivering the advantage of more efficient charge usage. Enjoying a variety of charging options this twin battery configuration allows the sort of portability that heavy single item applications simply prohibit.


Clutchless, with no gears to change and with a simple “twist and go” riding style, the fun to ride feeling is augmented by some clever rider-centric features such as two riding modes (Road and Eco) plus an exciting “e-boost” option delivering an on-demand max of 9kw of power and acceleration (plus a potential top speed of 99kph where permitted) over a short distance thanks to a e-boost button on the right bar under the twist grip.
Kawasaki Z e-1 and Ninja e-1 riders can also amaze their friends with a walk mode that allows these machines to manoeuvre at walking pace in both forward AND reverse – particularly useful for tight parking spots or moving backwards up an incline.
Enjoying a unique Metallic Bright Silver and Metallic Matte Lime Green appearance – which is to be the signature livery of future Kawasaki EV models – the rider view is pleasingly dominated by a TFT meter with smartphone connectivity. Relaying such things as machine riding status, range, availability of boost function and riding level selected (Road or Eco), the TFT meter seamlessly combines with the easy-to-use throttle and 400cc motorcycle class ABS brakes and trellis type chassis to create genuine on road presence and the riding reassurance that has so far been missing in the entry level EV powered two-wheeler class.
Charging options include a charge docking station which a battery can be placed in or via a lead which can link the off-board charger unit to the machine via an under-seat socket with batteries still in place. Cool features about the advanced Li-Ion batteries include inbuilt charge indicators plus a symmetrical design allowing easier placement within the machine plus a handy lockable stowage area above the batteries below the battery cover.
With a range of accessories including +30mm Ergo-Fit seats and various charging solutions, the naked Sugomi style Z e-1 and sleek fully cowled Ninja e-1 models from Kawasaki are set to create another chapter in the company’s illustrious history and open the door to a greener future for two-wheel fans globally – truly a spark of innovation for a new era.
Both machines will arrive in the UK next month, with prices to be confirmed soon.

GSX-8S NAMED AS THE MCN NAKED BIKE OF THE YEAR 2023

Launched alongside the new V-Strom 800DE at Eicma in 2022, the GSX-8S is a brand new bike in every sense, featuring an all-new parallel twin engine, new chassis layout and futuristic styling. A tubular steel subframe, aluminium swingarm, 43mm upside down front forks and rear shock from KYB, lightweight aluminium wheels, and wide aluminium ‘bars provide the perfect blend of stable roadholding, agility and all round manoeuvrability.
At the heart of the 8S is the long-stroke 776cc twin providing punchy torque with three rider modes to match the rider's style and a bi-directional quickshifter allowing for crisp changes. The patented cross-balancer system and 270-degree crank ensure that the GSX-8S suppresses vibrations creating a smooth riding experience, while also delivering a V-twin esque character and feel, while the 5-inch colour TFT dash, aggressive looks and agile handling complete what MCN have dubbed “the new middleweight king”.
Celebrating 70 Years of Kawasaki motorcycles



In September of 2023, Kawasaki Motors celebrates its 70th anniversary of making motorcycles having first made forays into the motorcycle business in 1953.
After the end of World War II, Kawasaki produced motorcycle engines under the name of “Kawasaki Machine Works.” Since then, Kawasaki has continued to Let the Good Times Roll and has strived to share its “Fun to Ride” philosophy with customers around the world. Today, Kawasaki motorcycles are sold in more than 90 countries and regions.
To commemorate Kawasaki Motorcycles’ 70-year anniversary, AKM (American Kawasaki Motors) will mount a special exhibition to be held at the AKM Heritage Hall in Foothill Ranch, California as well as Kawasaki Good Times World in Kobe, Japan starting in September 2023. The displays will focus on the history of the motorcycle business in the U.S. market, which marked a major turning point in Kawasaki's overseas trading strategy.
Kawasaki’s path to success in the motorcycle industry, which began with the launch of the KE-1 motorcycle engine in 1953, was not a smooth one. Several efforts were made to try to expand sales, including working with trading companies to expand to overseas markets, in addition to a business alliance and subsequent merger with the Meguro Manufacturing Company. However, each of these efforts failed to produce the sales results that the Kawasaki factory in Japan had hoped for.
It was decided that selling directly to dealers would be the better business model, so in 1966 American Kawasaki Motors (USA) was established. Kawasaki’s US operations began with only 10 employees and adopted an innovative policy of “localism” before going on to develop motorcycles like the Kawasaki A1 Samurai 250, Kawasaki H1 500 Mach III and iconic Kawasaki Z1 900 for the U.S. market. Early on, Kawasaki USA launched a new kind of sales policy aimed at expansion that included the industry's first model year system and worked to strengthen relationships with dealers by setting up branches in every region of the U.S., thereby consolidating its base in the U.S. market.
In 1974, Kawasaki made a $20 million investment to build a manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska to be in-line with a coming shift to a floating exchange rate in the U.S. In fact, Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant became the first plant built by any Japanese car or motorcycle manufacturer in the U.S. It remains Kawasaki’s main plant outside of Japan to this day. It is where all Kawasaki Jet Ski personal watercraft and side by are still manufactured today.
Kawasaki started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies.
Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. is committed to maintaining and furthering these strengths using both internal combustions engines and green technologies such as EV and HEV which will surely give birth to new legends.






Kawasaki UK announce exciting new British Superteen class for 2024!

After the highly popular unveil of the all-new Ninja ZX-4RR, Kawasaki UK is pleased to announce that it will be launching an all-new one-make series, the Kawasaki British Superteen Championship. The series will feature as part of the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship calendar, giving young riders a chance to race in front of huge crowds at the best circuits in the UK.
New 2024 Ninja ZX-4RR due in September
Following a universally enthusiastic reception when recently announced, the new for 2024 Ninja ZX-4RR is due to arrive in the UK in September 2023 with dealers already anticipating strong demand and many already taking pre-orders.
Available in one colour (Lime Green / Ebony), the all-LED lighting equipped mid-weight street and track machine is rated at an incredible maximum with Kawasaki Ram Air of 80ps at 14,500 rpm while the rev limit itself lays beyond an incredible 15,000rpm.
As the only full-fairing supersport model in the 400cc class with a parallel four-cylinder engine, dealers are gearing up for demand for the high spec machine equipped with a WorldSBK inspired chassis and full-colour LCD screen integrating a track mode that displays lap times, gear position, and RPM from 10,000 rpm and above. KTRC (Kawasaki Traction Control) and Power Modes also feature, along with a dual direction KQS (Kawasaki Quick Shifter).
Augmenting the already impressive Ninja family for 2024 – while adding yet more choice in the popular mid-capacity sector – the unique in class Ninja ZX-4RR will certainly deliver Kawasaki’s tag line for the model to a legion of lucky owners in the 2024 sales season – “Awaken Your Supersport”.
Due to customer demand, the UK will only be importing the ZX-4RR, and to ensure it is as accessible to as many riders as possible, the incredible machine will cost just £8,699.
Team Green Podium Delight At 2023 Isle of Man TT!
The 2023 Isle of Man TT proved to be an incredible fortnight of racing on the island, and for Kawasaki and Team Green, it was a resounding success with podiums coming across race week at the hands of Dean Harrison, Jamie Coward and Josh Brookes.
With glorious weather gracing the Isle of Man throughout the TT festival, lap times quickly tumbled, and for DAO Racing and Dean Harrison, practice week gave them plenty of time to get the ZX-10RR Superbike and Superstock machines dialled into the challenging 37.73-mile circuit. Having already had three rounds of BSB under his belt and a successful week at the North West 200, Dean was able to hit the ground running.
He continued that pace into race week, where he was able to claim third place in the Superbike TT before replicating that in both Superstock races. In the blue-riband Senior TT, Dean immediately got his head down to set a fantastic pace, eventually securing second place to make it a 100% podium success rate for the team.
The Team Green success did not end there, though. The two Supertwin TT races proved to be edge-of-the-seat action, with Jamie Coward claiming a hard-earned third place in the opening race, while Josh Brookes claimed his maiden TT podium in race two. This was an impressive feat from the returning Australian rider, who only sat on the RC Express Racing Ninja 650 machine for the first time in practice week!
Kawasaki Motors UK continue support for Rob Vine Fund at the Isle of Man TT

Ahead of the Senior TT race tomorrow, Kawasaki Motors UK has made a donation to the Rob Vine Fund, a charity organisation that provides training and essential medical and rescue equipment to doctors and paramedics involved in all forms of motorsport on the Isle of Man.
New Kawasaki Eliminator for Europe in 2024
The Eliminator brand makes a welcome return to the Kawasaki motorcycle model range in Europe for 2024 with a totally new model and concept called the Eliminator with the tag line “Just Ride”.


In a nod to previous Eliminator models, the 2024 machine has a tail unit reflecting the heritage of the brand family while twin rear shock absorbers aid the “traditional meets modern” look. Offering a natural and relaxed riding position and conceived to be passenger friendly, the Eliminator rider can rely on all-digital instrumentation plus the welcome incorporation of an assist and slipper clutch.
Focussing on what Kawasaki terms its “Horizontal” design approach, the full 2024 Eliminator specification will soon be revealed – along with many genuine accessory items – but two colour options have been confirmed; the first option being Metallic Flat Spark Black and the second Metallic Matte Carbon Gray with Flat Ebony.
It’s said that the best things come to those that wait, so potential Eliminator customers need to hold their breath just a little longer for the full facts to emerge regarding this welcome new addition to the Kawasaki cruiser stable. The Eliminator will be available from January 2024, with a guide price between £6,600 and £6,800.

SUZUKI ROLLS OUT 'CLICK TO BUY' ON 125CC SCOOTER RANGE
Suzuki has rolled out a new ‘click-to-buy’ scheme on its 125cc scooter range, giving customers the opportunity to buy online via the official Suzuki website, with orders fulfilled by their local dealership.
Making the buying process quicker and simpler, the scheme is available on the newly-launched Address 125, Avenis 125, and the Burgman Street 125EX, with just a £99 deposit required.

Hitting the ‘click-to-buy’ option from the respective model page or by visiting buy.bikes.suzuki.co.uk, customers enter their postcode before selecting their preferred colour option, after which they will be prompted to choose their nearest dealership with their choice of model and colour in stock and available.
Once the customer has added their details and payment information for the £99 deposit, the order will be fulfilled by the dealership in the usual way.

All three of Suzuki’s new 125cc scooters are engineered to provide comfort, practicality, and outstanding urban performance while also delivering excellent levels of economy and efficiency, but they do so in their own way and with their own style, giving customers the option to enjoy their city, their way.
They are powered by the proven Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) engine; the air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant that currently powers over five million Suzuki models worldwide. All three scooters allow customers to ‘go further on a fiver’ by achieving an impressive 148.67mpg* fuel consumption figure and produce just 44g/km of CO2 emissions. At the same time, they still deliver powerful acceleration, with peak horsepower and maximum torque delivered at low rpm.
For more information on Suzuki’s scooter range, click here.
*Official WMTC figure.
Ultimate touring record achieved: 15 countries in 22 hours with the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE






What seemed an unattainable record, has been achieved with the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE. On Saturday, May 20, Thierry Sarasyn visited 15 countries* in one day with Kawasaki's adventure-touring motorcycle. It took the Belgian barely 22 hours to cover the 2200 km adhering to the local traffic regulations of each country visited.
Podium Delight For Kawasaki at the North West 200!



The 2023 North West 200 proved a successful weekend for Kawasaki, with Dean Harrison claiming three podiums in the Superbike and Superstock classes while Richard Cooper doubled up on Supertwin victories.
Kawasaki UK announces Motorcycle Live Ninja 400 winner!



Last year, Kawasaki once again partnered with the annual Motorcycle Live show to give one lucky visitor a chance to win a brand-new Ninja 400. With the competition closing in February, Kawasaki is pleased to announce Jason Evans as the winner, collecting his new bike from Drayton Croft over the weekend.
The multiple-choice question saw thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts enter for their chance to win the championship-winning Ninja 400, including first registration fee, 12 months road tax, a number plate and insurance worth up to £250, courtesy of Kawasaki Insurance.
The winner was then picked at random from the correct entries, with Jason Evans being the lucky recipient! Having ridden for 32 years, this will be Jason’s first Kawasaki and he is excited to be joining the Ninja fold this summer. “I still can’t quite believe I was so lucky! I’ve been riding since I was 17 and this is going to be my first time owning a Kawasaki myself – although my wife has a Z650 and my dream bike growing up was a Ninja, so I’ve always been a fan.
I remember entering the competition after visiting the show last year, but I’ll be honest, I really didn’t think I would get lucky. So much so, that I still wasn’t completely convinced when Craig Watson, the Sales & Marketing Manager from Kawasaki first told me I was the lucky winner! It’s incredible to win such a stunning bike and it’s a fantastic addition to my garage.
I’m going to be using it throughout the summer for sure. I’ve got a fair bit of riding planned, including a trip to the Isle of Man TT, MotoGP at Silverstone and hopefully some British and World Superbike races too.”
Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK:
“We had an amazing response to our Motorcycle Live competition, and it was fantastic to offer one lucky winner the chance to get their hands on a new Ninja 400. It’s great that Jason has already started making plans on how he will use the bike, and we look forward to hopefully seeing him at an event later in the year!”