Suzuki rolls out ‘click-to-buy’ on 125cc scooter range

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.

This wasn’t Sarasyn’s first record attempt. Last year he rode through 13 countries in one day. “After the Italian Valerio Boni’s achievement in 2021, this was the second officially registered Touring record,” commented Sarasyn. “But there were rumours – especially online – about motorcyclists who had visited 14 countries in one day; and there’s even a video of a ride of 15 countries in 24 hours and 3 minutes. None of those attempts had been registered with a tracking device or were done in less than 24 hours. After the thirteen countries in one day, however, I had sworn I would never take on such an adventure again. But….”
 

Never say never

Opinions can change, though.  “When I got the chance to ride the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE, I saw it as an opportunity to set things straight once and for all. A ride through 15 countries, registered by an official tracking system as well as respecting traffic rules and enough rest along the way.”
 
The comfort and touring capabilities of the Versys combined with the experience gained last year, made the adventure a success. Saturday May 20th at 7:59 p.m. Sarasyn rode across the border into the Netherlands, just under 22 hours after starting in Poland. “That was better than I had ever dared to hope, especially since they closed a tunnel on the Austrian border. I was stuck there for over an hour”, the Belgian stated.
 

Experience

“With the experience of 2022, I was able to avoid the bottlenecks I found on my route back then. Moreover, with the Kawasaki Versys 1000, I now had greater autonomy and amazing comfort. To state that I could have ridden much further would be stretching the truth, but I was less tired than last year. With over 400 km extra on the odometer, two more countries visited and almost three hours more in the saddle…this was enough for me. But it seemed like the Versys 1000 was hungry for more. If I have a fitting idea, I might hop back in the saddle. In the meantime, I am very happy that I was able to accomplish this feat. It hardly seems feasible to safely visit more countries in one day. This is a record that may be here for quite some time to come.”
 

Partners

Without renowned partners, such as Kawasaki Benelux, Motul Oil and Bridgestone, the Belgian would never have been able to set up this adventure. “When Thierry approached me to try and break his own record with the Versys 1000 SE, I immediately jumped at the opportunity,” says Frank Zoontjes of Kawasaki Benelux. “We now know that when Thierry has an idea, he goes flat out and for this project the Versys 1000 SE was an eminently suitable motorcycle. It’s made for long adventurous journeys. There is no better proof than this record. No motorcycle can more appropriately carry this honour than the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE!”
 
* The countries he visited are: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Luxemburg, Belgium and The Netherlands. Check also https://thierry-sarasyn.legendstracking.com/

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.

The high-speed 8.9 mile ‘Triangle’ circuit is one of the fastest road races in the world, with riders reaching speeds in excess of 200mph, and for our Kawasaki riders, the 2023 North West 200 proved a great week of racing.

 

For DAO Racing Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison, the event is a chance to dial in his ZX-10RR Superbike and Superstock machines ahead of the legendary Isle of Man TT, which kicks off later this month. With strong pace throughout practice and qualifying, the Bradford-based rider claimed fourth place in the opening Superstock race on Thursday evening in a strong showing on his debut on the bike.

 

With glorious weather gracing race day on Saturday, and following some changes made since Thursday, Dean and the team were eager to improve their results. The opening Superbike race proved a thriller, with riders swapping places throughout, and Dean was able to claim his first podium of the week with third place.

 

In the second Superstock race, Dean was able to improve his position from Thursday night by again claiming third place, a feat he would repeat in the final Superbike race, completing a trio of well-earned podiums.

 

The success did not just come in the big bike categories, though. Despite it being a last-minute entry, Richard Cooper dominated the Supertwin class aboard his KMR Kawasaki. Claiming pole position in qualifying, the diminutive ‘Coops’ proved to be in a class of his own as he cruised to both race victories, setting a new lap record in the process. To cement a great weekend for Kawasaki, further Supertwin podiums came from Adam McLean and Paul Jordan, who took the maiden podium for the all-new Ninja 650!

 

Road Racing fans now just have two weeks to wait until the iconic Isle of Man comes alive with the sound of two wheels as the TT kicks off!

 

Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK:

“Although it looked like it might not go ahead at one point, the 2023 North West 200 was a great success, and it was fantastic to see our Kawasaki riders do so well. With three podiums, Dean and the DAO team have set themselves up perfectly for the TT and we are all really excited to see how they get on later this month.

 

It was also great to see Richard Cooper claim both Supertwin riders, while the first podium for the Ninja 650 showcases its versatility and performance.” 

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!” 

CMS and Kawasaki Racing Team extend their partnership

CMS has once again teamed up with the Kawasaki Racing Team, announcing a Sportive and Title Race Partnership for both the 2023 and 2024 WorldSBK seasons.

This weekend in Assen it will be the third WorldSBK Round of the season and the first European one. CMS as a Dutch company will appropriately be the title sponsors for the round to celebrate the renewed contract with Kawasaki’s official factory team.
 
CMS is a company leader in motorcycle discontinued spare parts supporting more than 36.000 bike models from 1959 onwards. Through the CMS website consumers can find more than 4.300.000 parts and the company delivers to 60 countries worldwide. The HQ based in Lelystad is the largest stock of such parts in Europe and the key to their success is the combination of easy online ordering and swift supply.
 
The Kawasaki team is one of the premier global Superbike squads, having won seven of the last ten World Championships and this new commitment also marks the seventh year of involvement for the Netherlands based company.
 
STATEMENTS:
 
Biel Roda (KRT Marketing Manager): “It is a pleasure to renew our relationship with CMSNL. CMS is a long-term partner for KRT and we share with the CMS management and staff a big passion for motorbikes. CMS deliver worldwide hard to find discontinued parts for heritage bikes including Kawasaki. In fact, lots of our KRT staff use CMS to source parts for their bikes. We love the fact that you can find everything you need there and, equally, we love extending our partnership for two more years.”
 
Eric Houben (Managing Director CMS): “CMS is proud to be part of the Kawasaki racing team and their sheer passion to get the best out of their material, their team to support their fanbase and a proud brand. Within CMS, every day we try to reach the same goals, get the best out of our people, have the best stock and only be satisfied with happy and satisfied customers.”
 
About CMS
Located in Lelystad, Netherlands, CMS has around 11,000 m2 of warehouse storage space. With their online store, you can find spare parts for classic models dating back to 1959. So, no matter what spare parts you are looking for, stay assured you will find it in the store.
 
Their commitment to quality and convenience sets them apart meaning CMS are better than any other online spare provider. CMS have a team of experts to help customers find exactly the right spare part. If you want a sneak peek in the CMS premises, we suggest you take a Virtual Tour. The tour will give you a great insight into how they work.
 
 

New Kawasaki motorcycle mat now available

Kawasaki riders can now take a step closer to the WorldSBK paddock with the announcement of a new, updated motorcycle floor mat.

Like the mats used by KRT, the official Kawasaki Racing Team, the new mat is ideal for not simply parking your pride and joy on, but it’s also able to handle accidental maintenance spills with an impressive water absorbency rate. 

Comprising a rubber type non-slip base topped with a synthetic surface that has a 5mm pile, the sturdy mat proudly displays the Kawasaki brand name plus the black and green colourway of KRT.

Measuring 100cm by 200cm, it’s also washable at 30 degrees to keep the factory appearance of your garage as pin sharp and on point as the Ninja ZX-10RR’s in the pit boxes of Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes.


Available as part of the 2023 Kawasaki Genuine Accessory range, now is the time to show your allegiance and to really pamper that special Kawasaki in your life.

SUZUKI SUMMER TEST RIDE ROADSHOW BACK FOR 2023

Suzuki GB will again embark on a test ride roadshow this summer, when it brings an additional fleet of demo machines to a number of dealerships nationwide. 

The first of 14 events will take place on the 1-2 of April at new Suzuki dealer Mo-Tech Suzuki, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, with a test ride fleet including the all-new V-Strom 800DE middleweight machine, powered by a new 776cc parallel twin and equipped with a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes including an off-road mode, plus switchable ABS. The list of demo machines also features the new V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE; which also feature a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes. The V-Strom 1050DE also gets switchable ABS and an off-road traction control mode. 

The summer’s list of demo machines also includes the GSX-S1000 and GSX-S950, as well as the GSX-S1000GT – the best-selling sports tourer of 2022 – the updated Katana, the Burgman 400 maxi scooter, and the iconic hyperbike, the Hayabusa.  

Joining the test ride fleet from the 8th April will also be the all-new GSX-8S which features a new 776cc parallel twin and equipped with a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes.  

(Note that bike availability will differ from one event to another. Customers are advised to speak to their local dealer in advance of the event to check availability and to pre-book.) 

Away from the test rides, Suzuki staff will be on hand to provide information on the firm’s full range of models and current offers and incentives. Additionally, individual dealerships will also provide extra entertainment and activities on the day, such as refreshments, special guests, offers on clothing and accessories, and motorcycle health checks.

Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “The test ride roadshows have become a staple part of our summer events’ calendar, and we’re looking forward to getting them underway again in 2023. Not only can potential customers try a rich variety of Suzuki machinery on the day, it is also a great opportunity for us to spend time talking with existing and potential customers to better understand their motorcycling needs and habits. We’re travelling the length and breadth of the country, and it’s set to be another busy summer of motorcycling.” 

For a full list of dates, see below, or visit the event’s calendar. 

SUZUKI LIVE RETURNS FOR 2023

Suzuki Live will return for 2023, with a full weekend of activity planned at Cadwell Park on 15-16 July, including track sessions, a new adventure bike zone, trade stands and displays, plus special guests.

Spread over both Saturday and Sunday, the event will again bring together track sessions for classic and modern machines, with novice, intermediate, and experienced groups available for pre and post-2000 Suzukis. There will also be a number of classic race bike parades across the two days.

A new adventure bike zone will give V-Strom owners the chance to take their bike off-road, as well as test ride the new V-Strom 1050DE and all-new V-Strom 800DE. The zone – free to enjoy over the weekend – will include expert tuition, a skills area, and a test ride loop through woodland and undulating terrain.

Out on the roads local to Cadwell Park, visitors will be able to test ride other models in Suzuki’s on-road range, including the new GSX-8S, GSX-S1000GT, GSX-S1000, and the iconic Hayabusa.

Joining in the fun will be the likes of three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds, former National Superstock 1000 champion Taylor Mackenzie, and former 500 Grand Prix racer and British champion Steve Parrish.

Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “Last year’s Suzuki Live event took place in glorious sunshine and was a spectacular day out for us and for everyone that joined. So much so, we couldn’t wait to extend it to a full weekend of track activity, parades, displays, and entertainment., and also add a new adventure bike zone. It’s going to be a full weekend of Suzuki-themed fun, and we’re excited to join our customers on road and track this summer.”

Track day sessions for the full weekend are available for £229, with race bike parade spots costing £199, and both all include camping and evening entertainment on Saturday night, which will feature trophy presentations, lively stories from the star guests, and a live band.

Traders and clubs can also book display space.

Places can be booked here.

Watch the video from the 2022 event, here.

ADSS97 Kawasaki announces star-studded World Endurance Line Up!

UK-based World Endurance team ADSS97 Kawasaki is upping the ante for 2023, announcing an exciting new rider line up of Chris Walker, Levi Day, Chris Platt and Craig Currie. All four riders will be competing on a freshly prepared Superstock spec Ninja ZX-10R. 

2023 will mark a big step forward for the ADSS97 Kawasaki team. After several seasons competing in the Endurance World Championship Superstock class, the squad are now setting their sights on success with its strongest line up to date.  

Spearheading the effort is Kawasaki legend Chris Walker, who will be returning to the competitive world of endurance racing for the first time in over two decades.  Joining him on the Ninja ZX-10R will be Australian rider Levi Day, who has enjoyed great success in the National Superstock class in the UK. Team owner and experienced rider Chris Platt completes the team, having ridden Kawasaki machinery in both the British and World Endurance Championships. Craig Currie is on hand as reserve rider for the season as well as competing on three wheels in the World Sidecar Championship and Isle of Man TT. 

The ADSS97 Kawasaki team truck will also be the K-Tech Suspension Service Centre for the entire EWC Paddock. 

Chris Walker:
“What an opportunity! To race within a team full of my pals on a proven bike, the ADSS97 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, and at the Le Mans 24hr again after a 24-year gap is mega! I had always hoped my career would head me back in the direction of endurance racing as it reached its latter years, having enjoyed it so much in the past, but it didn’t quite pan out. A few years in Sidecars and TriOptions Cup, coupled with old age and obesity, sent me down a different path, so I’ve been Zip testing for RST for a while now, but the chance to go and ride the 24hr EWC series in the stock class is something I couldn’t turn down. So with the help of a few of my old sponsors coming along and supporting the team, I’m back on track, back on a Kwak, back to Le Mans and back on a racers regime of training and eating properly. Testing starts in Spain in a matter of Days, and I can’t wait!” 

Levi Day:
“I’m really looking forward to the Endurance World Championship this year, and it’s something I’ve been keen to get into over the last few years. I’ve had the pleasure of doing Suzuka and an eight hour at Estoril a few years ago, so doing the three 24-hour races this year really excites me! It will be something very different to what I’m used to, but I will be working hard to do the best for the team, and I’m looking forward to teaming up with Chris Platt and Chris Walker on the ZX-10R and working together with the team to do our very best. There is a great crew involved, and I’m excited to get going!” 

Chris Platt:

“I’ve competed in all sorts of racing, but I have to say that Endurance is one of the friendliest and most supportive paddocks. After cutting our teeth with the UK No Limits Endurance series, we stepped into the EWC paddock in 2021 and have now raced four 24hr races with a 100% success rate! For 2023, with new bikes, the backing of K-Tech Suspension, a strong team structure and new riders with a great mixture of youth and experience, we’re taking the next step, and I can’t wait to get going!” 

Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK:
“The ADSS97 Kawasaki team have gone from strength to strength over the past few seasons, and we have been watching their progress closely. With a very strong rider line up this year, we are sure they will do a great job on the very competitive world stage.” 

2023 Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR focus on street appeal and racing success

Kawasaki is mounting a full-throttle approach to the 2023 sales season with a newly updated Ninja ZX-10R plus a radical tech change to the WorldSBK race and title winning Ninja ZX-10RR.

For the Ninja ZX-10R model so loved by both street riders and track day enthusiasts, many of the most recent updates remain in place with an impressive maximum power of 149.3 kW {203PS} available that is boosted to 156.8 kW {213PS} with the aid of Kawasaki’s world-famous Ram Air.

In terms of aerodynamics and WorldSBK derived technology, the ZX-10R retains its integrated winglets for increased downforce and cornering precision while the Kawasaki Racing Team developed air-cooled oil-cooler also remains in place.

An array of electronic rider aids – thanks to the integration of a Bosch IMU – cover all aspects of machine control including cornering management, S-KTRC sport traction control, launch control, integrated braking plus engine brake control and selectable power modes and an up-down quick shifter and electronic cruise control. Riders can also link their Smartphone to the colour TFT meter using Kawasaki ‘s own Rideology App. 

With an engine that includes finger follower valve actuation (tech shared with the KX450 motocross machine), the Ninja ZX-10R rider can rely on the smoothness and accuracy of electronic throttle valves while riding feedback and racer-like precision is delivered thanks to SHOWA’s BFF (Balance Free Front Fork) up front while rear suspension duties are covered by Horizontal Back-link Rear Suspension with Showa BFRC lite (Balance Free Rear Cushion).

For racers and race teams, the Ninja ZX-10RR has been a point of focus since its introduction and the big news for 2023 is the VAI or Variable Air Intake system. Fitted inside the airbox, the VAI system uses a set of movable intake funnels to alter the intake funnel height.  When the VAI funnels are raised, intake air bypasses the system for optimal high-rpm performance; when lowered, intake air passes through the taller intake funnels, for increased low-mid range performance.  Movement of the funnels is regulated by servos to maximise output at all rpm. 

As standard, the new ZX-10RR has the funnels set in a static upper position and for many riders this will be all they require. However, for racers competing in National and International Championships, the VAI system will be another welcome addition to the Ninja ZX-10RR spec that also includes Pankl precision engine parts, a higher rev limit than the standard Ninja ZX-10R and unique Marchesini wheels.

To activate the VAI feature, racing customers will require certain racing kit parts including a race-kit ECU, loom and sub-controller.  VAI is not activated as standard and is not available for those who wish to own and use a Ninja ZX-10RR on public roads.

Both the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR look to 2023 with optimism, the road machine with its legendary personality and edge, while the ZX-10RR in the hands of KRT and other skilled riders seeks to make the racing top spot its own once again.