KAWASAKI CONCOURS 14 /ABS $13,499/$14,299
Engine
L-C 16V 1352 INLINE-FOUR
Seat Height
32.1 IN.
Fuel Capacity
5.8 GAL
Wheelbase
59.8 IN.
The winner of last-year's SR sport-touring shootout, the Concours returns for its second year. The big Concours is exactly what you'd expect from a ZX-14 with all the sport-touring bells and whistles such as variable valve timing, electrically adjustable windscreen and shaft drive: it's really fast and really comfortable. Need we say more?
KAWASAKI ZX-14 $12,099
Engine
L-C 16V 1352 INLINE-FOURSeat Height
31.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
5.8 GAL
Wheelbase
57.5 IN.
Kawasaki's hyperbike returns unchanged for '09 following its meaner-and-greener makeover last year, but we're not complaining: The ZX-14 combines power and comfort in a machine that is just as adept blasting down the quarter-mile as it is going across town or across the country. Add $300 for special paint schemes, including a Monster Energy edition.
KAWASAKI ZX-10R $11,799
Engine
L-C 16V 998 INLINE-FOUR
Seat Height
32.7 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.5 GAL
Wheelbase
55.7 IN.
The ZX-10R left 2008 with our literbike and bike of the year crowns, and returns for '09 unchanged. Engine power is about as subtle as a one-wood to the forehead, and the engine is housed in one of the most user-friendly chassis in the class, making the 10R a great combination for back-road blasting. Special edition paint option costs $200 extra.
KAWASAKI ZX-6R $9799
Engine
L-C 16V 599 INLINE-FOUR
Seat Height
32.3 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.5 GAL
Wheelbase
55.1 IN.
The all-new ZX-6R has been tweaked, trimmed and transformed for '09 into almost a mini-ZX-10R. The chassis is refined with more mass centralization and an innovative new Showa fork, and the engine benefits from less friction and lighter internals. It all adds up to more power and less weight. El Jefe will have a full riding report in our next issue.
KAWASAKI VERSYS $7099
Engine
L-C 8V 649 INLINE-TWIN
Seat Height
33.1 IN.
Fuel Capacity
5.0 GAL
Wheelbase
55.7 IN.
It stands for "versatility", and the Versys is capable of just about anything. It scored Motorcyclist's Motorcycle of the Year award in '08, and our man even raced one at Daytona last year. The Versys uses the engine from the Ninja 650R in a more comfortable chassis with taller suspenders, a stepped seat and an adjustable windscreen.
KAWASAKI NINJA 650R $6799
Engine
L-C 8V 649 INLINE-TWIN
Seat Height
31.1 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.1 GAL
Wheelbase
55.5 IN.
In our '06 budget-bike comparison test we called the then-new 650R the strongest overall package for both new and experienced riders, and the way-fun Ninja 650R benefits from more than 40 updates for '09. Those updates include revised suspension and fuel injection settings, and sportier, more supersport-like bodywork. Sounds like even more fun to us.
KAWASAKI ER-6N $6399
Engine
L-C 8V 649 INLINE-TWIN
Seat Height
30.9 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.1 GAL
Wheelbase
55.3 IN.
While the Europeans have had access to the ER-6n for a couple of years now, it is a new-for-2009 model stateside. The bike combines the Ninja 650R's mechanicals with more urban, naked styling that exposes the Ninja's parallel-twin engine and trellis frame for a streetfighter look, all while retaining the Ninja's easygoing manners.
KAWASAKI NINJA 500R $5499
Engine
L-C 8V 498 INLINE-TWIN
Seat Height
30.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.8 GAL
Wheelbase
56.5 IN.
Consider this: Our associate editor was still in diapers when the Ninja 500R, then called the EX500, was introduced and the bike has been only mildly updated since then. The long-running model has provided thousands of happy customers with practical, frugal transportation for years, and will continue to do so for at least one more.
KAWASAKI KLX250SF $5299
Engine
L-C 4V 249 SINGLE
Seat Height
33.9 IN.
Fuel Capacity
2.0 GAL
Wheelbase
56.3 IN.
An all-new model in the company lineup, the KLX supermotard bike is Kawasaki's KLX250S dual-purpose model with 17-inch wheels and tires, lowered suspension and a big front disc brake. The electric-start, liquid-cooled four-valve engine can trace its heritage back to the company's four-stroke motocross models, so it should be plenty fun.
KAWASAKI NINJA 250R $3999
Engine
L-C 8V 249 INLINE-TWIN
Seat Height
30.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.8 GAL
Wheelbase
55.1 IN.
The Geek's new theorem: The number of Ninja 250Rs seen on the road is directly proportional to the price of gas. The long-running Ninjette experienced a rebirth last year with updated styling and performance, and combined with a sharp increase in fuel prices the bikes were flying out of dealers faster than a ZX-14 launches at the dragstrip.
KTM 1190 RC8 $19,498
Engine
L-C 8V 1148 V-TWIN
Seat Height
31.7 - 32.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.4 GAL
Wheelbase
56.3 IN.
Released in limited production numbers last year, KTM's first fully faired sportbike returns in higher numbers for '09. The RC8 is powered by an oversized version of the company's 75-degree V-twin, sports high-end WP suspension components and is packed with interesting details such as adjustable ergonomics and road and race dashboard settings.
KTM 990 SUPER DUKE R $15,998
Engine
L-C 8V 999 V-TWIN
Seat Height
34.1 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.9 GAL
Wheelbase
57.1 IN.
This upscale version of the popular Super Duke has a souped-up motor, more aggressive geometry and stiffer suspension to make it even more of a backroad dominator than the standard bike, which is already an amazingly capable naked bike. We raved about everything but the seat in our test last year. The R model has new graphics for '09.
KTM 990 SUPER DUKE $14,998
Engine
L-C 8V 999 V-TWIN
Seat Height
33.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.9 GAL
Wheelbase
57.1 IN.
KTM jumped right to the top of the naked-bike pecking order a couple of years ago with the 990 Super Duke. Oodles of steam is available from the 999cc LC8 engine, and the sporty chassis is more than a willing accomplice for however much hooliganism you want. The pumpkin bike returns unchanged for '09, and that's just fine by us.
KTM 690 DUKE $10,898
Engine
L-C 4V 654 SINGLE
Seat Height
34.0 IN.
Fuel Capacity
3.6 GAL
Wheelbase
58.0 IN.
Mini-Me to the twin-cylinder Super Duke, the 690 manages just fine with its 654cc LC4 single-cylinder engine, which KTM claims is the most powerful street single of all time. Upscale components include WP suspension, radial-mount Brembo front brake, Electronic Power Throttle and a slipper clutch. Backin' it in never sounded so much fun.
MOTO GUZZI NORGE 1200 $15,690
Engine
A-C 4V 1151 V-TWIN
Seat Height
31.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
6.0 GAL
Wheelbase
58.8 IN.
Gran Turismo, Moto Guzzi style, is the catch phrase for the Norge 1200 and this sport-touring model features everything you'd expect from a long-distance runner: shaft drive, full fairing with integrated leg shields, electrically adjustable windscreen, heated handgrips, ABS, huge saddlebags and an accessory power socket all make the miles disappear.
MOTO GUZZI STELVIO $14,990
Engine
A-C 4V 1151 V-TWIN
Seat Height
33.1 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.8 GAL
Wheelbase
61.0 IN.
The Stelvio Pass, built in 1855 with 84 hairpin bends, is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and a historical test route for Moto Guzzi. The Stelvio, however, is a new "maxi-enduro" model that evokes feelings of adventure, sport challenge and extreme tourism-just as you'd experience riding the Stelvio Pass. Adventure, here we come!
MOTO GUZZI GRISO 8V $14,290
Engine
A-C 8V 1151 V-TWIN
Seat Height
31.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.4 GAL
Wheelbase
61.2 IN.
Griso refers to the unsavory head of a group known as the Bravi in the novel "The Betrothed." The Bravi were entrusted with the most dangerous jobs in a time of war, famine and plague. Just one year after its introduction, the lean and mean Griso is updated with a larger engine-now 1151cc-and two more valves per cylinder.
MV AGUSTA F4 RR 312 1078 $NA
Engine
L-C 16V 1078 INLINE-FOUR
Seat Height
31.9 IN.
Fuel Capacity
5.5 GAL
Wheelbase
55.4 IN.
Cross the beautiful and expensive special production F4 CC with last year's F4 R 312 and you've got the new F4 RR 312 1078, which MV calls the "ultimate cocktail of power and controlled aggression." The RR has the CC's larger engine along with a new close-ratio transmission and slipper clutch, upgraded suspension calibration and "salami-slice" exhausts.
MV AGUSTA BRUTALE 1078 RR $NA
Engine
L-C 16V 1078 INLINE-FOUR
Seat Height
31.7 IN.
Fuel Capacity
5.0 GAL
Wheelbase
55.6 IN.
The Brutale 910 was plenty powerful enough for us. Now MV has gone and slipped in the 1078 engine from the F4 CC, putting our licenses in even more jeopardy. Other updates include Brembo monoblock brakes, revised suspension calibration and the addition of a slipper clutch. Look for new decals and three color schemes for '09.
STAR VMAX $17,990
Engine
L-C 16V 1679 V-FOUR
Seat Height
30.5 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.0 GAL
Wheelbase
66.9 IN.
The long-awaited replacement for the original VMax is finally here, and with almost 200 horsepower on tap the new model is a worthy successor. The completely revised, 500cc-larger engine and all-new chassis incorporate plenty of sportbike technology, and the VMax pounds out enough power and torque to make any sportbike nut drool in anticipation.
SUZUKI HAYABUSA $12,499
Engine
L-C 16V 1340 INLINE-FOUR
Seat Height
31.7 IN.
Fuel Capacity
4.4 GAL
Wheelbase
60.0 IN.
Totally revamped last year after almost a decade as the king of bling, the Hayabusa is still a favorite with both the drag and custom crowds and returns for '09 in three color schemes. It's big. It's powerful. It's fast. And the aftermarket is standing by with modifications from mild to wild so that you can make it even bigger, even more powerful and even faster.