[motorcycle.com] - 2016 Kawasaki Z125, Team Greens Grom Fighter + Video

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Kawasaki announced a new 125cc mini-bike for Asian markets, and we’re already praying it will be brought over to the U.S. for an eventual shootout against the Honda Grom.

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The new Kawasaki Z125 was clearly designed to go head-to-head against the little Honda. Both feature SOHC 125cc engines with the single air-cooled cylinders pointed towards the front wheel. Like the Grom, the Z125 delivers power through a four-speed transmission. The Z125 however comes in two versions, the base model with an automatic centrifugal clutch and the Z125 Pro with a manual clutch. The exhaust tucks in neatly under the engine, forming a compact package, while an under-cowl protects the header pipe.


Like its Honda rival, the Z125 runs on 12-inch wheels. The Z125 however, uses a 100/90-12 up front and a 120/70-12 at the back compared to the Grom’s 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear. The Z125’s front wheel has a 200 mm rotor while the rear uses a 184 mm disc; both are gripped by single-piston calipers. Suspension duties are performed by a 30mm upside-down fork with a 100 mm stroke and an offset rear shock.


Visually, the Z125 looks like Kawasaki’s larger Z models with the shoulder shrouds and the Z-shaped taillights. The multireflector headlight follows a similar aggressive styling as the rest of the Z family. Behind the light is the instrument cluster with an analog tachometer and multi-function LCD screen with fuel gauge, gear indicator, speedometer, clock, odometer and trip meter.

Kawasaki claims a curb weight of 223 pounds, a pound lighter than what Honda claims for the Grom. The Z125 has a larger tank though, carrying 1.95 gallons of fuel, a half gallon more than the Grom. The Z125 is also a bit taller, with a 30.7-inch seat height compared to the Grom’s 30.1 inches.


So far, Kawasaki has not announced whether the Z125 will be offered in western markets, but we expect confirmation to come next month at EICMA.

[Source: Kawasaki]

2016 Kawasaki Z125, Team Green’s Grom Fighter + Video appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.



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