Menus
Computer retouching: Guerin
Innovations Kawasaki and KTM
Summer night dreams
When the Kawasaki fans dream of the coming season on mild summer nights by candlelight and a glass of wine, the image of a new, again really crisp ZX-10R manifests itself. Fun bikers, on the other hand, are eagerly awaiting the big Versys. And KTM fans are looking forward to the 690 enduro.
While one of the dreams must remain a dream for the time being, the other two will soon become reality. One thing is certain: the new one will be in Paris in September KTM 690 Enduro (see page 12) presented. And a new ZX-10R comes every two years. This of course also applies to the 2008 model year. The best thing about it: The new 10 Series will be more of the old one again. Less pleasant: The big Versys, as our computer artist Guerin would like, will not exist for the time being.
If only because the Greens would have to develop a completely new engine for it. Point. So back to the ZX-10R first. After the current top athlete’s success, to say the least, one thing should be clear: the successor has to go back to the origins. Those of the 10 series ?? and those from Kawasaki. Aggressive, tight, crisp. This will definitely include burying the silencer hanging somewhere in nirvana between the rear wheel and the rear frame and presenting a Suzuki-like solution with a collector in the fairing keel and a short exhaust stub.
A plan that technically collides with another Kawasaki commitment, namely that of maximum peak performance. “The power rating is rather conservative,” says Kawasaki circles, which shouldn’t seriously deter even horsepower freaks in view of the maximum power of around 180 hp achieved in this class. What else was written into the specifications for the new ZX-10R, Die-hard sports drivers, on the other hand, will be pleased: less weight, more delicate dimensions, greedy looks.
The new hard enduro class
KTM
High-flyer: the KTM 690.
On the other hand, the plans of KTM, which from 2008 will put the new LC4 single-cylinder series on a broad basis, are very real and clearly outlined. Three new variants are to follow for the coming season. The first model will be the 690 Enduro, already used in rally raid racing, of which the first official photos are now available. In terms of engine performance, the Enduro is largely identical to the Supermoto that was launched this spring, but with slightly different specifications.
On the one hand, this is due to the individual exhaust, which, due to the reduced volume, costs a little power at the top. On the other hand, when tuning the off-road variant, a lot of torque in the lower area is in the foreground. Even so, the enduro version will definitely exceed 60 hp, and quite legally. With open accessory dampers, something should even still be possible for sport. Serious competition use is by no means an illusion with the 690. It certainly does not compete with the light EXC sport enduro bikes, but with long-stroke suspension elements and features typical of KTM it returns to the hard enduro base, from which the old LC4 had moved quite a long way in recent years.
KTM
The hard enduro looks forward to sporty off-road use.
The 690 is also significantly lighter than its predecessor, around 150 kilograms with a full tank should be possible. The differences between Supermoto and Enduro are more profound than you might think at first glance. This is already proven by the approximately twelve liter rear tank of the off-road version, while the Supermoto conventionally bunkers its fuel supply in front of the seat. The frame geometry is also adapted to off-road use.
After the 690 Supermoto became a lifestyle machine with its ?? quite controversial ?? Mufflers should open up new groups of buyers, followed in 2008 for the typically sporty KTM clientele the 690 SMC. A more conventionally designed, lighter sport variant, presumably derived from the Enduro with an overhead exhaust. The driver can also explore the potential of the SMC on the kart track, it is probably hardly slower than the real racing machines. The 690 Duke with an exhaust under the engine was already shown as a prototype in MOTORRAD 17/2007, it will also be presented at trade fairs in autumn and, like the other two versions, will be launched on the market in spring. However, it has not yet been decided whether an RC4, i.e. a fully disguised sports single cylinder for the knee slider group, will follow at some point later. The first prototypes (see MOTORRAD 15/2007) are currently being tested. SoS freaks can still dream a little.
That comes from KTM in 2008
690 Enduro: real hard enduro for sporty off-road use
690 Duke: modern version of the classic fun bike
690 SMC: sporty supermoto racer
1150 RC8: radical superbike with 155 hp
Related articles
-
Retouching: Young Machine New 2006: Kawasaki ZZR 1300 New 2006: Kawasaki ZZR 1300 One instead of two, but the right one: Kawasaki is working on a new…
-
Comparison test: Honda Varadero 125, Kawasaki KMX 125, MZ 125 SX, Yamaha TDR 125
Comparison test: Honda Varadero 125, Kawasaki KMX 125, MZ 125 SX, Yamaha TDR 125 The upper floors Power from the cellar cannot be made with a…
-
Presentation of Kawasaki models
Kawasaki Presentation of Kawasaki models »Kawa say i ?? For all those who are not very familiar with southern German dialects: Such pithy calls express…
-
Concept comparison of power bikes from BMW, KTM, Suzuki and Kawasaki
fact 46 photos fact 1/46 At first glance, a fight between a hot naked, a super athlete, a big enduro and an aging launcher may seem rather out of place….
-
Superbikes put to the test: BMW S 1000 RR, Kawasaki ZX -10 R and MV Agusta F4 RR
fact 18th photos fact 1/18 What counts on the road is all the more important on the Nordschleife: a swelling torque curve and an uncomplicated,…
-
Jahn Review Kawasaki ZZR 1400 Silver surfer Stronger, cleaner, sharper: The 2008 Kawasaki ZZR 1400 comes with a G-Kat, more steam and many fine…
-
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R in the PS driving report
Kawasaki 34 photos Kawasaki 1/34 Kawasaki ZX-10R (2016). Kawasaki 2/34 Kawasaki ZX-10R (2016). Kawasaki 3/34 Kawasaki ZX-10R (2016). Kawasaki 4/34…
-
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R – old versus new compared
fact 24 photos www.factstudio.de 1/24 Kawasaki ZX-10R: old versus new. www.factstudio.de 2/24 Kawasaki ZX-10R 2016: Brembo instead of Tokico, “balance…
-
Top test: Kawasaki ZX-10R old-new
jkuenstle.de Top test: Kawasaki ZX-10R old / new The double top test of the old and new 10 ninja The ZX-10R has never lacked power. But now the tens…
-
Review Kawasaki KLX 650 R To a new one After a two-year absence, the Kawasaki KLX 650 R is back on the German floor. Although reduced in performance, but…