Kawasaki Z125 and Ninja 125 test: for generation Z or ZX-R bikers ?
Unveiled in September, the Z125 and Ninja 125 land in mid-December in dealerships. Kawasaki allowed us to test its two new 2019 models on the road … then on the track (s) with Ana Carrasco, Supersport 300 world champion. Ride youth !
Z125 and Ninja 125 test page 2 – One offer, two choices
Kawasaki’s communication campaign to promote its new 125 cc motorcycles is based on the difficult choice available to young bikers: which one to choose, the Z125 or the Ninja? The roadster or the sports car? The Kawa of cities or the Kawa of fields circuits ?
Site is lucky: a lottery gave us the Ninja 125 for the morning and the Z125 for the afternoon. The next day, two workshops are planned to put the motorcycles – and MNC – to the test: private lesson with WSSP300 champion Ana Carrasco and gymkhana session. !
Le Journal moto du Net takes the key – all boring – to "his" Ninja. While some competing motorcycles offer a coded immobilizer, or even a keyless system for the recent GSX-S125, the Ninja 125 (like its twin Z125) uses the most basic of contactors. The first "contact" with the machine is therefore rudimentary.
The second approach of the Ninja is a little warmer: the saddle is hard, certainly, but the suspensions sag nicely under the weight (72 kg all naked all tanned) of the pilot. The half-handlebars encourage you to lean on the front of the machine: just what it takes to adopt a sporty attitude.
Excellent surprise for adults: the legs are not excessively bent! Fluette in appearance, the mini "ZX-R" frees up as much room as necessary for the pilot’s knees. Even former "green giant" Loris Baz would feel right at home on this mini Superbike.
A kick from the electric starter – "say daddy, what’s a kick?" – and the engine snorts. Its sound is much closer to that of a lawn mower than that of the ZX-10RR four-time WorldSBK champion with Jonathan Rea. Unfortunately, we could not expect better from a 4-stroke mono…
The small 125 cc does not shine with its nervousness: the thrusts of the accelerator translate into slow revs, probably because of the balance shaft which makes the engine run perfectly round. We are far from the flights of small 2-strokes of the last century, as roaring as they are heady … because of the characteristic smell ?!
The clutch allows the motorcycle to take off without any difficulty: its control is not too hard and the progressiveness facilitates the slight slip necessary to launch the 148 kg dry of the little Ninja (146 kg for the Z). The inertia of the small motor also simplifies the task.
The gearbox selection is a bit rough, but the 75 km displayed on our machine’s odometer partially excuses it. The good display of the six speeds and the flexibility of the single-cylinder, on the other hand, are fully validated by MNC.
A small engine that is both docile and sharp
In town at 50 km / h, the little "Kawette" accepts to trot on the 6th and last gear at 4000 rev / min. One should not expect thunderous, or even convincing, covers from him. For this, you have to drop three speeds: in 3rd, the mono gallops at 6000 rpm with more enthusiasm.
We note that the digital screen lacks colors to more clearly signify the engine speed: why not green at the bottom, orange in the middle and red at the top? The Ninja’s tachometer (identical to the Z) is a bit too thin to clearly discern the rpm.
The absence of a gear indicator light is instructive: apprentice bikers will learn to identify low speeds by ear and sensations (sluggish acceleration) and to detect high speeds by ear always ,,, and to vibrations! We will come back.
Welcoming at first glance, the suspensions confirm their good character by effectively absorbing the bumps and holes in the alleys of Malaga. Non-adjustable (apart from the rear preload), they have a relevant compromise between comfort and rigor.
By taking the front brake in particular, the fork does not dive excessively. It must be said that the bite of the front caliper is not sharp. Under its air of pure sport, the Ninja 125 hides a basic and accessible motorcycle cycle part: that of the Z125 !
The roadster, in fact, has a steering that seems even lighter. The reasons are multiple: the wider, straighter and higher handlebars naturally frees the upper body, the slightly closed frame angle promotes agility and the absence of fairing lightens the front of the motorcycle by 2 kg..
The gymkhana session organized by Kawasaki ideally highlights the handling of the Z125. Turn around the studs, bypass the cones, steer to the maximum then counterbalance: all this is done without ever forcing … or even thinking !
Another advantage in the sleeve of the Z and the "ZX-R": their rear brake, whose 2-piston caliper allows to regulate to the km / h near the pace of the motorcycle … but also its grip. ‘angle and therefore its turning radius, as our two instructors teach us !
A little higher, the saddle of the Z125 is all the more comfortable. The footrests being located exactly in the same place as on the Ninja 125, the legs are a little more open on the roadster. And yet, adults might prefer the Ninja…
Rather Z125 or Ninja 125 ?
Paradoxically, the Z125 offers less room on the knees: the kneecaps unpleasantly hit the radiator scoops! Fortunately for Site, the protective shells of our motorcycle jeans greatly reduced the discomfort on board the roadster..
For the stage test, however, MNC would always select the Z125: the little Kawa turns on itself or almost. The Ninja cannot steer as much: 35 ° of angle to the left and to the right instead of 30 ° for the Z. But the mini "ZX-R" is not lost in traffic for all that. We note in passing that the two motorcycles are devoid of warnings. However, it is not a gadget for some…
On the road, Le Journal moto du Net prefers to drive the Ninja 125: the “pilot” is more grouped together on his motorcycle and becomes more integral with it. And then, if the direction is a little more "physical" in the viroleux, it is far, very far from tiring !
On the French secondary network, the minots will be able to stall at 80 km / h "counter" on the sixth and last report: the engine then runs at 6500 rpm and the motorcycle does not yet sizzle. The balance shaft remains effective, the rubber on the footrests is pleasant. We can therefore keep this speed for a long time and without annoyance.
Supple and docile, the engine is too hollow in the first half of the tachometer. Some will appreciate the playful character that emerges from it, others will criticize its too sharp side: it must constantly be maintained between 7000 and 9500 rpm (between the values of torque and maximum power) to keep pace..
The left foot is therefore put to great use to play the selector! The times being too timid under 6500 rpm, it is recommended to go down a gear to overtake on expressways … and downright mandatory to drop two for overtaking on the road between two turns…
Another defect of Akashi’s single-cylinder: vibrations appear in the knees and then the buttocks high in the towers. We forgive him, however, because at these speeds, the pilot‘s concentration is elsewhere: on the on the tarmac which scrolls faster and faster. Or less and less slowly, rather.
Because you can whip it and have the feeling of giving everything, the little 125 rarely exceeds the speed limits on the road! On the motorway, excess is simply impossible, whether you are in 5th or 6th, in full descent, with the asphalt of a truck or the wind in your back: the Z125 and Ninja regulate at 118 km / h "counter".
Kawasaki did not unleash our bikes for our short foray on the circuit: long and hilly, the – magnificent – kart track just allowed us to push 3rd gear to the limit. During the three reconnaissance laps behind Supersport 300 world champion Ana Carrasco, MNC feels anyway that you should not attack too much….
In the wheel of champion Ana Carrasco !
The track is still fresh and in wet places and the original tires (Dunlop TT900) offer limited grip, especially on the angle: a little slip encourages you to be wise! When accelerating, however, the 15 hp and 11.7 Nm do not greatly martyr the rear tire.
On the edge of bends, we appreciate that the braking is perfectly adjustable, at the front as well as at the rear. The ABS is therefore not harassed at work. During our entire test it was triggered only once, arriving in a more closed bend and on a more slippery road than expected…
On small Kawasaki 125s, the intervention of the ABS system – less fine than that of large-displacement models – is then noticeable: the braking becomes jerky, the fork ends up digging and the motorcycle can get out of its path … but it stays on. its wheels, phew !
Comfortable, the suspensions are also effective. Sufficient in any case for a "sporty" use on the road, or for an initiation on the track! In front of then behind the sympathetic "Pink Warrior", Site can apply on its trajectories thanks to the always predictable reactions of the Ninja 125.
"It’s not bad", launches us the champion WSSP300 at the end of our private lesson. "The rhythm, the trajectories, it’s good! Regarding the position, the sway and the bust, it’s also good. But you could pivot more shoulders to naturally get the rope." Message received, boss !
To supervise us, Miss Carrasco exchanged her Ninja 400 for a 125. Small bonus to which journalists are not entitled: the Arrow Sport pot, displayed in the Kawasaki accessories catalog at 594 euros. The little sportswoman clearly wins in decibels. Neighbors and fellow citizens may not appreciate … and even the owner could be force-fed on the long haul.
Exactly, how many terminals can the Kawasaki Z125 and Ninja 125 cover with their 11 liter tank? As is often the case in press presentations, MNC was unable to take a measurement. However, the on-board computer does not calculate the remaining autonomy, nor the average or instantaneous consumption…
Long journeys can however be considered on the handlebars of these two new 125s: their low top speed prevents the pilot from tiring too much despite the complete lack of protection, including on the Ninja. As for the bubble, much too low and too thin, it is just there to look pretty.
In the end, Site still prefers the mini "ZX-R" to the Zed, for the slightly sportier attitude and driving that we naturally adopt on our half-handlebars and which perfectly matches the image of Kawasaki brand. For the best welcome she reserves on her knees, too !
But since it seems that in terms of 125 cc motorcycles, style matters above all, the Z125 will inevitably be more successful. Unlike the little Ninja, the Z125 takes a lot of inspiration from the looks of the bigger Zeds. Its slightly more agile front end and more comfortable saddle will also be appreciated..
With the basis of the mini Z and ZX-R now laid, Kawasaki has every interest in exploring another very popular segment of A1 licenses – and B licenses with 7 hours training: the neo retro! In France, Mash, Orcal, Brixton or Bullit attract many customers every year.
A "Z125RS" with a slightly reworked engine for more response in mid-range and modernized equipment (inverted fork and color instrumentation) would undoubtedly find its place on the market. Stay connected !
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