Alongside a customer awareness campaign titled “The Toughest Choice”, the two 125cc machines
further enhance the Kawasaki desire to both entice new riders to the benefits of motorcycling while
making a Kawasaki the first machine of choice for newbies.
The key takeaways of extensive face-to-face research conducted by Kawasaki’s R&D department
across Europe showed that design and styling were the top priority with potential owners (both male
and female) followed closely by the image and reliability of the brand. This is where these new 125cc
machines score high on the scale as they both have styling inspired by Kawasaki models in iconic
brand families leading, it is hoped, to a “ladder of opportunity” as riders migrate up the capacity
scale as their experience and licence entitlement develops.
Equipped with a single-cylinder, water-cooled engine rated at a healthy peak of 11kw and offering a
maximum of 11.7Nm of torque, both the Z125 and Ninja 125 deliver strong mid and high-range urge
with a typical Kawasaki high revving top end. Both machines also feature sleek trellis type frames
providing a slim, compact package that is easy to handle.
Looking forward to owning a motorcycle rather than a scooter, younger riders are matched by a
group of more experienced potential owners further up the age scale who declared during research
that a 125cc motorcycle was the perfect balance of power, performance and physical size for their
requirements.
Calling upon Kawasaki’s unique Sugomi styling character, the Z125 has the uncompromising naked
looks that the Z brand is so famous for. With its full-grown size, low seat height and the 146kg curb
mass; the youngest sibling of the Z family will represent a great entry point to the enduringly popular
naked style segment.
Ninja style is clearly visible in the new Ninja 125 with a silhouette and graphic treatment that owes
much to Jonathan Rea’s WorldSBK winning Ninja ZX-10RR. With the big bike look and feel,
the 125cc machine surely fits well in the Ninja family. Like the Z125, the Ninja 125’s willing engine is
wrapped in a tubular trellis frame matched to a box section swinging arm. Top that off with the low
seat height and 148kg ensure the young Ninja package is complete and ready to take on those sporty
adventures ahead.
Both the Ninja 125 and Z125 are set to make a strong style and performance statement in 2019 as
new A1 machines, the only question is; which one will riders choose?