Kawasaki is indicating that the next generation of its popular Eddie Lawson-replica, the ZRX1100, will be a fifty state bike, i.e., available in California. Moreover, the machine, which debuted at Intermot this week, has been bored and stroked to 1164cc’s, and will be known in the U.S. as the ZRX 1200.
Still based on the old ZX-11 motor, the 1164cc engine should provide all the torque and horsepower naked bike fans are looking for. In addition to the bore and stroke job, Kawasaki added new cams, a new crank and a new exhaust system.
Other changes featured on the ZRX1200 versus last year’s model include a stronger clutch (to handle the increase in power); larger, stronger and stiffer swingarm, revised swingarm pivot point, larger rear wheel and tire (a 180 section next year — versus last year’s 170), braced steering head, reduction in steering offset (for quicker handling) and revised instrumentation.
Pictured at the top of this article is the ZRX1200S model, which will be available only in Europe. Too bad, because the modern fairing on the 1200S appears far more protective and, to me at least, attractive than the Eddie Lawson job. Pictured at right is last year’s U.S. model showing the Eddie Lawson-type fairing (which will be on next year’s U.S. bound 1200). To the left is the stronger swingarm, which will appear on both bikes.
