FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES
899cc, High-Compression Four-Cylinder Engine
- New aluminum electroplated cylinder is lighter, resists wear and improves heat
dispersion
- Large bore with ultra-short stroke maximizes valve diameters for powerful breathing and
minimizes piston speed for reliability
- Four large valves per cylinder are activated by bucket tappets for the ultimate in high
rpm reliability
- Compact design lowers weight and allows more room for intake, exhaust, and cooling
systems
- The alternator is at the end of the crankshaft to save weight and cut mechanical
friction losses; rare earth magnets in the alternator are very powerful for efficient
charging, but light in weight
- Magnesium covers are used on the cylinder head, clutch, alternator, ignition pickups,
and the engine sprocket
- Titanium muffler case is used on "49-state" models
Catalytic Converter
- Catalytic converter cuts exhaust emissions while allowing full power output
- Pre-converter is hidden in the exhaust pipe, main converter is in the muffler so nothing
shows
- 49-state models have a converter hidden in the exhaust pipe
Kawasaki Throttle Responsive Ignition Control (K-TRIC)
- A throttle position sensor tells the ignition control unit how hard the engine is
working so that its new 16-bit micro-computer can determine the best ignition timing for
more power and better fuel economy
Spark Plug-Mounted Ignition Coils
- Four small ignition coils are in the spark plug caps, reducing overall weight and taking
up less room
Liquid Cooling
- The automatic fan is offset to the left behind the curved radiator to save space and
keep the engine cooler in various conditions
- The temperature gauge now reads in actual degrees and includes an LED warning light
Six-Speed Transmission
- Involute spline shafts decrease shift effort
- New shift drum and shimmed transmission make for slicker shifting
- The cable operated clutch has a smooth, light feel, and weighs less than the hydraulic
unit
Lightweight Aluminum Perimeter Frame
- The frame has no down tubes to save weight
- Lightweight removable aluminum sub-frame
Extruded Aluminum Swingarm
- Massive extruded aluminum beams are welded together to form a swingarm with extra
rigidity and less weight for good handling under extreme conditions
46mm, Fully-Adjustable, Conventional Cartridge-Type Front Fork
- Front fork is light-weight for high performance, compliant for rider comfort, and rigid
for extraordinary handling
- Adjustable spring preload, and compression and rebound damping to match rider weight and
riding style to the road conditions
Light Weight Disc Brakes
- Minimize unsprung weight, for sharp, precise handling
- Tokico 6-piston calipers up front maximize effective disc diameter for precise, powerful
brake feel
All Electric Instrumentation
- Electric tachometer, speedometer are compact and lightweight
- LCD clock, odometer, trip meter, and coolant temperature gauge with LED warning light