Kawasaki Heavy Industries Consumer Products and Machinery Company
Encyclopedia
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine is a division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries
that produces motorcycle
s, ATVs
, utility vehicle
s, jet ski
personal watercraft, and general-purpose gasoline engines. Before the 2011 fiscal year it was called Consumer Products & Machinery. Its slogan is "Let the good times roll!."
Kawasaki's Aircraft Company began the development of a motorcycle engine in 1949. The development was completed in 1952 and mass production started in 1953. The engine was an air-cooled
, 148 cc, OHV
, four-stroke single cylinder
with a maximum power of 4 PS at 4,000 rpm.
In 1954 the first complete Kawasaki Motorcycle was produced under the name of Meihatsu, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Aircraft.
In 1960 Kawasaki completed construction of a factory dedicated exclusively to motorcycle production and bought Meguro Motorcycles.
Kawasaki's MULE (Multi-Use Light Equipment) utility vehicle combines an ATV with a pick-up truck, The first MULE was produced in 1988.
In 1973, Kawasaki introduced a limited production of stand-up models as designed by the recognized inventor of jet skis, Clayton Jacobsen II. In 1976, Kawasaki then began mass production
of the JS400-A. JS400s came with 400 cc two-stroke engines and hulls based upon the previous limited release models. It became the harbinger of the success Jet-Skis would see in the market up through the 1990s.
In 1986 Kawasaki broadened the world of Jet Skis by introducing a two person model with lean-in "sport" style handling and a 650 cc engine, dubbed the Kawasaki X2. Then in 1989, they introduced their first two passenger "sit-down" model, the Tandem Sport (TS) with a step-through seating area.
In 2003, Kawasaki celebrated the Jet Ski brand by releasing a special 30th anniversary
edition of its current stand-up model, the SX-R, which has seen a revival of interest in stand-up jetskiing. The X-2 has also been updated, based on the SX-R platform and re-released in Japan
. Kawasaki continues to produce three models of sit-downs, including many four-stroke models.
The four stroke engines have come on since the late 1990s; with the help of superchargers and the like the engines can output up to 250 hp as seen in the Kawasaki ultra 250x.
Jet Ski
is the brand name of personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki. The name, however, has become a genericized trademark
for any type of personal watercraft.
Kawasaki's first title was with Dave Simmonds
in 1969
when they won the 125 cc World Championship.
Kawasaki dominated the 250 cc and 350 cc grand prix classes
from 1978
to 1982
winning four titles in each category.
Kawasaki has also won several superbike racing
championships. They won the rider's Superbike World Championship in with Scott Russell
and several AMA Superbike Championships with riders such as Eddie Lawson
and Wayne Rainey
. During the 1990s they also dominated the Endurance World Championship
.
With the introduction of the four-stroke engines into MotoGP in 2002
, Kawasaki decided to take part in the new MotoGP World Championship. Kawasaki entered the championship in 2003
with 250 cc Grand Prix racer Harald Eckl's Team Eckl.
In 2007 Kawasaki split from Harald Eckl because of Eckl’s involvement with a competitor's MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. Kawasaki formed Kawasaki Motors Racing
, a Europe
an subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries
responsible for managing the racing activities of the MotoGP team and any other motorcycle racing activities Kawasaki may enter in the future. For the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, the team became a complete ‘in house’ factory team.
Kawasaki's traditional racing colour is green
On January 9, 2009, Kawasaki announced it had decided to "... suspend its MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently". The company stated that it will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race oriented consumers.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
that produces motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s, ATVs
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
, utility vehicle
Utility vehicle
Utility vehicle is used to describe a vehicle, generally motorized, that is designed for a specific task.-Sport utility vehicle:Vehicles similar to a station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis, usually with off-road capability....
s, jet ski
Jet ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The name is sometimes mistakenly used by those unfamiliar with the personal watercraft industry to refer to any type of personal watercraft; however, the name is a valid trademark registered with the...
personal watercraft, and general-purpose gasoline engines. Before the 2011 fiscal year it was called Consumer Products & Machinery. Its slogan is "Let the good times roll!."
Motorcycles
Kawasaki's Aircraft Company began the development of a motorcycle engine in 1949. The development was completed in 1952 and mass production started in 1953. The engine was an air-cooled
Air-cooled engine
Air-cooled engines rely on the circulation of air directly over hot parts of the engine to cool them.-Introduction:Most modern internal combustion engines are cooled by a closed circuit carrying liquid coolant through channels in the engine block and cylinder head, where the coolant absorbs heat,...
, 148 cc, OHV
Overhead valve
An overhead valve engine, also informally called pushrod engine or I-head engine, is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft within the cylinder block , and uses pushrods or rods to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder...
, four-stroke single cylinder
Single cylinder engine
A single-cylinder engine is a basic piston engine configuration of an internal combustion engine. It is often seen on motorcycles, auto rickshaws, motor scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, go-karts, radio-controlled models and has many uses in portable tools and garden machinery...
with a maximum power of 4 PS at 4,000 rpm.
In 1954 the first complete Kawasaki Motorcycle was produced under the name of Meihatsu, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Aircraft.
In 1960 Kawasaki completed construction of a factory dedicated exclusively to motorcycle production and bought Meguro Motorcycles.
All-Terrain Vehicles and utility vehicles
Kawasaki's first ATV was the three-wheeled KLT200, which debuted in 1981. Its first four-wheel ATV, the Bayou 185, was introduced in 1985 and in 1989 its first model with four-wheel-drive, the Bayou 300 4x4. Today, Kawasaki’s ATV line-up includes a wide range of recreational and utility ATVs.Kawasaki's MULE (Multi-Use Light Equipment) utility vehicle combines an ATV with a pick-up truck, The first MULE was produced in 1988.
Watercraft
Mass production
Mass production is the production of large amounts of standardized products, including and especially on assembly lines...
of the JS400-A. JS400s came with 400 cc two-stroke engines and hulls based upon the previous limited release models. It became the harbinger of the success Jet-Skis would see in the market up through the 1990s.
In 1986 Kawasaki broadened the world of Jet Skis by introducing a two person model with lean-in "sport" style handling and a 650 cc engine, dubbed the Kawasaki X2. Then in 1989, they introduced their first two passenger "sit-down" model, the Tandem Sport (TS) with a step-through seating area.
In 2003, Kawasaki celebrated the Jet Ski brand by releasing a special 30th anniversary
Anniversary
An anniversary is a day that commemorates or celebrates a past event that occurred on the same day of the year as the initial event. For example, the first event is the initial occurrence or, if planned, the inaugural of the event. One year later would be the first anniversary of that event...
edition of its current stand-up model, the SX-R, which has seen a revival of interest in stand-up jetskiing. The X-2 has also been updated, based on the SX-R platform and re-released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Kawasaki continues to produce three models of sit-downs, including many four-stroke models.
The four stroke engines have come on since the late 1990s; with the help of superchargers and the like the engines can output up to 250 hp as seen in the Kawasaki ultra 250x.
Jet Ski
Jet ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The name is sometimes mistakenly used by those unfamiliar with the personal watercraft industry to refer to any type of personal watercraft; however, the name is a valid trademark registered with the...
is the brand name of personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki. The name, however, has become a genericized trademark
Genericized trademark
A genericized trademark is a trademark or brand name that has become the colloquial or generic description for, or synonymous with, a general class of product or service, rather than as an indicator of source or affiliation as intended by the trademark's holder...
for any type of personal watercraft.
Racing
Dave Simmonds
Dave Simmonds was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1969, he won the FIM 125 cc road racing World Championship. The victory marked the first world championship for Kawasaki...
in 1969
1969 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1969 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 21st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc...
when they won the 125 cc World Championship.
Kawasaki dominated the 250 cc and 350 cc grand prix classes
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
from 1978
1978 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1978 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 30th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:There was an air of excitement at the start of the 1978 Grand Prix season. The popularity of defending champion, Barry Sheene had boosted the appeal of motorcycle racing into the...
to 1982
1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 34th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Italian Franco Uncini on the Roberto Gallina backed Suzuki took a well-earned championship in the 500cc class. Yamaha introduced a new V4 bike for Kenny Roberts but suffered from...
winning four titles in each category.
Kawasaki has also won several superbike racing
Superbike racing
Superbike racing is a category of motorcycle racing that employs modified production motorcycles. Superbike World Championship is the international superbike championship, and national superbike championships are held in many countries as well, including the United Kingdom, the United States,...
championships. They won the rider's Superbike World Championship in with Scott Russell
Scott Russell (motorcyclist)
Raymond Scott Russell , aka Mr. Daytona, is an American sportscar racer and former championship motorcycle road racer, born in East Point, Georgia. He is a former World Superbike and AMA Superbike Champion, has won the Daytona 200 a record five times, and won the Suzuka 8 Hours in 1993...
and several AMA Superbike Championships with riders such as Eddie Lawson
Eddie Lawson
Eddie Lawson is a former four-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion. His penchant for not crashing & consistently finishing in the points earned him the nickname "Steady Eddie".-Biography:...
and Wayne Rainey
Wayne Rainey
Wayne Wesley Rainey, born in Downey, California, United States, is a former American Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he won the 500cc World Championship three times and the Daytona 200 once. He was characterized by his smooth, calculating riding...
. During the 1990s they also dominated the Endurance World Championship
Endurance World Championship
Endurance World Championship is the premier worldwide endurance motorcycle racing championship. The championship season consists of a series of races held on permanent racing facilities. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for teams and one for...
.
With the introduction of the four-stroke engines into MotoGP in 2002
2002 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 2002 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 54th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season. The season consist of 16 races, which started with the Japanese Grand Prix on 7 April and ended with the Valencian Community Grand Prix on 3 November....
, Kawasaki decided to take part in the new MotoGP World Championship. Kawasaki entered the championship in 2003
2003 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
The 2003 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 55th F.I.M. Road racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Defending champion Valentino Rossi won his 3rd MotoGP championship in 2003, winning 9 races, highlighted by his win at Phillip Island where he was given a 10 second penalty for...
with 250 cc Grand Prix racer Harald Eckl's Team Eckl.
In 2007 Kawasaki split from Harald Eckl because of Eckl’s involvement with a competitor's MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. Kawasaki formed Kawasaki Motors Racing
Kawasaki Motors Racing
Kawasaki Motors Racing was the European subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which is located in Netherlands. It is responsible for managing the racing activities of the MotoGP team and any other motorcycle racing activities Kawasaki may enter in the future.The subsidiary was set up in 2007 as...
, a Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
responsible for managing the racing activities of the MotoGP team and any other motorcycle racing activities Kawasaki may enter in the future. For the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, the team became a complete ‘in house’ factory team.
Kawasaki's traditional racing colour is green
On January 9, 2009, Kawasaki announced it had decided to "... suspend its MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently". The company stated that it will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race oriented consumers.
- Grand Prix motorcycle racingGrand Prix motorcycle racingRoad Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
Year Champion 350 cc 250 cc 125 cc 1982 1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing seasonThe 1982 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 34th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Italian Franco Uncini on the Roberto Gallina backed Suzuki took a well-earned championship in the 500cc class. Yamaha introduced a new V4 bike for Kenny Roberts but suffered from...
West Germany Anton MangAnton MangAnton Mang is a former five-time world champion in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from Germany.-Early life:...1981 1981 Grand Prix motorcycle racing seasonThe 1981 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 33rd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Suzuki riders Marco Lucchinelli and Randy Mamola battled it out to the final race of the season with the Italian rider claiming the crown and Mamola finishing runner-up for the... West Germany Anton MangAnton MangAnton Mang is a former five-time world champion in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from Germany.-Early life:... West Germany Anton MangAnton MangAnton Mang is a former five-time world champion in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from Germany.-Early life:...1980 1980 Grand Prix motorcycle racing seasonThe 1980 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 32nd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:Yamaha's Kenny Roberts claimed his third successive 500cc world championship in a season shortened by the cancellations of the Venezuelan and Austrian rounds. Randy Mamola took... West Germany Anton MangAnton MangAnton Mang is a former five-time world champion in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from Germany.-Early life:...1979 1979 Grand Prix motorcycle racing seasonThe 1979 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 31st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:A season of changing fortunes in the 500cc class saw American, Kenny Roberts capture his second crown in the face of the Suzuki-mounted opposition. In the 50cc class, Eugenio...
South Africa Kork BallingtonKork BallingtonHugh Neville "Kork" Ballington is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion.... South Africa Kork BallingtonKork BallingtonHugh Neville "Kork" Ballington is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion....1978 1978 Grand Prix motorcycle racing seasonThe 1978 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 30th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.-Season summary:There was an air of excitement at the start of the 1978 Grand Prix season. The popularity of defending champion, Barry Sheene had boosted the appeal of motorcycle racing into the... South Africa Kork BallingtonKork BallingtonHugh Neville "Kork" Ballington is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion.... South Africa Kork BallingtonKork BallingtonHugh Neville "Kork" Ballington is a Rhodesian-born South African four-time Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion....1969 1969 Grand Prix motorcycle racing seasonThe 1969 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 21st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc...
United Kingdom Dave SimmondsDave SimmondsDave Simmonds was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. In 1969, he won the FIM 125 cc road racing World Championship. The victory marked the first world championship for Kawasaki...
- Superbike World ChampionshipSuperbike World ChampionshipSuperbike World Championship is the worldwide Superbike racing Championship. The championship was founded in . The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities...
Year Champion 
United States Scott RussellScott Russell (motorcyclist)Raymond Scott Russell , aka Mr. Daytona, is an American sportscar racer and former championship motorcycle road racer, born in East Point, Georgia. He is a former World Superbike and AMA Superbike Champion, has won the Daytona 200 a record five times, and won the Suzuka 8 Hours in 1993...
- AMA Superbike Championship
Year Champion 1977 Reg Pridmore Reg PridmoreReginald Charles Pridmore III is a former motorcycle road racing national champion. He is remembered for winning the first AMA Superbike Championship in . He is the father of retired AMA racer Jason Pridmore....1978 Reg Pridmore Reg PridmoreReginald Charles Pridmore III is a former motorcycle road racing national champion. He is remembered for winning the first AMA Superbike Championship in . He is the father of retired AMA racer Jason Pridmore....1981 United States Eddie LawsonEddie LawsonEddie Lawson is a former four-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion. His penchant for not crashing & consistently finishing in the points earned him the nickname "Steady Eddie".-Biography:...1982 United States Eddie LawsonEddie LawsonEddie Lawson is a former four-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion. His penchant for not crashing & consistently finishing in the points earned him the nickname "Steady Eddie".-Biography:...1983 United States Wayne RaineyWayne RaineyWayne Wesley Rainey, born in Downey, California, United States, is a former American Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he won the 500cc World Championship three times and the Daytona 200 once. He was characterized by his smooth, calculating riding...1990 United States Doug ChandlerDoug ChandlerJohn Douglas Chandler is a professional motorcycle racer. He earned a reputation as one of the most versatile racers of the 1980s and 1990s. Chandler is one of only four riders in AMA racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing national wins at a mile, half-mile, short track, TT and...1992 United States Scott RussellScott Russell (motorcyclist)Raymond Scott Russell , aka Mr. Daytona, is an American sportscar racer and former championship motorcycle road racer, born in East Point, Georgia. He is a former World Superbike and AMA Superbike Champion, has won the Daytona 200 a record five times, and won the Suzuka 8 Hours in 1993...1996 United States Doug ChandlerDoug ChandlerJohn Douglas Chandler is a professional motorcycle racer. He earned a reputation as one of the most versatile racers of the 1980s and 1990s. Chandler is one of only four riders in AMA racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing national wins at a mile, half-mile, short track, TT and...1997 United States Doug ChandlerDoug ChandlerJohn Douglas Chandler is a professional motorcycle racer. He earned a reputation as one of the most versatile racers of the 1980s and 1990s. Chandler is one of only four riders in AMA racing history to win the AMA Grand Slam, representing national wins at a mile, half-mile, short track, TT and...