Okay so Kawasaki are releasing a brnad new model. Its a thousand cc twin 'soft' roader. Presumeably itll compete against the varadero and the like. Good then.

But sometime ago Kawasaki and Suzuki kind of joined forces.

Now, so what? you ask - well look at the new model and you'll see what im getting at.



Its a vstrom with a dffierent name on the tank. Kawasaki admit that its the same bike rebadged but reckon it will allow people who like the bike but are brand loyal to buy one from kawasaki. Fair enough i spose. Seems a bit lame though really. Wouldnt have been quite so bad if theyd at least changed the bodywork or something.

For comparison.

It kind of reminds me of what Triumph and Honda did with cars many moons ago. A Triumph and Honda Acclaim, were just the same cars only with different makers badges.

I think Opel and Vauxhall did the same thing. An opel kadet and the vauxhall astra were the same car. Although I think that both companies might have had the same parent company.

call it what you like dave I don't like it

i must admit i'm not that keen, sorta looks like a trailie thing.

well i suppose the Kawaski Warranty may be better than the Suzuki one

Couldnt be worse

I love Kawasaki's but Im not keen on the look of this.

I agree it looks more like a trials type.

Quick thing about Vauxhall/Opel

Vauxhall is the UK name and Opel is the European name but now all ownered by General Motors Company.

but why do we care about re badging as long as we ride a bike we like who cares what it is called and made by who??

I thought that was the thing with Vauxhall/Opel... is it true that the word Astra means a naughty word in Spanish or Italian though? That's why it's called an Opel Kadet/

dont know cant speak spainish or italian

In a press release Kawasaki stated that "through the use of an amazing new technology called 'photoshop', we hope to never actually have to produce new bikes again. We will simple virtually re-badge and save all the hassle of produciton." Kawasaki in now looking for additional graphic designers for their decal creation team.

hoo yah that'll be me then fame and fortune here i come

What, they getting into toasters then?

Personally I reckon the comparison to the Astra/Kadet is about right. It's 'orrible - just like them.

and just wtf is that supposed to mean?
i know where you live blandy, i'll come down there and stick "my other car is a porsche" on the back of your porsche, and then won't you look a right tit