Club Kawasaki Magazine - 19

ISSUE 19

CLUB KAWASAKI MEMBERS MAGAZINE W W W. C L U B - K AWA S A K I . CO . U K

K6

A mere 1,220g - one of the lightest road helmets in the world

NARDO GREY

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT W W W. A G V. C O . U K #AGVRIDER

WELCOME I S S U E _ 1 9

M E M B E R S

M A G A Z I N E

Editor: Eleanor Berry Designer: Kar Lee Exclusive Content: Martin Lambert Contributors: Milo Dokmanovic, Ross Burridge Thanks to: Daniel Lavery, John McGuinness, Thomas Bell, Andy Sharp, Ross Symons, Pete Chicken Photography: KHI, KME, KMUK, Tim Keeton – Impact Images, Martin Lambert, GeeBee Images, Kar Lee, David Wellbeloved Photography, Pete Chicken, Ross Symons, Double Red Published by Kawasaki Motors UK www.kawasaki.co.uk

W

elcome to issue 19 of Club Kawasaki magazine! We hope you are all well and keeping safe out there during these very strange, unprecedented times.

Please keep in mind when reading this that some features or comments may seem behind the times, depending on when you’re reading.

A lot has happened since our last issue in November, we have announced events, hosted events, announced racing sponsors, teams and more and as I write this the Kawasaki UK team are all at home, working to support our customers and dealers out there who still need us. Currently we aren’t sure how long this situation will be reality but we are certainly looking forward to times where we are able to enjoy events in the calendar and people out on their bikes again!

We are so pleased that we have been

Printed by Mortons Publishing able to get this issue of the Club Kawasaki magazine out to you despite the current situation. As always, the team here at Kawasaki have worked to put together a collection of news, stories, interviews and more to keep you entertained.

Membership www.club-kawasaki.co.uk

Go behind the scenes at not just one, but two Kawasaki European Press Launches, including accounts from two of your fellow members who were lucky enough to win places on an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas to ride the supercharged Z H2 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway…!

Where you would usually have an events list in this issue, we’ve spoken to our technical team to bring you a list of ideas and suggestions which you can complete at home right now – or anytime!

Stay safe

©2020 Kawasaki Motors UK. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained within this magazine is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press.

Kawasaki Motors UK cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information.

Eleanor Berry | Editor

3

CONTENTS

P18

P25 FEATURED

P28

BEHIND THE SCENES

P53

CONTENTS

53 TOP GUN REVIVAL

12 ROSS’ RACING ROUNDUP

36 THE MAGIC OF 750CC

Whilst many of you don’t get to see what goes on behind the scenes during the cold months, it’s actually one of the busiest periods for our teams as they strive to develop their machines, often re-brand due to new sponsors and make sure their riders are at the peak of fitness before round one comes around.

Over the years Kawasaki has made many 750cc machines; Club Magazine now looks back at some of the many highs… and a few “not so highs” on a journey down motorcycling memory lane. Here is Part One of a Two Part insight.

The unforgettable 1980’s Top Gun action film appealed to the masses and touched the hearts of adrenaline seeking speed junkies everywhere, so when Pete Chicken got wind of the sequel, the allure of creating a replica GPz900R got the best of him.

42 MR TT

5 News 8 The Benefits 25 2020 Sports Clothing Range 34 Kawasaki Staff Insight 48 The Challenge 56 Supercharged Stable

28 THE ULTIMATE TEST RIDE Imagine an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas where you become one of the first people in the world to ride the all new, Kawasaki Z H2 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Two lucky Club Kawasaki members got to do just that as winners of our “Ultimate Test Ride” competition.

4

P42

NINJA 1000SX LAUNCH:

Club Magazine interviews one of the most successful racers on the roads, but one who is just starting his career with Kawasaki – the 23 time TT winner, John McGuinness. Find out what is at the core of a man who is able to ride the 37 ¾ mile mountain course.

See if your 2020 Challenge photo has made the back cover…

NEWS

Kawasaki dealerships throughout the UK opened their doors simultaneously to unveil the 2020 range of machines

National Launch Event – Green Friday 2020 range unveiled across dealers

K

awasaki dealers throughout the United Kingdom hosted their highly anticipated annual open evening, Green Friday, on 28th February 2020.

Customers were given the opportunity to be one of the first people in the UK to see the new 2020 Kawasaki range and enjoy their local dealerships hospitality and entertainment. Each registered customer was automatically entered

into a draw to win one of the following national prizes: n 5 day ticket to Kawasaki Days in Germany with Dragon MotoTours on 21-26 May 2020 n Pair of World Superbike VIP hospitality tickets at Donington Park on 3-5 July 2020 n Club Kawasaki jacket In addition to the national prizes, each

Kawasaki dealership selected a winner on the evening for a Motorcycle Traveller book and DVD by legendary film creator Peter Starr and MCIA bike covers.

We hope you enjoyed seeing these new models at your local Kawasaki dealership if you went along. If you are looking to try out one of our 2020 models, you can request a test ride online through our website at: kawasakitestride.co.uk.

5

David Wellbeloved Photography

NEWS

Kawasaki Motorcycle Division Sets Lunar Target 1 April 2020

Devon Freewheelers Shift Up a Gear During COVID-19 Crisis

E

mergency Voluntary Service, Devon Freewheelers have fast-tracked the ability for NHS workers to get back onto the frontline by collecting COVID-19 test samples from the homes of personnel in isolation and delivering them to Pathology labs where results can be provided within three hours.

CEO of Devon Freewheelers, Daniel Lavery explains, “Some NHS staff are not able to access tests themselves so they are having to isolate at home, we saw this as an opportunity to help and so we have taken on the responsibility of providing the testing for all of those staff and their families as well. Some of the highest priority members of the NHS team, for example ICU nurses, might be isolating at home because their child is ill and symptomatic of COVID-19.

They can’t return to work. So we are going out into the community and doing a door step COVID-19 test, taking them straight to the Path lab as a priority and then they are processing the test within 3hrs. So by the end of the day the staff in question can be advised if they can go back to work.”

“This will allow a huge amount of staff to return to work because it can be confirmed that they haven’t actually got the virus. It also relieves

6

the anxiety of the staff because it provides an answer,” commented Daniel, whose team recently delivered twenty tests within a six hour period.

Constantly on the lookout for service vehicles, the organisation recently acquired two second-hand Kawasaki 1400GTR motorcycles from Wigan Kawasaki. Dealer Principal of Wigan Kawasaki, Dave Brown said “Sales and Marketing Manager at Kawasaki UK, Craig Watson put us in touch and we would do anything to help given the current situation. Getting these bikes to essential Key workers in desperate times was the main objective and our team happily volunteered their time, while observing rules about distancing in the workshop!”

“We have eighty three riders who are all volunteers and a very professional bunch of people. We have Police, Fire and Ambulance guys through to the unemployed, able and disabled, who volunteer their services. No matter who you are in your community, there is something you can offer to Devon Freewheelers. They are the hidden hero’s. Everything they do is quietly and without reward but every time they turn a wheel they are saving a life,” Daniel commented.

Find out how you can support the Devon Freewheelers here: www.devonfreewheelers.org.uk

A

nnounced on the first of April 2020, Kawasaki will aim for the stars and become the first manufacturer to place a powered four wheeler on the moon by the year 2030.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (parent company of Kawasaki Motorcycle Division) and Kawasaki Aerospace Company have already been exploring outer space operations for many years in preparation for this extraordinary project. The air treatment system and airlock system aboard the International Space Station are just a handful of components designed and manufactured by the Japanese based company.

The initial design is a giant leap from conventional powered two or four wheeler vehicles with the dual wheel system being necessary to traverse the rugged lunar terrain.

Named after the Japanese word for moon – Tsuki, project Kawasaki TSU-6 will also feature state-of-theart gravity seat technology (patent pending).

The four wheeler lunar module will be launched into space by a H-IIA or HI-IIB rocket, in which Kawasaki Aerospace Company currently produce the payload fairings and payload attachment fittings (PAF).

The launch date has been set for 1st April 2030.

NEWS

KAWASAKI MOTORS UK POWERS ON

F

ollowing government guidance, Kawasaki UK is operating with minimal personnel in the office with team members working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic wherever possible. Kawasaki is doing everything they can to look after the health and well-being of customers, staff and their families while ensuring that we provide the service levels expected from a world leading brand. We want to assure all customers that whilst many functions

are being handled remotely, we are still working as one team and are here to support you.

The MCIA (Motorcycle Industry Association) have encouraged the notion that powered two wheelers will assist in keeping the country moving forward and Kawasaki are proud to provide our utmost efforts during this time of change.

Many key workers are required to continue their work to ensure the

well-being of the greater public and this is where powered two wheelers will continue to provide the perfect isolated solution for necessary journeys.

Kawasaki dealers in the UK will operate service functions at their discretion and take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others. You are able to find details of and contact your nearest dealer for more information by visiting: www.kawasaki.co.uk/en/dealers

Added Value And Benefits We Call ‘K-Pac’ MASTER SCHEME SECURITY A whole variety of engine, chassis and bodywork parts are invisibly marked on each Kawasaki road motorcycle in an effort to reduce vehicle theft. Developed by the motorcycle security experts Datatag, the Master Security markings and transponders are invisible to the naked eye and supported with a sticker on each marked machine to deter the would-be thief.

Branded Document Wallet, so all your paperwork and booklets can be stored in one safe place. Alternatively, the wallet also doubles as a very handy IPad case!

HISTORY KEY

benefits such as national and local events, discounts and offers, regular news updates and more.

CLUB KAWASAKI Be a part of a true biking community with twelve months free membership of Club Kawasaki. Club Kawasaki provides two free high quality Club magazines per year, a dedicated members website, forum and a host of member

KAWASAKI ASSIST Roadside assistance; comes as standard and means that we’ll attend to your bike at the roadside anywhere in the UK. Recovery; includes recovery of your bike to any UK destination or Kawasaki dealer. At Home;

if you’ve broken down at home. Onward Travel; includes replacement vehicle for up to 48 hours, or overnight accommodation, or alternative travel costs covered if your bike can’t be fixed at the roadside or by a Kawasaki dealer.

DOCUMENT HANDOVER WALLET Every customer is presented with a Neoprene Kawasaki

The USB key fob device has been designed to carry essential information such as service history, dealer and customer notes and any recall data. Activated and accessed via your Club Kawasaki membership, the History Key creates an easy to access and updateable point of reference. n

Find the latest news at any time by visiting the news section of the Club Kawasaki website: www.clubkawasaki.co.uk/club-news

7

Club Kawasaki

benefits

To get the most out of your Club Kawasaki membership, you need to know about everything going on. So here’s a reminder of the host of features and benefits you receive as part of your Club Kawasaki membership… n FROM BRITISH & WORLD SUPERBIKES TO LOCAL WEEKEND BIKING FUN One of our most popular benefits offered to members is the fantastic value tickets to the British Superbike Championship. Every year we look to provide access to our factory supported Kawasaki BSB team with a fantastic value package so that you can see, what is widely acknowledged as the premier domestic superbike racing series in the

8

world, for yourself.

Each year Donington Park has hosted the event of the sole UK round of the World Superbike Championship and it’s one not to be missed. Tickets have now sold out for our 2020 hospitality suite at this event which takes place on the 3-5 July. Those who have purchased tickets will enjoy weekend entry, access to an

exclusive suite with trackside views, Sunday hospitality and to top it all off, we have scheduled visits from Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes.

Wherever we go, you’re welcome to come along, enjoy a hot drink, find somewhere to rest your feet and relax.

Be sure to come along and say hello to the Club Kawasaki team at Motorcycle Live, MCN London Show and more.

On top of all of that, you’ll also find regular local meetings organised by your Ambassadors and dealer open days with added extras for Club members like goody bags and competitions.

Keep up to date with the Club calendar on our events page at clubkawasaki.co.uk, to know where we’ll be throughout the year.

t to he be bel ne on fits gin g more. Many Kawasaki dealers also offer exclusive discounts to Club Kawasaki members, however please be aware that this offer may not apply to all Kawasaki dealers.

n DIGITAL SERVICE HISTORY Available only via your Club membership account, you’re able to access your digital service history, all service information, recall details and other data for your Kawasaki motorcycle.

n THE FORUM Get 10% discount on all official Kawasaki clothing and merchandise when bought online

n MEMBERS ONLY MAGAZINE You are reading issue 19 of our highquality publication, which is a must have for any green owner and a true collector’s item. You have the chance to get your story in the next issue of Club Kawasaki magazine using the ‘My Kawasaki and Me’ feature on our members only website. Look out for regular features from our contributors focusing on the worldwide racing scene, interviews with Kawasaki Motors UK staff, new model news, heritage features and more.

n KAWASAKI CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Benefit from 10% discount off all official Kawasaki clothing and merchandise when ordering from the Kawasaki online shop. Please visit the clothing & accessories section at www.kawasaki. co.uk where you can find a variety of bike accessories, clothing, merchandise, gifts and much more. To claim your discount, enter code: CLUB10 when prompted.

This 10% discount offer applies at any official Kawasaki Motors UK retail unit at events throughout the season so be sure to take advantage at Motorcycle Live, MCN London Show &

Your login will not only allow you to speak with like-minded fellow Kawasaki riders but also get in touch with your dedicated Club Co-ordinator, local Ambassador, Kawasaki dealer and more.

n YOUR GALLERY

The member’s gallery is the perfect place to upload your favourite photos of your bike, recent ride out or show. You can even view, comment and like other photos uploaded by fellow members.

n EVENTS

As a member you are always able to view the upcoming events and shows on the Club Calendar which includes national events, dealer open days, Club exclusives and Ambassador led activity too.

n NEWS

See the latest information on any competitions, events, shows, updates and offers. We will make sure you are the first to find out about any new models or future plans for your Club via our Friday News email updates too.

9

n KAWASAKI EXPERIENCES Be it on road, track or off-road we believe we have something suitable for everyone to experience the thrill of riding a Kawasaki motorcycle. We have joined forces with carefully selected riders and trainers throughout the UK to provide the very best experiences, on the very best motorcycles…

And the best part is, as a Club Kawasaki member, you can book with at least a 10% discount. n THE KAWASAKI MX EXPERIENCE www.kawasakimxdays.co.uk CRADLEY, WEST MIDLANDS, B64 7BT SevenSeven2 want to give everyone the opportunity to improve their skills and in some cases experience off-road riding for the very first time. Their coaches include a former MXGP rider, World Enduro rider

Start them young!

Children from the age of four can learn the skills to ride a motorcycle at Chiltern Young Riders

and IMBA European rider so with their knowledge base they aim to give you an experience you will remember forever!

n LEE DUNHAM RACING www.leedunhamracing.com DURSLEY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL11 6DA Once a competitive motocross rider, now turned motocross and off road motorbike coach, Lee Dunham teaches those who have never ridden to professional riders.

LDR also work with Charities & schools looking to teach their students the importance of positive attitude & goals.

n CHILTERN YOUNG RIDERS www.chilternyoungriders.com Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 3TX Located near Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, Chiltern Young Riders is one of the only motocross schools in the country focusing on children as young as four years old. Just as children can excel at skiing and swimming from an early age so can they master throttles, gears and clutches to enjoy riding too.

n DRAGON MOTO TOURS dragonmototours.co.uk UK & EUROPE Whether you are a seasoned motorcycle traveller or new to the world of twowheel touring, Jan & Geraint from DragonMoto Tours are here to help. Their tours are designed to take the stress out of your holiday, with routes, refreshment and fuel stops all comprehensively planned.

n MX TRY OUT www.mxtryout.co.uk VARIOUS LOCATIONS Everything you need is provided for you, no experience or equipment required. Try a motocross bike for the first time and learn to ride in less than a day. You just need to bring yourself or they can cater for families too and teach children from age 7 upwards.

n STEVE BROGAN SUPERBIKE SCHOOL www.stevebrogansuperbikeschool. co.uk VARIOUS LOCATIONS Steve Brogan has 20 years racing experience at the highest level in BSB mainly and has competed at European and world level on many occasions.

Steve’s extensive knowledge in all levels of riding is second to none so if you’re looking to hone your skills, you won’t find a better coach.

n 15% OFF VIRGIN EXPERIENCE DAYS Choose from hundreds of experience gift ideas across the UK from a Ferrari Thrill track day to a Chocolate Making & Cocktails masterclass. Virgin Experience Days also offer a VIP range including access to the Virgin Limited Edition range of Richard Branson’s properties worldwide, including Necker Island, for the ultimate special occasion. Prices shown on the website include 15% exclusive discount for Club members.

10

t to he be bel ne on fits gin g

n POWER BANK £12.95

n T-SHIRT £14.95

n CAP £9.95

n BEANIE HAT £8.95

n BLACK METAL BOTTLE £12.95

n KEYRING £1.95

n CLUB KAWASAKI SHOP All of our items are exclusively available to you, our valued members, and branded with the Club Kawasaki logo.

You’ll also find tickets to events for sale in the Club online shop when they are available. For further details on any of the below items and to place your order, login to the members only website at: www.club-kawasaki.co.uk.

n POWER BANK £12.95 Designed to charge your smart phone and other devices while on the go. With a capacity of 4000 mAh and 5V/1000mA output, you’ll be impressed by the power available to you.

n T-SHIRT £14.95 The design features the striking, iconic green Club

Kawasaki logo embroidered onto the left breast of a plain black, 100% cotton t-shirt. Available in sizes S – 3XL.

n STICKERS £2.45

n CAP £9.95

n BLACK METAL BOTTLE £12.95

New for 2020 - High quality white embroidery on the front of this black cotton cap shows the Club Kawasaki logo with green accent piping on the peak. This cap is made from 100% cotton twill with a metal tri-glide buckle on the back to adjust to suit you.

Keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold with this matt black insulated bottle with the Club Kawasaki logo engraved onto the side. Size: 500ml.

n BEANIE HAT £8.95

There’s a new Club Kawasaki beanie hat design for 2020

New for 2020 - The black and white Club Kawasaki logo is embroidered on the front of the cuffed design of this 100% soft-touch acrylic, double layer knit, beanie style hat in grey.

One size.

n KEYRING £1.95 Add this soft PVC layered keyring with 3D design to your keys to represent your favourite motorcycle brand!

n STICKERS £2.45 These domed stickers are high quality and durable, meaning you can apply them to your motorcycle, helmet or anywhere else you think needs extra Club Kawasaki branding. Price shown is for two stickers. n

11

G N I C A R ’ ROSS

P U D N ROU

Courtney Duncan is the current women’s World Motocross Champion, and is attempting two titles in a row in 2020 with the Dixon Racing Team. The New Zealander got off to a flying start, winning the opening Grand Prix of the year in the UK, and at the time of writing leads the Championship. At Kawasaki, we are keen to see more women take up motorcycling and between Courtney and Ana Carrasco we have two great ambassadors!

Courtney Duncan got off to a good start and is keen to bag another Championship

2020 forging ahead Get ready for a green season of sporting thrills Well, it’s been a long winter…

Every year the end of the season comes around and all of the teams and riders are thankful of the break, but no more than a couple of weeks later, the frantic countdown to the new season begins!

Whilst many of you don’t get to see what goes on behind the scenes during the cold months, it’s actually one of the busiest periods for our teams as they strive to develop their machines, often re-brand due to new sponsors and make sure their riders are at the peak of fitness before round one comes around.

12

Eat my dirt! Ben Clayton onboard the KX250

Whilst the off-season is taking place for our circuit racing teams, the annual Arenacross series is in full swing throughout January and February.

Team Green Kawasaki became Champions again for the second year in a row with our Rookie class entrant, Ben Clayton! The KX250 rider has totally dominated the class now for two seasons, winning over the crowd with his aggressive and exciting style, taking a number of wins and never finishing off the podium. Long may his success continue.

We are pleased to welcome back MSS Kawasaki to the grid in 2020!

After a seven season hiatus from the British Superbike Championship grid, where they have been focussing on growing the performance side of their business, we can’t wait to have them represent us in an official capacity in the Superstock 1000 class.

Chrissy Rouse, who was a race winner on Kawasaki machinery last year, joins the team alongside Tom Ward who is new to Kawasaki.

The Superstock class rules restrict teams from being able to make too many changes from the bike that you can buy in our dealerships, so this is always an important class for us to do well in. MSS Kawasaki has been our Team Green Technical Partner for a number of seasons now and knows this machine inside out, so you can expect their Ninja to be one of the best on the grid.

Chrissy Rouse hustling around the ZX-10RR

Reinforcing our commitment to the development of young talent in the UK, we have struck up a new partnership with Affinity Sports Academy, the brainchild of ex British Superbike Champion, Leon Haslam. This team will represent us in both the Junior Supersport and Junior Superstock classes and will have no less than six riders running from their awning! The philosophy of this team is for any rider that wins in the lower class, they automatically get a spot in the next class up the following season. This is testament to the team’s commitment to developing riders and a large part of why we at Team Green decided to work with them.

13

ING C A R ’ S S O R P

ROUND-U

There has been a huge change with regard to our official teams in the British Superbike Championship for 2020. I am sure that you have seen we have partnered with MassingberdMundy for title sponsorship of our teams this year, which despite being a lot of work for the teams to co-ordinate with each other in terms of livery, is fantastic news for our Team Green program.

We have always strived to bring a cohesiveness to our support of racing in the UK through Team Green and offer the opportunity, where possible, to allow young riders to make their way through our program with the aim of eventually riding for Kawasaki in the Superbike class. Danny Buchan is the perfect example of this, joining us in 2010 riding in the Junior Superstock class, and this season becomes our number one rider in our official Superbike team! It’s a great story, and one we want to emulate again and again.

14

Buchan is joined by Lincolnshire based Lee Jackson this year, having moved up from competing in the Superstock 1000 class in 2019, so luckily already very well versed in the way the Ninja ZX-10RR works.

Both riders have been enjoying the Spanish sun during March, as the FS-3 Racing team spent five days testing at both the Monteblanco and Jerez circuits in Southern Spain. Despite the Ninja ZX-10RR not

changing as a stock machine for 2020, the team are very aware that the Ducati was very strong in 2019 and they need to bridge the gap this season. A lot of work has gone into engine development, personnel changes and a myriad of component updates to ensure Buchan and Jackson have every chance of success. With both riders posting strong, consistent times in Spain, we are hopeful of a fantastic season!

Lee Jackson and the team enjoying a little testing in the Spanish sun

Danny Buchan celebrates a decade on a Kawasaki in BSB this year

15

ING C A R ’ S S O R P

ROUND-U

A flying start down under for the Kawasaki WSBK team

On the world stage, the year got off to an amazing start with Jonathan Rea AND Alex Lowes both taking race wins at the season opener in Australia, and at the time of writing, the newest Kawasaki recruit leads the World Championship!

The WSBK series is shaping up to be one of the most exciting, and competitive for some time with many riders all looking capable of winning races. Redding, Razgatlioglu, Van Der Mark to name a few will all be chomping at the bit, and to have three different race winners from three races at round one shows just that. Club Kawasaki is once again hosting hospitality within a limited capacity suite at the sole UK round of WSBK at Donington Park in July and we hope to see you there!

16

BEHIND S THE SCENE

Ninja 1000SX European Press Launch Event ND BACK-UP APORT T YRE SUP

ELED ALWAYS FUY AND RE AD

HE BAT TLING T WE ATHER

the graft behind UT HANGING OOTS OF CAR BO

SANCE RECONNAIS IN THE R AIN 18

THE G END RLITZ Y ESUL T

Words: Kawasaki Motors UK team Photos: GeeBee Images, Kawasaki, Impact Images

the green glitz What does it take to visualise, plan and execute a European launch event for a new motorcycle? The Marketing department at Kawasaki Motors UK are just the team to ask, as they were blessed with this very task for the new 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX.

T

o fully understand the workings behind this project, you must be aware that Kawasaki Motors UK is one of eight branches beneath Kawasaki Motors Europe Headquarters. One must also be privy to the number of new and updated motorcycles released by Kawasaki for 2020, including the W800, Ninja 650, Z650, Z900, Ninja 1000SX and Z H2. It is commonplace for a manufacturer to host a launch event where the media from their region are granted exclusive

access to be one of the first to test ride a new (or updated) motorcycle for review purposes. With the significance of the aforementioned models, Kawasaki Motors Europe was in a position where a number of launch events were to take place ‘back-to-back’, requiring a magnitude of resources. This is where Kawasaki Motors UK comes into the mix, managing a new model launch from beginning to end and being the first European branch in history to do so.

19

BEHIND S THE SCENE

Ninja 1000SX European Press Launch Event

What it takes to pull off an event 4

1

2

THE MAJOR PLAYERS 1

2

ROSS BURRIDGE Senior Racing and Marketing Coordinator Event responsibilities: Event Manager ELEANOR BERRY

Data

Customer Experience and Events Coordinator Event responsibilities: Event Coordinator 3

MILO DOKMANOVIC

PR & Marketing Coordinator Event responsibilities: Event Coordinator 4

ROSS SYMONS Section Head, Technical & Customer Service Group Event responsibilities: Head Technician

PHOTO TEAM

> Total number of Kawasaki staff: 20+

GRAEME BROWN: Gee Bee Images TIM KEETON: Impact Images VIDEO TEAM: Giggabox Proposal for event location, hotels and routes

Recce to location (selecting hotel, riding route, etc.)

2nd recce to location (confirming hotel, riding route, etc.)

> Total number of journalists: 48

Entire event team arrives a couple of days before the event commences

Overview of Event planning timeline November 2018 Initial request made to KMUK

20

Location selected

Negotiate contracts with hotel and service providers

Send invites to European Media

Feb 2020 Event begins

like this

Event schedule ARRIVAL DAY AFTERNOON

3

Arrival of staff and press representatives Check-in at hotel Welcome drink

EVENING

Press conference, including rider briefing Welcome dinner

DAY 1 MORNING

Breakfast at hotel Start riding session from the hotel Lunch on route

AFTERNOON

Continuation riding session – solo riding with GPS Return to hotel

EVENING

External dinner with own country

DAY 2 Breakfast at hotel MORNING

Morning riding session Any additional photo requests

AFTERNOON

Farewell Lunch Departure according to flight details

(Repeated for 4 groups of riders over two weeks.)

> Total number of Ninja 1000SX motorcycles: 20 From blueprint to blast-off: Months of planning pay off with a smoothlyrun launch for all 48 journalists from various magazines, newspapers and media sites

21

BEHIND S THE SCENE

Ninja 1000SX European Press Launch Event

We spoke with the major players about the event to see how things unfolded from their point of view. point of view, to better understand what had been done and what was likely to happen.

ELEANOR BERRY What did you think when you were first presented with the opportunity?

When I was first asked, we didn’t know much about the requirements because it was such early stages however our boss said that we might get the chance to run an EPI and he wanted me to be a part of the team. I had never been to an EPI so didn’t know the scale and what was involved but it sounded like something I definitely wanted to be involved in.

New, large scale, international and a challenge... I thought it would be great to say I did this and was a part of it.

What did your role entail?

Because it was a small team of just three of us, we all got involved with whatever needed doing from an organisational point of view. After lots of discussion with our European colleagues about location and budget, we got to work to make sure we had prepared as much as we possibly could before we arrived on site in Spain. Everything from booking hotels, local translators, hire vehicles, transport, team meals, schedules, photo/ video, branding, and more had to be organised.

Favourite aspect of the launch?

When the pressure is on a bit i.e. when we needed to react quickly to a circumstance that had changed, that’s when we performed our best I think. Also it was very nice to work in Cordoba in January, I spent the limited breaks we had exploring the old town. Seeing the scenery when we were out choosing the route for the journalists to ride was incredible too.

22

Would you do anything differently?

Naturally every event is different and the entire experience would be different because I’d have done it once before and I’d know what to expect. But nothing drastic.

Ross and Eleanor ensure the test bikes are where they should be

“Seeing

the scenery when we were out choosing the route for the journalists to ride was incredible” Eleanor Berry, Event Manager

Biggest challenge and how you overcame it?

I think not having attended an event like this before, meant I didn’t know what to expect. I had to rely on other team members who had attended press events before, albeit not from an organisational

Would you do it again?

Yes absolutely. It was very rewarding and one with many firsts not just for me but for the team in general and I’m proud to say it was a success. No event is without its hiccups but I think the way you overcome them says a lot.

Anything to add?

The event staff was a team of people that hadn’t worked together before so considering that, we all gelled and everything fell into place to work really well together.

ROSS BURRIDGE What did you think when you were first presented with the opportunity?

It was a really exciting opportunity to have an impact as a branch and to give our spin on a launch for this model. Having attended lots of launches previously over a number of years and experiencing what it’s like to be more on the attendee and journo side of things, I had an idea of what we needed to deliver and it was exciting to be more involved on a European level and be responsible for the impact and how this bike is received by the public.

What did your role entail?

Initially, the main part was to try and build a broad overview of what the event was going to look like in terms of location, which is obviously really important to make sure the bike and its strengths are represented properly i.e. we couldn’t simply roll up and down a motorway. So initially a lot of my role was preparation and planning, such as choosing the location, the route, make sure we had the right hotel based in the right place, etc. Once it was all set up, then I was responsible for the running of the event itself. Making sure the individual teams knew what we wanted to achieve and they understood their roles and then management of that throughout the two weeks.

What influenced the location?

We actually considered South Africa at the start. I thought of it because I have some inside knowledge of that location due to my wife being South African and I’ve seen spectacular launches held there before, however mostly due to logistical reasons we decided to stay closer to home. We thought of Spain because the weather was good that time of year and it was close to our region. A lot of launches have been held in Spain so first and foremost one of the main focuses was to go somewhere fresh and unique. Seville has good access and great roads, and Cordoba itself was a central town that fit the bill so we decided to go have a look at it during our recce.

The old town was a nice environment to explore during free time and for pics, the roads were spectacular and it just ticked all the boxes so actually, we couldn’t be happier with the location we settled on.

Favourite aspect of the launch?

Taking a group of 16 people who haven’t all collectively worked together before or done something like this launch before, in a location they weren’t familiar with and pull off an event that was regarded successful by all of the countries and journos who attended as well.

Favourite responsibility of the launch?

Being in charge of the photoshoot operation. Tying a group of people together to make it happen, closing the roads, coordinating the photographers

Even in southern Spain the weather can be unpredictable but the team persevered to come through

“The roads were spectacular and it just ticked all the boxes” Ross Burridge, Event Manager and videographers and making sure that we kept the riders safe. And the result was phenomenal.

Biggest challenge and how you overcame it?

At our first photoshoot where we took action photos and videos of the journalists on the Ninja 1000SX.. The pressure was on and all of the eyes were on us. No matter how much planning is done, there may still be a small task that’s forgotten about which has huge implications… Such as forgetting to fill the video van up with diesel. This was the van we had a camera strapped to the back of for tracking video with the journalists. We had to think on our feet and we sent a support vehicle away to get the diesel. The jerry can we had broke upon filling the van and diesel went everywhere. After some tense moments of halting the photoshoot and cleaning slippery diesel, we managed to get the van back up and running.

Would you do anything differently?

Small things like arrive a few days earlier as one of the biggest tasks we had was creating a press pack and this was done before the event. A press pack is a file with generic imagery and videos that the

journalists can use for the reviews they publish, on top of their individual photos and videos. Despite going to Spain for the good weather, we were actually faced with terrible weather when we arrived, but the team got around it by being creative. It was a bit of a rush but we made it work.

Would you do it again?

Yes. I’ve worked at Kawasaki for 13 years and despite it being difficult to be away when you have a young family plus the fact that it’s added a few grey hairs, ultimately looking back at it, it was the best experience of my time at Kawasaki for sure. When you’ve done something once, it’s easy to do it the second time around.

ROSS SYMONS What did you think when you were first presented with the opportunity?

I was honoured that we were given the option to run it. Albeit at a busy period for us with other projects, it all went relatively smoothly. It was a lot of hard work and there was lots of planning involved but the end result was very pleasing.

23

BEHIND S THE SCENE

Ninja 1000SX European Press Launch Event then depart and meet everyone including the journos at the photo location where we assisted with the photoshoot. Bikes would be returned that evening then they were refuelled and we did a full prep as mentioned before including washing and polish to make them look/perform in best possible condition which might involve change of tyres for example.

Would you do anything differently?

Probably not a lot. More sunshine on prep days would have been good as we running the tyres and bikes in at the beginning.

A video crew also ensured the journalists got th e material they ne eded

What did your role entail?

Oversee and manage planning for entire Workshop side of things including initial decrating and preparation of 20 motorcycles, through to making sure they were fully prepped and ready for transportation. Then carrying out daily checks and preps with the bikes for each press group. We were a team of five and we couldn’t have had more experienced Technicians on the job.

Favourite aspect of the launch?

Actually getting out and riding some fantastic Spanish roads when we were running tyres in, along with a spot of winter sunshine.

Biggest challenge and how you overcame it?

Going in and out of the carpark! It was three levels down and quite steep, but we managed by having plenty of hands and a tow rope when taking rolling crates out at the end of the event. Also just the general amount of work involved which created very long days.

What did each day look like for you?

Basically a thorough check over of each bike, from a nut and bolt check to tyre conditions, level check, chain adjustments, lube, filling up with fuel, etc. Everything gets set back to standard before each ride. Then come the morning of each group, we do a final tyre pressure check then move the bikes up to the front of the hotel where they were lined up in number order for the journos. We’d

24

Would you do it again?

Yes definitely given the opportunity. When you’ve done it once you have a base to work from.

MILO DOKMANOVIC What did you think when you were first presented with the opportunity?

I was honoured that Kawasaki Motors Europe considered our branch for the project as it reflected that they believed we were up to the task. The excitement was quickly accompanied by a realisation of the amount of work that goes into these events. It was going to be challenging doing our day jobs and organising this event at the same time, but with careful planning and ambition it was possible. So in summary, I was keen!

authorities, organising hire cars, and taking care of the UK journalists which is something I would do at any other launch.

Oh, not to mention being the guide rider and riding the bike we took photos of for the press kit… Someone had to do it!

Favourite aspect of the launch?

Definitely soaking up the incredible views and roads while sweeping the freeride route for each group. We did the sweep just to make sure there weren’t any journos stuck with a puncture and no phone reception for example.

Biggest challenge and how you overcame it?

At the beginning of the planning phase it was seeking approval for road closure and photo authority with the council. We quickly realised it was impossible for us to do this from the UK. This is imperative for the launch to take place so we had to be creative and find a third party capable of taking care of this for us. Also the sheer amount of tasts to complete and making sure we kept on top of it all with a check list to make sure we weren’t missing anything, including deadlines!

Would you do anything differently?

I would include a day off in the middle of the event for staff to recuperate as we were operating near the red line and doing long days, which was exciting and we were very comfortable in doing so, however a day off to soak up the Old Town of Cordoba for example would have been fantastic!

What did your role entail?

I am the PR Officer at KMUK so in the planning phase and during execution I Would you do it again? was tasked with anything PR related. For Don’t have to think twice about saying yes example making sure that our file sharing to that. n platform was prepared and ready as one of the most important outcomes from these Beautiful scenery and fantastic roads were just events for the media two of the excellent reasons is the quality of the for choosing Cordoba imagery and video content and making sure it is received in a timely manner. I also coordinated things like seeking photo location road closure and photography approval from the local

As a Club Kawasaki member, you get 10% discount off all Kawasaki clothing & accessories and there’s no better time to browse the new range. With a number of unisex items now available in sizes 2XS up to 4XL, there’s something to suit everyone.

KAWASAKI CLOTHING 2020

The new 2020 Kawasaki Sports Range has landed WINTER JACKET RRP £139.95 – CLUB £127.23 Face the storm! There’s no reason not to venture out in all weathers with this warm and stylish unisex winter jacket. Features a removable hood and Kawasaki logos front and rear. SIZES: 2XS - 4XL

Keep chills at bay, whatever the season

25

CLOTHING

2020

SWEATSHIRT

HOODY

RRP £63.95 – CLUB £58.14 Whether you’re hitting the gym or planning to work on your motorcycle, this unisex zipped sweatshirt offers both flexible and plentiful fitting due to its cotton and polyester blend. SIZES 2XS – 4XL. Also available in the kids range for £48.95.

Club price £44.50

RRP £58.95 – CLUB £53.59 For the tougher look, this unisex Kawasaki Sports Hoody lets you play the part well.

We’ve added embroidered Kawasaki logos and a pattern printed shoulder area front and back. At the same time, the cotton and polyester blend will keep you warm on a chilly summer night or winter morning.

SIZES 2XS – 4XL

Use discount code CLUB10 at the checkout when ordering online at: www.kawasakishop.co.uk

BODY WARMER Fancy a cosy core temperature while maximising mobility? The body warmer has it sorted

26

RRP £86.95 – CLUB £79.05 Fight the cold at any time of the year. This 100% polyester Kawasaki Sports Body Warmer will suit any occasion whilst keeping you warm and on-brand. SIZES 2XS – 4XL

CLOTHING

Front

2020

Rear

T-SHIRT

The T-shirt is also available in slim-fit ladies cut

CAP RRP £20.95 – CLUB £19.05 The cap makes the outfit.

That is a fact. And this one, 100% cotton, with embroidered logos and a detail under-visor sublimation print should not be excluded from your apparel. ONE SIZE.

RRP £26.94 – CLUB £24.49 Our 100% cotton Kawasaki t-shirt with screen-printed logos and green piping details running down both sides offers a perfect fit. Do us proud! Available in sizes S - 2XL in Mens and XS – 2XL in Ladies. Also available in the kids range for £19.95.

Club price £18.14

BEANIE RRP £18.95 – CLUB £17.23 Who can do without a Beanie through the winter? Our Kawasaki Sports Beanie features high quality embroidered Kawasaki logos front and back.

ONE SIZE.

LADIES TANK TOP RRP £25.95 – CLUB £23.59 The ultimate summer garment for those hot days. This cotton tank top is screen printed with Kawasaki logos front and back. SIZES XS – 2XL.

BABY ROMPER RRP £13.95 – CLUB £12.68 Get them on board as young as you can! Our white baby romper’s 100% cotton construction makes it highly comfortable and breathable.

Available in sizes 44-92.

27

the

ultimate

Words: Ross Burridge Photography: Double Red

thomas bell

28

test ride andy sharp

Imagine an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas where you become one of the first people in the world to ride the awesome, all new, Kawasaki Z H2 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway… Sound like a dream? – Well, that was a reality for two of our lucky Club Kawasaki members who I took to the States earlier this year as winners of our “Ultimate Test Ride” competition.

29

Two lucky Kawasaki riders won the chance to sample the Z H2 in a dream ride in Las Vegas

A

fter a competition was launched at Motorcycle Live last year in which customers were asked to submit a thirty second video of themselves telling us why they should be chosen, the eventual two worthy winners were Andy Sharp and Thomas Bell! Both Kawasaki fans (owning a Ninja H2 SX SE+ and Z1000SX respectively), you can imagine their excitement of being invited to this memorable event. When I arrived early one Monday morning in February at Heathrow airport, I found two very eager Club Kawasaki members desperate to find out what exactly we had in store for them…

Andy Sharp “I just couldn’t believe I had won! I’m such a huge Kawasaki fan, and had never been to Las Vegas before, so to combine the two and get to experience behind the scenes of an event not normally open to the public was just fantastic!”

Thomas Bell “The chance to ride a Supercharged motorcycle on a banked circuit was out of this world! Kawasaki UK and Kawasaki Europe put on such an awesome event, it’s something I will remember for the rest of my life!”

200bhp of naked joy in an all-expenses trip to Las Vegas? Oh yes!

30

W

orldwide new model press introductions are usually for members of the motorcycle press only and produce the images and articles you read in publications such as Motorcycle News, Fast Bikes magazine etc. However, for the first time ever customers of ours from across Europe were invited to join the final group of this historic event and truly experience what it was like to become a journalist for a few days. Thomas and Andy not only got to ride the new machine alongside the journalists, but experienced everything that goes on at a launch from meeting the Z H2 Japanese Project Leader to having direct access to a technical team tending to their every need as the machine was set up just for them.

It wasn’t all about the bikes though, of course they needed a little R&R to acclimatise to the time difference! So I

set about taking the guys on a tour of the famous Las Vegas strip, visiting Fremont Street, experiencing the New York New York rollercoaster and we even squeezed in a memorable helicopter ride over the sensational Grand Canyon! Suitably relaxed, we arrived at the awe inspiring Las Vegas Motor Speedway ready to feel 200BHP of Supercharged excitement.

Not content with just providing this riding experience, the track also happened to be right next to a US Airforce base, meaning that the riders were treated to the full Top Gun experience of riding bikes with fighter jets flying overhead!

The Z H2 really is a bike for many different types of rider, as Andy and Thomas found out. Just as capable on track as it is on the road, whilst a Supercharged 200BHP sounds intimidating, they found out it really isn’t.

Andy Sharp “What a day! I had never ridden on an oval track before, but I want to again! The Z H2 is fantastic, so fast when you want it to be, but really composed too.

It handled both the slow speed and high speed sections with ease. I want one!”

When in Vegas it would be rude not to enjoy the views over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter and watch the dancing fountains at the Bellagio hotel

Thomas Bell “The mid-range power this bike has is phenomenal, it makes it so easy to ride with minimal gear changes, even though you actually want to change gear with both the super smooth quickshifter and beautiful chirp chirp sound of the Supercharger resonating through your helmet!”

“The mid-range power this bike has is phenomenal” 31

“The route back to the hotel was genuinely the best ride I have EVER had on a motorcycle!”

Thomas Bell “That bike just keeps surprising me! With all the talk about Superchargers and 200BHP, we knew it would be a weapon on track, but out there, at relatively slow speeds on normal roads it works just as well. The route back to the hotel was genuinely the best ride I have EVER had on a motorcycle!”

Andy Sharp “I have ridden a few track days in my time, but most of my riding is done on the road, so as much as the Speedway was amazing I was really keen to try out the Z H2 on the road. Due to the strict rules in the State Park, the speed limit was quite slow, but it just enabled us to really zone in on what the bike was doing and how it worked at a more sedate pace. It was a dream to ride through such beautiful landscape on such a well behaved machine. Can we go back please?”

VIP experiences had, memories made, job done!

32

Kar Lee

I

whisked the guys back to the Mirage Hotel and a couple of hours were spent on the Roulette table looking back on a brilliant day, whilst hoping the following day would be equally as epic. It was. The Valley of Fire is arguably one of the most breath-taking State Parks in the United States, strewn with beautiful red coloured rock formations. This set the scene for the road riding element, where both Andy and Thomas rode an awesome stretch of winding smooth tarmac, on closed roads, posing for the professional photo and video team as they passed by. Access was then granted to the private Kawasaki website which gave them a selection of stunning images they can show off to their biker friends for ever more! It turned out that they enjoyed the bike on normal roads just as much as on track!

A

ll that remained for myself and my two lucky guests was a ten hour flight back home to the UK, but they had had the time of their lives! I have worked at Kawasaki for nearly fifteen years and have been lucky to experience many “money can’t buy” experiences and it was truly brilliant to take a couple of great Kawasaki customers on this trip. It was a first for Kawasaki to invite customers to such an event; will we do it again? That remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Thomas and Andy are left with lifelong memories! The new Z H2 is an amazing bike, just ask the guys, but why don’t you go one step better and try one for yourself by heading to www. kawasakitestride.co.uk and booking a test ride with your local Kawasaki dealer?

Ok, so it won’t be in Las Vegas, but trust me, you’ll love it. n

Revolutionising Motorcycle Security A discreet motorcycle tracker that monitors the movements of your pride and joy in real-time, allowing you to view status and journey history 24/7 with notification of unauthorised movements.

www.biketrac.co.uk











REAL-TIME MONITORING

24-7 OPERATION CENTER

BIKE DOWN ALERTS

STEALTH INSTALLATION

SELF MAINTAINING

N E W FE AT URES N OW AVA IL A B L E In cooperation with Securitas, BikeTrac is able to offer a

We are delighted to announce a New BikeTrac 0% finance

‘Response Service’, in the event of Police being unable to

offer. spread the cost of the device, fitting and your

attend. This nationwide service, enables an SIA accredited

customers first years subscription over 12 months. Ask

operative to visit the location to secure the stolen machine.

your local dealer or visit our website for more details.

Trackable via RF in:

Our Multi-Channel Technology features the standard line of defence GPRS, GSM & GPS. Plus Biketrac’s RF tracking capability allows us to track in situations other trackers can’t. Giving us the highly coveted CAT7 rating.

SHIPPING CONTAINERS

GPS

GSM

GPRS

24/7

+ RADIO FREQUENCY LOCATION

Monitoring

INSIDE VANS

APP

Available

UNDERGROUND PARKING

1000+

Recoveries

LOCK-UP/OUT BUILDINGS

Thatcham Approved

£8.4

of recoveries

Engineered to further protect your pride and joy from theft with class leading anti-theft design.

Portable Grab-Bag & Chain

Ground Anchor - Colours available

For more information visit www.biketrac.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1327 317 980

BikeTrac is endorsed by Motorcycle Industr y Association

-

Insurance accredited

T H G I S N I F F A T KMUK S symons Words: Ross Symons

rosofsTechnical & Customer Services

Section Head

mber of zine, you get to know a me ga ma ki sa wa Ka b Clu of In every edition to Ross Symons, rs UK. This time we speak oto M ki sa wa Ka m fro re our team he Having worked at & Customer Service Group. al nic ch Te the of ad He ng the Section ed in exciting projects alo olv inv ing be s, ar ye of er view.

Kawasaki for a numb at it’s like from his point of wh ow kn us let to him d way, we aske

Tell us about how you ended up working for Kawasaki Motors UK? My career in the motorcycle industry began over two decades ago, when I started an apprenticeship with a multifranchise dealer, Kawasaki being one of those manufactures. I spent several years working in dealerships before applying for the position at Kawasaki Motors UK as a product technician 13 years ago. I have worked in a couple of different positions at Kawasaki including customer service and dealer technical support. Since 2010 I have been section head of our workshop.

“I spent several years working in dealerships before applying for the position at Kawasaki Motors UK as a product technician 13 years ago” 34

Describe your role to us My main role at Kawasaki is managing the workshop, where we prepare machines to a very high standard that go on loan to magazines to be tested and reviewed for potential customers to read and help make their choice on their next purchase. I build and prepare bikes for all of our shows and events, which range from Motorcycle Live to World of Kawasaki and new model press introductions.

Since I began at Kawasaki back in 2007 I have worked within our European technical team preparing bikes for press introductions on new models that has seen me work in various countries across the world.

I have been very lucky to visit some great locations, work with colleagues from across Europe and Japan and ride some brilliant roads. There can be some long hard days working into the night preparing bikes for new groups of world journalists to ride the following day, but there is a great feel of satisfaction when you have a line of potentially 20 plus new motorcycles

lined up first thing in the morning outside a hotel, all fully prepared to the best possible condition following previous riding groups.

This year in February I spent two weeks in Cordoba, Spain where I managed a technical team who were responsible for the initial preparation and maintenance of the new Ninja 1000SX, following the Z1000SX our best selling motorcycle. I was honoured to be in charge of the technical team as this was the first time in many years that Kawasaki Motors UK had managed a European press introduction. The team was comprised of technicians from within Kawasaki Motors UK and our dealer network. This was an event in which I had spent many months preparing for, ranging from building and preparing 20 motorcycles to planning for a full workshop to be set-up in Spain, the workshop being based at a hotel in the centre of the city.

Tell us about motorcycles you have or have owned Over the years I have owned various makes and models including some Kawasakis, these ranging from ARs and Zephyrs to ZZRs and a ZX9R. I am currently riding a Versys 1000 which I use daily to and from work, equipped with a large screen and top box it’s my perfect all year round choice.

What do you do away from work?

Outside of work my weekends are often spent running my daughter about, trying to complete that never ending list of DIY jobs and finding time to go cycling or running with my local club.

What’s the best part about your role?

Over the years I have been very lucky to ride and test all makes and models of bikes, and this continues to be a great part of my job role to date, which allows me to ride the brilliant and exciting models on a regular basis that Kawasaki continues to produce.

If money was no object, what would your dream bike be?

This question is always a tricky one. I’m not sure there is such a thing as a perfect bike which would simply mean a garage with a few to choose from, road and track which of course would include the wonderfully engineered H2R. Engineering excellence: Ross wouldn’t say no to a H2R

Read interviews with the rest of the team who worked on the Ninja 1000SX European Press Launch in our ‘Behind the Scenes’ feature on page 18

35

The magic of

Words: Martin Lambert. Photos: Kawasaki Motors Europe

750cc “the legend that was the H2 evaporated in a haze of two stroke smoke”

ver since the first pioneers swung a leg over what were basically motor-bicycles, a cycle with an engine crudely inserted into the tubular frame, the maxim “bigger is better” has applied to the passion for powered two wheelers. And as the biking boom transferred from British control to the Japanese an “order” was establishing itself with “capacity classes” being created such as 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and 650cc.

At the “tipping point” in the early 1970’s with the dying embers of the UK industry fading and bikers experienced a tidal wave of product from the land of the Rising Sun, the three quarter litre class broadened and burst onto the scene. Taking over from the Norton Commando and Triumph Tridents of the UK and Italy’s Guzzi V7’s plus Laverda SF’s of the 70’s from that day to this the 750cc capacity has signified a gateway to the most extreme performance, the doorstep of the litre class.

Over the years Kawasaki has made many 750cc machines; Club Magazine now looks back at some of the many highs… and a few “not so highs” on a journey down motorcycling memory lane. Here is Part One of a Two Part insight.

36

H2 Mach IV The Steroid Superbike F

or many, 1972 was a definitive year for Kawasaki. The brochure of the time ran the headline “The year of the Tri-Stars” for this was the season that Kawasaki unleashed the legendary 750cc H2 Mach IV. Alongside the diminutive 350cc S2 and the updated, disc braked H1 500 in B form, the H2 was the third triple in the range and lived up to the hype of being the “bigger, badder brother” of the H1.

There was no change in the 1968 design philosophy of the already established H1 500, no “softening” of stance; the H2 was basically a scaled up H1, a Mach III on steroids.

Capacity was up, carb sizes were up, power was up and speed was up. In the USA main market gas

was cheap and wages high so the $999 for the original stock H1 was similarly kept in line and “scaled up” the same with a retail price tag of just $1395 for a machine that Kawasaki’s official drag racer, Tony Nicosia, took through the timing lights at 11.95sec from a standing start over the quarter mile at the AHRA Spring Nationals in 1972 on machine chassis number #00012 which Kawasaki USA later gifted to him.

Lasting just four iterations over four model years, the legend that was the H2 evaporated in a haze of two stroke smoke, killed off by the world oil crisis in the 1970’s and the new “eco lobby” in the USA driving down exhaust emissions. Between the Mach IV and final H2C power dropped from 74bhp to closer to 70 and refinement crept in, even the tendency to wheelie

under acceleration in the lower gears was significantly “tuned out” with something like a 2 inch longer swinging arm. No matter, the H2 was – and still is- one of Kawasaki’s (and the biking world’s) definitive 750cc machines with a legacy that reaches to current times and its ultra-performance namesake, the Supercharged Ninja H2, being deliberately named after the 70’s icon.

Imagine paying under $1400 for one of these beauties today

37

Above: Mick Grant astride a KR750 at Mallory Park

H2R / KR750 Fearsome Flexi-Flyers

“It was not long before the limits of the air-cooled very much road based H2R were reached and the KR750 was developed”

S

treetbike prowess in the 1970’s was almost exclusively built on racing success. For sure Japanese manufacturers saw racing as a very direct route to take on and beat rivals to establish performance credentials as well as create brand reputation.

“Win on Sunday and sell on Monday” characterised the 1970’s both on dirt and asphalt with Kawasaki adapting street bikes for racing duties with notable success. For the triples this philosophy first created the H1R 500 racer then, as the 750cc road bike was rolled out, the H2R three quarter litre racers.

Using the same basic crankcase and gearbox construction as the road bike, the simple piston ported racers

38

possessed no subtleties such as reed valves to control induction and the days of the electronically operated exhaust valve were a figment of someone’s future vision. Those first “Green Meanies” were just three big carburettors, three big pistons and acres of inlet, transfer and exhaust port area. In fact there was so little cylinder area that some ports were “bridged” with metal to stop the piston rings, and presumably pistons, disappearing like Alice’s white rabbit down a dirty great hole.

No matter that the frames of these “flexi-flyers” were as crude as the contemporary suspension and tyres, when they were “on song” in an admittedly narrow power band, the

howl of the H2R’s of racing legends like Yvon Duhamel, Gregg Hansford and Barry Ditchburn captivated the race going public as riders pushed tyres to their adhesive limits and engines to as close to seizure as possible in the fight for podium supremacy.

It was not long before the limits of the air-cooled very much road based H2R were reached and the KR750 was developed. Still sharing some architecture with the street machine, the KR750 possessed a watercooled single piece cylinder block, magnesium crankcases, an air-cooled clutch plus the benefit of a few years trial and error in chassis technology.

Tyres were coming along too and

Stripped of its fairing, the H2R cuts an imposing stance

Z750 Twin Balanced yet Bland T

Below: Gregg Hansford on the KR750

tyre life across a race was more predictable; so much so that the KR750 in the hands of Mick Grant won the most arduous race in the world in 1977, the Isle of Man Senior TT. Braking the timing beams on the section between the Creg and Brandish at an incredible 191mph on his way to a race average of 112.77mph over six laps each of 37 ¾ miles. In reality this was more of a swansong for the mighty KR as other manufacturers had launched four cylinder two-stroke racers but no one can deny that the sight of Mick Grant and Barry Ditchburn in the cut and thrust of domestic racing in the 1970’s was the beginning of many a young UK spectator’s obsession with Kawasaki.

hen – seemingly as suddenly as aimed at an older generation of rider; the 1970’s had started with a perhaps even the rider who harked wild-eyed optimism, the later part after what maybe the British industry of the decade in motorcycling terms would have created had it survived. was something of a wake-up call.

Benefitting from what appeared to Manufacturers were chasing buyers be the world’s largest side panels with yet more diverse products. and a seat that never really looked They sought pockets of sales not like it was meant for the machine, the yet realised while producing such Z750 was a sort of “bigger brother”, wide model lines that “internal to the already introduced Z400 twin competition” was a very real threat and sat in a weirdly zig-zagging to sales expansion; add to that global range with a 400cc twin then the trends toward cleaner running Z650 four, a Z750 twin and the new vehicles and the inevitable call for Z1000-A1 four. safer, more responsible road use Perhaps it was a case of product and the exit of the banzai H2 diversity, or trying to “the Z750 twin Mach IV in 1975 was replaced assuage the legislators, with what could only be never really hit but the Z750 twin never described as the “worthy and the mark with really hit the mark with interesting” Z750. buyers despite being buyers despite A very sociable twin offered with alloy wheels, being offered as an LTD custom machine cylinder air-cooled four stroke replaced the antiwith alloy or in one of 12 eventual social two-stroke triple guises. Only recently has wheels” offering double overhead the “replacement for the camshafts, no less than two engine H2” found a new, loyal following balancers, a comprehensive blow-by amongst the current crop of hipster gas recycling system and disc brakes shed bike custom builders who value front and rear. Compared to the its outward simplicity and inward styling of the H2, the Z750 was more technology over the more archaic upright, more “mature” and certainly British donor bikes in the field.

The Z750 twin: the answer to a question no-one asked

38

GPz750 air-cooled Age of the Red Zeds The somewhat unfulfilled promise of the 1970’s made way for a new rush towards technology in the 1980’s.

This was the age of such innovations mobile phones, the CD, mass use of micro-processors and widespread CNC machining technology in manufacture. R&D was suddenly accelerated by an explosion in computing power and the worldwide economy was trying to keep pace with de-regulated stock markets.

People had disposable income again and wanted to spend.

Kawasaki’s answer? - “The Red Revolution”, a new approach to bike branding creating a new, distinctive look and feel for a range of machines quite apart from the long established – and for some quite staid – Z range which, to be fair, had debuted the latest air-cooled 750 in the guise of the Z750L bearing the bluff, unapologetic slab sided styling so redolent of the age – a far cry from its beloved and almost Rubenesque Z650 forebear.

GPz evoked performance, technology and style. It eschewed Kawasaki’s lime green heritage, gave no care for the fact that other manufacturers had claimed the colour and

“GPz evoked performance, technology and style”

presented a range of bright pillar box red machines that, in the UK, took the market by storm. Not only did Kawasaki become number one in the market thanks to GPz but the market share for the smallest of the “big four” was significantly over 20%, for sure something to cause shockwaves in Hamamatsu and Iwata.

In truth – and aside from some snazzy meter panels with asymmetric speedometers and rev counters plus partial LED displays - the initial GPz bikes in a range of capacities were simply a distillation of what Kawasaki engineers had gathered over many years of making two valves per cylinder, air-cooled performance motorcycles.

Higher lift and longer duration camshafts, better gas flow technology and the possibility to mass-produce to incredible tolerances thanks to the latest raft of computer controlled lathes and milling machines aligned itself to Kawasaki’s burgeoning reputation for appreciating the value of chassis, brake and suspension technology.

The first GPz 750 machines were almost “Red Zeds” with twin rear shock absorbers, bikini cowls redolent of the ground breaking Z1R and 1980’s “essentials” such as acres of “black chrome”.

The Uni-Trak GPz may have had the technology, but the original twinshock had the brutish looks

40

Transitioning to Uni-Trak rear suspension, the design of the GPz750 became more “rangy” with the rider in more of a racing stance and the bikes in what can only be described as a very fulsome range spiralling in capacity all the way to 1100cc.

While the Z750 of 1977 can best be described as never fulfilling its promise, the GPz 750 in both twin shock and Uni-Trak guise should be considered as unjustly overlooked.

The GPz550 was quite simply a rocket ship in terms of performance per cc while the range topping GPz1100 had the benefit of category crushing power and speed. A shame as the further refinement of the air-cooled Z650 engine unit to create the GPz750 bestowed upon it all the attributes of a genuinely accomplished sporting all-rounder that is still sought after by enthusiasts to this day.

But the enemy was within and pretty soon the Kawasaki water-cooled dam would burst consuming the aircooled GPz and many others. For the H2o iterations, one last hurrah for the air-cooled 750cc generation and a further focus on the many three quarter litre Kawasaki motorcycles in a long, rich manufacturing history, we will keep our powder dry for the following issue and part two of “The magic of 750cc”. n

EXTREMELY EVOLVED.

NEW

A TRULY ADVANCED BREED OF TYRE. Combining the DNA from trail, supermoto, racing wets and sport-touring tyres, the Dunlop MUTANT is a whole new type of tyre – the Crossover. MUTANT’s extremely evolved M+S pattern delivers a unique combination of superior cold and wet grip, sports handling and touring durability. So you’re ready to conquer all conditions, every time you ride.

Find out more at dunlop.eu

interview - john mcguinness

mr Photos: Impact Images

John McGuinness is one of the most famous names in International Road Racing with an unbelievable 23 Isle of Man TT race wins. The mind of a TT racer is a mystery to us mere mortals, so we spent some time with “McPint” recently to find out what makes him tick, and just how he has managed to be so successful around the mountain course.

You’ve had one of the most successful careers of any racer either on the roads or circuits – what is at the core of your need to keep racing, what are those key elements that make you want to keep competing?

JM A good package, with good stable people around me and good mechanics. People who are still willing to put a bit of faith in me, it’s not rocket science. I know racing is expensive, I know it’s stressful, a lot of people take huge chunks of time out of their lives to play a part in the team, I want to do the best I can for them. When all the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed, it comes down to me to ride the bike. It’s weird for me, maybe I’ve had my arse wiped for me for too long and I’ve been lucky but I’ve always just enjoyed the camaraderie and the crack with the people around me, we have fun when we go racing. Regardless of the paddock and the talent, sometimes people in the team just don’t like each other and when that happens, things never work out well. There’s no point being in the team for the wrong reasons.

When I have a good team and a good bike, that’s when I want to race forever.

In many ways you are cast from the same clay as Joey Dunlop – both of you took a less than conventional view of training and the publicity demands of manufacturers and sponsors. Given that you rode with Joey tell us exactly what he meant to you?

42

JM I always make sure I have enough energy left to climb on the top step and lift a trophy above my head, I’m not sure how much more a racer needs? I take the PR role seriously, but there’s an opinion that race fans want to hear what racers have to say from the heart rather than from a script. I always got the feeling Joey felt the same. When you’re a kid you follow your heroes and Joey was mine. Joey was the best and that meant everything to me, he was the guy with all the wins and five world championships. He was unassuming. He was hard to get to know and I was fortunate to get to know him a little bit more than lots of people and got closer to him than most. I didn’t realise at the time that he’d accepted me into his clan more than others. It took years after he was gone for me to realise how special that was and what it meant to me. You would always assume that somebody like that is invincible. The day he was awarded the freedom of his borough, he dropped me off at the B&B I was staying in and we had a few beers in us, I didn’t know that would be the last time I would ever see him alive. His last words to me were “thanks for coming, it means a lot” These were big words for a man like Joey to say and I never expected them to be the last to me from him. I watched him as a kid, ten, 11, 12 and 13 years old. Had his posters on my bedroom wall, he was just so cool and I followed his every step.

Eventually I’d go on to be his teammate and it was the icing on the cake really. It was a bit of a whirlwind for me. Joey wouldn’t ride the Fireblade, then he tested the SP1 and decided to race it and all of a sudden we were teammates. I really do think it was meant to be. When I did my first ever TT, I ended up being asked by Frank Wrathall (he tuned everyone’s engines back then) if I could stick an

With 23 TT wins under his belt, McGuinness cuts a formidable, and confident figure

“I always make sure I have enough energy left to climb on the top step and lift a trophy above my head�

43

interview - john mcguinness

extra bike in my van and drop it off to the owner in the paddock in Douglas when I got there. It was no bother to me so I said yes.

It was Joey’s 125, still with a dent in the tank from where he’d had a crash at Tandragee on it a few weeks before and a bit dog eared around the edges. Seeing it in the van next to my bike was weird, I had to keep opening the doors and looking at it next to all my kit just to take it in.

People say anyone can learn to draw, play the piano or even ride a motorcycle. If that’s true what elevates someone above being able to ride, to ride fast then to be in the top 5% of even racers?

JM I’m not sure (laughs out loud). This question has been put to me in all kinds of ways over the years and my answer is still “I don’t know, you tell me”. Am I better, or have I just had better bikes? Have I had tunnel vision and just shut life as everyone else knows it out so that I only have to focus on just one thing.

I know loads of other people who have lots of interests rather than just one. They like golf or gambling or football or whatever.

I have no interest in anything else. For me it’s bikes and the TT. That’s it. I think working with good people helps those of us that are blessed with some natural talent to really shine. I used to spend a lot of time looking at my competitors while asking myself why they were doing better than me? Was it something in their head or just different gearing? Figuring those things out helped me understand where I could improve and do things differently. I put a lot of time and effort into learning the track at the TT. Did my homework and listened to a lot of people that had an opinion that I valued. When my mates were going to acid parties, I was doing my TT homework. Simple to me, maybe not to everyone else.

Tell us about your inner dialogue when you are riding – what are you saying to yourself. Do you congratulate yourself on, say, a section of the TT course completed well or is it only you swearing at yourself as you think you could have got something better?

JM While I’m racing the TT I’ve smelled weed, I’ve smelled burgers, sausages and beer. I’ve seen the smiles on people’s faces and I’ve seen the ferry pulling out of the harbour. The bottom line is when you’re on the bike your mind wanders for a split second, it might feel like seconds but it’s not, it’s fractions of a second. I’ve seen everything and take it all in but on the flip side, I’m ready for everything. Because I’m in a rhythm and I know the track and what’s coming up next, I know when that wheelie is coming or when the bike is going to try and rip itself out of my hands over that bump two corners up the road. The

After a long association with Honda, McGuinness has signed for Kawasaki

44

“When my mates were going to acid parties, I was doing my TT homework.” rhythm is important. Of course I’ve been on the bike shouting at myself, screaming “Come on come on come on!”, but a good lap comes with composure, you can’t force it. I said to Becky (John’s lifelong partner and wife) in 2007 “watch this tonight, I’m going to nail that 130mph lap and set this place on fire!”. I went out there and screamed at myself the whole way round and did a 129.6.

I was so disappointed. It felt like a 135mph lap. I think actions speak louder than words and when you’re absolutely dialled in and completely focused, you hit all your markers and a fast lap comes naturally. Once you’re in that mind space and you’ve got your head down, you can do a really fast lap and not know where the time has gone. When I did a 132.7mph lap I wasn’t shouting at myself, I just didn’t let anything else get in my head. Keep a clear head, go fast, show everyone what you can do and get the best out of yourself. That’s the best thing I can do with my head.

The TT has long since lost world championship status yet continues to be a world famous event. Many people – including media – say the TT is dangerous. But as someone with more experience of it than many, how do you “defend” the TT against this negativity.

JM I just tell them how it is. We live in a world now where somebody in a hi-vis vest is telling us we can’t do anything.

We’re strangled everywhere, the TT is the only place in the world where you can be properly let loose on your bike to do what you want. Let’s look at the good times. Look at the history of the place, look at the riders that have come through and the records that have been broken. Look at the tyres that have been developed, the brakes and bits and pieces that nobody knows have been improved because of the TT. It has lots of positives but it’s easier to look at the negatives. In 2003 when we lost DJ I thought the job was done, the TT was on its arse and everyone wanted it banned. Same as in the mid 80’s when everyone thought that bikes were too fast for the place, ban this and ban that. F**king Hell, Adolf Hitler couldn’t even stop it.

Two World Wars man! The TT is an institution, it’s about pushing boundaries. There’s no gun to anybody’s head, nobody is forced off the start line, and we do it because we want to. There are plenty of people standing at the bar talking about doing it, but only a handful actually do. It’s an amazing, amazing thing to do for those that are lucky enough to get there.

45

interview - john mcguinness At 37 ¾ miles and so many corners etc. you will obviously have your favourite parts of the course but there may be other parts that you think could be altered/improved… which sections could be changed to make the course even better?

JM None of it. We take it as it comes. I think it’s got its quirks and challenges. There are some sections where you can have a rest and others where you’ve got to be absolutely on point. I quite enjoy the bumpy bits now. These are the areas where some riders can be exposed and if you don’t have the perfect balance in your bike for the majority of your lap, that’s when the cracks in your lap are going to show. I’m incredibly lucky to have a corner named after me. When I’m dead, buried and long gone, it’ll still be McGuinness’, something I’m really proud of and I enjoy riding it because of that. Then you’ve got somewhere like Bray Hill and it’s terrifying for everyone. You start off with 24 litres of fuel and new tyres and you have no idea how the bike is going to react, you just get hold of it by the collar. Why change that? Look at Brandish, that’s been changed over the years and it’s still just a great big fast left hander. When it was first changed it was lovely and smooth. Thirteen years down the line from when that corner was changed and it’s full of bumps and is a completely different corner. Whatever corners there are have to be dealt with by everyone that’s racing on them. It doesn’t matter what lap times used to look like, whoever wins on the day is the winner, it’s that simple. It is what it is.

“My buzz comes from just being there, the people, the atmosphere and the buildup in the paddock”

One day – not yet – but one day you will have to take a step away from riding competitively, what will you do with your time and what is going to be the hardest thing to be denied… what single thing will hurt the most to not be able to experience.

JM I tell you one thing, I’m not looking forward to that day where it all stops. I think if I’m in a position to be able to do a bit of classic racing and go do the odd track day to get it out of my system I’ll count myself lucky. I’ll tell you something else, I don’t buzz off the speed in particular, my buzz comes from just being there, the people, the atmosphere and the build-up in the paddock ahead of a race is what does it for me. Hearing others going on about that near death thing, I don’t get it. I’ve heard other racers buzzing saying “F**k me I nearly had a big one there!” With a mile wide smile on their faces. When I’ve nearly had a big one I don’t like it. I want to put that mistake right, not dwell on it and risk making it again. That said, I think the thing that I’ll miss the most is the winning, it’s got to be the winning.

It’s an addiction, one that no racer ever wants to give up. Even being on the start line feels special. I don’t know what I’ll miss the most but I know this question is too hard to answer.

The Ninja ZX-10RR has proven itself at the TT and in BSBSBK as being a good all round, durable racing package and is certainly not short on power but the TT for litre bikes is not so focused on maximum power. If you had the ZX-10RR and total control over the build what brief would you give the crew chief/ engineer.

46

What other drink would the TT legend be pulling?

JM You want stability and reliability more than anything else.

It’s all well and good having all the power in the world, but that means a worn out tyre and a worn out rider before you know what’s going on. When you’re sat on the start line on a bike that you know can finish the race and do it working with you rather than against you, that’s when you know you’re on the right bike. I’ve sat in that position and without wanting to sound like a dickhead, I knew that I wasn’t going to be beaten on that day.

Simple as that. The bike could be painted pink and have a dildo hanging off the side, it doesn’t matter what the thing looks like as long as it’s been put together right and everyone in the team is happy with the job they’ve done.

Straight-talking, no-nonsense banter with Michael Rutter

Tell us about your “internal clock” – quite often you are on your own in a race for long periods. How do you manage your time and speed over, say, a six lap race? When do you carry on in the same rhythm and when does your head say “I can pull the pin for the next 10 miles”.

Ride to be: John’s next stint at the TT will be on a ZX-10RR

JM There are bits of a race where you’ve got to grit your teeth, grab the bike by the horns and really, really push, sometimes in sections where the bike wants to take complete control of what’s going on. You need to know when you can take a breath, when you can wriggle your toes and prepare for the next challenging section. My internal clock wasn’t really a feature in my plan because my plan was simple. I’d go like f**k from the start and if it didn’t work out I’d go to plan B. It’s a dead simple thing, in layman’s terms. A TT isn’t like a 25 lap short circuit race at Brands Hatch where you can see everyone you need to beat all the time and you can run at maximum for half an hour. You can’t max yourself out like that for an hour and forty five minutes at the TT. The demands are very different. You can get into a rhythm and do 130mph laps all day long but when you want 133s 134s and 135s, you have to dig a little bit deeper. Aside from everything else, those performances come from your heart, from somewhere deep inside you that you didn’t know you had until you ask yourself for it. It might sound a little bit ridiculous after the remark I made earlier but I imagine it’s a similar feeling to having a gun at your head. You’ve no choice but to do it. You have to be strong physically and mentally and you’ve just got to keep going.

Naturally fans follow riders more than machines or manufacturers. This is the first time for you on a Kawasaki and already it has generated huge public and media interest. What will John McGuinness bring to the party, how will you make a difference to the Kawasaki racing story?

JM I haven’t got a magic wand, all I can bring is John McGuinness and I’ve done alright over the years. I’ll bring my experience, my passion for racing and some fun to the racing. That’s all I can bring. It’s like me and the ZX-10RR have been running in parallel for years, one being loyal to a Japanese manufacturer for a very long time while Kawasaki was being just as loyal to their rider in James Hillier. Now is the time to come together and make what we’ve both got to offer really count. I’ve ridden wheel to wheel with the ZX-10RR and seen it perform with my own eyes, I know that the bike is good and I’m sure we’ll get on fine. I’ll bring my best shot to the party knowing that Kawasaki will do the same. n

47

THE CLUB CHALLENGE All members are invited to join the 2020 Club Challenge! This is your chance to visit new places, meet fellow Club members, and attend fantastic events all while gaining points for the chance to win prizes.

SCOTLAND WALES & NORTH ENGLAND

IRELAND

Here are the locations and details you need to get involved for the chance to get your hands on free insurance or an events package for the 2021 season. Start planning your trips now... the challenge is open from the 14th February to the 29th November 2020.

WALES & SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

EAST ENGLAND

THE PRIZES

CHALLENGE HERO

POINTS COLLECTOR

EVENT WINNER

REGIONAL WINNERS

BEST PHOTO

Virgin Experiences

KAWASAKI INSURANCE

2020 TICKET PACKAGE

RRP £100

Club Membership RRP

RRP £12.95

RRP £500

RRP £200

This £100 Virgin

RRP £29.95

Keep hydrated and

Visit the most ‘Hero’

Gain the most points

Experience Days voucher

Visit all four locations

represent Club Kawasaki

locations to be in with

overall to be in with a

can be spent on any Virgin

within a region to be in

when you’re off the bike

a chance to win a free

chance of winning tickets

Experiences and will go

with a chance of winning

with this branded water

Kawasaki Insurance

to World Superbikes,

to the person who attends

free Club Kawasaki

bottle.

policy up to the value

London Motorcycle Show,

the most events in the

membership for 12

of £500 including free

Motorcycle Live, MXGP,

year.

months. We will add the

helmet and leathers

and British Superbikes.

cover. If more than one

free membership to your existing account.

person has visited the same, majority number of ‘Hero’ locations, a winner will be chosen at random from those entries.*

48

Become the Challenge Hero and win up to £500 of Kawasaki Insurance

Club Water Bottle

For interactive maps and full details go to: www.club-kawasaki.co.uk/the-challenge

IRELAND 4 DUNREE HEAD 25 POINTS

1 C.S LEWIS SQUARE 25 POINTS Plaza & event space featuring sculptures of characters from “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.”

The curving approach road to Dunree Head offers a variety of great views over Lough Swilly.

HERO

3 HOOK LIGHTHOUSE 25 POINTS One of the oldest lighthouses in the world and the second oldest operating lighthouse in the world.

2 OSCAR WILD STATUE 50 POINTS A collection of three statues in Merrion Square, commemorating Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde.

C.S Lewis Square

HOW IT WORKS

1 Visit the locations listed 2 Take your Challenge Selfie 3 Submit your Challenge Selfie using the upload tool** 4 We will add your points to the Challenge Leaderboard 5 Repeat steps 1-3 as many times as you can before the close date!

We will announce the winners in December 2020 Standard locations are worth 25 points and Hero locations are worth double - 50 points. You can gain extra points by visiting Kawasaki dealers throughout the UK too - submit those using the Challenge tool for an extra 10 points each. Attend Kawasaki UK events across the regions to add even more points to your name and work your way up the leaderboard!

* Terms & Conditions: No cash alternative is available and no refund offered if value of insurance policy is less than £500. Insurance is subject to acceptable underwriting criteria. Maximum amount allowed for the free insurance is £500. Competition is for UK residents only. May be used once for either a new Kawasaki Insurance policy or existing renewal of a Kawasaki Insurance policy and will include £1000 of free helmet and leather insurance.

**Find it at: www.club-kawasaki.co.uk/challenge-selfie-upload

49

SCOTLAND 1 GLENFINNAN MONUMENT 25 POINTS A moving tribute to those who died fighting the Jacobite cause, framed by dramatic Highland scenery.

3 RIVERSIDE MUSEUM 25 POINTS

HERO

Hyper-modern museum with collections of historic vehicles and state-of-the-art interactive displays.

WALES & NORTH ENGLAND 3 CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE 50 POINTS

Perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views.

50

HERO

2 BAMBURGH CASTLE 25 POINTS

A castle on the northeast coast of England, by the village of Bamburgh in Northumberland.

For interactive maps and full details go to: www.club-kawasaki.co.uk/the-challenge

4 FALKIRK WHEEL 50 POINTS Innovative and unique rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

2 MELROSE ABBEY 25 POINTS Medieval ruins of Cistercian monastery with museum and burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart.

WALES & T S E W H T U O S ENGLAND 2 TOMMY COOPER STATUE 25 POINTS A bronze sculpture of the Caerphilly-born comedian Tommy Cooper.

1 FREDDIE GILROY STATUE 25 POINTS

3 VERITY 50 POINTS

Stainless steel and bronze statue created by Damien Hirst.

HERO

Portland Bill Lighthouse

Giant steel structure made

by Ray Lonsdale, an artist, fabricator and sculptor.

4 DERWENT DAM VIEWPOINT 25 POINTS

Neo-Gothic Dam, one of two dams in the Upper Dewent Valley.

1 PORTLAND BILL LIGHTHOUSE 25 POINTS A functioning lighthouse at Portland Bill, on the Isle of Portland, Dorset.

4 LAKE VYRNWY DAM 25 POINTS

4

A dam with spectacular views on the reservoir in Powys, Wales, built in the 1880s.

51

For interactive maps and full details go to: www.club-kawasaki.co.uk/the-challenge

D N A L G N E EAST 2SHUTTLEWORTH COLLECTION 50 POINTS An aeronautical and automotive museum located at the Old Warden Aerodrome.

HERO

3 LOOMIES MOTO CAFÉ 25 POINTS Biker-run cafe serving breakfast, burgers & coffee.

Loomies Moto Café

1 FOLKESTONE ARTWORKS 25 POINTS The UK’s largest urban outdoor exhibition of contemporary art.

If you’ve already sent in your selfie for the 2020 Challenge, check the back cover to see if you made it on there!

PROUD TO BE GREEN

CHALLENGE PHOTOS

4 SAVILL GARDEN 25 POINTS Interconnecting gardens and exotic woodland, opened by the Queen in 2010.

52

the Get involved with ge 2020 Club Challen

/ClubKawasakiUK o.uk www.club-kawasaki.c

TOP GUN

REVIVAL Words: Milo Dokmanovic Photos: Pete Chicken

T

he unforgettable 1980’s Top Gun action film appealed to the masses and touched the hearts of adrenaline seeking speed junkies everywhere, so when Pete Chicken got wind of the sequel, the allure of creating a replica GPZ900R got the best of him.

Pete’s passion for motorcycles started around the age of 14 years old, with his first encounter of the powered two wheeler kind being in the most affordable fashion of pulling an old scooter from a river and getting it running.

We interviewed Pete to find out more about himself and the fascinating Top Gun replica project he undertook!

53

TOP GVUI VNA L GPZ R E

Tell us a little bit about yourself Pete?

I left school at sixteen years old and joined the RAF as an Electronics Technician. After twelve years I was lucky enough to get selected as Aircrew, being a Flight Engineer flying Hercules and VC10 aircraft. Essentially the VC10 was a flying petrol station and it was here that I first saw the F15 at close range. These magnificent machines would rock up, flash their lights, close to a few meters and take on fuel, however they were not good customers as they never once stopped to pay! Through this job I saw operations all over the world.

Having left the Airforce I did a few engineering and design jobs, I now design and build Hydroponic systems and teach Yoga... A bit diverse, I know.

What inspired you to get involved in the Top Gun GPZ900 replica project?

I had just completed a restoration of a 1954 Ariel Huntmaster and so I was on the lookout to restore something newer, faster and with a great spares backup. The biggest problem with any restoration is the cost and availability of spares. Last year I saw the trailer for the new Top Gun movie. When Tom pulls the cover off his old GPZ900R it took me back to my flying days and I knew then that I had to create the bike in the film.

54

Don’t be fooled by the odometer reading: this is essentially a new 36-year-old bike with rebuilt engine, a near-identical bike to the one Tom Cruise used in the movie, right down to the US-spec reflectors on the mid-section of the fairing.

How did you come by the motorcycle?

A search on eBay revealed a 1984 GPZ900R which had a bit of work done.

The frame had been powder coated while the engine bad been fully rebuilt thirteen

years ago and had not been run. It had then stood in a garage and not moved. I could not get around to seeing it so I bought it on spec, not something I would recommend but the guy seemed OK and was adamant a lot of work had been done.

After being sat unused for 13 years Pete will be riding the GPZ once it passes the MOT

Talk us through the restoration and tell us what the most challenging part of the build was?

When the bike arrived, it was a bit of a mess with some bits done but the brakes for example were seized. I decided to fully strip the frame and made a list of work to be done.

The lower fairings and trim were missing, along with the air box and the carbs would need a complete refurbishment. My biggest concern was, I found the head cover was corroded and there were signs the bike had been left wet for some time, was the bike seized?

A custom engine frame was ordered

from Ireland and was sent to be powder coated along with the engine cases and foot rest support arms. I decided to replace all the seals and gaskets with Kawasaki originals.

A lot of these bikes have aftermarket exhausts and carbs fitted but the original bike does 150 mph and handles like a dream, a true testament to Kawasaki being at the forefront of innovation in the 1980’s, as it is now. I wanted to build an exact replica of a 1984/85 machine so I bought a second hand original exhaust, which cost half the price of the bike.

Electrics on these old bikes can cause no end of problems so I decided to chop out the old Datatag alarm, redo all the dodgy connectors and re-loom the wiring harness.

The cooling system was flushed and new silicone hoses replace the standard items.

Space is tight and even adding a washer can mean fairings don’t fit.

How are the bikes in the movie different to the standard model?

I spent a lot of time researching the bikes used in the film and was confused as the stickers seemed to move and change in some of the press shots and in the film. The riddle was solved when I got a picture of both bikes (from the film) together and saw they were not identical.

One was dented and the stickers were different and in different places. My bike is a copy of the one Tom Cruise rides through the streets chased by Kelly McGillis. There has been talk that Tom rode a 750cc bike for the film but this is disputed by the guys on set.

The American spec machines had side reflectors and luckily I managed to source an American spec lower fairing.

As far as I can see the only difference between the film bike and my one are the wing mirrors which are reproduction items and the rear pegs and the carb clips which I can change later.

During my research I came across an untouched pristine bike from the same year so I struck a deal and bought it. This allowed me to compare things like cable routing and get the rebuild on this one correct.

The biggest problem was getting the carbs sorted. They leaked after they were rebuilt and were subject to sonic cleaning. The GPZ FORUM was a massive help and I was pointed to GPZ Zone who had special bowl seals made.

The final paint was applied by Nicols of Calne and the guys recognised this was going to be a special build so spent a lot of time getting the paint striping and decal placement correct.

The bike fired up after a few turns and the only problem was the fan connector was left off (oops). It took a bit of time to balance the carbs with paint stopping the choke releasing fully but this was sorted.

This is essentially a brand new bike and needs to be run in and checked after 300 miles.

How long did the project take you?

The build took five months to complete and because of the build quality of Kawasaki machines, all the replacement parts fitted easily and very few parts needed to be junked. As for the cost, well it is not a cheap option but doing as much as you can gives great satisfaction knowing you have saved a piece of bike history.

Where will the bike be on display?

The bike goes for MOT soon and I intend to ride it and not let it sit for another 13 years. It will be attending a GPZ ride out from the Haynes International Motor Museum and other events on the calendar.

What is next for you in terms of motorcycles?

Well I seem to have collected 4 more of these now. Three will be oily rag restorations one is stunning in red and silver with 24,000 miles and amazing paint. The fourth one could be an exciting build. It is in a sorry state externally but has an MOT and is mechanically great. It had the seat and rear rests chopped about so I may change the colour and do a custom in the Kawasaki racing colours of the day. n

Above: There were at least two GPZs used in the film with subtle differences in sticker placement

Right: Pete now has 5 GPZs in the stable, three of which will be restorations while the fourth is a mint red/silver model

55

MY KAWASAKI & ME Stuart poses in the sunshine with his Z H2, H2, and H2 SX

Supercharged

Stable Meet the Club Kawasaki member with not one, but three supercharged Kawasakis in his garage

I

n 2015 Kawasaki rocked the motorcycling world by announcing that we would mass produce a supercharged motorcycle in the form of the road legal Kawasaki Ninja H2 and the fire breathing track only Ninja H2R that is capable of blasting out up to an astonishing 305BHP. Since then, Kawasaki has continued the legacy by introducing supercharged technology into a number of categories. Those who have had the privilege of riding a supercharged motorcycle will understand the immense and subsequently addictive acceleration that a forced induction, lightweight vehicle can produce.

We are happy to report that one of our very own Club Kawasaki members, Stuart Buckman has the absolute pleasure of owning not only one of these utterly unique motorcycles, but three!? His supercharged stable is complete in the form of a Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE, Ninja H2 and Z H2.

We spoke with the man himself to find out what it’s like to be in possession of these ground-breaking machines.

Where did it all start Stuart?

I’ve always been into bikes and I’d say mostly the bikes of the 60s and 70s. Mainly Japanese models and the majority of the time Kawasaki. I used to be a motorcycle mechanic and we were a Kawasaki dealer at one time. My first ever bike was a Honda S65 road bike, as I progressively got older and started work, a lot of my money went on bikes. I had a Honda Benly 125 then a Suzuki 125 trail bike and then a KH 250, but a green one and the list

56

“Life is too short and if you’ve got a chance to do something you love then do it and that’s why I bought them!”

Whether you’re new to the Club or not, we want to hear your story too!

Get online to the Club Kawasaki forum by visiting: www.club-kawasaki.co.uk/ forum and tell your fellow members all about your Kawasaki & you.

57

MY KAWASAKI & ME

“The engine and acceleration just keeps on going and it’s usually me who stops wanting to accelerate before the engine does!” goes on! I’ve owned around 20-30 bikes in total. The Kawasaki models include my Z1B, Z1000, Z1300, Z1R and I rode the 750 triples and 500s through working at the dealership.

Most people would be happy with one supercharged motorcycle, however you have 3! Tell us what inspired you.

Over a period of time I found myself in a fortunate position financially, I’m not getting any younger and so I ended up buying bikes again and found myself with six in my garage. I could never afford an MV Agusta when I was younger so I bought three of them. I also had a Kawasaki Z900RS which I traded the Kawasaki 1400GTR in for. I missed the GTR, so I had a look at the Ninja H2 SX SE and ended up buying that one from the friendly team at Alf’s Motorcycles. I enjoyed the Ninja H2 SX SE so much, and I popped over to Alf’s Motorcycles in Worthing all the time, where they had the Ninja H2 sitting there... I was ‘umming’ and ‘ahing’ about it. Then I bit the bullet, traded in one of the MVs and just bought it because I always loved them since they first came out. I’m just fortunate that I’m in a position to afford them. Life is too short and if you’ve got a chance to do something you love then do it and that’s why I bought them! Finally I traded in the other MV and bought the Z H2 because I’ve always had at least one naked to just jump on and ride, I liked it anyway and I thought it’s supercharged and different, so why not have all three.

I’ve done 7500 miles on the Ninja H2 SX SE. The Ninja H2 has a few miles and I only just got the Z H2.

What is your favourite aspect of each model?

The supercharged engine, full stop.

The Ninja H2 SX SE is so smooth and I get on with it.

Do you have a favourite and if so, why?

No, I like them all. Even the missus likes them all! I tend to use the Ninja H2 SX SE most because I can use it all year round. When the better weather comes around, the others will come out. I try to use the bikes for what they are intended for.

The type of riding I do mostly is going out on a Sunday for the entire day and I’ll just ride for the pleasure of it. I’ve been known to do 300 or 400 miles on a Sunday! Heated gloves are a god send…

What does a supercharged motorcycle feel like to ride?

So smooth and they have all the power you need, but it’s not

58 30

like the old turbos with the lag. They used to be a bit harsh. With the Ninja H2, you wind it on and it just goes.

It’s so smooth especially with the quick shifter and in some ways its better than the 1400GTR. The engine and acceleration just keeps on going and it’s usually me who stops wanting to accelerate before the engine does!

Recommendations for anyone who doesn’t own a supercharged bike and is considering it?

Simple, I would say buy it if you can afford it!

What’s next? A Ninja H2R? Haha, It depends. I get on with them all. I live near Southampton and I visit Alf’s motorcycles all the time. They are a genuinely friendly bunch and look after their customers so we will see what comes up. n

the latest

kawasaki

ninja 1000sx

style & protection

kawasaki

zh2

www.rg-racing.com

protection & styling for 1000’s of bikes

PROUD TO BE GREEN

Get involved with the 2020 Club Challenge

CHALLENGE PHOTOS

/ClubKawasakiUK www.club-kawasaki.co.uk