Step Aside Honda Grom, Here’s the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro

Behold the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro, Team Green’s answer to the Honda Grom. This 4-stroke, 125cc, 225 lbs “monkey bike” from Kawasaki hopes to tap into the identical unassuming, approachable, and enjoyable vein that the Honda Grom exposed 3 years ago.

Like the Grom, the Kawasaki Z125 Pro appeals to two quite various demographics. A single the one particular hand, it is the best learner bike for young and green (no pun intended) riders – you can see as significantly in the pictures at the end of this post that clearly target the millennial skateboarding young male.

On the other hand even though, the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro is just as a lot of a machine for older and more skilled riders, who are seeking for a inexpensive and fun machine to add to their currently complete stable – perhaps as a grocery-getter or pit bike at the track.

If we can continue to the comparison to the Honda Grom, this dual strategy appears to play out nicely in the market place, with the unassuming motorcycle gaining attention from a surprising wide and huge demographic. As such, Kawasaki is smart to jump on the trend.

On paper, the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro stacks up very nicely against the Honda Grom. They both function a 125cc, air-cooled, two-valve, 4-stroke engine, and weigh roughly the identical quantity, 225 lbs. They each also have a 4-speed gearbox.

The Z125 Pro is slightly a lot more over-square than the Grom, and it boasts a larger compression ratio. As such, we would count on the pint-sized bike from Team Green to make a little bit far more horsepower than Large Red’s machine, although that may well be splitting hairs contemplating the fairly low numbers from both bikes.

Pricing although is very aggressive. The 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro is listing at $ two,999 whereas the Honda Grom goes for $ 3,199 MSRP. As such, it is clear that Kawasaki is swinging challenging towards the fences, against the Honda.

Kawasaki says that the Z125 Pro is suited for two-up riding, although we envision couple of riders will test that statement. Still, the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro is an desirable piece of kit, that promises a considerable amount of smiles per dollar.

If the early sales of the Grom are any indications of how the Kawasaki Z125 Pro will perform for dealers, you may possibly want to get your deposit in early, if the Z125 Pro speaks to you. Kawasaki will most likely sell out of them in their first year.

With all the movement we have seen in the modest-displacement space more than the previous couple of years, perhaps it is bikes like the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro that will shift the priorities of Americana riders away from the “bigger is better” mantra.

Following all, if you’re not getting entertaining on a bike like the Z125 Pro, you’re probably undertaking it incorrect.

Technical Specifications of the 2017 Kawasaki Z125 Pro:

Engine:	4-stroke, 1 cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve, air-cooled
Displacement:	125cc
Bore x stroke:	56. x 50.6mm
Compression ratio:	9.8:1
Fuel program:	DFI^® with 24mm throttle physique
Ignition:	TCBI with electronic advance
Transmission:	4-speed, return shift
Final drive:	Sealed chain
Rake / trail:	26. degrees / two.7 in.
Front tire:	one hundred/90-12
Rear tire:	120/70-12
Wheelbase:	46.3 in.
Front suspension / wheel travel:	Inverted telescopic fork/3.9 in
Rear suspension / wheel travel:	Swingarm, single shock/4.1 in
Front brakes:	Single 200mm petal-style disc
Rear brakes:	Single 184mm petal-style disc
All round length:	66.9 in
General width:	29.five in.
General height:	39.6 in.
Seat height:	31.7 in.
Curb weight:	224.8 lbs.
Fuel capacity:	2. gal.
Colour choices:	Candy Lime Green &amp Metallic Graphite Grey
MSRP:	$ 2,999
Limited Warranty:	12 Months
Kawasaki Protection Plus:	12, 24, 36 or 48 months