While the team was busy getting the new 2020 Kawasaki models on to our demo fleet, director Rob Walters was busy riding the updated models in Spain.
Rob spent four days based at Altea for the Kawasaki dealer launch event, putting new and much updated models – Z H2, Ninja 1000SX and 650 and Z900 and Z650 – through their paces.
“We got to ride all of them on a mix of roads and with a lot of mountain work,” he said.
And if you’re thinking it was more fun in the sun than a fact-finding mission, Rob was quick to point out that the weather wasn’t perfect.
“We saw a bit of everything weatherwise… from mist and fog, sunshine and temperatures in the early 20s, to drizzle, rain and wet roads.”
Having tried the new bikes, he said that while the updates, including the new TFT instrument screens, were making the headlines, they are also even more entertaining to ride.
The highlight was the all-new Z H2 naked flagship, with the 200PS, supercharged 998cc engine, but he also gelled with the new 125PS Z900, really enjoying the experience, especially as he had not had a long ride on one for a while.
“The Z900 was the perfect bike for these mountain roads. Plenty of power, nimble with neutral handling, so it was easy to ride fast in that terrain.
“I also enjoyed the Ninja 650. You can carry speed into the corners and it was not intimidating.”
It was also a chance to speak to people from other Kawasaki dealerships.
“It’s good to get out and find out about the new bikes but also to catch up with other dealers and find out about their experiences,” he added.