Kawasaki’s lineage of large-displacement 4-stroke sport models,
passed down from generation to generation,
traces its origin to the “W.”

The W was born from challenge.

In the 1960s, the world’s largest motorcycle market was North America.
Kawasaki decided to take on the challenge of this market,
where demand called for large-displacement,
high-speed models capable of highway cruising.

Combining cutting-edge technology from its predecessor, Kawasaki Aircraft,
with the famous large-displacement engines of the Meguro Manufacturing Company,
a motorcycle destined to challenge the world was born.

W1. The first W.

Its outstanding flagship-level performance earned it acclaim and launched
Kawasaki on a journey to becoming a big-bike manufacturer.

Striving to be the world’s fastest.
Refining performance.
Continually progressing.

That DNA,
led to new frontiers.

Kawasaki’s performance flagship mantle shifted from the W to the Z,
then was passed down to the Ninja.