Do You Want A Yamaha® Or Kawasaki® Motorcycle?
Japanese companies have been mastering portions of the motorcycle market for decades now, rising above much of their competition back in the 70s and 80s for one reason above all others: value. These machines are known to give incredible performance for a reasonable price, and the two companies that have mastered this balance best are Yamaha and Kawasaki. But which do you want?
We here at Langston Motorsports know finding the perfect bike can be a pain, so we’ve put together a few comparisons between Kawasaki and Yamaha motorcycles. If you want to know more, or if you’d like to see the motorcycles these companies produce for yourself, contact our store in Perris, California. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you find what you need at the prices you want!
Yamaha Shines Through With Small Bikes
If you’re looking for bikes with engines smaller than 400 cc, then you’re looking for a Yamaha motorcycle. These compact machines are incredibly reliable with leading performance specs in this portion of the motorcycle market. The Bolt® model line, for instance, is designed for incredible fuel efficiency, sleek design, and a superior riding experience. There are even a handful of small electric motorcycles on the market that save you money and still perform phenomenally.
Kawasaki Rocks The Touring Market
Kawasaki, to contrast, has mastered the touring motorcycle, ensuring comfortable, stable rides and plenty of storage space with enough power and fuel efficiency to get you anywhere you want to go. Take, for instance, the GTR1400. With 150 horsepower packed into its frame, you’ll chase down any horizon in no time flat. With an incredible bang for your buck, Kawasaki’s touring models are certain to hit the spot.
Off-Road Bikes From Both
There are a fair few areas where both companies found success by pursuing different values. One of those arenas is the realm of off-road motorcycles, also known as dirt bikes. The battle between these companies over who controls that market has been a long one, and it shows no sign of resolution today.
Kawasaki sticks to their performance-oriented approach, which earned them a lead on this competition for a long time. They create a number of affordable and competitive dirt bikes that will place in any number of races.
Yamaha, on the other hand, prefers a “slow and steady” approach, focusing on reliability and durability. Their bikes are highly tunable to ensure a well-tailored ride. Their dirt bikes have quickly become a staple in endurance events for amateur competitors across the globe!
Performance Bikes: Another Stand-Off
When it comes to overall performance in street motorcycles, both companies again have their strengths and strategies. Around the turn of the millennium, Yamaha released the R1 and revolutionized an entire class of motorcycles—even started the superbike class on their own!
Kawasaki responded by upping the ante and introduced motorcycles that created the hyperbike class. In 2006, the first Kawasaki ZZR®1400 replaced the short-lived 1200 and boasted a massive 1400cc engine. In 2012, they turned things up another notch and pushed the horsepower of the ZX™-14R to over 200. Later, the H2R achieved 310 horsepower with a 1000cc supercharged engine and is theoretically capable of hitting 250 miles per hour!
Yamaha stands their ground, however, and manages that by maintaining a build quality that simply can’t be beat.
We hope this guide helped you settle on the bike that meets your needs! If you have questions, or if you want to see the Yamaha and Kawasaki motorcycles we have for sale, contact us at Langston Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Temecula and Orange County, California—let us serve you today!