This sport-touring motorcycle nameplate debuted for the 2008 model year as a large-displacement touring machine built around a high-performance inline-four platform and aimed at riders who wanted sportbike-derived character with long-distance comfort. It arrived with hard luggage, an adjustable windscreen, shaft drive, and a fully faired touring layout, positioning it above traditional middleweight sport-tourers and closer to a premium long-haul flagship. Over time, the nameplate evolved through a handful of significant updates rather than full reinventions, including refinement of its electronics, braking systems, and touring equipment. Kawasaki later adopted the ABS designation as the primary U.S. market wording for the model line, while keeping the same basic identity and role in the lineup. The final production year was 2022, after which the nameplate disappeared from the brand’s active model and accessory listings. For enthusiasts, it is remembered as one of the most serious Japanese sport-tourers of its era: a fast, shaft-driven, luggage-equipped machine that blended liter-class performance with genuine cross-country capability.
MODEL HISTORY