This liter-class sport-touring nameplate was introduced for the 2025 model year as an updated successor to the earlier 1000cc-era version of Kawasaki’s inline-four sport-tourer formula. The new model arrived with a larger 1,099cc engine, revised gearing, and updated electronic rider aids, reflecting a shift toward stronger low- and mid-range flexibility rather than chasing peak-output headlines. Official launch material positioned it as a long-distance machine that still preserves the sharp, supersport-inspired character expected from the line.
Visually and conceptually, it continues the familiar half-faired, upright sport-tourer format that has defined the series for years: a motorcycle aimed at riders who want real touring comfort, everyday usability, and enthusiastic road performance in the same package. The 2025 update also broadened the range with a higher-spec variant, while the core model emphasized electronic cruise control, traction management, cornering-aware chassis systems, and an improved quick shifter for smoother road riding.
For 2026, the line continued essentially as a current-production family with updated color and equipment offerings rather than a full redesign, reinforcing that this is a living nameplate rather than a short-run special. In the market, it sits squarely in the sport-touring middle ground: more practical and comfortable than a pure supersport, but still engineered to feel closely related to the brand’s performance-focused heritage. Enthusiasts will recognize it as the latest evolution of the company’s long-running inline-four sport-touring tradition.