Where Have All The 700cc Sport Bikes Gone?

This design experiment manages to boost questions on why Kawasaki phased out their 700cc sportbikes and if they’re going to ever return in some unspecified time in the future.

Ever surprise the place all of the 700cc sportbikes went? It is a query price contemplating given the prevalence of 750s not that way back. In pondering their return, artist Kar Lee of Kardesign dreamt up a rendering of a Ninja 700R for Motorrad.de that mixes one of the best of the Ninja 650 and the ZX-10R. Whereas this design experiment is simply a imaginative and prescient of what may very well be, it does elevate questions on why Kawasaki phased out their 700cc sportbikes and if they are going to return in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.

A Fashionable Design With Roots To The Previous

Not that way back, shoppers may have picked up a Kawasaki ZX-7 from their native supplier. The ZX-7 had a long run, because it was part of Kawasaki’s lineup from 1989–2003. When racing organizations just like the AMA modified their superbike guidelines to permit for 1,000cc inline-fours to compete within the class, the 750cc fashions have been shortly caught in limbo. Kawasaki subsequently phased out their ZX-7, to give attention to the ZX-6 (supersport) and ZX-10 (superbike). The brand new rendering by Kardesign places forth an fascinating argument for the return of a 700 to Kawasaki’s secure.

RELATED: Why The Kawasaki Ninja 400 Is The Best Motorcycle Under $5,000

Whereas the ZX-7 could have disappeared, Suzuki however continues to quietly supply the GSX-R750. This machine received a number of AMA titles with Mat Mladin on the helm, and even because it was changed within the superbike class by the GSX-R1000, Suzuki opted to maintain providing it to patrons. The present iteration has been out there just about unchanged since 2011, however continues to be out there. In 1999, Yamaha additionally ran a 750 cc race bike, the now a lot sought-after YZF-R7, which was launched primarily for racing, as evidenced by the truth that solely 50 have been made out there in america. Apparently, Yamaha just lately revealed in emissions paperwork that they are going to be releasing a YZF-R7 for 2022, however as an alternative of being an inline 4, they are going to be utilizing the dual from the MT-07.

A Ninja 700? What’s Unsuitable With The Ninja 650?

Motorbike renderings are enjoyable to debate as a result of they current an concept moderately than a full-fledged mannequin. A Ninja 700 is actually intriguing, however is it vital? The drawing introduced by Kardesign reveals an aggressive machine, that will doubtless hope to tackle bikes such because the aforementioned 2022 YZF-R7 and the brand new Aprilia RS 660. This emphasis on efficiency has led to an arms race within the bike trade previously. It additionally led to bikes that went quick however at the price of consolation.

So, is a equally sized bike just like the Ninja 650 a greater different, given its extra relaxed design? The Ninja 650 has been praised for years primarily based on its rider-focused performance. So, whereas the rendering poses some questions price contemplating, buyers may be best served by a motorcycle Kawasaki already produces.

NEXT: 2021 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Carbon: What We Know So Far

About The Creator