Kawasaki Aircraft Company started motorcycle engine development in 1949, completing their first engine in 1952. This pioneering engine was an air-cooled 148 cc OHV four-stroke single cylinder that produced 4 PS at 4,000 rpm.
Manufacturing Evolution
The first complete Kawasaki Motorcycle rolled off production lines in 1954 under the Meihatsu name. By 1960, Kawasaki had built a dedicated motorcycle factory and acquired Meguro Motorcycles, leading to significant expansion.
Key Historical Models
The merger with Meguro in 1963 formed Kawasaki Motorcycle Co., Ltd. Engineers developed the Meguro K1, based on the BSA A7 500cc twin. The breakthrough H1 Mach III in 1968 dramatically increased sales and established Kawasaki as a major player.
North American Expansion
In 1974, Kawasaki established the American Kawasaki Motors Corporation in Lincoln, Nebraska. This facility assembled motorcycles from Japanese components specifically for North American markets. The company’s engine development later consolidated in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Racing Heritage
Team Green, Kawasaki’s racing division, dominated multiple championships. Notable achievements include:
| Championship | Notable Winners |
|---|---|
| 125cc World Championship | Dave Simmonds (1969) |
| 250cc/350cc Grand Prix | Anton Mang, Kork Ballington |
| World Superbike | Jonathan Rea (6 consecutive titles) |
Today, Kawasaki produces a diverse range of motorcycles, from high-performance sport bikes to cruisers. The company maintains its reputation for engineering excellence through continuous innovat
Modern Manufacturing
Today, Kawasaki produces a diverse range of motorcycles, from high-performance sport bikes to cruisers
1. The company maintains its reputation for engineering excellence through continuous innovation in motorcycle design and manufacturing
Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. (カワサキモータース株式会社, Kawasaki Mōtāsu Kabushikigaisha) is a Japanese mobility manufacturer that produces motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, watercraft, outboard motors, and other electric products. It derives its origins from Kawasaki Aircraft Industries, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and is rooted in the motorcycle, boat, and engine businesses. In 1953, they began manufacturing engines for motorcycles and have since produced products such as the Mach and Ninja series in motorcycles and the Jet Ski, which has become a generic term for personal watercraft. Until 2021, it was a division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, known as the Kawasaki Aerospace Company (川策重工業汎用機カンパニー) and later the Kawasaki Motorcycle & Engine Company (川崎重工業モーターサイクル&エンジンカンパニー). In 2021, it was separated as Kawasaki Motors, Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
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Native name | カワサキモータース株式会社 |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Kawasaki Mōtāsu Kabushikigaisha |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine Company |
| Founded | February 12, 2021 |
| Headquarters | 1-1, Kawasaki-cho, Akashi,, Japan |
Key people | Hiroshi Ito (President) |
| Products | Motorcycles, ATVs, utility vehicles, personal watercraft, general-purpose petrol engines |
| Parent | Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
| Subsidiaries | Autopolis Co., Ltd. |
| Website | global-kawasaki-motors.com |
