2016 Kawasaki Z1000SX gets Slipper Clutch

Kawasaki has just announced that the 2016 Z1000SX will be getting a slipper clutch as standard. The slipper-clutch seems to be ‘the’ feature to be had on a high-performance motorcycle. With KTM having announced the same on their smaller capacity yet, brilliantly quick 390-Machines; it is now Kawasaki’s turn to follow suit, albeit in the litre class. The manufacturer claims that their FCC assist and slipper clutch, has resulted in a significantly lighter feel at the lever (30%). Not discrediting the percentage claim, but, the numbers if true, should get motorcyclists grinning on those long rides down the countryside as well as when chasing corners in search of the next track record.

 Globally, the motorcycle also gets a new colour, called the Candy Plasma Blue apart from the existing black and green (the latter has been tweaked a little though).

Quoting from the Press Release: “Under normal riding conditions, the clutch functions as a self-locking mechanism, pulling the clutch hub and operating plate together to compress the clutch plates. This allows the total clutch spring load to be reduced, thereby resulting a lighter clutch lever pull when operating the clutch. While the back torque limiting or ‘Slipper’ function works in the traditional way; where the clutch partially disengages or “slips” when the rear wheel tries to drive the engine faster than it would run under its own power.”

The Versys 1000 too gets a host of new colours, while remaining mechanically unchanged. Kawasaki have announced that their litre-class Adventure Tourer – the Versys 1000 shall now come in two new shades, a Metallic Carbon Grey and a Metallic Raw Titanium (we particularly love the way she looks in the latter).

And the best news of it all, is that there will be no increase in pricing.

Now, isn’t that something for all you Kawasaki fans to cheer about!

Source: Auto Evolution