The Kawasaki J125, J300, Ninja 400, Z400, ZX-6R, Ninja H2 and Ninja H2X have all become casualties of the suffocating Euro5 norms. Earlier the brand had said that the new Euro5 compliant motorcycles were facing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation but now it has been revealed that Kawasaki has decided not to continue with the above-mentioned motorcycles for 2021.
This leaves the W800 which will be compliant with the A2 Licence norms without having to employ a restrictor kit on the motorcycle and the Z H2 is expected to be the only supercharged motorcycle in the product portfolio in the UK. The Ninja ZX-6R is also expected to see the end of production in the UK, similar to the Yamaha YZF-R6 which is now a track-only motorcycle.
From 1st January 2021, the new stringent Euro5 norms have replaced the Euro4 emission standards and dealerships are likely to have stock left over which could be registered under a process known as Derogation, which could allow the motorcycles to be registered for a set exempted period. But it is still unclear if the rules apply and how many units could be registered under these criteria.
Closer to home, the brand is slowly but steadily upgrading its product portfolio to the new BS6 emission regulations that came into force last year and closely replicate Euro5 standards. The brand has already launched its much-popular models in the BS6 avatar in the Indian market such as the 2021 Ninja 650, 2021 Ninja 1000 SX, Z H2, Z H2 SE, 2021 Z 900, 2021 Z 650, 2021 Vulcan S, 2021 Versys 650, Versys 1000 and the W800.
The brand has also revised its price list making the motorcycle expensive from 1st January 2021. The price hike is related to the rise in input cost and the distribution cost as well as the weakening rupee. The price hike can be observed across the range with a hike of up to INR 20,000.
