1974
Created as Kawasaki Motors (UK) Ltd, the company was formed by Managing Director Mick Uchida and Director, Kit Kitayama and operated initially from the Holiday Inn, Marble Arch.
Quickly transferring to its first permanent HQ at Staines, it enjoyed warehousing close by at Bedfont.
In this first year of official distribution, Kawasaki had just fifteen roadbike dealers in the UK who sold 1230 units in 1974 from a range comprising just six models.
That said, those six models were iconic to say the least, and paved the way not only for the current crop of machines, but also for the foundation of Kawasaki’s legendary status as manufacturer of highly engineered performance oriented motorcycles.
1975
Already with an understanding of racing as a promotional tool, Kawasaki establishes one of its most famous racing partnerships, that of Mick Grant and the fearsome 750cc H2R two stroke, three cylinder racing machine.
“Speed trapped” in later years at over 190mph, the H2R in both early air-cooled, and final water-cooled guises, was instrumental, along with motocross product, in the creation of the association between the lime green colour and Kawasaki racing endeavours.
Initial sales efforts and customer demand saw sales increase 450% and the dealer network expand to encompass 50 dealers.
Off-road product was new also to the UK and marketed by Kawasport, a company founded by Don Smith and Alec Wright, the latter who would go on to become a significant driving force within the company.
1976
Somewhat of an icon at its launch, the 903cc four cylinder Z1 range leading machine won the coveted MCN “Machine of the Year” award for a record fourth time in 1976, the last time it would win in this guise before evolving into the Z900.
Alongside publicity for the larger machine, the UK public also caught its first glimpse of the new KH250, a three cylinder two stroke machine that was the first “proper” motorcycle that many riders owned.
To accommodate the extra sales and administration effort, the company moved west to Deal Avenue, Slough, were it was to remain for some years.
1977
Sales of motorcycles in the UK were continuing to grow and Kawasaki, like others, benefited – especially from the growth in the sales of so-called “commuter” machines.
On the track, Mick Grant wins an historic victory on the KR250 racing machine, an innovative “tandem twin” two stroke design with the cylinders mounted one behind the other.
1978
Now expanded to sixteen machines, the motorcycle range is topped by the 1015cc Z1R complimented by the smaller but no less significant Z250, the first bike specially designed by Kawasaki for the UK market.
A busy year for Kawasaki, 1978 also represented the centenary of the founding of the original Kawasaki business, a shipyard, by Shozo Kawasaki in Tsukiji, Tokyo.
With the now established KR250 and KR350 racing machines, Kawasaki wins both classes in the world Championship and Mick Grant mounts the top step of the podium on the Isle of Man, winning the Classic race at the TT event.
1979
With sales just shy of 15,000 units, the Kawasaki range is headed by one of the largest, and certainly most impressive machines yet to emerge from Japan, the mighty six cylinder, water-cooled Z1300.
New managing director, Seth Nagamoto takes the helm at KMUK while rider, Kork Ballington does the “double” and wins both the 250 and 350 world Championships.
1980
Team Green, the most famous name in off road sport in the UK, is established and the fist off-road training schools for customers are conducted.
Sales of over 22,000 units are helped by a comprehensive range of four cylinder, four stroke machines including the Z400, Z500, Z750 and the fuel injected Z1000H.
1981
Government legislation and higher rates of tax threaten the motorcycle market and the attraction of two wheels to learner riders. Kawasaki introduces two sports mopeds, the road going AR50 and off-road styled AE50.
The year also marks the arrival of the KLT200, the first all terrain vehicle (ATV) that the company has imported into the UK.
1982
Chuck Nakajima takes over as Managing Director of KMUK and Kawasaki enjoys market dominance as number one in the UK motorcycle market over 126cc category with a 27% market share.
1983
The range leading GPz1100 is voted “Machine of the Year” by Motor Cycle News, while the KX500 is introduced as off-road range leader.
Big news of the year for road riders is the introduction of the GPz750 Turbo, a machine which, like the Z1, would go on to become a revered collectors item in future years.
1984
The world’s first sports bike to boast a liquid cooled, 16 valve, four cylinder water-cooled engine, the GPz900R is introduced. It wins not only the production TT in the hands of rider Geoff Johnson but is also voted UK “Bike of the Year”.
Kawasaki continues as UK market leader in sales of over 126cc road motorcycles.
1985
A new and significant class is created by Kawasaki with the introduction of the GPz600R.
Four wheeled ATV product imported for the first time and the emphasis on use passes from leisure to agriculture and public amenity.
In the off-road sphere, Kawasaki Team Green sweeps the board winning all the UK schoolboy championships plus the AMCA 125 and 250 titles.
1986
Managing Director, Shuji Mihara takes over and the GTR1000 touring machine reaches our shores scoring an immediate hit with long destance riders.
Kawasaki UK establishes a warehouse and distribution depot in Eastleigh, Hants.
1987
Road bike sales are boosted with the introduction of the GPX750R and GPZ500S, both machines become an instant sales success in their respective classes.
Waterborne enthusiasts welcome the twin seater X-2 which, by year end, has doubled Jet Ski watercraft sales for the company.
1988
Sales of road motorcycles climb by 15.6% and market share approaches 20%.
As range leader, the radically styled ZX-10 wins the MCN “Machine of the Year” award.
Rider Kurt Nicholl wins the 500c British Motocross Championship on a KX500 while Team Green riders scoop the 125cc and 350cc classes too.
1989
The company moves to its current premises in Bourne End, Bucks, while market share reaches 21%.
For the first time since the legendary 1970’s two stroke triple machines, the company wins MCN “Machine of the Year” with the twin cylinder 250cc KR-1.
1990
Kawasaki’s Akashi factory near Kobe in Japan, celebrates it 50th anniversary while Mr Yasuo Akisada takes over as Managing Director of KMUK.
The ZZ-R1100 and ZZ-R600 are introduced, the former becomes MCN “Machine of the Year”, while the later enjoys sales and racetrack success in the hands of rider, John Reynolds.
1991
The “Retro” styled Zephyr range is introduced and Team Green rider, Paul Malin, is the youngest ever winner of a 500cc MX GP at 19 years and 86 days.
Kawasaki commercial products range in the UK boosted by the introduction of the MULE 1000 and 2110 utility vehicles.
1992
Kawasaki continues to dominate motocross sales and remains market leader.
The Zephyr 1100 is launched exploring the concept range into three machines with 550, 750 and 1100cc capacity.
1993
KRC, the Kawasaki Riders Club is launched offering free membership for all Kawasaki new bike buyers in the UK.
K-Care Insurance is launched offering tailored insurance solutions for Kawasaki road bike owners.
Scott Russell powers his way to win the World Superbike Championship for Kawasaki.
1994
The Kawasaki cruiser range grows larger in terms of both machines and capacity with the introduction of the water-cooled VN1500.
The British 125 motocross championship is claimed by Team Green rider, Neil Prince.
Kawasaki in Japan celebrates having manufactured their nine millionth motorcycle.
1995
Another cruiser, the VN800, is introduced along with a raft of Genuine Kawasaki Accessories.
Along with the introduction of the sports touring GPZ1100, Kawasaki fans celebrate Belgian rider, Stephan Everts World 250 MX crown.
1996
Another in a long line a famous machines makes its debut, the stunning ZX-7R.
Kawasaki win off-road once more by securing the World 125cc MX championship with Sebastian Tortelli.
1997
Yet another machine designed specially for Europe reaches UK shores. The 499cc parallel twin ER-5 immediately wins favour with learner rides, commuters and a growing number of women enthusiasts.
The year also sees the introduction of the Eddie Lawson AMA Superbike race styled ZRX1100.
1998
The mould breaking ZX-6R is announced and immediately raises the performance and styling standard of the middleweight Supersport class.
Off-road, Sebastian Tortelli dominates to win the coveted world 250cc motocross title for Kawasaki.
1999
Retro styled parallel twin W650 launched alongside avant garde 800 and 1500cc Drifter cruisers.
Waves are created with the introduction of the state-of-the-art Ultra 150 two person performance Jet Ski personal watercraft.
2000
All eyes are on Kawasaki as it introduces its most advanced Supersport machine ever, the ZX-12R. Using technology only previously seen on F1 cars and in aircraft, the semi-monocoque chassis is matched to a hugely powerful engine and aerodynamic cowling. The combination results in a fast, powerful, nimble and stable machine that justifiably heads the Kawasaki stable and gains universal plaudits.
2001
Launched in Spain to the European press the half-cowled ZRX1200S
and ZR-7S pre-date the current fashion for this type of machine by several years.
2002
Continuing the long line of sports tourers established by the 1100cc models, the ZZ-R1200 is launched in Southern France.
Kawasaki.co.uk, the web site for the UK market is launched.
The innovative Z1000 wins the Motorcycle Designers Association Open category award.
Kawasaki Motors UK Ltd become the UK branch of KME, Kawasaki Motors Europe
2003
Z1000 goes on general sale in the UK and, along with the cutting edge design of the new ZX-6R, re-establishes Kawasaki as the cutting edge brand with both journalists and customers.
Shunji Tanaka, the designer of the Mazda MX-5 sports car, reinvigorates the Kawasaki product design studio and promises more innovative designs to come.
2004
Kawasaki re-enters the high end Supersport fray with the formidable ZX-10R designed as a cutting edge high performance machine for skilled riders. The ZX-10R makes an ideal Superbike race machine in its debut season in the hands of a variety of private teams and the KMUK supported Hawk Kawasaki team.
Another radical design from Tanaka and the K-Tec team, the Z750 represents a breath of fresh air for the naked middleweight sector which is gaining importance in the UK sales charts.
Proving that they can do “big” when required, Kawasaki stuns with its 2000cc VN Cruiser with unique “Gatling” style headlamp.
Acknowledging the trend for four stroke motocross machines, the factory reveals its new KX250F four stroke customer machine.
2005
Partner to the already successful Z750, the half cowled Z750S is announced.
After a twenty year break Kawasaki wins again at the Isle of Man TT with rider Ryan Farquhar securing a win in the Production 600 TT on the 599cc Kawasaki ZX-6RR.
K-Care Insurance is re-introduced into the UK market.
2006
Kawasaki stuns the world of motorcycling with a cutting edge contemporary urban design, the ER-6n. A 650cc parallel twin, the ER-6n successfully appeals to new motorcyclists, those who already have a licence and want a fun machine and the, as yet, largely untapped female market.
A half cowled version of the “naked” ER-6n, the ER-6f announced to appeal to more sporting riders – both machines are Euro-3 compliant and have an ABS option.
Reinforcing their credentials as “the” performance manufacturer, Kawasaki announce the ZZR1400. A powerful and stylish Supersport tourer, speculation is rife at the Paris motorcycle show launch regarding power and acceleration figures… factory insiders stay tight lipped on the subject !
Entry level cruisers are important to all manufacturers. Kawasaki unveils its VN900 along with a commitment to make an array of genuine accessory parts available.
Off-road riders and Team Green dealers are impressed by the range leading KX450F four stroke and its alloy framed stalemate, the updated KX250F.
Source of Article : www.kawasaki.co.uk
Kawasaki (UK) History
Moderator: D-Rider