Kawasaki

Founded out of a shipyard legacy, Kawasaki made its first motorcycle engine in 1952 and rolled out its first complete bike in 1954 under the Meihatsu name. A pivotal moment came in 1963 when Kawasaki merged with Meguro to form Kawasaki Motorcycle Co., Ltd., laying the groundwork for global expansion. Since then, Kawasaki has distinguished itself with the iconic Ninja sport bikes, the Jet Ski that redefined personal watercraft, and versatile ATVs and utility vehicles. Racing success in MotoGP and World Superbike cemented its image in performance culture. Known as the “wild child” of Japan’s Big Four motorcycle makers, Kawasaki built a reputation for thrilling and sometimes untamed machines. The 1970s H2 Mach IV earned the nickname “Widowmaker” for its incredible speed and unpredictable handling, and today’s supercharged Ninja H2 carries that same spirit. Their signature lime green racing color, once considered unlucky in motorsport, became a rebellious badge of identity that riders still associate with Kawasaki’s fearless approach. Today Kawasaki Motors, spun off as a subsidiary in 2021, continues to push boundaries across motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, and general-purpose engines.