1988 Kawasaki KR-1

In 1988, Kawasaki decided to produce their own road racing replica motorcycle, competing in the highly popular 250cc two-stroke sport bike class in Japan. Unlike their competitors, the Kawasaki KR1 was not inspired by a Kawasaki production race bike, and they conceived the KR1 as a completely new machine. With competition such as the Honda NSR, the Suzuki RGV250, and the Yamaha TZR250, Kawasaki had a tough market to break into.

The first sale year was successful, and two B-models were produced. In 1989, their competitors decided to update their models, which prompted Kawasaki to do the same. So the KR1 went through a re-launch in this year, evolving into the KR1-S and the KR1-R. These models differed slightly from the original in the construction of the frame, wheels, brakes, and the colour schemes.

Kawasaki become the first of the Japanese big 4 (Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Aprilia) to seas production on their 250cc two stroke, when production of the KR1 ended in 1992. They were the only manufacturer to not switch to a V-twin eventually, maintaining the parallel twin through its short life, and never receiving any major upgrades. Less than 10,000 units were produced, and was considered to be the least successful of the big fours 250cc race replica’s, despite its excellent handling, its highest speed in the class, and it being the easiest to tune and modify, it carved itself out its own small niche of loyal fans.