Kawasaki and Suzuki announce shared bikes

Senior Suzuki and Kawasaki managers have announced more details about how the two companies will work together to share models.

We reported last year how the companies were forging new links. Now we understand the deal means Kawasaki will enter the scooter market for the first time with what is essentially the Burgman 250, rebadged as a Kawasaki and called the Epsilon 250. Suzuki’s Epicuro 150 will be given a Kawasaki badge and called the Epsilon 150.

We expect the Suzukis to remain on sale alongside the Kawasakis, but we have yet to get confirmation on this.

Suzuki will get Kawasaki’s KLX-based D-Tracker supermoto style bike to rebadge as the 250SB. And there will be a Suzuki GSX250FX, based on Kawasaki’s Balius II. Again, the Kawasakis are expected to stay on sale.

The Balius is one of the best-selling 250cc naked bikes in Japan.

Official pictures of the ” new ” machines are due to be released soon.

We’ll bring you updates as we get them.