Kawasaki seeks out new niches

Kawasaki has found a new niche – retro bikes that are only legal to ride on the road in the daytime (that’s about seven hours a day in the UK right now).

One is a 1970s-style grasstracker. It looks reminiscent of many creations by Spanish firm Montesa, but it’s actually a modified W650 with some off-road pretensions. It makes 49bhp and weighs around 175kg (385lb).

There’s also a café racer, based on a Japan-only model, the 250TR, which makes 30bhp and will do about 100mph (if you tuck right in and suck in your belly).

Both bikes are concept machines so far, but could yet go into production.