Kawasaki Archives | Wind Burned Eyes

5 Best 125cc Motorcycles You Can Buy

I’m a huge fan of 125cc motorcycles. They’re fun and easy to ride, usually rather simple machines, and they’re extremely affordable. If you want to get on a bike and not spend an arm and a leg, a small bike with a small engine size, like a 125cc motorcycle, is the way to go.

With that in mind, I wanted to take a quick look at the best 125cc motorcycles that you can buy right now in North America. There have been more bikes popping up in this segment lately, and that means you have more options than ever. Here are the five best 125cc motorcycles.

Could the Return of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R for 2027 Be Just the Bike You Need?

Kawasaki has officially announced the return of its iconic Ninja ZX-6R and Ninja ZX-6R ABS models for the 2027 model year.

Long considered a staple in the middleweight supersport segment, the platform retains its signature 636cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine paired with an Assist & Slipper clutch, offering strong street usability alongside track-focused high-rpm performance.

Does Honda’s New Transalp E-Clutch Make Middleweight Adventure Riding Effortless?

Honda brought back the Transalp name in 2023 after a decade of absence, and now it’s getting a serious upgrade. The 2026 Transalp 750 adds the company’s E-Clutch system — no clutch lever required, but you can still shift gears manually if you want. It’s $10,199 and 755cc of liquid-cooled parallel twin action.

The E-Clutch tech sounds unnecessary on paper. You’re still choosing gears with your foot, just not squeezing a lever anymore. But ride it and it actually makes sense in an adventure context. Gear changes happen at any RPM without drama, the system blips the throttle on downshifts, and you can leave it off if you’d rather use a traditional clutch.

Is Kawasaki’s New KX327 the Midweight Two-Stroke Motocross Needed?

After more than 20 years without a brand-new two-stroke larger than 250cc, Kawasaki just answered a question riders have been asking since the 2000s. The 2027 KX327 is real, fuel-injected, and priced at $9,099 [as of July 2026].

This isn’t just another retro nostalgia play. The KX327 marries modern fuel injection with genuine two-stroke character, giving it something four-strokes in this class can’t replicate: lightweight simplicity mixed with snappy response across the entire powerband.

Two-Stroke Thunder Returns: Kawasaki’s KX327 Shakes Up Motocross Again

Kawasaki just made a move that has the off-road world talking. After more than two decades without a big-bore two-stroke on the roster, Team Green is finally bringing back fuel-injected smokers for 2027.

The new KX327 and KX327X are designed for riders who want the responsive, character-driven feel of two-stroke power without the headaches of carburetors. Both bikes pack a liquid-cooled, 327cc fuel-injected engine with electric start, putting them at an accessible price point: $9099 for the standard KX327 and $9699 for the KX327X cross-country variant.

Is Kawasaki Taming the Ninja H2 for 2027?

Kawasaki’s legendary supercharged Ninja H2 is getting an update for 2027, and the news comes with a caveat that’s got the internet buzzing. Fresh EPA and CARB filings reveal that the new generation might be losing more than thirty horsepower compared to the current model. That’s a significant drop for a bike positioned as the engineering pinnacle of Kawasaki’s lineup.

The 2026 Ninja H2 was certified at 228 hp at 11,500 rpm. The 2027 version, according to homologation documents, will share emissions data with the Z H2 SE, pointing to a new peak of 197 hp at 10,500 rpm. The change appears to stem from production simplification rather than pure emissions compliance, aligning the supercharged engine across both Ninja and Z model lines. That said, 197 hp is still plenty of performance for a street bike.

Custom Norton Dominator and Kawasaki Two-Stroke by Davmomoto

This crazy custom motorcycle puts together a Norton bike with a Kawasaki two-stroke. Meet the Norsaki.

The “Norsaki” is a custom motorcycle built by David of Davmomoto for his client, Richard Aspery, who wanted a unique machine for his annual trips to the Texas Hill Country.

Custom Kawasaki Z1 by Auto Magic

Master Misao Araki of Auto Magic, one of Japan’s most influential custom workshops, has transformed a Kawasaki Z1 into a masterpiece of engineering that bridges the gap between aerospace precision and classic superbike style.

Known for pioneering the process of obtaining government permits for radical modifications, Araki-san utilized 38 years of experience to “future-proof” this machine. The build is centered around a revolutionary modular frame concept designed to address the structural decay common in 40-year-old motorcycles while allowing for total adaptability.

Custom Kawasaki 250TR by OA 100 Project

The team at Japan’s OA Proto Corporation—a company that usually spends its time designing parts for bullet trains—just released their “OA 100 Project” custom Kawasaki 250TR, and it is a masterclass in handmade craftsmanship.

The project’s goal was to push back against modern “soulless” mass production by creating a bike that feels like a direct dialogue between the rider and the machine, completely free of electronic aids.

Custom Kawasaki Z1-R by AC Sanctuary

AC Sanctuary’s RCM-696 Z1-R is a sensational, custom Kawasaki Z1-R that represents the pinnacle of the shop’s “Real Complete Machine” resto-mod program, embodying 30 years of obsessive Japanese perfectionism and serving as a rolling testament to their expertise.

The cafe racer motorcycle, while unmistakably a Z1-R, features an all-new, finely-adjustable upper cowl mount crafted from duralumin and a custom carbon-and-aluminum dash housing STACK analog gauges, executed with surgical precision to ensure aesthetic balance and full functionality.