Because ABS, TC, and a mere 6% increase in displacement isn't enough to justify a 29% price increase........especially not in this economy.

That's quite the understatement. It looks morbidly obese.

I see morbidly obeese all the time here at work so sadly I know more than I want to about that LOL

As a guy who owns a Busa and a B King I don't really care about appearance. (although they could loose the Big George Grill on either side. The Projected Jump form 1352 to 1429 is enough to make me curious, that along with the better brakes than the Suzuki line has me wondering.

It has a lot more to do with this economy than it does with improvements to the bike. When the Dollar tanks compared to the Yen and most of Kawasaki's expenses for the bike are in Yen Kawasaki is going to need more Dollars for the bike. Kawasaki now gets less than 80 Yen for every Dollar. Around a year ago they got closer to 90. Three years ago they got in the neighborhood of 110. I'd bet the exchange rate is the primary driver for the price increase.

The upside is that same change should make US manufactured goods cheaper to sell in Japan. Too bad we don't make anything anymore.

I hope they are prepared to sell a lot less, then. The economy isn't going to get any better next year.

My guess is they would rather sell less of them at a profit than more of them at a loss.

No...but a 76 Yen to the dollar is a pretty good reason.

Then why haven't 600's dramatically increased? They're still in the high 10K range, which hasn't changed in years.

Uh... low 10's a couple of years ago... mid/upper 11's now...

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/20.../05/index.html