Q How’s the new tech?
‘Adaptive cruise control is a real benefit’
The headline tech revolves around the forward and rear-facing radar systems, which bring blind-spot detection (BSD), forward-collision warning (FCW) and adaptive cruise control (ACC).
As a few bikes have already demonstrated, ACC is a genuine benefit when it comes to easing straight-line miles and Kawasaki’s system is no different. Hard to pick fault with in its actual operation, the only gripes we had were that the further of the three distance settings seems quite far from the vehicle ahead for it to start to cut your speed (we ended up using the middle setting). Also, once clear, it is quite slow to increase your pace again. Neither of these complains are major issues; more comments on its operation.
The BSD also works well but takes a bit of getting used to. It only activates if a vehicle is gaining on you (under or overtaking) so won’t warn you if you are going to pull in too early having already passed. There again, you should really be aware of the vehicle if you have just overtaken it. It’s a genuine safety assist, which is more than we can say of FCW.
We struggle to see the point of FCW. If you can spot a series of red lights illuminating on the dash, surely you can also see an obstacle on the road ahead. For us, it is only there as a result of too much tech because, for the lights to alert you, you will need to be staring at the dash (fiddling with one of the many settings...) so it is a case of tech saving you from tech. Although by the time the lights illuminate, it will probably be too late to avoid an accident...
Finally, there is the new dash, which is impressive and clear to read in standard road mode. Should you wish to get techy, it connects to your phone via the free Kawasaki SPIN app (developed by a third party and also used by Suzuki) which facilitates the use of your phone via Bluetooth to allow you to make/ receive calls and play music as well as access third party apps to view navigation, weather reports etc. Although not as slick to use as some manufacturer-built apps, it works well and is easily accessed via the switchgear. You can select a dedicated navigation display, which allows a map to take precedence while still retaining important info such as speed, gear position etc, which is useful.