The small fairing was surprisingly effective in keeping my upper torso clean from fly debris by deflecting wind flow up and away from my chest and shoulders.
The tank has also been reshaped a little and is described by Kawasaki as tank bag friendly. It's a healthy 5.3 gallon size so with long distances in mind, it's going to be loaded up by the touring faithful.

Only one of these vehicles likes the front end loaded

This is a strange bike really, it offers a sensible and comfortable ride to a more "seasoned" rider, yet still has a bonkers side that brings out the rascally kid in me. The bike could be described as dated, yet it still retains that irresistible old school, open class, nasty big bore look. Price is $500 more than the Suzuki Bandit, and quite rightly, offers more in both power and sophistication. It's also $600 less than the up to the minute Yamaha FZ1, which is the price of some half decent luggage and a long weekend away with the bike and wife; Your call.

In the end it doesn't matter whether you call it a naked bike, a standard or even a UJM (universal Japanese Motorcycle). It's quite definitely a JGG, a Jolly Green Giant.

For the money and amenities enjoyed, jolly it most definitely is.

Big, no matter which angle