Kawasaki Aircraft initially produced motorcycles under the Meguro name before becoming Kawasaki Motor Sales. Some early models displayed "Kawasaki Aircraft" on the fuel tank.

Kawasaki, a major Japanese motorcycle brand and division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, produced their first motorcycle in 1954 and built a dedicated factory by 1960. In 1963, Kawasaki merged with Meguro, forming Kawasaki Motorcycle Co., Ltd., and began exporting to the U.S.

Kawasaki achieved racing success and revolutionized the 600-class with the GPz550 in the 1980s, introducing the ZXR series in 1989.