Crunch

[Boomer]

Kawasaki have agricultural gearboxes? 
Have you ever ridden a BMW or a Harley or Guzzi?

The problem with 1st gear engagement on Kawasaki and Suzukis is due to the primary gear ratio.
The clutch spins much faster than on Honda and Yamaha.
Hence the clunk when you engage first.
Above 1st the K & S gearboxes are better than most H & Y gearboxes.

[PRD]

Having recently ridden 2500 miles in the states on a Harley Davidson I can vouch for the fact that their gearboxes are awful. Getting neutral at traffic lights is vertually impossible. Crunches are the norm as are missed gears. It was a delight to get back on a gtr with its easy to use gearbox.