Image via ootsubase/YouTube
To help get people excited for different versions of the Ninja over the years, Kawasaki had its advertising team cook up some TV commercials which were just brilliant. They did an excellent job of showcasing the speed and handling of the motorcycle while also making people laugh. Plus, they were memorable, even though we forgot just how funny they were until we started watching them recently.
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The one most people remember the most and that we see referenced on social media even now involves a jab at Porsche. A guy rides his Ninja into a parking garage, leaving the green motorcycle in the spot next to a black Porsche 911.
After a few seconds, the German car deposits some oil from the sump onto the ground like a dog peeing out of anxiety. It’s clever and got the point across.
Another is set in northern Italy where two police officers sitting on the side of the road can hear the speeding Kawasaki approaching. One steps out and holds his hand up in a universal signal to halt. Not only does the rider not stop, he high-fives the officer while continuing to speed.
There’s another set in northern Italy where a farmer on his tractor is tooling along a rural highway when a Ninja blasts past him. That triggers a speed camera, which snaps a photo of the farmer supposedly cruising on his rather old piece of equipment.
The ridiculousness of the situation, combined with many people’s hatred of speed cameras, makes that commercial timeless.
We don’t see cool commercials like these anymore, not from Kawaski or anyone else. You can blame it on the downfall of broadcast and even cable/satellite television, social media, the internet in general, or whatever else you like, we just miss great ads like these.
Image via ootsubase/YouTube
