1980 Kawasaki Invader: Kawasaki of Japan conducted research for a snowmobile and in 1977 introduced a snowmobile. It was a Sno-Jet with the Kawasaki name simply glued over the Sno-Jet name. The Kawasaki snowmobiles were produced by Kawasaki Motor Corp., Snowmobile Division, Grand Rapids, MI. In 1978 the slogan was "The hottest thing on snow". At the end of 1978 the Sno-Jet modeling was retired. For the 1980 year the Kawasaki Invader was thought to have had great ride and handling agility and great power / acceleration / speed. It was one of the year's top performers. The only concern was a heavy handling performance at low speed due to the liquid-cooled plumbing etc. isolated over the skis. But when the throttle was punched, the weight helped the skis bite into the snow and turns. The Invader was powered by a 436cc liquid cooled Kawasaki engine, with 4 spark plugs and 6 ports (the 4/6). It weighed 430 lb and cost $3,499.00. At the end of 1982 due to a non-profitable status the Japanese owners ordered the end of production.
Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum
P.O. Box 2
W11660 US-2
Naubinway, MI 49762
Hours: 906 477-6298
Appointment: 906 477 6192
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