Kawasaki Z1000

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Kawasaki Z1000

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2003 - present
Class	Standard
Engine	953 cc, 11.2:1 CR, liquid cooled, DOHC, inline four with digital fuel injection
Power	127 PS (93 kW)[citation needed]
Transmission	6-speed cassette-style
Weight	198 kg (437 lb)[citation needed]
Related	Kawasaki Z750

The Kawasaki Z1000 is a four-cylinder motorcycle in the streetfighter or standard style.

History

Kawasaki introduced the Z1 motorcycle in 1972. Four years later they introduced the Kz900. The original Kawasaki 900/Z1/Z1a/Z1b/Z900 was the first series of Japanese motorcycles with the combination of four cylinders, dual overhead cams and 903 cc (55.1 cu in). It was one of the most powerful motorcycles produced up until that time, and set multiple world records.^{[citation needed]} And even though its quarter mile times and top speeds were grossly overestimated,^{[by whom?]} actual numbers were impressive enough to earn the bike the nickname “The King” (see the modern Z-King, a 2003 z1000 with a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R engine.^{[citation needed]} In 1977 a z1000 ridden by Reg Pridmore became the first Japanese bike to win an AMA Superbike national when it took the victory at Pocono Raceway. In 2003 Kawasaki introduced a completely revamped 30 year anniversary edition of the Z1000. It used a modified engine from the Kawasaki ZX-9R, and was bored out by 2.2 mm resulting in bigger displacement, more low-RPM torque, and only a slight power loss of 4 bhp from the original ZX9. In 2004, Kawasaki released the Z1000's smaller brother, the Z750. In 2007, Kawasaki released a new Z1000. The Z1000 is also known as the "Z," "Zed," and "Z1k."

In October 2009, Kawasaki unveiled the 2010 Z1000. It received an all new Aluminum frame, Digital Instrument Panel, Bodywork, and a completely new engine. It sports 77 x 56mm bore and stroke figures, 1mm over the ZX-10R’s 76 x 55mm displacing 1,043cc. That is up from the previous model's 953cc. Compression ratio is 11.8:1, and fuel injection is handled by a bank of 38mm Keihin throttle bodies.^[1]

2003–2006 Models

Stylistically, the 2003 Z1000 was a departure from other naked sportbikes of the time. The quad-shotgun, gold tinted pipes drew mixed reactions from motorcyclists who either hated or loved the look.^[who?] The Z1000 used the same tail section that was being used on the 2003 ZX6R 636cc sport bike. Kawasaki hired the same industrial designer credited with designing the Mazda Miata to create an aggressive bikini fairing to match the 636s tail section.^{[citation needed]}

The Z1000 uses a backbone frame that supports the engine as a stressed member. Engine mounts can be removed to ease access for maintenance.

One fork leg handles compression damping duties, while the other manages rebound damping. This is technology from the dirt bike world, but rare on street motorcycles. The brakes are standard fare, Nissin, four piston binders that do a great job of slowing the bike down.^{[citation needed]}

2007–2008 Models

2007 Kawasaki Z1000 (note the new controversial exhaust)

In 2007 Kawasaki released an updated version of the Z1000. The bike features a detuned version of the relatively outdated Kawasaki ZX-9R engine.^[opinion] This detuning, in addition to the design of the exhaust, provides less top end compared to the super-sport ZX-9R engine, but more low to mid rpm range, giving a stock '07-08 Z1000 a top speed of about 166 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration in about 2.9 seconds, with about 125 bhp at 10,000rpm.^{[citation needed]} Kawasaki successfully addressed complaints of engine vibrations,^{[by whom?]} and provided a much smoother ride on the '07-08 models compared to the '03-06 models. Complaints^{[by whom?]} about the tachometer were also addressed, bringing back the analog tach compared to the previous digital tach.

Specifications (United States 2008 Model^[2])

Reviews

The first generation of the Z was a definite success, and now resides in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.^[3] The 2003 model was immediately discredited by many consumers after multiple motor-journalists reported unstable handling characteristics at high speeds.^[opinion] One journalist, Walt Fulton Jr. from Motorcycle Consumer News stated that the bike entered an intense, violent tank slapper during high-speed testing.^{[citation needed]} However, reports of owners experiencing the same condition are extremely rare as most owners rave about the bikes stable and predictable handling characteristics.^{[citation needed]}

References

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