Kawasaki Z1000
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki Z1000 is a four-cylinder motorcycle
in the streetfighter
or standard style.
introduced the Z1 motorcycle in 1972. Four years later they introduced the Kz900. The original Kawasaki Z1
was the first series of Japanese motorcycles with the combination of four cylinders, dual overhead cams and 903 cc. It was one of the most powerful motorcycles produced up until that time, and set multiple world records. And even though its quarter mile times and top speeds were grossly overestimated, actual numbers were impressive enough to earn the bike the nickname “The King”. 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 Z-series since the 1970s until today are 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 56 mm bore and stroke figures, 1 mm over the ZX-10R’s
76 x 55 mm displacing 1,043 cc. That is up from the previous model's 953 cc. Compression ratio is 11.8:1, and fuel injection is handled by a bank of 38 mm Keihin throttle bodies.
The Z1000 uses a backbone frame that supports the engine as a stressed member. Engine mounts can be removed to ease access for maintenance.
Compression damping is done on one fork leg, rebound damping on the other. This technology is from dirt bikes, and is rare on street motorcycles. The Nissin brakes have four piston calipers.
. Multiple motor-journalists reported unstable handling when operating The 2003 model at high speeds. One journalist, Walt Fulton Jr. from Motorcycle Consumer News
, stated that the bike entered an intense, violent tank slapper during high-speed testing. However, reports of owners experiencing the same condition are extremely rare as most owners rave about the bikes stable and predictable handling.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
in the streetfighter
Streetfighter
A streetfighter is a sport bike that is customized by removing the fairing, and making other changes that result in an overall more aggressive look. Beyond simply removing fairings, specific changes that exemplify the streetfighter look are a pair of large, round headlights, tall, upright...
or standard style.
History
KawasakiKawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
introduced the Z1 motorcycle in 1972. Four years later they introduced the Kz900. The original Kawasaki Z1
Kawasaki Z1
The Z1 Kawasaki was a motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It has sometimes been described as the world's first superbike. The Z1, along with Honda's CB750 from 1969, introduced the four-cylinder, across the frame, disc-braked layout to a wider public...
was the first series of Japanese motorcycles with the combination of four cylinders, dual overhead cams and 903 cc. It was one of the most powerful motorcycles produced up until that time, and set multiple world records. And even though its quarter mile times and top speeds were grossly overestimated, actual numbers were impressive enough to earn the bike the nickname “The King”. In 1977 a z1000 ridden by Reg Pridmore
Reg Pridmore
Reginald Charles Pridmore III is a former motorcycle road racing national champion. He is remembered for winning the first AMA Superbike Championship in . He is the father of retired AMA racer Jason Pridmore....
became the first Japanese bike to win an AMA Superbike
AMA Superbike
AMA Pro Superbike is the premiere superbike racing series in the United States. It is part of the AMA Pro Racing series which was sold to and is managed by the Daytona Motorsports Group...
national when it took the victory at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
. In 2003 Kawasaki introduced a completely revamped 30 year anniversary edition of the Z1000. It used a modified engine from the Kawasaki ZX-9R
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R
The Kawasaki ZX-9R was a sport bike manufactured Japanese company Kawasaki from 1994 to 2003. There were five model incarnations across two basic designs.-Introduction:The ZX-9R debuted in 1994...
, 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
Kawasaki Z750
The Z750 motorcycle is Kawasaki's model in the budget class of naked and half faired bikes. It is a smaller version of the Kawasaki Z1000.The Kawasaki Z750 was launched in 2004, after its bigger brother, the Z1000 in 2003...
. In 2007, Kawasaki released a new Z1000. The Z-series since the 1970s until today are 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 56 mm bore and stroke figures, 1 mm over the ZX-10R’s
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
The Ninja ZX-10R is a Kawasaki sport bike, and the follow-up to the ZX-9R. It was originally released in 2004 with minor revisions in 2005. It combines an ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes...
76 x 55 mm displacing 1,043 cc. That is up from the previous model's 953 cc. Compression ratio is 11.8:1, and fuel injection is handled by a bank of 38 mm Keihin throttle bodies.
2003–2006 Models
Stylistically, the 2003 Z1000 was a departure from other naked sportbikes of the time. The Z1000 used the same tail section that was being used on the 2003 ZX6R 636 cc 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.The Z1000 uses a backbone frame that supports the engine as a stressed member. Engine mounts can be removed to ease access for maintenance.
Compression damping is done on one fork leg, rebound damping on the other. This technology is from dirt bikes, and is rare on street motorcycles. The Nissin brakes have four piston calipers.
2007–2008 Models
In 2007 Kawasaki released an updated version of the Z1000. The bike features a detuned version of the ZX-9R engine. 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 10,000 rpm.Specifications (United States 2008 Model)
| Engine Type | 4-Stroke, Liquid-Cooled, DOHC, 4-Valve, 4-Cylinder |
| Displacement | 953 cc |
| Bore & Stroke | 77.2 x 50.9 mm |
| Maximum Torque | 72.8 lb/ft @ 8,200 rpm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.2:1 |
| Fuel Injection | DFI with four 36 mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles, ultra-fine atomizing fuel injectors |
| Ignition | TCBI Digital Advance |
| Transmission | 6-Speed |
| Final Drive | X-Ring Chain |
| Frame Type | Backbone, high-tensile steel tubes and cast aluminum engine sub-frame |
| Rake/Trail | 24.5 deg. / 4.0 in. |
| Front Suspension/Wheel Travel | 41 mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless rebound damping and adjustable spring preload / 4.7 in. |
| Rear Suspension/Wheel Travel | Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock, stepless rebound damping and adjustable spring preload / 5.9 in. |
| Front Tire Size | 120/70 ZR17 |
| Rear Tire Size | 190/50 ZR17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.9 in. |
| Front Brake Type | Dual 300 mm petal rotors with radial-mount four-piston calipers |
| Rear Brake Type | Single 250 mm petal rotor with single-piston caliper |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 4.9 gal. |
| Seat Height | 32.3 in. |
| Overall Length | 82.3 in. |
| Overall Width | 30.7 in. |
| Overall Height | 41.9 in. |
Reviews
The first generation of the Z was a definite success, and now resides in the Motorcycle Hall of FameMotorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
. Multiple motor-journalists reported unstable handling when operating The 2003 model at high speeds. One journalist, Walt Fulton Jr. from Motorcycle Consumer News
Motorcycle Consumer News
Motorcycle Consumer News is a monthly periodical offering reviews of motorcycles and other information such as motorcycle safety techniques...
, stated that the bike entered an intense, violent tank slapper during high-speed testing. However, reports of owners experiencing the same condition are extremely rare as most owners rave about the bikes stable and predictable handling.