Kawasaki Z 1000 

The Kawasaki Z1000 motorcycle is both potent and capable, thanks largely to its impressive 1,043cc inline-four, in a manner that lesser powerplants simply cannot match. The Z1000 engine produces strong, instant thrust capable of embarrassing many hardcore sportbikes, while offering a more comfortable, upright riding position to give the rider greater leverage on the handlebar, allowing the motorcycle to excel in the corners.

New for the 2016 model year is an assist and slipper clutch as well as a new color scheme, which combines Golden Blazed Green with Metallic Matte Graphite Gray to create a dramatic machine that sets the stage for the excitement to follow.

Call Of The Wild

Sculpted bodywork brings the aggressive and unique sugomi inspired Z design to the next level, stripping off all unnecessary flourishes to boldly highlight brutal functionality. Enhancing the riding impact, the new engine and chassis settings deliver a stiffer, more direct ride transforming the Z1000 into the market’s most radical Supernaked.

The twist of a grip, the growl of the engine, the adrenaline-pumping thrust of torque – when the raw elements of sport riding are all you crave, look to the Kawasaki Z1000 ABS. Pared down to the basics of performance, this no-frills “Urban Streetfighter” harnesses open-class power in a compact chassis with bold styling, minimal bodywork and lots of attitude.

•Powerful 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine pulls strongly from all rpm and does not let up before the redline
•Engine delivers superb response, a strong mid-range hit and an intoxicating intake howl
•Highly rigid aluminum twin-tube frame features a high degree of mass centralization, creating a balance between crisp turning and planted handling
•The Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) offers both comfort and sport potential ideal for aggressive street riding
•High performance brake package includes radial-mount monobloc calipers, radial-pump front brake master cylinder and 310mm petal-type rotors

The twist of a grip, the growl of the engine, the adrenaline-pumping thrust of torque – when the raw elements of sport riding are all you crave, look to the Kawasaki Z1000 ABS. Pared down to the basics of performance, this no-frills “Urban Streetfighter” harnesses open-class power in a compact chassis with bold styling, minimal bodywork and lots of attitude.

•Powerful 1,043cc inline four-cylinder engine pulls strongly from all rpm and does not let up before the redline
•Engine delivers superb response, a strong mid-range hit and an intoxicating intake howl
•Highly rigid aluminum twin-tube frame features a high degree of mass centralization, creating a balance between crisp turning and planted handling
•The Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) offers both comfort and sport potential ideal for aggressive street riding
•High performance brake package includes radial-mount monobloc calipers, radial-pump front brake master cylinder and 310mm petal-type rotors
Die-cast Mirrors

New mirrors have a sharper design that contributes to the aggressive image. Die-cast mirror stays contribute to a less plastic, higher quality feel of the cockpit.

LED headlamp

The thin, compact headlamp cowl was positioned as low as possible, extending the line that starts from the top of the tank. This is first time for Kawasaki to use the reflector-less LED headlamp design. Using LED lamps allows the design to be thin, the shape contributing to the more intense glare of the new Z1000’s face, and the reflector-less design further enhances its predatory appearance. There are four long-life, low-energy LED bulbs: two low-beam (centre), two high-beam (outside). All four bulbs light up when the high-beams are on. A separate LED position lamp is located on the meter cover

Mass Centralisation

The exhaust system (with large pre-chamber and short silencers), Horizontal Back-link rear suspension and the use of downdraft throttle bodies are the greatest contributors to mass centralisation. The Horizontal Back-link rear suspension arrangement frees up space taken up by the Uni-Trak suspension lower linkage, enabling a larger pre-chamber, which in turn allows the use of shorter mufflers and contributes to mass centralisation. The lightweight aluminium rear frame also contributes. The result is light, sharp handling.

Instrumentation

The Z1000’s compact instrument cluster is mounted directly to the handlebar, which added to design freedom and helped realise the compact headlamp cowl. Its low position creates an unobstructed view of the road ahead. The futuristic design of the LED tachometer and LCD screen reflects the sport potential of the new Z.

The Z1000 motorcycle remains the flagship model, featuring “Sugomi” design language, which is intended to invoke a crouching predator, while painstaking details include the special “Z” ignition key, machined aluminum steering stem bolt and the intricate “Z” motif seat cover.

The 1,043cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 16-valve engine features impressive low- and mid-range torque – where most street bikes spend their time. It also uses cylinder-connecting passageways to strengthen the performance in the mid- and high RPM range by reducing the pumping losses associated with displacing air inside the crankcase.

Digital Timing Advance further contributes to the increased low- and mid-range power, while spark plug-mounted ignition coils help ensure perfect and powerful timing for each cylinder.

It’s the ideal engine for a road-going naked sportbike – aggressive, powerful, flexible, and delivering the legendary reliability associated with Kawasaki.

In the transmission, short overall gearing complements the responsive engine to deliver astounding thrust at the rider’s command. When the road opens up, this stylish streetfighter can stretch its legs thanks to a tall sixth gear that maintains comfortable cruising RPM for highway riding.

The new assist and slipper clutch was developed from Kawasaki’s experience on the racetrack. The clutch uses two types of cams (an assist cam and a slipper cam), allowing it to provide two new functions, not available on the standard clutch of the previous model.

When the engine is under load, the assist cam functions to pull the clutch hub and operating plate together to compress the clutch plates. This allows the total clutch spring load to be reduced, resulting in a lighter clutch lever pull. Fewer?clutch springs (three replacing five springs on the previous model) translate to a 30% lighter clutch lever feel.

When backload is applied (i.e. excessive engine braking occurs), perhaps as the result of quick downshifts (or even an accidental downshift), the slipper cam then comes into play. It forces the clutch hub and operating plate to separate, relieving pressure on the clutch plates and reducing back-torque. This helps to reduce the rear tire from hopping and skidding, allowing the rider to retain control of the motorcycle.

The Z1000 features an advanced aluminum frame, similar to the Ninja® ZX™-10R superbike. The lightweight assembly curves over the engine, cradling it from above and solidly bolted to it in three places. The fourth mount is rubber-backed to provide added vibration isolation with torsional rigidity.

The frame design allowed the engineers to keep the bike’s waist narrow for superb rider interface, maximum comfort and control. The main frame and swingarm pivot pieces are cast as a single unit. Its subframe tapers to a very shallow cross-section at the rear, allowing the bodywork to take-on an aggressive, minimalist profile.

Suspension is handled by a fully adjustable 41mm inverted Showa Separate Function Fork – Big Piston (SFF-BP) up front. It has springs in both tubes, with dedicated preload adjustability in the left tube and dedicated damping pistons and adjustability in the right. The Big Piston design provides smooth action during the initial part of the stroke and contributes excellent feel during heavy braking.

The horizontal back-link rear shock is mounted above the swingarm to move it away from the exhaust heat and centralize its mass. The single-shock damper is mounted almost horizontally above the swingarm for optimal mass centralization and heat resistance. The gas/oil shock offers superb wheel control whether you’re hammering along deserted backroads or prowling pothole-infested city streets.

Great-looking, one-piece monobloc radial-mount front brake calipers offer world-class stopping power and feel. The ABS-equipped brake system uses 310mm petal-type front rotors and a radial pump master cylinder.

The sculpted styling of the Z1000 motorcycle is one of its most stunning aspects. The thin, compact headlight housing was positioned as low as possible, extending the line that starts from the top of the tank.

Slim, futuristic-styled radiator shrouds partially surround the Z1000’s powerful engine, and an under-cowl contributes greatly to the aggressive appearance.

The slender tail section further contributes to the bike’s crouched-forward appearance. The compact passenger pad was designed to integrate with the rider’s seat and gives the appearance of a solo-seat cover, adding to the sporty look of the tail section.

In keeping with its radical looks, the Z1000 offers a superlative riding position. The wide, large-diameter aluminum handlebar offers great leverage for aggressive maneuvers, and the knurled metal footpegs grip the rider’s boots to provide a direct-connection to the chassis. It all adds up to the perfect ergonomics for maximum agility without sacrificing comfort.