Kawasaki Z1000

Kawasaki Z1000

Manufacturer	Kawasaki
Parent company	Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Production	2003–2016
Predecessor	Zephyr
Class	Standard
Engine	Liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline four, fuel injection
Transmission	6-speed
Related	Kawasaki Z800 Kawasaki Z750 Kawasaki Z

The Kawasaki Z1000 is a four-cylinder motorcycle in the streetfighter or standard style. It was first introduced as a successor to the early-1970s Z1 and Z900 machines

History

Kawasaki introduced the Z1 (900) motorcycle in 1972 as the first of the Z series. Four years later they introduced the Kz900. The original Z1 was the first series of Japanese motorcycles with the combination of four cylinders, dual overhead cams and 903 cc (55.1 cu in).

Reg Pridmore's 1978 Superbike Championship Vetter Kawasaki

In 1977 a Z1 ridden by Reg Pridmore became the first Japanese bike to win an AMA Superbike national when it took the victory at Pocono Raceway. Pridmore went on to win both the 1977 and 1978 US Superbike Championships on Kawasaki Z1s

From 1979, a 'Mk 2' (mark two) version was added with black engine, general restyling including body and paintwork and a shaft-drive version was available, designated Z1000ST. The models continued until superseded by the fuel-injection Z1000H and GPZ1100 of the early 1980s

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 had a new aluminum frame, digital instrument panel, bodywork, and engine. Bore and stroke are 77 x 56 mm, 1 mm more than 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.^[1]

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.

2007–2009 Models

2007 Kawasaki Z1000

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.

2010–2013 Models

2013 Kawasaki Z1000

2014 Z1000 at the Seattle International Motorcycle Show

The Z1000 was redesigned for 2010. Along with the customary styling update came a slightly larger capacity engine. The motorcycle was officially marketed as the "Z1000 ABS" as ABS came fitted as standard.^[2]

In 2013 Kawasaki broke with the 3 year update cycle and choose to release a "special edition", alongside the standard edition, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Z brand.^[3] The differences between the models were purely aesthetic.

Specifications

	2003–2006[4]	2007–2009[4]	2010–2013[4]	2014[5]
Engine type	Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve
Displacement	953 cc (58.2 cu in)		1,043 cc (63.6 cu in)
Bore & stroke	77.2 mm × 50.9 mm (3.04 in × 2.00 in)		77.0 mm × 56.0 mm (3.03 in × 2.20 in)
Maximum torque	95.6 N·m (70.5 lbf·ft) @ 8,000 rpm	98.7 N·m (72.8 lbf·ft) @ 8,200 rpm	110 N·m (81 lbf·ft) @ 7,800 rpm	110.8 N·m (81.7 lbf·ft) @ 7,300 rpm
Maximum power	93.4 kW (125.3 hp) @ 10,000 rpm	92 kW (123 hp) @ 10,000 rpm	101.5 kW (136.1 hp) @ 9,600 rpm	105.9 kW (142.0 hp) @ 10,000 rpm[6]
Compression ratio	11.2:1		11.8:1
Fuel injection	38 mm diameter x 4		38 mm diameter x 4
Ignition	Battery and coil
Transmission	6-speed, constant mesh, return shift
Clutch	Wet, multi disc
Final drive	Chain
Frame type	Backbone, high-tensile steel tubes and cast aluminum engine sub-frame
Rake / trail	24° / 101 mm (4.0 in)	24.5° / 103 mm (4.1 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	1,420 mm (56 in)	1,445 mm (56.9 in)	1,440 mm (57 in)	1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Front brake type	Dual disc	Dual disc petal rotors
Rear brake type	Single disc	Single disc petal rotor
Fuel tank capacity	19 L (4.2 imp gal; 5.0 US gal)	18.5 L (4.1 imp gal; 4.9 US gal)	15 L (3.3 imp gal; 4.0 US gal)	17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
Curb weight	221 kg (487 lb)	221 kg (487 lb)	218 kg (481 lb)	221 kg (487 lb)
Seat height	820 mm (32 in)			815.34 mm (32.100 in)
Overall length	2,080 mm (82 in)	2,090 mm (82 in)	2,095 mm (82.5 in)	2,044.7 mm (80.50 in)
Overall width	770 mm (30 in)	780 mm (31 in)	805 mm (31.7 in)	789.94 mm (31.100 in)
Overall height	1,055 mm (41.5 in)	1,065 mm (41.9 in)	1,085 mm (42.7 in)	1,054.1 mm (41.50 in)
Road clearance	145 mm (5.7 in)	160 mm (6.3 in)	140 mm (5.5 in)

See also

• Kawasaki Z (disambiguation)

References

1. Motorcycle.com 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Preview Article
2. 2011 Z1000 ABS Specifications Sheet
3. 2013 Special edition models
4. 2003-2006 Z1000 Owners Manuals
5. 2014 Z1000 ABS Sport