After a year absence, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki returned to the high performance roadster roots by bringing back to the bike Z1000 United States line-up for the New Year.And while the name remains the same, 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 has been dismantled from top-to-bottom to provide an easier and more entertaining way to look for motorcyclists pleasant and civilized sport-oriented bike path.
Why Bring Back?
The Z1000 is a style of Streetfighter motorcycles, which are basically stripped of sportbike part of the bodywork and equipped with standard handlebar. While their anger in Europe (I've seen them everywhere in Italy), here in the United States from A, the style of this motorcycle continued to struggle on the floor compared to sales management sportbike gift brothers. However, the Kawasaki felt had something special with redesigned Z1000. So, once again he was imported to the United States.
So what Special About It?
Previous Z1000 is a unique bike. While there are certain attributes we enjoy, including strong personality and sporty machine-but-relaxed ride position, there are also elements that just funky-biggest complaints handling strange, excessive engine vibration and the love-it-or - hate -it styling. Latest Zed-1 does away with the flukes, plus, basically constructed nature of pleasure thus providing a fast, easy, and ultimately entertaining motorcycle to operate.
Skin Deep
Based on similar exterior profile, one might assume that the new Z1000 is a modified version of an old bicycle. But it did not happen. New bike using purpose-built engine, frame and rear suspension (more on those later).
Visual designers provide a comprehensive nip / tuck. Bike lines have been sharpened to provide a more contemporary form. Additional bodywork added in the form of sharp stomach and fork guards present. Prizes also stretched front and the double house lights renewed. To the rear, it remains high mounted tail neatly with the bright lights of the LED-style rear and trapezoidal in shape signature quad exhaust pipes. The Z1000 is available in two colors: Metallic Black Spark Stardust and Pearl White.
Control is also enhanced and highlighted by a thick tubular aluminum handlebar, compact LCD instrumentation, and style brake fluid reservoir. Furthermore, the instrument display angle can be adjusted in three positions through a small plastic adjustment button. This gives Z1000 elegant, yet sporty cockpit similar appearance Ducati Streetfighter.
Under the Hood
Zed-1 are now using the very own 1043cc liquid-cooled inline-Four engine. Kawasaki claims the new machine using the architecture itself and not based on the previous good '953cc bike ZX-9R-derived motor current or found in the Ninja ZX-10R. A 90cc bump in displacement is calculated by boring a bit smaller (77.2 vs. 77.0 mm) and larger stroke (56.0 vs. 50.9mm). Although added piston stroke, the exterior dimensions are almost the same engine as before. Compressed fuel costs by a ratio of 11.8:1 and the engine features a racing tuning tricks including 16-valve cylinder heads are operated by dual overhead camshafts. Internal counter counterweight, driven by a gear on the crankshaft, reducing engine vibration.
Captured air intake through the air induction system that uses a spoon intake on each side of the machine. Airways into the airbox resonator equipped with a sound effect similar to someone blowing over the open glass bottle. This greatly increases the intake sound while riding and ultimately create more exciting riding experience. Air and gas and then mixed in a larger set of oval bore Keihin throttle body and injected into the engine through the four fuel injectors.
Exhaust is handled by the 4-2-2 exhaust system with a belly-mounted pre-space. This allows Mufflers become lighter and more compact than before. A proper exhaust valve to maximize performance through the rev range of 11,000 plus. Finally, three catalyzers reduce emissions in the exhaust is also installed. Transferred engine power to the rear wheels via a cable-actuated clutch without sandals functionality and 6-speed transmission attached to the chain / sprockets final drive system.
Chassis
Machine depends on the aluminum frame is lighter by four-point mounting arrangement (one more than before). This is claimed to increase chassis stiffness and stability, and provide an enhanced level of pilots feel the speed. The frame is composed of five pieces of aluminum and nearly nine pounds lighter than previous models of steel pieces. Frame similar to that used in Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-14, Z1000 a frame wrapped up and over the engine that dramatically reduces the width of a bicycle in the chair. New three-piece aluminum subframe complete the set-up.
In the suspension department, the Z1 using an innovative horizontal-mount back-link hydraulic shock absorber.
Two-way adjustable shock (spring preload and damping re) attached between the main frame through a relationship built on top of aluminum swingarm. This allows the shock should be kept away from the engine and exhaust heat to provide more consistent damping performance without sacrificing ease of adjustment. Front 41mm Showa inverted fork offers a conventional three-way independent adjustment for spring preload, compression and rebound damping.
2010 Kawasaki Z1000s brake is a mixture of old and new. Sitting in front of a pair of petal-style discs 300mm diameter driven by a pair of Tokico radial-mount 4-piston calipers as used on the Ninja ZX-10R.
New five-spoke cast aluminum wheels size 3.5 x 17-inches in front and 5.0 x 17-inches in the rear. Both rims were painted silver, black, and features engine and polished edge on the talk in which he clung to the edge of the Z1000 provides a custom look. A roller skating in the OE-spec Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier D210 tires (120/70-17 front, 190/50-17 rear).
Braking component is a mixture of old and new. At the front, the same diameter 300mm petal-style disc is controlled by a pair of radial-mount Tokico four-piston calipers as used on the Ninja ZX-10R. A radial pump master cylinder set-up zoom through the rubber brake lines. Single-piston caliper at the bottom of the mountain behind the swingarm (providing less cluttered look of the rear wheels) and pinching a 250mm disc, back through the rubber brake lines.
Street Riding Impression
Hop in the saddle and the first thing one notices is how low 32.1-in. seat height feels. This helps the driver in keeping both feet firmly planted in the ground at stops. Just as impressive is how the engine is between the legs narrow-benefit rider clear and re-engineered aluminum frame subframe.
On the road, Zed-1 to maintain signature sporty-yet-relaxed ride position, which proves sport riders can have the best of both worlds. The frame and fuel tank features an ergonomically correct cut-out for the pilot's knee. Footpegs and handlebar location in relation to contributing to the position of chair seats and govern well received by the same high and short riders during our trip.
Launching a lot of stops is a simple matter for effective action cable-actuated clutch and short first gear. Axis to direct the gas and one value Z1's ridiculously smooth powerband. Fat bottom end power without overruling and low revs the engine vibration almost nothing.
Keep the throttle pegged and the engine spools up relaxed, so it's important to choose the appropriate equipment if the maximum acceleration is your mission. At about 8000 revs the engine suddenly stood at attention a solid mid-range push. Like, the inside of your helmet will be overwhelmed by the howling of addiction intake.
Kawasakis always known induction noise, but it Z1000 took him to a new level. Instead, the engine's exhaust note is still weak. It's about here that the engine began to vibrate slightly, but never becomes annoying. As you approach the redline howl back a little, but the machines still continue to share power distribution unintimidating.
Apart from a strong but mild-mannered power delivery, probably my favorite feature of the Z1000 engine is smooth rev-limiter. As opposed to other motors, when rev limiter is found, the engine suddenly stopped not accelerated. Instead gradually slowed, indicating that it was time to upshift. Take another gear and you'll appreciate the positive changes in the short and the throw lever offered by the transmission.
Although Zed-1 shares the front brake calipers with the above mentioned Ninja ZX-10R, the front brakes did not feel quite as sharp as they did in Superbike premiums. Feeling not quite equal, but there are many reasonable for everyday use on the street and not be passed for all but the most intelligent sports rider. Meanwhile, the rear brakes function place-on with a feeling that allows you to further explore traction vs.-up key points from the rear tire.
In the parking lot speeds Zed-1 showed several peaks that were heavy as it could be related to the location of the peak height of four gallon steel fuel tank. But as speeds increase above 20 mph or more, the nature of lost and replaced with absolute surefootedness.
Relying on the handlebar and dipped into the Z1000's turn with very little effort for the 481-lb motorcycle. Hold back and the bike fell to the side of the tire-never expected more or less than the requested driver. Additional speed only makes exceptional handling and even triple-digit speeds have little effect on overt chassis stability, whether cornering or during a wide-open straight-line acceleration. This gives the driver confidence she needed to explore the limits of the motor.
During our road trip, the speed is never hot enough to find out whether the problems plague this motor ground clearance. However, bicycle tires properly complete the handling, offering leading predicable and handles on both wet and dry pavement.
During acceleration, braking or cornering, suspension offers the perfect balance to the front and back. Even more impressive is the way in which the rear suspension performance. This is also adept at absorbing damage due to rough pavement is smooth corner-attack eager to offer the best riders from both worlds in terms of cornering performance and driving comfort. Although the shock does not allow for compression damping adjustments, we never felt the need to change anything.
Read instrumentation, but we are not a huge fan of the small font-style LCD Tachometer bar. We also will appreciate the addition of the indicator gear position. Mirror, however, offer a clear, buzz-free look at what's happening behind you regardless of speed, which is a remarkable attribute to the road bike.
Closing Thoughts
Before you actually have ridden the new Z1000, I am confused why Kawasaki would introduce this style of bike in the United States considers the tiny delicate demographic and historical sales. After the ride, though, I've learned this bike really is more suited to hardcore sports fans who will be riding Supersport usually choose obvious.
Not only is the $ 10,499 asking price equal to the 2010 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, for your costs get bigger, more powerful bike more suitable for everyday living on the streets. Engines smooth, flexible, and for most vibration-free, and offers more easily accessible real world performance. Its cockpit is a perfect balance between sport and comfort. Handling is good playing games and predicable. And suspension, especially the rear, offering exceptional compliance in nearly every surface of asphalt found. Factor in the striking new look and a high level of build quality and be difficult to convey the new Z1000 when it comes to choosing your next bike path.
2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Specs
Engine: 1043cc liquid-cooled inline-Four; 16-valve
Bore x Stroke: 77.2 x 50.9mm
Compression Ratio: 11.8:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Clutch: Wet multi-plate, cable actuation
Transmission: 6-speed, chain final drive
Frame: Aluminum
Front Suspension: 41mm Showa inverted fork, 3-way adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 4.7 in travel
Rear Suspension: Hydraulic shock absorber, 2-way adjustable spring preload and rebound damping; 5.4 in travel
Front Brakes: 300mm petal-style rotors with radial mount 4-piston calipers
Rear Brake: 250mm petal-type disc with single-piston caliper
Wheels: 5-spoke cast aluminum 3.5 x 17-inch front and 5.0 x 17-inch rear
Tires: Dunlop Sportmax D210 120/70-17, 190/50-17 Curb Weight: 481 lbs.
Wheelbase: 56.7 in
Length: 82.5 in
Rake: 24.5 deg. Trail: 4.1 in
Seat Height: 32.1 in
Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gal.
MSRP: $ 10,499
Color: Pearl White Stardust; Spark Black Metallic
Warranty: One year, unlimited-mileage
