KAWASAKI Z1000

[Laisaar]

After several years of flat calm, or lethargy according to some, Kawasaki is emerging from its torpor. A symbolic awakening with the ZZR1200, something a bit more energetic with the ZX636 and it’s now totally diabolic with the Z1000.
Kawasaki is launching into the muscle roadster segment to try and cast a shadow over the Honda Hornet 900 and the Fazer 1000, and in order to do so; they’ve given themselves some seriously good selling points.



AESTHETICS: INIMITABLE

The Z1000 has got inimitable looks. Sculpted by a former designer from Mazda, the latest arrival in the Kawa range has sharp lines and a design that leans towards the front, elements that flirt with tuning and exhausts that look as though they come from another world. A lot of attention has also been paid to the lights, which all goes to give this bike cachet and class and make it seriously attractive.

This element should be shown as an example in every engineering school; the control panel is light, compact, digital and sufficiently rich when it comes to information. There is the speed, of course, and the revs are also indicated on an LCD plus an engine temperature gauge, a clock, a trip meter, a petrol gauge and all the classic warning.


MOTORIZATION: ALL-NEW, ALL SHARP

Beyond its appearance, the Z1000 has a serious base that of the ZX9-R, the sporting benchmark from the company. The engine block is derived directly from it although it has been considerably modernised. It’s a 4 cylinder in line with 16 valves, which has had it cylinder capacity increased form 899 to 953 cc and an electronic injection system added.
And the changes don’t stop there, far from it !: New crankshaft, new casings, new narrower valve angles, new valve springs, new ignition system, basically all the important parts have been reworked.

This engine claims a potential of 127 horsepower at 10,000 revs for a torque of 9.7 mkg at 8,000 revs. Enough to get the 198 kilos when empty of the bike to bound from one corner to the next or from one set of traffic lights to the next.



ROAD BEHAVIOUR: A REAL SPORTSTER

The first few metres on the road are needed to get the measure of the bike. It’s hardly surprising to find that the position is sporty but bearable and it doesn‘t take long to notice that the Z1000 is playful. During this initial contact phase we were pleased to note the capabilities of the engine low down the revs. A speedometer that very quickly confirms that the dynamic qualities of the Z1000 will take you well over the limits fixed in the highway code – and it’s hardly surprising ! We often hear that the use of injection takes the character away from an engine, but the Z1000 is the exception that proves the rule. The Ninja block remains explosive from 8,000 revs. Although it manifests itself through a slight hollow at mid-revs.



Allikas: www.motorstv.com

[J30]

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