As the latest descendant of what is arguably the most attractive motorcycle in history, the fully redesigned 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 has a transverse four and two wheels. That's about the extent of the family resemblance as it would stretch aesthetic sensibility to term it anything but fairly ugly.
For 2011, the Kawasaki Z1000 popular naked machine gets a modest makeover with a refined, aerodynamically wedged bikini fairing that slopes back in dramatic fashion to exemplify the futuristically aggressive styling of the bodywork, seat and tail section, which is equipped with futuristic LED taillight hidden beneath a red lens.
The 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 powered by 1043 cc inline 4-cylinder powerplant developing 128 bhp and some of its features include an adjustable windscreen, ABS, a lightweight aluminum frame, a fully adjustable inverted front fork and tilting digital instrument panel.
2011 Kawasaki Z1000 also equipped with MotoGP-inspired radially-mounted brake calipers are paired with 300mm petal-type rotors and a radial-pump master cylinder for exceptional feel and response. Five-spoke wheels, a solid-mount handlebar and aluminum footpegs round out the Z1000, giving it a powerful superbike feel while retaining a distinctly naked persona.
The 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 is a street fighter through and through, and that's one definition that you don't need to finesse. Power is transmitted to the asphalt via a ginormous 190/50 ZR17 and when it's time to hang the butt off the seat and provide your leathers with some new knee scuffs, the 41 mm inverted cartridge fork with adjustable spring preload and stepless compression and rebound damping provides 4.7 inches of flawless suspension in the front and the horizontal monoshock also with adjustable spring preload and stepless rebound damping, matches it in the rear with 5.4 inches of wheel travel.
At just over ten grand the 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 is not ridiculously overpriced but doesn't exactly scream value. It's important to realize that the Z1000 is a very specific and thoroughly dedicated type of motorcycle for one specific application alone: If you're in the market for a super naked and thoroughly competent street fighter, then you've come to the right place.
Pricing for the 2011 Kawasaki Z1000 is 13,199 USD.
2011 Kawasaki Z1000 | Motorcycle Specs:
- Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
- Displacement: 1,043cc
- Bore x stroke: 77.0 x 56.0mm
- Compression ratio: 11.8:1
- Fuel injection: DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles
- Ignition: TCBI with digital advance
- Transmission: Six-speed
- Final drive: X-ring chain
- Rake / trail: 24.5 degrees / 4.1 in.
- Frame type: Aluminum Backbone
- Front tire: 120/70 ZR17
- Rear tire: 190/50 ZR17
- Wheelbase: 56.7 in.
- Front suspension / wheel travel: 41 mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 4.7 in.
- Rear suspension / wheel travel: Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 5.4 in.
- Front brakes: Dual 300mm petal-type rotors with radial-mount four-piston calipers
- Rear brake: Single 250mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper
- Overall length: 82.5 in.
- Overall width: 31.7 in.
- Overall height: 42.7 in.
- Seat height: 32.1 in.
- Curb weight: 481 lbs.
- Fuel capacity: 4.0 gal.
- Color choices: Candy Lime Green / Ebony, Ebony
- Warranty: 12 Months
