We loved the Z1000 when it originally came out. A unique style, a superb power-plant, it was everything you wanted in a factory produced streetfighter. So, it warms our hearts to see that the Z1000 is back for 2010, and continues to push the envelope with its aggressive styling.
With an all-new 1,043cc inline-four motor that makes 136hp and 81lb•ft of torque , the 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 shouldn’t disappoint the butt dyno. Other than the now standard ugly exhaust pipe that seems to be plaguing sportbikes lately, we have a hard time not liking what Kawasaki has done here. Specs, photos, and videos after the jump.
Dropping the ZX-9R’s legacy motor, the Z1000 lives up to its name with a brand new 1,043cc inline-four power-plant. Grappling that motor to the rest of the bike, is a brand new aluminum beam frame, which should help reduce the bike’s overall weight from its predecessor’s. Kawasaki hasn’t released spec’s on a dry or curb weight, but expect something 20lbs lighter than the 2008 Z1000.
Helping keep the pot-holes at bay is a new horizontal rear-suspension that runs almost parallel to the tarmac. Other suspension changes include the addition of compression damping to the 41mm inverted forks, as well as rebound and preload adjustability. The all-new monoshock rear features rebound and preload adjustments only. The new suspension and sub-frame also drop the seat height by .2 inches, making the Z1000 slightly more friendly for short-legged riders.
With radial brakes on 300mm petal-shaped discs, stopping the Z1000 should be straight-forward and neck-snapping. Helping complete the look of the bike are new 5-spoke wheels, which we think are a great improvement over the 3-spokes sourced from before. Both the Pearl Stardust White & Metallic Spark Black paint jobs look fantastic, although we wish the Maroon paint scheme with the faux snake-skin seat was making it here to the US. With a $10,499 price tag, the new Z1000 slots in well below the Ducati Streetfighter and anticipated Aprilia Tuono V4, making it a worthy Euro-killer.
Promotional Videos:
Technical Specifications of the 2010 Kawasaki Z1000:
Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
Displacement: 1043cc
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: 42.1 in.
Seat Height: 32.1 in.
Fuel Capacity: 4.1 gal
Color Choices: Pearl Stardust White, Metallic Spark Black
MSRP: $10,499
Warranty: 12 Months
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