My new Z1000

[Bloodbag]

Here are some shots of my new to me 2007 Z1000. The only complaint I have is that the bike is not suitable for public roads. 90mph in second gear?? Goodbye Mr. Drivers License

[CKRider]

Nice bike! Man...every 1 is getting a new bike b4 me...***sigh**

[KawiFan10R]

Originally Posted by Bloodbag

Here are some shots of my new to me 2007 Z1000. The only complaint I have is that the bike is not suitable for public roads. 90mph in second gear?? Goodbye Mr. Drivers License

You have been blessed with such an awesome machine, you have no biz complaining; the bike is perfectly suitable for all roads except gravel; you have the ultimate control of the bike. Furthermore, the Z does not need any mods unless you want to waste your money. If you want to still do "something" with it, install a Stebel horn, they are pretty cool.

stebel.it

The Z has the room for this horn which is pleasant compared to the stock meek-meek sound. '07 looks pretty masculine too, somewhat mean looking.

[daemon]

the ZED owners keep rolling in....welcome.

nice bike

[stevend135]

Nice bike, congrats!

[capncalyx]

Nice bike/pics man. Try to keep it under 100!

[Bloodbag]

Thanks for the responses, I can't wait to start putting some "weekend warrior" miles on it!

[jbsmd]

You're kidding of course. The bike does well on all roads. It's up to you to keep it at ground speeds. A little bias, but nice choice.

[98ninja98]

That bike is so freaking sick. The only thing I'd change is the exhaust.

[AlphaZed]

Originally Posted by Bloodbag

Here are some shots of my new to me 2007 Z1000. The only complaint I have is that the bike is not suitable for public roads. 90mph in second gear?? Goodbye Mr. Drivers License

If you think your Zed is fast, try a ZX10, GSXR1000, CBR1000 or R1 sometime. The Z1000 is a slug by comparison!

[jbsmd]

Originally Posted by AlphaZed

If you think your Zed is fast, try a ZX10, GSXR1000, CBR1000 or R1 sometime. The Z1000 is a slug by comparison!

When you compare a street bike to an SS bike, sure. It wasn't designed to be a race bike, but it still is fast.

[AlphaZed]

Originally Posted by jbsmd

When you compare a street bike to an SS bike, sure. It wasn't designed to be a race bike, but it still is fast.

Yes, they are fast. About as fast as a 600cc sport bike.

Some think, that because the Z1000 has a 1000cc motor, that it's based on a ZX10. It's not though. The two engines -- and bikes -- are TOTALLY different animals! The ZX10 is not only MUCH faster, but it also handles WAAAY better.

As a former 2006 Z1000 owner, I had hoped Kawasaki would make the next gen Z1000 a true, naked ZX10. They didn't or that's what I'd be riding today. But engine performance wasn't my issue. Handling and braking was. The Z1000 does neither very well

Still love the looks though!

[Bloodbag]

Originally Posted by AlphaZed

If you think your Zed is fast, try a ZX10, GSXR1000, CBR1000 or R1 sometime. The Z1000 is a slug by comparison!

If you think a ZX-10, GSXR 1000, or R1 is fast, try a ZX-14 or Hayabusa. Don't rain on my parade dude!

Just kidding!

[Bloodbag]

You are right, the Z1000 "competes" with the FZ1, Bandit 1200/1250, CBR 919, and the SV1000.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by 98ninja98

That bike is so freaking sick. The only thing I'd change is the exhaust.

I have to agree. The bike looks fantastic but why are most of the mfg's going to these huge exhaust systems.

[jbsmd]

Originally Posted by Bloodbag

You are right, the Z1000 "competes" with the FZ1, Bandit 1200/1250, CBR 919, and the SV1000.

The bike is a good bike. AlfaZed is a speed freak, likes to do the twisties with style. He was very disappointed with his 06, and PO'd that the 07 didn't meet his expectations. You're probably not as good a rider as Alfa, so the bike should do you well. As an all around bike it fits the bill. If you like the bike, it doesn't matter what others think. A few adjustment's and a couple mods, the bike handles better than stock. Alfa's bike is not the fastest either, but it fits his needs closer than the Z would have.

[AlphaZed]

Originally Posted by Bloodbag

If you think a ZX-10, GSXR 1000, or R1 is fast, try a ZX-14 or Hayabusa. Don't rain on my parade dude!

Just kidding!

Sorry about that! The Z1000 is one of the very few bikes that pushes my buttons.



I loved the looks of my Zed (above) and others so much, I bought one and was willing to sacrifice a little performance and handling, just because the bike was so dern cool! In fact, of all my bikes, I've never had SO MANY positive comments! I actually had some Harley rider come running after me (not to sell me drugs or knife me in the back,) to tell me my bike was "the baddest a$$ Kawi" he'd even seen!

However, as much as I loved my Zed, I was afraid the thing was gonna kill me! I ride with some pretty fast folks and trying to hang with them in the twisties on the Z1000 was a death-defying act!!! Switching from my GSXR to the Z1000, I went from one of the fastest in the bunch to dead last! And even way behind, I was still fighting the Zed the whole way trying to maintain my lines. Put some bumps or chop in the pavement of a turn and I might as well have got off and walked.

When talk turned to the 2nd generation (2007/2008 model) Z1000, the rumor mill had it as a "Naked ZX10" and I was chomping at the bit, check book in hand, to buy one. I knew I didn't need to go a gazillion MPH like the 10R's do, but man, I was dying for the ZX10's suspension and brakes with the lighter weight of a naked bike! Unfortunately for me, a naked ZX10 is not what we got. I was heart broken.

Kawasaki rained on my parade! waaaaa...

-Paul

[motorbum]

I am new here and have an 08 Z1000. I read this thread and strangely, the Z1000 smoked the R1 and the Honda 1000CBRR in the 0-60 and trap speed. The Z did lose in the 1/4 mile by a few tenths of a second. The bike's torque is low and mid range however the bike is not slow at all.

Oh yea, the first place I took mine to see what it was about was Deal's Gap aka The Dragon. The bike handles brilliantly.

[AlphaZed]

Originally Posted by motorbum

I am new here and have an 08 Z1000. I read this thread and strangely, the Z1000 smoked the R1 and the Honda 1000CBRR in the 0-60 and trap speed. The Z did lose in the 1/4 mile by a few tenths of a second. The bike's torque is low and mid range however the bike is not slow at all.

Oh yea, the first place I took mine to see what it was about was Deal's Gap aka The Dragon. The bike handles brilliantly.

Ummm... are you sure you weren't reading ZX10R performance numbers? A ZX10 does beat all comers! The comparison of a Z1000 to ANY open class sport bike though, is not even close! A CBR1000RR, R1, GSXR1000 (or even the 750,) won't just walk away from a Z1000, they positively RUN away from it!!! It's not even close! Z1000 performance is about equal to a 600cc class sport bike. Certainly not slow, but also, not on a par with 1000cc super sports.

As for handling, the Z1000 is not known as a good handling motorcycle. That's why you'll find so many Z1000 owners trashin' their forks and shock and fitting 636 units, RaceTech or Penske! You say it handles brilliantly. Compared to what? Honestly, if take a run through Deals Gap on a ZX10R, I think you'll know what I'm talking about...

As a former Z1000 owner, I will attest to the bike's poor handling. It was my greatest disappointment with the bike. Engine performance, I was "ok" with, it just seemed I was always WFO trying to stay with my riding buddies. Something, by the way, that was an impossibility on a Z1000!

And if you don't believe me, query the folks at riderforums.com. That site is more Z1000 centric...

I loved the looks and ergos of the Zed, and wished (still do) that Kawasaki would build a naked bike based on the ZX10 motor, chassis, brakes and suspension. Even if they dumbed-down the motor and used older ZX9 technology like they did with the Z1000, I'd be happy as a clam with the lightness of a naked bike, suspension of a super sport and acceleration of a 600 to 750! It would be the PERFECT canyon carver, commuter and all-around motorcycle!

Actually, it just occurred to me, if Kawi built a naked 636, you could sign me up for that one too! I'll bet a naked 636 (or perhaps one punched-out to 750cc's) would eat Ducati Hypermotards and KTM SuperDuke's for lunch!

[motorbum]

Thought it was the R1, but it's the FZ1 and CB1000R

I don't see either of these walking away from the Z. But the 03-06Z, maybe. These should end the debate. You can check it at Superbike magazine.


The 07+ Model is tuned for a bit more torque lower down the rev range at expense of top-end horsepower. Its not a great difference though.

I found some 0-60 times from Superbike magazine, who compared the 07/08Z to the 08 Honda CB1000R and 08 Yamaha FZ1. Sorry, I have no figures for the 03-06 Z1000. Enjoy.

Key: Z = Kawasaki Z1000, CB: Honda CB1000R - FZ1: Yamaha FZ1

Speed [mph] Time [sec]
0 0
10 Z: 0.55 CB: 0.71 FZ1: 0.76
20 Z: 1.03 CB: 1.27 FZ1: 1.28
30 Z: 1.54 CB: 1.83 FZ1: 1.76
40 Z: 2.07 CB: 2.39 FZ1: 2.25
50 Z: 2.67 CB: 2.98 FZ1: 2.76
60 Z: 3.24 CB: 3.56 FZ1: 3.29
70 Z: 3.98 CB: 4.12 FZ1: 4.11
80 Z: 4.74 CB: 4.77 FZ1: 4.89
90 Z: 5.70 CB: 5.58 FZ1: 5.96
100 Z: 6.94 CB: 6.61 FZ1: 7.16
110 Z: 8.63 CB: 8.00 FZ1: 8.80
120 Z: 10.61 CB: 9.68 FZ1: 11.08
130 Z: 13.89 CB: 12.28 FZ1: 14.57
140 Z: 19.25 CB: 16.44 FZ1: 21.11

Quarter Mile: Z1000 11.35 @ 122.25mph
CB1000R 11.32 @ 127.24mph
FZ1 11.53 @ 121.77mph

Just for info: Here is what they measured on the dyno, and their overall scores for each bike. The CB1000R/Z1000 was tied 2nd place, with the FZ1 coming out on top.

CB1000R: 109.3bhp@9,381rpm - 67.8lb-ft @ 7,327rpm
Z1000: 114.7bhp@9,879rpm - 70.9lb-ft @ 7,200rpm
FZ1: 129.4bhp@12,800rpm - 68.8lb-ft @ 9720rpm

Z1000 Positives: Striking looks, healthy motor
Z1000 Negatives: Feels heavy, suspension too old-hat
Engine: 7/10 - Chassis: 7/10 - Usability: 8/10 - Overall: 7/10

CB1000R Positives: Amazing simple to ride fast or slow
CB1000R Negatives: Lack-lustre engine, dull-arse paint job
Engine: 7/10 - Chassis: 7/10 - Usability: 8/10 - Overall: 7/10

FZ1 Positives: Sharp looks, engine and feeling
FZ1 Negatives: Zero wind protection
Engine: 8/10 - Chassis: 8/10 - Usability: 7/10 - Overall 8/10

(Remember, the FZ1 here is the naked version, the half-faired version is the FZ1 Fazer, same thing but with the half fairing)
__________________

When I say the bike handles brilliantly, it does for what it is. This bike does not have the top end that liter bikes do. But this 953cc engine off the ZX9 spits out tons of low and midrange torque. For me, I never need to see 190mph again, one time is all that I needed. It took me 2 days to get the seat out of my sphincter. I didn't mean to jack the thread. I know its not the fastest top speed bike out there, never claimed it. Just wanted to make sure this bike was not overlooked as slow. It will not go 180-190, I agree. BTW, I sure do like the ZX10.