Unleash the wild one in you

Firstly, let's learn a new Japanese word - "Sugomi". Sugomi is a philosophical concept incorporating several elements to produce an enthralling and intoxicating effect. The Sugomi concept was first used on the Z800, encompassing every aspect of the styling and engineering approach carefully combined and conceived as a whole, to be experienced by the rider as the ultimate Z.

This Sugomi approach is applied to the latest addition of the Z series, the 2014 Z1000. Combining visual concepts and engine character with chassis response, an exciting riding experience is the ultimate aim of the supernaked.

Sculpted bodywork brings you the aggressive and unique sugomi inspired Z design to boldly highlight brutal functionality. The new engine and chassis settings deliver a stiffer, more direct ride, enhancing the riding impact and transforming the Z1000 into a radical Supernaked.


Simply stripped down, the latest litre class Z comes pure with an almost feline character (see the new LED headlights) resulting in an intimidating presence. With a plunging headlamp cowl accentuated by the narrow aspect ultra-bright LED headlamps which are a first for a Kawasaki motorcycle, the LED lamps are compact low energy, long-life units employing the inner two bulbs for low beam and all four units for high beam. The new Tokico monobloc calipers are radially mounted and controlled by a radial pump master cylinder, to govern the petal rotors for a great braking response and feel. New Big Piston, Separate Function Forks with damping and pre-load adjustment are tuned for plush feeling, to cope with aggressive sport riding into Langkawi's twist and turns along the coastline, as well as relaxed city cruising.

The latest  Z1000 features an uprated engine with more power, more torque and crispier throttle response than ever. There's now more power and urge, delivered in a more stimulating way. Revised ECU settings and camshaft timing plus oval connecters between the header pipes and numerous other revisions such as connected cylinders for less pumping loss, the Z1000 now presents you a smoother useful power band almost throughout the entire rpm range. And there's the intoxicating intake howl adding to your riding exhilaration, tempting you to keep on pushing the beast in the higher rpm range, even though at the expense of a higher fuel consumption, and we thank Kawasaki Malaysia for the unlimited supply at Langkawi during the recent Malaysia Press Introduction recently. We also sampled the new Ninja 1000, but let's keep that for another instalment.

A forward-inclined riding position is acquired with the large tube aluminium handlebars, stylish wide mirrors and an upgraded LCD meter arrangement totally in-keeping with the focussed personality of this premier Japanese Supernaked machine. The stance of the Z1000 entices you to climb aboard and invoke the animal in you. A four exit exhaust system styled to accentuate the rear quarters of this muscle motorcycle, finished by its angular rear seat accentuated by the characterful LED tail light.

The latest Z1000 is a significant step for Kawasaki's attempt to be a major player in the Supernaked category, adjudging from the success of the earlier Z750. Kawasaki believes that with its unique Sugomi design approach, the latest Z1000 will appeal to the growing number of riders who feel an affinity this type of machine as well as acting as a visual benchmark, reflecting much of what makes the Kawasaki brand so distinctive and appealing. The new Z1000 could be yours for RM76,900.

ENGINE
 Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
 Displacement
1,043 cm3
 Bore x stroke
77.0 x 56.0 mm
 Compression ratio
11.8:1
 Valve/Induction system
DOHC, 16 valves
 Fuel system
Fuel injection:φ38 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles
 Ignition
Digital
 Starting
Electric
 Lubrication
Forced lubrication, wet sump
TRANSMISSION
 Transmission
6-speed, return