New 2010 Kawasaki Models

**Slyer** · 18th October 2009, 00:25

The new Z1000 is interesting to say the least. Even more hunched looking.

Video: http://kawasaki.com/Products/Product...?scid=6&id=432

More: http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/news

**Elysium** · 18th October 2009, 05:50

I see a bit of B-King looking at the front of the pic from the first picture.

**NZsarge** · 18th October 2009, 07:10

Originally Posted by Elysium

I see a bit of B-King looking at the font of the pic from the first picture.

I can't really see it and so much better looking than a B-King (IMO) it's not funny. I think it's a good update on the previous model but it does'nt really move the design that much further on but that's ok I guess it's still a good looking bike.

**Owl** · 18th October 2009, 07:14

Originally Posted by NZsarge

I can't really see it and so much better looking than a B-King (IMO) it's not funny. I think it's a good update on the previous model but it does'nt really move the design that much further on but that's ok I guess it's still a good looking bike.

Totally..............however, where's the Z1400

**NZsarge** · 18th October 2009, 07:30

Originally Posted by Owl

Totally..............however, where's the Z1400

I've just been looking at the Z1000 via the link to Kawasaki UK provided by Slyer, I might have a back track actually and say I don't like the headlight area as much as the last model but it's not horrible. Looks like the ZX14 (ZZR 1400) just gets different paint, maybe an update next year. On the other hand if they keep it as is at least my bike remains current..

Despite a little bit of fussiness I like the silver and black combo.

**James Deuce** · 18th October 2009, 07:37

Originally Posted by NZsarge

I can't really see it and so much better looking than a B-King (IMO) it's not funny. I think it's a good update on the previous model but it does'nt really move the design that much further on but that's ok I guess it's still a good looking bike.

A B-King is a much better ride. Fuel's better, handles better, has vastly more power and torque and a much better ride quality. I'm over the argument about bike asthetics.

Most new Kawasakis need money spent on them for simple safety's sake. How Kawasaki avoid lawsuits in the US is beyond me. Ride a Z1000 how you'd expect to ride a Naked Streetfighter and you'll be an ACC stat. Ride a CB1000R or an FZ-1 enthusiastically and you'll be having fun.

**NZsarge** · 18th October 2009, 07:48

Originally Posted by James Deuce

A B-King is a much better ride. Fuel's better, handles better, has vastly more power and torque and a much better ride quality. I'm over the argument about bike asthetics.

Most new Kawasakis need money spent on them for simple safety's sake. How Kawasaki avoid lawsuits in the US is beyond me. Ride a Z1000 how you'd expect to ride a Naked Streetfighter and you'll be an ACC stat. Ride a CB1000R or an FZ-1 enthusiastically and you'll be having fun.

I have'nt had the opportunity to ride any of the Z1000's. to be fair bar their looks I have'nt been that interested in them (too small), to stop and look at yeah ok but to ride, not so much... I won't comment on the safety of them but just going by spec they never grabbed me much, not compared to my last bike (FZ1 Fazer) which was better looking again.

And yes ridden enthusiastically as you say there are fun to ride.

**The Pastor** · 18th October 2009, 07:56

finally an exhaust that dosent look like ARSE.

Still dosent compare to the 2004 exhaust, that looks sexy!

**The Pastor** · 18th October 2009, 07:58

Originally Posted by James Deuce

A B-King is a much better ride. Fuel's better, handles better, has vastly more power and torque and a much better ride quality. I'm over the argument about bike asthetics.

Most new Kawasakis need money spent on them for simple safety's sake. How Kawasaki avoid lawsuits in the US is beyond me. Ride a Z1000 how you'd expect to ride a Naked Streetfighter and you'll be an ACC stat. Ride a CB1000R or an FZ-1 enthusiastically and you'll be having fun.

Can you explain what you mean about safety? I really like the z1000 and if i were (atm) going to buy a jap bike z1000 is top of the list.

I've ridden the z750 and z1000 and I didnt notice anything that made the bike unsafe? Sure it didnt have good susspension or the worlds greatest brakes but the bike, imho, was perfectly safe.

**James Deuce** · 18th October 2009, 08:13

Originally Posted by renegade master

Can you explain what you mean about safety? I really like the z1000 and if i were (atm) going to buy a jap bike z1000 is top of the list.

I've ridden the z750 and z1000 and I didnt notice anything that made the bike unsafe? Sure it didnt have good susspension or the worlds greatest brakes but the bike, imho, was perfectly safe.

The suspension is close to criminally bad on both the Z750 and the Z1000. Curiously the new Z750's suspenders (even with USD forks) are worse than the initial iteration.

Push beyond 7/10ths and you'll have little directional control and stability on bumpy roads degenerates to the point of brown trouser scary. You make a fair point that a lot of people don't notice what I'm talking about, but Kawasaki's 2 decade inability to avoid the "Over Sprung, Under-Damped" route to give a bike a firm suspension feel just smacks of laziness. I like to "ride" bikes not ride 80kms , stop, talk smack, drink coffee, ride another 80kms, buy fuel, eat a pie, talk smakc, ad nauseum. To do that I with a measure of control I had to spend $2.2k on my suspension and I'm still saving up the $700 required to finish the job.

You can see where the extra $2k a Street Triple costs over a Z750 goes.

Their engines are a strong point, the 750 more so than the 1000 (the 1000 feels weirdly flat to me, both versions) but everything else suffers as a result. Square edged bumps completely defeat the suspension on both the 750 and the 1000, and ride quality is not a phrase that Kawasaki ever seems to understand or even try to come to grips with.

**pzkpfw** · 18th October 2009, 08:22

That thou' has a nice horn.

Peep peep!

**The Pastor** · 18th October 2009, 08:23

Originally Posted by James Deuce

The suspension is close to criminally bad on both the Z750 and the Z1000. Curiously the new Z750's suspenders (even with USD forks) are worse than the initial iteration.

Push beyond 7/10ths and you'll have little directional control and stability on bumpy roads degenerates to the point of brown trouser scary. You make a fair point that a lot of people don't notice what I'm talking about, but Kawasaki's 2 decade inability to avoid the "Over Sprung, Under-Damped" route to give a bike a firm suspension feel just smacks of laziness. I like to "ride" bikes not ride 80kms , stop, talk smack, drink coffee, ride another 80kms, buy fuel, eat a pie, talk smakc, ad nauseum. To do that I with a measure of control I had to spend $2.2k on my suspension and I'm still saving up the $700 required to finish the job.

You can see where the extra $2k a Street Triple costs over a Z750 goes.

Their engines are a strong point, the 750 more so than the 1000 (the 1000 feels weirdly flat to me, both versions) but everything else suffers as a result. Square edged bumps completely defeat the suspension on both the 750 and the 1000, and ride quality is not a phrase that Kawasaki ever seems to understand or even try to come to grips with.

TBH, i only test rode the bikes, and the Z1000 was from rip u off barron on K road, They only let me take it around the block, that was it!

Looks like I might have to reconsider / re test ride the bikes when im ready to buy them.

You like the 750 engine more? Its so slow?

**James Deuce** · 18th October 2009, 08:28

Originally Posted by renegade master

TBH, i only test rode the bikes, and the Z1000 was from rip u off barron on K road, They only let me take it around the block, that was it!

Looks like I might have to reconsider / re test ride the bikes when im ready to buy them.

You like the 750 engine more? Its so slow?

There's about 10 HP and 15 km/hr at the top end in it. The 1000 isn't worth the extra dosh IMO, unless you want the 1st model's ray gun exhaust that steal about 20hp. The Z750's engine feels far more involving and it has a cammy, top-end feel to it like Kawasaki's are supposed to. I would have prefered one bike in the range with the ZX-9's engine as it was in its final iteration. The ZX9 engine is waaaaay nicer than the Z1000's, even though they are nominally the same.

The first time you peel into a corner at speed, hit a mid-corner bump and find yourself 6 feet off line and drifting onto the wrong side of the road will have you opening your wallet for new suspension.

**ernie953** · 18th October 2009, 08:54

Unsafe? Im on an 08 Z thou and I can hang with any sports bikes through the twisties. I agree about the suspension though.I put an Ohlins on the rear and it made a huge difference. It has a great engine for the road, good low down and plenty of zing when u need it. Great hooligan bike.