So-called standard streetbikes have always been user-friendly and reasonably comfortable. But theyve also been two or three steps behind true sportbikes when it comes to power, braking, flickability and wow-factor. Not any more. Kawasakis entirely new Z1000 turns conventional naked-bike wisdom on its ear with radical new styling and the sort of high-end technical hardware found on Kawasakis own Ninja sportbikes. Were not talking warmed-over, noncurrent technology here. Were not repackaging some old powerplant into some semi-new naked-bike chassis. What were talking about here is a newfrom-the-ground-up sport motorcycle designed from the very beginning to not only blow enthusiasts minds with power, braking and handling theyve experienced only on supersport motorcycles but to wow owners more practical sides with unseen levels of comfort, ridability and real-world practicality. Its cutting-edge sportbike features and user-friendly design carve out a clean new niche between old-fashioned standard bikes and our championship-winning Ninjas. What were saying is that superstandards will never be the same.
The coolest thing is that owners and the enthusiast press agree wholeheartedly with us here, with magazine and website testers writing glowing impressions of the new Z. Even better, new owners are sounding off with exemplary reports of their own. Theyre talking better handling. And nastier aesthetics. More usable power. Grippier brakes. Higher levels of confidence while aboard. A 600 Supersport price level. Easier insurability. And typical Kawasaki reliability. Bottom line? The new Z1000 is a hit, with owners and testers alike sounding off to an enthusiast market hungry for something a little bit different and a whole lot of fun.
Aggressive new styling horsepower 138 Radial front brakes with petal
Kawasakis new Z1000 is simply one of the most entertaining bikes in recent memory. This bike is one hell of a lot of fun. -Cycle World The 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 packs a mega punch for a modest price.

-Motorcycle.com

138 horsepower, 81 pound-feet of torque, radial brakes, fully adjustable suspension and killer looks for just $10,499thats just a few hundred more scratch than a 600! Power delivery from the new engine is nothing less than incredible

-Super Streetbike

-MotorcycleDaily.com
it lays down a mercifully smooth stream of linear power from 2000 rpm. Things get serious above 6500

-Motorcyclist

rotors front and rear Race-spec 6-inch wide rear wheel All-new 1043cc inline-four with monster midrange hit Alloy spar frame based on the ZX-10Rs Inverted, race-spec fork assembly New, linkless Uni-Trak rear suspension Relaxed riding position Low seat height Intoxicating intake howl Grippy radial tires
The Zed-1 retains its signature sporty-yet-relaxed riding position, which proves a sport rider can have the best of both worldsFactor in its striking new appearance and high levels of build quality and it becomes difficult to pass on the new Z1000 when it comes time to selecting your next street bike.

-Motorcycle-USA.com

(MSRP)

saki Kawa $10,Z1

$11,199 600RR CBR ,399 R $13 R1000R CB

i Suzuk

,399 $10 X-R600 GS $11,GSX-R $12,899 R1000 GSX-
le) l availab 09 mode (only 20

a Yamah

saki Kawa 10,499 6R $ 12,999 ZX $ ZX -10R
$10,290 FZ1 $10,490 F-R6 YZ $13,0) YZF-R $14,50 version: (LE

removed, I wonder how much more it would have cost the consumer to have an exhaust system that not only works wonders but would be worth showing off?

The New Kawasaki ZX-6R

Trading in gets easier and easier.
The reworking of the new ZX-6R is more than just about looking good. According to KMC the engine has been redesigned from the crankcase up for the first time in ten years. Racing technology built into the new bike is a close-ratio cassette transmission that can be removed without the needing to split the main crankcases in case you needed to make repairs or adjustments at the track. They also tell us that the fuel injection system has shorter throttle bodies with a smaller diameter bore which claim to give this new smaller sized engine more torque in the mid-range.
Even if some of the systems of the new 600 look better hidden by plastic the bike does have a cohesive look and every year the fit and finish of Kawasakis bikes seem to get better. You can look at this bike from almost any angle and nothing jumps out at you unless you are on the right side of the bike looking at the rear brake reservoir. It seems odd to me that they would leave the rear brake reservoir exposed.
I didnt go to my local Kawasaki shop expecting to trade in the Id been happily riding. I honestly didnt expect there to be anything on the floor that would motivate me to bring the bike in. Some of you reading this may be able to relate to what I am saying, the day you dont look for something is the day that you find exactly what you didnt know you need. That was the day I decided I needed to take home the new ZX-6R.
It also comes with a GPS Gear Position Sensor. The new ZX-6R comes stock with a slipper clutch which is one difference between the 2004 and 2007. My 2004s rear wheel would hop if I geared down before a corner and my engine rpms were too high. The slipper clutch allows quicker downshifts. To experience the gains of a slipper clutch you dont have to buy a 2007 Kawasaki it was introduced to the 636 in 2005. A quick glance at the exhaust might leave the impression that the ZX-6R comes stock with stacked twin small diameter exhaust cans but if you look closely you will see it is a single oval pipe with a shotgun styled end cap. The titanium pipe has the pre-chamber and catalyser located below the engine to keep the weight on the bike low and centered and the temperature of the under seat silencer reduced. Looking at the new Kawasaki with its fairing
Another design feature of the smooth body of the 2007 ZX-6R is the lack of tie down points for any luggage. It can be argued that this is a bike intended for Sunday morning canyon rides or track days on weekends but if you want to take the 600 out for a weekend away then there is aftermarket solution. Ventura Racks allow you go on vacation with your bike. A Ventura Rack provides you with a frame that you attach to your bike that you can secure luggage to. There is no drilling of body work and the Ventura rack I got fit onto the bike perfectly the first try. One of the things I really like about the Ventura Rack is that you can easily attach bags that you may already have or you have the option of buying the Ventura luggage system. Just give yourself time before a motorcycle trip to pack and secure your luggage right and you wont even notice you have luggage on your bike. If

Bikeland.org

October 2007
in doubt take a test ride before heading out on your adventure. If you want the simplest bags to get on and off your bike I would say that the Ventura bags are it.
easy to get hooked back onto the quick handling of the Kawasaki ZX-6R. It really depends on the type of roads you gear your time on the bike around. I was heading for some of my favorite tight twisty roads so I was looking forward to being back on the 600. The new ZX-6R feels light and compact. It also felt easier to maneuver at parking lot speeds. I would like to say that my slow speed techniques had gotten mysteriously better, but that wouldnt be true, truth is that I found the 2007 ZX-6R effortless to control at slower speeds. Get out of the parking lot and speed things up and the ZX-6R is a set it and forget it cornering
machine. I like how I can feel the road surface through the bike enough to adjust my riding but not so much that I couldnt do a long day comfortably on the bike. Kawasaki has found a nice balance between keeping the rider comfortable and at the same time aware of what the temperament of the road surface is under the bikes tires. Since trading my old bike in on the new 6R I almost feel guilty. I dont miss the 2004. I really cant wait to explore the full potential of Kawasakis latest ZX-6R. I have a couple of future plans for the bike. I would like to take the ZX-6R on a track and get the suspension set. I also plan to replace the stock exhaust canister with an aftermarket one. Maybe a Muzzy or an Area P, it is hard to
A note for 2007 ZX-6R owners, careful removing the rear cowl of the bike. I found that piece of plastic on the Kawasaki difficult to get on and off. Kawasakis latest ZX-6R is a great bike to ride. Although I love the power of the ZX-14 when it comes to passing on the straight open roads, its
wait for new products to slowly emerge to fit a new model year. Since I have the black bike (or as Kawasaki calls it Ebony), I would also like to take out the silver fasteners and replace them with black ones I have replaced the windscreen with a darker one and I like how it looks.
So far with 2825 miles on the bike the only wear concern that I have is a wiggle in the tank that seems to be the result of two small rubber bumpers coming unglued and missing in action from under the tank. I have ordered the missing pieces of rubber and should get them soon and that should stop the wiggle and any other related problems from happening. Kawasakis all new ZX-6R is an improvement on an already bullet-proof ride and is sure to put a smile on your face.

Other colors the 2007 is available in besides Ebony are Lime Green, Atomic Silver and Passion Red. MSRP - $9099 For more details visit www.kawasaki.com