Size can be intimidating, just look at Serena Williams in the world of tennis, wins everything but no one wants to have a go on it, if you know what I mean? Thankfully in our motorcycling world things are much different. If it’s big, regarding engine capacity, everyone wants to ride it, if you know what I mean? And this is most certainly the case with this new and fourth generation Kawasaki Z1000, right? As soon as you see one for the first time you want to mount it and clear off, maybe a bit like Serena Williams I suppose.
Anyway, less of the over-thighed female tennis abuse, let’s focus more on this Jolly Green Giant instead. The Kawasaki Z1000 is one of the most iconic names in motorbikes with the first one appearing in late 1976/77. I know this because I was working at a garage forecourt at the time and the first time I saw one I subsequently went up to the bike and dribbled all over it (from my mouth that is) and, after riding the latest version, I soon developed similar secretion problems. To some it may look a bit odd at first but after enjoying the sheer pleasure of riding the thing daily, you’ll understand why I became so ‘juicy’.
The 2014 Z1000 has basically the same 1,043cc engine found inside the previous model but with some hefty internal changes, like a new intake camshaft, new and larger air-box, new E.C.U. and taller velocity stacks feeding the 38mm throttle bodies. This equates to more midrange and more top end power – sweet! Kawasaki now claim 142hp and 111Nm of torque from its in-line, DOHC, 16-valve engine, which means it’s the quickest and fastest Z1000 ever made and it certainly feels that way as well because it now has as much mid-range pull as a tug driven by a rum riddled captain. Just twist the light action throttle in first and the wheel will lift in a grin-inducing manner and the ‘Cheshire cat’ smile will continue all the way through its superb six-speed gearbox, which now has a taller sixth gear for a less ‘fizzy’ motorway experience.
That’s the beauty of this particular Z1000 as an all-round package; it’s so easy to live with and because of that a new owner will never get bored, I didn’t that’s for sure. It grabs you and holds you in a comforting and secure manner aided by that ultra high petrol tank profile and thin seat around the same area. You don’t sit on this bike you sit in it, which means it’s a nice place to be all of the time you’re riding, either through traffic or tearing around twisty country roads, it’s all the same.
There’s no doubt the Z1000 has controversial looks though, you either love it or hate it, and I’m still on the fence here but changing daily. Kawasaki call it their Sugomi styling thesis, which was first used on their Z800 and has something to do with a ‘crouching predator’. If you look at the Z1000 with its ‘spider face’ headlight assembly I sort of see where they’re coming from. 
An average nasty predator is a taught, quick and precise thing and so is the new Z1000 with its all-new suspension. Showa SFF-BP 41mm forks are the same as used on their 636 with preload on the left and compression and rebound damping on the right and they’re matched to a horizontally mounted rear shock. Now I thought this set-up was a bit too hard for road use but the faster you go the better it all becomes - a sign of quality suspension, which it is, so no more to be said on that subject. As are those mega powerful Tokico monobloc radial brakes enforcing Kawasaki’s choice to stuff their latest Z1000 with nothing but top-shelf chassis components.
Quality does abound on the Z1000, from it gorgeous ‘see through’ front master cylinder, to its seat covered in the letter Z, to its show winning paint and so on. Kawasaki wanted to make a statement with their new bike regarding pure Japanese quality and they’ve succeeded on all counts. And, talking of counting, how’s that rev-counter, or two of them to be precise? Yes, a small LCD in the left corner on the digital pod takes you to 3,000rpm where the hyper bright LED one straddled across the top takes over and all the way to the 11,250rpm rev-limiter. Totally unnecessary but totally cool and totally 2014 Z1000.
To sum up the Jolly Green Giant – it’s the easiest of the big naked bikes to live with because of near perfect ergonomics, perfect fuelling and it feels, well, so right. At R135,000 in today’s market it’s also not too expensive either, which is probably cheaper than a night out with Miss Williams anyway.
Purchase this bike from www.dnamotorcycles.co.za and/or www.fourwaysmotorcycles.co.za
