Motorcycle Preview
On Sept. 27, Kawasaki Europe released this official video of the new 2011 Kawasaki Z750R motorcycle. With a clever chassis and braking upgrades, Kawasaki has created a middleweight naked bike worth a second look.
The stunning new Z750R, launched in Europe, seems to introduce a new level of feedback and style to the popular and yet growing naked class of bikes. We are still waiting to hear whether this motorcycle will make it stateside anytime soon. Until then, below is the latest information available on the new machine.
Swingarm
Pressed aluminum swingarm replaces the steel square-tube piece of the Z750. The new swingarm is lighter and contributes to the Z750R’s higher-grade appearance. The sculpted design is based on that of the 07-09MY Z1000, featuring the same left side, but a newly designed right side to be able to better accommodate the 180 mm rear tire used by the Z750R.
Instrumentation
Sporty instrumentation gives at-a-glance information to the rider. Black-backed analogue-style tachometer is complemented by an orange LCD display with digital speedometer, odometer, trip meter, water temp, fuel gauge, clock, etc.
High-grade Brakes
Radial-mount, opposed 4-piston front calipers gripping thicker (t4.5 mm >> t6 mm) 300 mm petal discs deliver increased braking performance and enhanced feel.
Radial-pump front brake master cylinder also contributes to the superb control and feels offered by the new calipers. Steel-braided lines offering more direct feel and complete the front brake package.
Rear shock
At the rear, the Bottom-link Uni-Trak rear suspension features a nitrogen gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir. The rear suspension settings complement those of the front fork: suspension action is excellent, offering exceptional road holding. The increased cooling performance from the addition of the piggyback reservoir enables harder riding.
Front fork
41mm inverted front fork from the 07-09MY Z1000 delivers brilliant steering performance. Firmer damping in the bottom half complements smooth action in the top half of the stroke. This gives the feeling of a long-stroke suspension initially, followed by a solid, planted feel in corners.
Both sides of the front fork now feature rebound damping adjustability, enabling more precise settings. (Preload adjustability for both tubes available as before.)
Engine
Fuel system Fuel injection: ø32 mm x 4
(Keihin) with oval sub-throttles
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump
Engine type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
Displacement 748 cm³
Bore x stroke 68.4 x 50.9 mm
Compression ratio 11.3:1
Valve/Induction system DOHC, 16 valves
Transmission
Transmission 6-speed, return
Final Drive Sealed chain
Primary reduction ratio 1.714 (84/49)
Gear ratios: 1st 2.571 (36/14)
Gear ratios: 2nd 1.941 (33/17)
Gear ratios: 3rd 1.556 (28/18)
Gear ratios: 4th 1.333 (28/21)
Gear ratios: 5th 1.200 (24/20)
Gear ratios: 6th 1.095 (23/21)
Final reduction ratio 2.867 (43/15)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame
Steering angle, left / right 31° / 31°
Frame type Tubular backbone (with engine sub-frame), high-tensile steel
Rake/Trail 24.5° / 103 mm
Wheel travel, front 120 mm
Wheel travel, rear 134 mm
Tire, front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Tire, rear 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)
Suspension
Suspension, front 41 mm inverted fork with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Suspension, rear Bottom-Link Uni-Trak,
gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir
Rebound damping: Stepless
Spring preload: Stepless
Brakes
Brakes, front Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs
Caliper: Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston
Brakes, rear Single 250 mm petal disc
Caliper: Single-piston
Performance
Maximum power 77.7 kW (106 PS) / 10,500 rpm
Maximum torque 78.0 N•m {8.0 kgƒ• m} / 8,300 rpm
