2014 Kawasaki Z1000 First Look | Bolder Styling & Power

2014 Kawasaki Z1000 Preview

Competition is fierce in the streetfighter category of sportbikes, especially in Europe. These euro streetfighters, such as the Aprilia Tuono V4, the Ducati Streetfighter, and MV Agusta’s Rivale 800, have high horsepower on tap, and a very aggressive looks. And things continue to get bolder and bolder.

Kawasaki  has always put up tough competition in the market, but for 2014, things only get nastier for the Japanese manufacturer’s streetfighter – the 2014 Z1000.

Kawasaki says its 2014 Z1000’s design was elevated through “Sugomi” styling. This is a Japanese term that means to inspire complete awe, and from the unveiling of the new slender and bolder Z1000 at EICMA, this term is significant for the remake of the machine.

But it’s not only styling that was updated; for 2014 the Z1000’s powerplant received the same upgrades as its naked-sportbike brother, the Ninja 1000. The engine received revised intake cams, a tweaked ECU, revises exhaust and others for enhanced horsepower and sharper throttle response.

Kawasaki also upgraded the Z1000’s suspension, adding a Showa Separate Function-Big Piston Fork for precise handling. The SSF-BPF features dedicated preload adjustability in the left tube and dedicated damping pistons and adjustability in the right tube for precise handling.

In the brake department, the 2014 Z1000 gets one-piece monobloc radial-mounted front brake calipers with petal style rotors and added ABS. Kawasaki also reduced weight by 3.3 lb. by adding six-spoke, lightweight aluminum wheels, and a compact subframe, which also adds to the slender styling.

In the cockpit, the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 receives an upgraded analog and digital instrument cluster, and an enlarged the gas tank for extended mileage.

Speaking of the revamped Z1000, Kawasaki says “As a package, the Z1000’s engine and chassis are tuned to act more like European “streetfighter” models in both looks and feel. This innovative bike marks a significant step forward, providing an overall experience that is very different from other Japanese motorcycles, a quicker, more direct feel that is sure to please experienced riders.”

The bike will be available in Golden Blazed Green/ Metallic Graphite Gray for just under $12,000. Following are the highlights, specs, color options and MSRP for the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000.

2014 Kawasaki Z1000 Highlights:

Key Features

• NEW Uniquely aggressive “Sugomi” styling gives the Z1000 a distinct predatory look
• UPGRADED 1,043cc inline-four with DFI offers sharper response that enhances this engine’s already impressive mid-range and top-end power
• NEW Showa Separate Function – Big Piston Fork (SFF-BP) offers light weight, easy adjustability and excellent wheel control to cope with the high forces associated with aggressive riding
• NEW One-piece “monobloc” radial-mount front brake calipers offer superb braking power and control, along with a premium laser-etched Kawasaki logo and black alumite finish
• NEW Supersport-style 6-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels contribute to the Z1000’s sporty image while reducing rotating inertia and saving approximately 3.3 lbs. of unsprung weight
• NEW Shorter final-drive gearing provides quicker response and enhanced riding excitement, while a new taller 6th gear helps maintain highway comfort
• NEW Analog + Digital instrument cluster includes a large tachometer and a digital display offering a wealth of information on current bike conditions and settings
• NEW Compact subframe design is more slender and shorter to match the new styling
• Upright “streetfighter” riding position provides excellent leverage on the controls for maximum maneuverability, coupled with a commanding view of the urban jungle

DOHC, 16-valve, 1,043cc Engine

• 1,043cc liquid-cooled inline-four offers true open-class power from idle to redline
• NEW Cylinder connecting passageways reduce pumping losses and improve mid-to-high  RPM performance
• NEW Intake cams provide improved low-to-midrange torque for instant thrust and maximum rider satisfaction
• NEW More-aggressive ECU settings provide sharper throttle response
• Bore and stroke dimensions of 77.0 x 56.0mm offer an ideal balance of peak power and low- and mid-range flexibility
• 38mm Keihin throttle bodies cram the air/fuel mixture directly into combustion chambers via downdraft intakes for maximum power
• Oval sub-throttles help keep the engine slim, and a slim midsection allows an ideal bike/rider interface for maximum comfort and control
• Engine’s rev limiter comes into play “softly,” providing usable overrev character because power doesn’t drop off suddenly at high RPM
• The engine’s relatively low crankshaft position allows a moderately long stroke without adding engine height
• A secondary engine balancer, driven off a gear on the sixth web of the crankshaft, eliminates excess vibration and contributes to rider comfort
• NEW Shorter final-drive gearing provides quicker acceleration and enhanced riding excitement, while a new taller 6th gear helps maintain highway comfort

NEW Separate Function Fork – Big Piston: (SFF-BP)

• New SFF-BP fork combines the features of Showa’s big piston and separate function forks, featuring springs on both sides, with dedicated preload adjustability in the left tube and dedicated damping pistons and adjustability in the right tube
• Big Piston design provides smooth action during the initial part of the stroke and contributes to excellent feel during heavy braking.  The large-diameter damper piston is much bigger than those used in traditional “cartridge” forks
• Big Piston design allows the fork oil to act on a much larger surface area, so the damping pressure can be reduced without compromising effectiveness.  Reducing the damping pressure allows the slider to react more smoothly, which is especially noticeable during the initial part of the stroke.  The result is greater control as the fork begins to compress and very calm response during braking-induced weight-transfer, for greater chassis stability on corner entry
• Fork settings were tuned to cope with the extreme forces of aggressive use, while still providing a comfortable ride
• SFF-BP design offers easy adjustability, by locating all adjusters in the caps at the top of the two fork tubes: preload on the left; compression and rebound damping on the right.

Digital Ignition

• Digital Timing Advance enhances low- and mid-range power
• Individual spark plug-mounted ignition coils fire each of the four spark plugs independently to achieve the optimum timing for that cylinder
• ECU includes an idle speed control system for easier starting and warm-up

UPGRADED Cool Air System

• Intake system routes cool air to the airbox via ducts in the fairing, minimizing performance loss due to heated intake air
• UPGRADED Airbox features additional atmospheric intakes to further enhance the engine’s intoxicating intake howl
• NEW Non-woven air filter element provides better flow for enhanced high-RPM performance
• REVISED Velocity stacks are now equal-length and provide improved throttle response and a more exciting engine character
• Intake ducts are positioned close to the rider to allow the intake howl to be heard and enjoyed

UPGRADED Exhaust System

• The exhaust system features a 4-into-2-pre-chamber-into-2 layout to provide ample silencer volume without requiring excess bulk in the rear mufflers
• NEW Oval-shaped connector tubes are larger than last year’s round tubes and help improve engine response for heightened excitement at all rpms
• Main and pre-catalyzers help ensure clean emissions
• A butterfly valve in the right-side muffler not only helps reduce noise, but also tunes exhaust back-pressure waves to help enhance low-rpm engine response
• NEW Brushed-metal finish on the silencers provides enhanced visual appeal
• Exhaust system offers excellent mass centralization and contributes to a low center of gravity

NEW Larger Fuel Tank

• NEW 4.5 gallon (17L) fuel tank offers increased range
• Radical shape and two-tone finish complement the Z1000’s new Sugomi-inspired styling
• UPGRADED Slim-type fuel pump features an integral fuel level sensor with enhanced accuracy for 2014

NEW Monobloc ABS Brakes with Petal-type Rotors

• NEW One-piece “monobloc” radial-mount front brake calipers offer superb braking power and control, along with a premium quality look from their laser-etched Kawasaki logo and black alumite finish
• Opposed four-piston radial-mount monobloc calipers with differentiated diameter (32mm upper, and 30mm lower) pistons provide excellent feel and progressive braking response
• A radial-pump front brake master cylinder contributes to the superb control and feel offered by these high-end monobloc calipers
• NEW ABS pump features a fluid pressure sensor that allows more precise control of line pressures and also provides data to the ECU to help suppress rear lift under braking
• A low-battery mode helps preserve ABS effectiveness when the battery charge is low. (although riders may notice that ABS operation is less smooth than in normal mode)
• Petal-type 310mm front brake rotors are full-on sportbike hardware
• NEW pad compound has a higher coefficient of friction that contributes to the enhanced power and sensitivity
• A single-piston rear caliper grips a 250mm petal-type disc. This compact caliper is mounted below the swingarm, and located by a torque rod

Aluminum Backbone Frame

• Aluminum backbone frame is similar in concept to the Ninja ZX-10R’s, and helps make the bike narrow and easy to grip with the knees for maximum rider comfort and feedback
• The frame is lightweight and highly rigid, and uses the engine as a stressed member for solid handling and optimum stability
• Frame elements are tuned to transmit optimal engine feedback to the rider
• The frame uses four engine mounts, three of which are rigid, one of which (the upper rear crankcase mount) is rubber
• NEW Compact subframe design is more slender and shorter to match the new styling
• The sub-frame is an example of form and function combined, negating the need for side covers and allowing underseat narrowness for a shorter reach to the ground

Horizontal Back-Link Rear Suspension

• Rear suspension design positions the shock unit and linkage above the swingarm where it’s less exposed to exhaust heat and contributes to mass centralization
• Stepless rebound damping adjuster allows damping characteristics to be tuned to match changes in spring preload and/or loads

Rider Interface

• NEW A fat solid-mount tubular aluminum handlebar contributes to the Z1000’s quality, top-shelf feel
• Double-taper grips, like those used on supersport models, offer a more direct feel than traditional designs
• NEW Intricately textured seat cover features a distinct Z-logo pattern
• Ninja ZX-10R-style footpegs with knurled surfaces offer good grip, direct feel and control, and purposeful looks

NEW Instrumentation

• NEW Extremely compact dual-element digital instrumentation keeps the front of the motorcycle as compact and unobtrusive as possible, making the bike almost disappear from the rider’s field of vision
• NEW Dual element bar-graph tachometer with 0-4,000 rpm indicated vertically along the left edge of the lower display and a larger 4,000rpm+ tachometer filling the entire horizontal upper display
• NEW LCD functions include ABS and Economical Riding (ECO) indicators
• Additional LCD functions include a unique digital speedometer, odometer, dual trip meter, clock, instant and average fuel consumption, coolant temperature, and low-fuel warning lamps

2014 Kawasaki Z1000 Specs:

• Engine: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four
• Displacement: 1,043cc
• Bore x stroke: 77.0 x 56.0mm
• Compression ratio: 11.8:1
• Fuel injection: DFI® with four 38mm Keihin throttle bodies, oval sub-throttles
• Ignition:  TCBI with digital advance
• Transmission: Six-speed
• Final drive: X-ring chain
• Rake / trail: 24.5 degrees / 4.0 in.
• Frame type: Aluminum Backbone
• Front tire: 120/70 ZR17
• Rear tire: 190/50 ZR17
• Wheelbase: 56.5 in.
• Front suspension / wheel travel: 41 mm inverted SFF-BP fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability / 4.7 in.
• Rear suspension / wheel travel: Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, remotely adjustable spring preload / 4.8 in.
• Front brakes: Dual 310mm petal-type rotors with radial-mount four-piston monobloc calipers and ABS
• Rear brake: Single 250mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper and ABS
• Overall length: 80.5 in.
• Overall width: 31.1 in.
• Overall height: 41.5 in.
• Seat height: 32.1 in.
• Curb weight: 487.3 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
• Warranty: 12 Months
• Kawasaki Protection Plus: 12, 24, 36, and  48 month plans are available

2014 Kawasaki Z1000 Color Options/MSRP:

• Golden Blazed Green / Metallic Graphite Gray / $11,999