2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE ABS First Look: 9 Fast Facts

October 9, 2025

Kawasaki is back in the upright literbike business with the all-new 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE ABS. The SE means you get all the goodies, though there is no base model—this is the only Z1100 we will see in the United States, at least this year. There is quite a bit to reveal, so let’s pull the cover off the sugomi-inspired backroads brawler.

Displacing 1099cc, the 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE is the largest-displacement Z in the model’s 54-year history. It’s a modestly oversquare inline-four at 77 x 59mm, and the DOHC top-end is fed by 38mm downdraft throttle bodies. The cams and valve springs are not taken from the Ninja 1100—they are unique to the Z. Three preset and one rider-configurable modes are available.

While Kawasaki engineers accentuated power delivery in the lower half of the powerband, there’s power to be had in the upper half. In other markets, the engine is claimed to produce 134 horsepower at 9000 rpm and 83 lb-ft of torque at 7600 rpm. There’s also plenty of flywheel to smooth the throttle response.

The 4-2-1 exhaust system culminated in a megaphone-style muffler. To satisfy government tailpipe sniffers, there are three catalyzers and two O2 sensors. There are also joint pipes and a pre-chamber under the motor. With this comes heat, so the radiator is oversized.

The quickshifter-equipped six-speed transmission is designed for dual purposes. The lower four gears are close together for sporting action, while the top two gears are overdrives for highway droning in comfort. There’s also a secondary balancer to keep unwanted vibrations at bay. The clutch has assist and slipper functions.

An IMU informs the 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE’s rider aids. This makes traction control and ABS cornering-aware. The personalizable Rider mode allows adjustment of TC, ABS, and power delivery, while all those are fixed in the Sport, Road, and Rain modes. A dedicated button makes for easy on-the-fly mode changes. Electronic cruise control is also standard.

The chassis is a twin-spar cast-aluminum frame, while Showa and Öhlins share suspension duties. The Showa Separate Function Fork – Big Piston is matched with an Öhlins S46. The inverted 41mm fork is fully adjustable, while the shock has adjustability for spring preload and rebound damping.

The six-spoke wheels are outfitted with quality components. The Dunlop Sportmax Q5A are high-end rubber, and that’s a pair of Brembo M4.32 calipers grasping 310mm Brembo discs. Steel-braided brake lines are standard.

The five-inch TFT dash integrates Kawasaki’s Rideology app. Download the free app, connect your smartphone wirelessly to the Z1100, and you’ll be able to monitor the condition of your bike between rides. If you don’t like running through menus on the screen to make changes, the Rideology app changes that. It also has turn-by-turn navigation, ride logging, and voice control with compatible intercom units.

The 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE ABS has a list price of $14,499. That puts it in direct pricing competition with a range of 900-1000cc upright naked sportbikes, while it enjoys a displacement advantage. The Z1100 is available in one colorway with a very long name—Metallic Matte Graphenesteel Gray/Metallic Matte Carbon Gray. You should be able to see one at a Kawasaki dealer right now.

2026 Kawasaki Z1100 SE ABS Specs

ENGINE

Type: Inline-4
Displacement: 1099cc
Bore x stroke: 77.0 x 59.0mm
Compression ratio: 11.8:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
Fueling: EFI w/ 38mm throttle bodies
Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist and slipper functions
Final drive: Sealed chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Twin-spar aluminum
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable inverted 41mm fork; 4.7 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted, rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable horizontally mounted Öhlins S46 shock; 5.4 inches
Tires: Dunlop Sportmax Q5A
Front tire: 120/70-17
Rear tire: 190/55-17
Front brakes: 300mm discs w/ radially mounted Brembo M4.32 4-piston calipers
Rear brakes: 250mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
ABS: Standard

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES