2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Unveiled : KawiForums.com Kawasaki Forums: Kawasaki motorcycle forums

admin · 10-05-2009, 02:27 PM

Oh, happy days in 2010, at least if you're me, or like the type of bikes I'm fond of!

It should be no surprise to regl'r readers of Motorcycle.com that we think highly of the naked standard. After all, the 2009 Triumph Street Triple R easily snatched Bike of the Year in our recent Best of 2009 – Motorcycles of the Year awards, lovingly referred to as the MoBo Awards.

Indeed, this type of scoot just makes sense for a lot of riders here in the U.S., although it seems most of you just don't know it yet.

They make lots of usable torque, have excellent chassis, and typically provide an open and upright riding position. Best of all, most of 'em wheelie like the dickens! Sign me up!

Alas, the nakeds see immensely larger sales volume in Europe than here in America, and therefore most OEMs are reluctant to either import them whatsoever, or if they do, they come in relatively small batches.

Yep, with us, it seems its either some type of cruiser, custom, or race-replica sportbike for the street; otherwise, good luck if you don't fit any of those molds. Boo!

More: 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Unveiled on Motorcycle.com

kawtoy_77 · 10-06-2009, 04:37 PM

I want to like it, but I am not impressed with the numbers. I am also un-impressed by how Kawasaki is taking away from the streetfighter origin the Z1000 is supposed to be based off of. They added a bellypan, made the radiator shrouds even fatter than the second gen, and the exhaust is an abomination. Where is the ZX10, or ZX14 motor that us "Z" owners have been patiently waiting for? I am glad they are keeping the Z1000 here in the states, but unhappy with alot of the changes. The good is, updated rims ('bout time!), larger displacement, and the radial calipers would be an upgrade for me. Why do we only get black or white here in the states? WTF is up with that... no candy lime green metallic, or pearl blazing orange?

I will not be trading away from my first gen Z....2003 Raw, Untamed, and in the sexy Orange color

foxrider64 · 10-07-2009, 04:44 PM

Unfortunately I will have to agree.

I was pumped to see they were redesigning it--but sorely disapointed with the result.

I have a 2003 blazin orange z1000 that I still constantly get compliments on. Hopefully they will return to their street fighter ways in the future before completely scrapping the idea.

Ituen · 10-07-2009, 09:19 PM

(I'm shaking my head, NO, NO, NO). I don't like the Orange, Silver and Black. The Black and Silver makes it look like a Suzuki B-King. I also don't like reading it has a 1043cc motor. Why didn't they put the '10 998cc motor in this bike with 5-10 less HP? The 10R motor has to go into the Z1000 if they want to beat Ducati's Streetfighter at it's own game. COME ON KAWASAKI!!

I can't wait to ride the ZX-10R. I rode the '09 ZX10R and it was a monster! It scared me. I shake just talking about the 10R. That's a Kawasaki!

WildCard · 10-08-2009, 12:20 AM

Yeah ... thats pretty damn stupid lookin. Better luck next time Kawi.

kawtoy_77 · 10-08-2009, 09:13 AM

Yup, they had it right with the first gen's..... they just needed to add some newer amenities...radial master cyl., radial calipers, tougher suspension, fix the rattling clutch lever, and cut down some of the motor vibes. Oh yeah, and give us some damn color options, none of this black and white garbage. I wanted to see the Z1400 made to rival the B-king....

Whlyphobia · 10-09-2009, 04:12 AM

I actually like it. With 100cc more it should stomp pretty well...have to see the tests and reviews on it first...might be tuned for a monster low-mid rpm hit, and that's ok. But yeah..wondering why they didn't put 10r motor in there too. The frame is wayyyyy better then the 80's tech previous generation. I'd like to see that frame and suspension with the same body style as the 03-05.

joslyn · 10-09-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ituen

(I'm shaking my head, NO, NO, NO). I don't like the Orange, Silver and Black. The Black and Silver makes it look like a Suzuki B-King. I also don't like reading it has a 1043cc motor. Why didn't they put the '10 998cc motor in this bike with 5-10 less HP? The 10R motor has to go into the Z1000 if they want to beat Ducati's Streetfighter at it's own game. COME ON KAWASAKI!!

I can't wait to ride the ZX-10R. I rode the '09 ZX10R and it was a monster! It scared me. I shake just talking about the 10R. That's a Kawasaki!

I have to disagree. I love this bike! It's not silver by the way...it's pearl white. You have to see it in person to really appreciate it.

This bike is not intended to be a super sport. The 10R motor is costly to produce and would greatly increase the retail cost of the bike. It's not intended for that market anyway....people associate naked bikes with more low end rather than top speed.

Everyone who has ridden the old Z1000 and the new one, has said that there are major improvements in the performance. I'm sure all of the shootouts wil agree.

This bike is made for the people who like the street-fighter style, but don't want to pay another $10k for a euro model.

I do have to say, this will be my next street bike purchase

Whlyphobia · 10-09-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joslyn

I have to disagree. I love this bike! It's not silver by the way...it's pearl white. You have to see it in person to really appreciate it.

This bike is not intended to be a super sport. The 10R motor is costly to produce and would greatly increase the retail cost of the bike. It's not intended for that market anyway....people associate naked bikes with more low end rather than top speed.

Everyone who has ridden the old Z1000 and the new one, has said that there are major improvements in the performance. I'm sure all of the shootouts wil agree.

This bike is made for the people who like the street-fighter style, but don't want to pay another $10k for a euro model.

I do have to say, this will be my next street bike purchase

I plan on getting mine in May....then we can go riding

kawtoy_77 · 10-12-2009, 10:22 AM

not saying there weren't any improvements, just saying for an extra $2k over what the old ones cost..... there is a lot of extra BS on it, and not enough motor improvement. for $2k I can make my '03 pull those numbers.