Motorcycle History of Kawasaki Z1 and Z1000

Kawasaki introduced the Z1 motorcycle in 1972. Four years later they introduced the Kz900. The original Kawasaki Z1 was the first series of Japanese motorcycles with the combination of four cylinders, dual overhead cams and 903cc. It was one of the most powerful motorcycles produced up until that time, and set multiple world records.



In 1977 a z1000 ridden by Reg Pridmore became the first Japanese bike to win an AMA Superbike national when it took the victory at Pocono Raceway. In 2003 Kawasaki introduced a completely revamped 30 year anniversary edition of the Z1000. It used a modified engine from the Kawasaki ZX-9R, and was bored out by 2.2mm resulting in bigger displacement, more low-RPM torque, and only a slight power loss of 4bhp from the original ZX9.



In 2004, Kawasaki released the Z1000's smaller brother, the Z750.



In 2007, Kawasaki released a new Z1000. The Z-series since the 1970s until today are also known as the “Z”, “Zed”, and “Z1k”.


In October 2009, Kawasaki unveiled the 2010 Z1000. It received an all new Aluminum frame, Digital Instrument Panel, Bodywork, and a completely new engine. It sports 77 x 56mm bore and stroke figures displacing 1,043cc.




Completely redesigned two years ago, the current Z1000's aggressive bodywork reveals the design team's attention to detail. The aesthetic showcase begins with a low-mount front cowl that slopes back radically, highlighting the Z’s prow and, behind it, an adjustable instrument cluster featuring a multifunction LCD display covered by a trick-looking orange lens.