2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS Review

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS

Z1000 ABS ABS – TAILOR-MADE SUPER NAKED.

Superior Power, Mesmerizing Aesthetic

The Z1000 ABS attracts riders with its muscular good looks and then seduces them with its incredible power and charismatic feel. Serious torque, comfortable ergonomics, and a mesmerizing aesthetic make for an unforgettable experience — one that makes it easy to see why Cycle World magazine named it the “Best Standard” motorcycle for two consecutive years.

The satisfaction begins even before you climb aboard. Its distinctive look begins with a front cowl that slopes back radically, highlighting the Z’s aggression. The line-beam headlights are integrated nicely into that angled cowl. Then its shapely fuel tank is flared on the sides for serious knee grip and is slimmer in back for a snug fit. The seat is low and narrow at the front to make ground contact easy, and flows beautifully rearward to end in a futuristically retro LED tail light behind a red lens. The muscular aesthetic will definitely turn heads wherever the Z1000 ABS takes you.

Kawasaki engineers paid special attention to this bike’s heart, for maximum impact: dual overhead cams, sixteen valves, 1,043cc, liquid cooling, a high compression ratio, a long 56mm stroke for instantaneous thrust, Six speeds, and Digital Fuel Injection (DFI®)… It’s all there. The result? This inline-four packs impressive horsepower combined with the sort of flexible, mid-range-heavy power delivery that pastes a silly grin on the face of anyone lucky enough to be aboard. From nearly any rpm, rolling the Z1000 ABS’s throttle provides the kind of instant gratification most sportbikes just can’t quite muster, all with a silky smooth, highly intoxicating response.

An aluminum frame, similar in concept to the Ninja® ZX™-10R’s, cradles the engine from above. The design allows a narrow mid-section, which fosters a high degree of rider comfort and feedback in addition to keeping weight low and chassis rigidity high. The engine bolts solidly to the frame in three places, stressed-member-style, and there’s also a rubber mount at the upper rear crankcase area for added vibration damping and torsional rigidity. The main frame and swingarm pivot elements are cast as a single unit, with welds eliminated wherever possible for a more aesthetically pleasing look. And the subframe is a lightweight aluminum die-casting, which is light, smooth and beautiful.

Suspension at both ends is thoroughly modern and wickedly functional: a beefy, fully adjustable 41mm inverted fork up front and a spring preload and rebound damping adjustable Uni-Trak® shock in back that’s mounted nearly horizontally above the swingarm to shield it from exhaust heat and foster an added degree of mass centralization. Wheel control is simply superb, and the substantial feedback sent to the rider makes it easy to know exactly what’s going on at the bike’s contact patches.

There’s more, of course. Check out the Z’s five-spoke wheels, with spokes machined near the rims for a custom look. We carried forward the quad-pipe theme from the last Z1000 ABS (and the first Z-1), but an under-engine pre-chamber lets engineers use shorter mufflers for great looks and better mass centralization. A solid-mount handlebar and aluminum footpegs lifted from the Ninja® ZX-10R contribute to the Z1000 ABS’s quality, top-shelf feel. Brakes? Totally modern: Radially mounted calipers, Ninja-spec 300mm petal-type rotors and a radial-pump master cylinder all provide the latest in braking feel and feedback.
Conventional wisdom says many of today’s motorcycles lack soul, or are all too much alike. The Z1000 ABS proves otherwise – and happily.

Other Super Naked models are often no more than supersport models with the fairings removed, so the scope of the design is limited. The 2013 Z1000 ABS ABS takes the Super Naked concept in a different direction boasting stunning visual impact with a healthy dose of power thanks to the proven engine.

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS Key Features

• 1,043cc inline-four with DFI® produces massive power with an intoxicating howl
• Lightweight aluminum frame specifically designed for the Z1000 ABS
• Fully adjustable inverted front fork with settings designed for sporty performance
• Horizontal rear monoshock features stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
• Radial-mounted four-piston front brake calipers and radial-pump front brake master cylinder combine with 300mm discs to provide superior stopping power
• Digital instrument panel tilts to accommodate different viewing angles
• Aggressive styling makes a bold fashion statement

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS Features and Benefits

DOHC, 16-valve, 1,043cc Engine
• Liquid-cooled inline-four offers substantial power at all rpm levels, providing effortless acceleration in almost any situation
• Bore and stroke dimensions of 77.0 x 56.0mm offer the best possible balance of peak power and low
• and mid-range flexibility
• 38mm downdraft throttle bodies allow intake air to travel to the engine in the shortest possible distance
• Oval sub-throttles help keep the engine slim – a good thing since the throttle bodies are positioned between the rider’s knees
• Soft rev limiter provides good overrev character; power doesn’t drop off suddenly at high rpm
• The crankshaft is positioned low in the crankcase assembly to allow a longer stroke without adding engine height
• A secondary balancer, driven off a gear on the sixth web of the crankshaft, eliminates excess vibration

Cool Air System
• The intake system routes cool air to the airbox from ducts above the radiator shrouds, minimizing performance loss due to heated intake air
• Positioning the ducts close to the rider allows the intake sound to be heard – and enjoyed – by the rider
• A resonator inside the airbox reduces noise at low rpm, and enhances intake sound at high rpm

Exhaust System
• The exhaust system features a 4-into-2-pre-chamber-into-2 layout. Silencer end caps maintain the quad-style image
• Main and pre-catalyzers provide cleaner emissions
• Thanks to the under-engine pre-chamber, silencer volume is reduced, and silencer weight is low. Exhaust system offers excellent mass centralization and contributes to a low center of gravity

Fuel Tank
• Slim-type fuel pump features an integral fuel gauge
• Fuel tank design and slim-type fuel pump minimize unused volume inside the tank; fuel capacity is 4.0 gallons

Aluminum Backbone Frame
• Aluminum backbone frame designed specifically for the Z1000 ABS (and similar in concept to the Ninja® ZX™-10R’s) helps make the bike narrow and easy to grip with the knees for maximum rider comfort and feedback
• Lightweight and highly rigid, the frame uses the engine as a stressed member for a firm, planted feeling and enhanced stability
• Frame is tuned to transmit the ideal level of engine feedback directly to the rider
• The frame’s five-piece construction consists of steering stem, left and right main frames, and two cross pieces. The two main frame components have open C-shaped cross sections
• As much as possible, welds were eliminated for simplicity and appearance. The frame beams and swingarm brackets are now single die-cast pieces
• The frame uses four engine mounts; three mounts are rigid, while the upper rear crankcase mount is rubber
• The rear sub-frame is a three-piece aluminum die-casting construction, which is light, strong and optimizes mass centralization
• 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 Rear Monoshock
• 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
• Visible from the outside, the horizontal monoshock contributes to the Z1000 ABS’s aggressive appearance
• Linkage characteristics are the same as those of a standard Uni-Trak® rear suspension: Wheel movement versus shock stroke is the same ratio
• The shock features stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability

Fully Adjustable Fork
• The Z1000 ABS’s 41mm inverted fork is adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload – and is protected from harm by a cool-looking shroud
• Settings are designed for both sporty performance and excellent comfort

Handlebar, Grips and Footpegs
• The tubular handlebar is rigid mounted, contributing to sharp, direct handling
• A wide, flat bend handlebar offers a design similar to those on off-road bikes for excellent control
• Tapered-type grips, like those used on supersport models, offer a more direct feel
• Ninja ZX-10R-style footpegs with knurled surfaces offer good grip, direct feel and control, and no-nonsense looks
• The passenger footpeg brackets incorporate convenient luggage hooks

Brakes
• The Z1000 ABS’s 300mm front petal-style brake discs are gripped by opposed four-piston radial-mount calipers. (Caliper piston size is 4×30 mm)
• A radial-pump front brake master cylinder contributes to the superb control and feel offered by these high-end calipers
• The rear brake is a single-piston, pin-slide caliper gripping a 250mm petal-style disc. The caliper is mounted below the swingarm, and located by a torque rod

Instrumentation
• A distinctive tilting instrument panel with multifunction LCD display behind an orange lens covers all systems

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS – USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $10,999 USD

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 System 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 deg. / 4.1 in.

Frame Type Aluminum Backbone

Front Tire Size 120/70 ZR17

Rear Tire Size 190/50 ZR17

Wheelbase 56.7 in.

Front Suspension / Wheel Travel 41 mm inverted cartridge fork with stepless compression and rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 4.7 in.

Rear Suspension/Wheel Travel Horizontal monoshock with stepless rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 5.4 in.

Front Brakes Dual 300mm petal-type rotors with radial-mount four-piston calipers

Rear Brakes Single 250mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper

Fuel Capacity 4.0 gal.

Seat Height 32.1 in.

Curb Weight 481 lbs.

Overall Length 82.5 in.

Overall Width 31.7 in.

Overall Height 42.7 in.

Color Choices Golden Blazed Green/Metallic Spark Black

Warranty 12 months

Good Times™ Protection Plan 12, 24, 36 or 48 months

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS – Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $13,199 CDN

ENGINE
Type 4-stroke, In-Line Four
Displacement 1,043cc
Bore and Stroke 77.0 x 56.0 mm
Cooling Liquid
Compression Ratio 11.8:1
Valve System DOHC, 16 valves (4 valves per cylinder)
Fuel System Digital fuel injection with four 38 mm Keihin with oval sub-throttles
Ignition Digital
Lubrication Forced lubrication (wet sump)

DRIVETRAIN

Transmission 6-speed, with positive neutral finder
Final Drive Sealed Chain
Primary Reduction Ratio 1.627 (83/51)
Gear Ratio: 1st 2.600 (39/15)
Gear Ratio: 2nd 1.950 (39/20)
Gear Ratio: 3rd 1.600 (24/15)
Gear Ratio: 4th 1.389 (25/18)
Gear Ratio: 5th 1.238 (26/21)
Gear Ratio: 6th 1.136 (25/22)
Final Reduction Ratio 2.800 (42/15)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual

FRAME

Type Aluminium twin-tube
Wheel Travel: Front 120 mm (4.7 in.)
Tire: Front 120/70-ZR17
Wheel Travel: Rear 138 mm (5.4 in.)
Tire: Rear 190/50-ZR17
Caster (Rake) 24.5°
Trail 103 mm (4.1 in.)
Steering Angle (Left/Right) 31° / 31°

SUSPENSION

Suspension, Front 41 mm inverted fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Suspension, Rear Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged, with stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability

BRAKES

Front: Type Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs
Front: Calipers Radial-mount, opposed 4-piston calipers
Rear: Type Single 250 mm petal disc
Rear: Caliper Single-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS

Overall Length 2,095 mm (82.5 in.)
Overall Width 805 mm (31.7 in.)
Overall Height 1,085 mm (42.7 in.)
Wheelbase 1,440 mm (56.7 in.)
Ground Clearance 140 mm (5.5 in.)
Seat Height 815 mm (32.1 in.)
Curb Mass** 218 kg (481 lbs.)
Fuel Capacity 15 litres (4.0 gal.)
** Includes all necessary materials and fluids to operate correctly, full tank of fuel (more than 90% of capacity) and tool kit (if supplied)

PERFORMANCE

Maximum Power‡ 101.5 kW {138 PS} @ 9,600 rpm
Maximum Torque‡ 110 N.m {11.2 kgf.m} @ 7,800 rpm
‡ Power / Torque figures measured at the crankshaft.

DETAILS

Warranty 12 months warranty

ADDITIONAL COST OPTIONS

Good Times Protection Plan 24 or 36 months (Kawasaki GTPP coverage begins after the standard limited warranty expires)

MSRP*

Golden Blazed Green / Metallic Spark BlackZR1000DDF TBA
Metallic Spark Black / Pearl Flat Stardust WhiteZR1000DDFA TBA

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS – United Kingdom Specifications/Technical Details
UK MSRP Price: £9099 (Prices are recommended and inclusive of VAT @ 20% and delivery)

Engine
”
Engine type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
”
Displacement
1,043 cm³
”
Bore x stroke
77.0 x 56.0 mm
”
Compression ratio
11.8:1
”
Valve/Induction system
DOHC, 16 valves
”
Fuel system
Fuel injection: ø38 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles
”
Ignition
Digital
”
Starting
Electric
”
Lubrication
Forced lubrication, wet sump
Transmission
”
Transmission
6-speed, return
”
Final Drive
Sealed chain
” Primary reduction ratio
1.627 (83/51)
” Gear ratios: 1st
2.600 (39/15)
” Gear ratios: 2nd
1.950 (39/20)
” Gear ratios: 3rd
1.600 (24/15)
” Gear ratios: 4th
1.389 (25/18)
” Gear ratios: 5th
1.238 (26/21)
” Gear ratios: 6th
1.136 (25/22)
” Final reduction ratio
2.800 (42/15)
”
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame
”
Frame type
Aluminium twin-tube
”
Rake/Trail
24.5? / 103 mm
”
Wheel travel, front
120 mm
”
Wheel travel, rear
135 mm
”
Tyre, front
120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
”
Tyre, rear
190/50ZR17M/C (73W)
”
Steering angle, left / right
31? / 31?
Suspension
”
Suspension, front
41 mm inverted fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
”
Suspension, rear
Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged, with stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Brakes
”
Brakes, front
Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston
”
Brakes, rear
Single 250 mm petal disc Single-piston
Dimensions
”
Dimensions (L x W x H)
2,095 mm x 805 mm x 1,085 mm
”
Wheelbase
1,440 mm
”
Ground Clearance
140 mm
”
Seat height
815 mm
” Fuel capacity
15 litres
”
Curb Mass
218 kg / 221 kg (ABS)
Performance
”
Maximum power
101.5 kW {138 PS} / 9,600 rpm
”
Maximum torque
110 Nm {11.2 kgf-m} / 7,800 rpm

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 ABS – Australia Specifications/Technical Details
Australia MSRP Price: See dealer

Engine:
Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
Displacement 1,043 cm³
Bore and Stroke 77.0 x 56.0 mm
Compression ratio 11.8:1
Valve system DOHC, 16 valves
Fuel system Fuel injection: ø38 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles
Ignition Digital
Starting Electric
Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump
Drivetrain:
Transmission 6-speed, return
Final drive Sealed Chain
Primary reduction ratio 1.627 (83/51)
1st 2.600 (39/15)
2nd 1.950 (39/20)
3rd 1.600 (24/15)
4th 1.389 (25/18)
5th 1.238 (26/21)
6th 1.136 (25/22)
Final reduction ratio 2.800 (43/15)
Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual
Frame:
Type Aluminium twin-tube
Wheel travel:
Front 120 mm
Rear 135 mm
Tyre:
Front 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear 190/50ZR17M/C (73W)
Caster (rake) 24.5°
Trail 103 mm
Steering angle (left/right) 31° / 31°
Suspension:
Front 41 mm inverted fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Rear Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged, with stepless rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Brakes:
Front: Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs
Caliper Dual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston with ABS
Rear: Single 250 mm petal disc
Caliper Single-piston with ABS
Dimensions:
Overall length 2,095 mm
Overall width 805 mm
Overall height 1,085 mm
Wheelbase 1,440 mm
Ground clearance 140 mm
Seat height 815 mm
Curb mass 221 kg (includes full fuel tank and all fluids at correct levels)
Fuel capacity 15 L
Performance:
Maximum power 101.5 kW @ 9,600 rpm
Maximum torque 110 N-m @ 7,800 rpm
Colours: Golden Blaze Green