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2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition Review

2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition

Z1000 Special Edition ABS – TAILOR-MADE SUPER NAKED.

An instant design classic, the Z1000 has the brute force to underpin its beauty. Avant garde styling joins Supersport handling, braking and performance in one breathtaking package.

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 Special Edition takes the Super Naked concept in a different direction boasting stunning visual impact with a healthy dose of power thanks to the proven engine.

Superior Power, Mesmerizing Aesthetic

The Z1000 Special Edition 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 Special Edition 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 Special Edition’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 Special Edition (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 Special Edition’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 Special Edition 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 Special Edition 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 Special Edition Key Features

• 1,043cc inline-four with DFI® produces massive power with an intoxicating howl
• Lightweight aluminum frame specifically designed for the Z1000 Special Edition
• 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 Special Edition Features and Benefits

Tank pad

Top quality carbon look self-adhesive tank protector specially designed for the Z1000 Black Edition

Adjustable instrument panel

Fully digital instrument panel features an eye-catching orange lens. The instrument panel can be angled to suit rider preference. Riders can choose from three positions with the angle easily changed without tools via an adjuster knob on the left side. Meter functions include digital speedometer, bar-style digital tachometer, odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, and clock.

Quad-style muffler

Quad-style mufflers maintain a key design element from previous models. The shorter silencer design (each 2/3 the volume of the 09MY model) allows the wheel silhouette to be seen.

Fully adjustable front fork

With the addition of compression damping adjustability, the Z1000’s 41 mm inverted front forks are now fully adjustable. Settings offer both sporty performance and comfort.

Horizontal back-link

Rear suspension positions the shock unit and linkage above the swingarm. This locates the suspension far enough from the exhaust that operation will not be affected by heat. The new arrangement contributes to mass centralisation. Visible from the outside, the Horizontal Back-link contributes to the cutting edge appearance of the new Z1000. The new rear suspension eliminates the external reservoir tank, however performance is the same or better than that of the 2009 Z1000.

Brakes

At the front, the Z1000’s 300 mm petal brake discs are gripped by opposed 4-piston radial-mount calipers. A radial-pump front brake master cylinder also contributes to the superb control and feel offered by the new calipers. The rear brake features a single piston, pin-slide caliper gripping a 250 mm petal disc.

5-spoke cast wheels

5-spoke cast wheels complement the Z1000’s sharp design. The spokes are machined near the rim edge, adding to the high-quality appearance. The machined cut-outs were purposely designed to point in the reverse direction, a design element also visible on the new engine covers.

Aluminium Twin-tube Frame

The aluminium twin-tube frame was designed specifically for the 2010 Z1000. Similar in concept to the frame of the Ninja ZX-10R, the frame beams go over engine, allowing a narrow overall construction that is easy to grip with the knees for added control.

Aggressive Styling

The new Z1000 takes the aggressive styling of its predecessor a step forward. From the sharply sloped front cowl design made possible by the new slim line-beam headlamp, to the minimalist tail section, the new Z1000 presents a very condensed, mass-forward image. This dynamic design is reinforced by the front fork covers and wide shrouds displaying intakes for the new Cool Air system.

Fuel tank

Dynamic fuel tank design features supersport-style flared edges with a trim shape at the rear which is easy to grip with the knees. With the revised fuel tank design and the slim-type fuel pump, unusable volume inside the tank is minimised.

Engine

Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve 1,043 cm3 In-line four offers a greater power output and stronger torque than the previous Z1000.

 

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2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition – USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $NA USD

Model Not Available

 

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2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition – Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $13,199 Golden Blazed Green / Metallic Spark Black, Metallic Spark Black / Pearl Flat Stardust White $13,399 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 Black $13,199
Metallic Spark Black / Pearl Flat Stardust White $13,399

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2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition – United Kingdom Specifications/Technical Details
UK MSRP Price: £9299 (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

Performance

Maximum power
101.5 kW {138 PS} / 9,600 rpm

Maximum torque
110 Nm {11.2 kgf-m} / 7,800 rpm

 

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2013 Kawasaki Z1000 Special Edition – 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