2010 Kawasaki Z1000

The 2010 Z1000 takes the Super Naked concept in a totally new and strikingly contemporary direction.

Mating Ninja ZX-9R-based engines with innovative chassis designs and striking bodywork, previous Z1000 models offered supersport performance adapted for the street, wrapped in the most avant-garde designs of the their time.

Now, the totally re-designed and re-engineered 2010 Z1000 takes the Super Naked concept in a positive and bold new direction. In order to deliver a kind of excitement never before experienced with Super Naked models, development of the new Z1000 started totally from scratch – resulting in a fresh and compelling new Super Naked machine .

VISUAL IMPACT

Unlike the “mono-form” design of supersport models (where the ensemble is designed as a single piece), Kawasaki naked model designs are collections of parts – each meticulously crafted as both stand-alone components, and as parts of a whole.

While many Super Naked models are often no more than supersport models with the fairings removed, the new Z1000 realises a stunning VISUAL IMPACT by being conceived and created in complete design freedom.

The new Z1000 takes the aggressive styling of its predecessor a major step forward. From the sharply sloped front cowl design – made possible with the slim new 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 adorned with intakes for the new Cool Air system. Where its predecessor formed the image of an athlete poised to explode out of the blocks, the new Z1000 gives the appearance of a ominous predator feigning sleep – menacing and ready to leap forward without a moment’s hesitation.

• Sharp front cowl slopes back at an acute angle, contributing to the aggressive design and the image of a low, forward-located centre of gravity.
• In addition to protecting the inverted fork’s inner tubes, fork covers reinforce the low, mass-forward image.
• Slim, compact line-beam type headlamp (first use on a Kawasaki) allowed the design freedom to make the front cowl smaller. Locating the bulbs slightly higher in the headlamp unit gives the Z1000 a menacing look when viewed from the front.
• Ignition key cylinder was relocated to the front of the tank (previously forward of the handlebar), allowing the instrument panel to be positioned closer to the rider for enhanced visibility. Relocating the key cylinder away from the instrument panel also helped make possible the more compact front cowl. Moving the key cylinder closer to the rider also contributes to mass centralisation
• Dynamic fuel tank design features supersport-style flared edges with a trim shape at the rear, a shape that is easy to grip with the knees. Concentrating the tank’s volume toward the rear helped make room for the repositioned key cylinder. Steel construction facilitates the use of magnetic tank bags.
• Voluminous shrouds with integrated turn signals contribute to the new Z1000’s concentrated, mass-forward design.
• Sharp under-cowl adds to the image of a low centre of gravity and reinforces the mass-forward design.
• Minimalist tail cowl is slimmer and more compact, moving mass both physically and visually away from the rear and toward the front.
• LED taillight design reminiscent of the original Z1000’s features red LED bulbs and a transparent lens.
• New 5-spoke cast wheels complement the Z1000’s sharp design. The spokes are machined near the rim edge (the machined portions receiving a clear coat), adding to the high-quality appearance. The machined cut-outs were purposely designed to point away from the direction of travel, a counterpoint design element also visible on the new engine covers.
• Quad-style muffler maintains 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.

Tilting 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. Angle can easily be changed by hand using an adjuster knob on the left side.
• Meter functions include digital speedometer, bar-style digital tachometer, odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge, and clock.

Details

• Swinging arm features eccentric axle adjusters, contributing to the Z1000’s Kawasaki identity.
• Unnecessary material trimmed from the rear flap to give it a light look.

Riding Impact : Engine

To maximise impact the engine needed to deliver more than just performance figures. Riding impact is about the range of sensations the rider feels. Engineers wanted to offer superb throttle response, power delivery with a hit in the mid-range, and seductive intake howl plus just the right amount of engine vibration make accelerating an exhilarating experience.

All-new Engine

• Newly designed liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve 1,043 cm3 In-line Four offers a greater power output (actual power TBC) and stronger torque than that of the previous Z1000. The new displacement was chosen with the desire to maintain the Z1000 name.
• Bore and stroke of 77.0 x 56.0 mm were chosen to achieve the desired engine character. Compare this to the bore and stroke of the 2009 Z1000 and Ninja ZX-10R:
  2009 Z1000 77.2 x 50.9 mm
  Ninja ZX-10R 76.0 x 55.0 mm
• A bore slightly smaller than that of its predecessor, but larger than that of the Ninja ZX-10R, and a stroke longer than both of these result in an engine very strong in the everyday rpm range most used by Super Nakeds.
• Downdraft throttle bodies allow intake air to travel to the engine in the shortest possible distance, offering improved performance. While downdraft throttle bodies often use short intake funnels to maximise high-rpm performance, the Z1000’s are longer to offer the best Super Naked power characteristics.
• Throttle bore is ø38 mm (2009 Z1000 was ø36 mm), chosen to offer the ideal low-mid range response.
• Oval sub-throttles help keep the engine slim – important since the throttle bodies are now positioned between the rider’s knees.
• Good over-rev characteristics mean that power does not drop off suddenly at high rpm.
• Power delivery is quite linear, but the engine spins up noticeably faster from about 7,000 rpm onwards. Silky smooth response from mid-high rpm ensures excellent driveability.
• Crankshaft and transmission shafts are arranged in a straight line (compared to the Ninja ZX-10R, which uses a triangular layout). This maintains the design from the 2009 Z1000, an engine design that was felt offers the best look for a Super Naked model.
• Crankshaft was lowered to allow for the longer stroke without adding engine height. The shaft line, which was horizontal on the 2009 Z1000, is angled 5 degrees down. Thus, engine size is about the same despite the 90 cm3 displacement increase.
• A secondary balancer, driven off a gear on the 6th web of the crankshaft, eliminates excess vibration. Of course, a certain amount of engine vibration was desired as part of the bike’s character (vibration contributes to the feeling of acceleration, increasing linearly with rpm),
• so vibration was not totally eliminated. However, adding the secondary balancer enabled the changes to the chassis for improved handling