2010 Kawasaki Z1000

We like the new Z1000′s looks better than the old Z1000′s looks.  We saw the videos on HellForLeather.com.  The pics videos, and words come from kawasaki.com.

One of the European Z1000s gets a snakeskin seat which is just-as-tacky as our etched dragon windscreen.  We would love to see bikes wear it. We don’t like the exhaust pipes though; they are tacky without irony.

The words-below were copied from various www.kawasaki.com Web pages, and put together here.  We also replaced the word “we” below with the words “Kawasaki” and “riders”, where appropriate. dangerismymiddlename.com is not related to Kawasaki.

2010 KAWASAKI Z1000 Videos

2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Presentation (US Version) Video:

2010 Kawasaki Z1000 Promo (High Quality) Video:

2010 KAWASAKI Z1000 For Italy “Snakeskin” Pic

2010 KAWASAKI Z1000 For USA Pics (Click on images for larger versions)

2010 KAWASAKI Z1000 Words

MSRP $10,499 as of 2009-10-07

Ergonomics

• With its smooth frame, sculpted tank and seat and upright ergoes, the Z1000 is just asking to be ridden hard.
• A dynamically designed steel gas tank, flared on the sides to let you grab it with your knees and trim at the rear for a snug fit, flows gracefully into a seat that’s low and narrow at the front to make ground contact easy, and wide and plush at the rear for a comfortable ride over uncomfortable pavement.

All-New Engine

• Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve 1,043cc inline-four offers greater torque and a stronger top-end rush than previous Z1000 models
• Bore and stroke of 77.0 x 56.0 mm were chosen to achieve the desired engine character —strong in the everyday rpm range most used by naked super bikes
• 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; power doesn’t drop off suddenly at high rpm
• Crankshaft and transmission shafts are arranged in a straight line instead of a triangular layout, to maintain the design from the previous Z1000 — a design that offers the best look for a naked model
• The crankshaft was lowered to allow for a longer stroke without adding engine height
• A secondary balancer, driven off a gear on the sixth web of the crankshaft, eliminates excess vibration

Mass Centralization

• Moving heavy components as close as possible to the motorcycle’s center of mass makes it easier to turn.
• The Z1000′s mufflers, rear suspension, battery and rider are all packaged as near to each other as possible. With its wide handlebar and naturally positioned footpegs, it places the rider in a position of maximum command.

Cool Air Intake 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 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 ensure emissions are clean
• Thanks to the under-engine pre-chamber, silencer volume could be reduced. The silencers are also lighter. Overall exhaust system weight is about the same, but the new system offers much better mass centralization and contributes to a lower center of gravity
• Kawasaki carried forward the quad-pipe theme from the last Z1000 (and the first Z1), but an under-engine pre-chamber let the engineers use shorter mufflers for great looks, better mass centralization and light, quick handling.

Fuel Pump

• Slim-type fuel pump features an integral fuel gauge
• With revised fuel tank design and the slim-type fuel pump, dead volume inside the tank is minimized; fuel capacity is 4.1 gallons

All-New Over-the-Engine Aluminum Backbone Frame

• An aluminum twin tube frame designed specifically for the Z1000, similar in concept to the ZX™-10R unit, helps make the Z1000 a narrow, compact motorcycle  that is easy to grip with the knees.
• Lightweight and highly rigid, the frame uses the engine as a stressed member, for a firm, planted feel and enhanced stability. The 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 new frame uses four engine mounts; three mounts are rigid, the upper rear crankcase mount is rubber.
• The rear sub-frame is a three-piece aluminum die-casting construction, light, strong and good for 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

Line-beam Headlight

Clean Rear End And LED Taillights

• The sub-frame is a three-piece aluminum die casting, light, smooth and beautiful.
• With its vestigial tail light bracket, spidery passenger peg brackets and smooth tail section, the Z1000 looks totally custom. At the same time, that wide radial tire out back and 5.4 full inches of plush and controlled rear-wheel travel serve up an outstandingly sweet ride.
• Red lights behind a red lens give the Z1000 excellent rear visibility.
• Its smooth, organic frame and plenty of negative space between the rear wheel and tailsection give it a fantastic, exotic bike look too. A fat, 190/50-17 radial tire backs up the take-no-prisoners image.

All-New Horizontal Rear Monoshock

• Visible from the outside, the horizontal monoshock rear suspension contributes to the aggressive appearance of the new Z1000. The Z1000′s new rear suspension positions the shock and linkage above the swingarm, where it’s less exposed to exhaust heat, and contributes to mass centralization. Linkage characteristics are the same as those of a standard UNI-TRAK® rear suspension, with a similar wheel movement to shock stroke ratio. The shock features rebound damping and spring preload adjustability, with overall wheel travel of 5.4 inches.

Inverted 41mm Fully Adjustable Front Fork

• The Z1000’s 41mm inverted fork is adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload — and it’s semi-protected from the elements by a cool-looking shroud.
• Calibrated for a mix of sporty backroad performance and excellent comfort on the street, the inverted cartridge fork provides stepless compression and rebound damping adjustment, along with spring preload adjustment. Wheel travel is 4.7 inches.

Tubular Handlebar

• A rigid-mount honest-to-goodness handlebar provides plenty of leverage over the Z1000, contributing greatly to the bike’s sharp, direct handling.
• The bar’s wide, flat bend offers a design similar to those on off-road bikes, for excellent comfort and control. Tapered-type grips, like those used on supersport models, also provide direct feel.

Eccentric Chain Adjuster

• The eccentric axle is how riders adjusted Kawasaki drive chains back in the day, and the rear-caliper torque arm is how Kawasaki fed braking forces back into the frame. On the other hand, the petal rear disc and the fat 190/50-17 radial tire out back are cutting-edge current technology, adding both style and performance.

Brakes

• A radial-pump front brake master cylinder contributes superb control and feel to go with the outright braking power provided by those big discs and calipers. At the rear, a single-piston pin-slide caliper gripping a 250mm petal disc is mounted below the swingarm, where it’s located by a torque rod for a little vintage flair.
• The Z1000’s 300mm front petal brake discs are gripped by opposed four-piston radial-mount calipers. (Caliper piston size is 4×30 mm)
• The rear brake is a single piston, pin-slide caliper gripping a 250mm petal disc. The caliper is mounted below the swingarm, and located by a torque rod

Instruments

• A distinctive tilting instrument panel with multifunction LCD display behind an orange lens covers all systems
• The instrument panel can be angled in three positions to suit rider preference, without tools, 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.

Specifications and pricing are subject to change.