EICMA 2013: Kawasaki Z1000
Already fairly radical styling has gone to another level thanks to sugomi, while the engine and chassis have also been tweaked. There's less weight, tooKawasaki’s Z1000 has already been lauded – mostly – for its aggressive, sharp styling, and now that’s gone to another level for the 2014 model year.
And the press materials from Kawasaki are putting it down to sugomi, a Japanese word that describes the “intense aura or energy given off by a person or object of greatness and felt by the viewer”. Someone, or something, possessing sugomi inspires awe, leaves an indelible impression, is imposing in stature or ability, and commands respect.
Sounds like sentiments which would have been uttered at Woodstock – you know, palpable energy and all that stuff – but what has Kawasaki actually done to the styling?
The new headlamp cowl, positioned as low as possible, extends the line running down from the top of the tank, while new bodywork fits much closer to the engine and frame, “reinforcing the condensed, dynamic form”. Mass is concentrated at the front, and there’s a more aggressive riding posture.
The engine has new intake cams, revised velocity stacks and different ECU settings, and there’s shorter final drive gearing (but with a taller sixth for highway work). The latest iteration of the Showa Separate Function-Big Piston Fork is now in position, while monoblock radial-mount, four-piston front brake calipers and a revised anti-lock braking pump should improve braking performance, while cast-aluminum supersport-style wheels reduce unsprung weight by 1.5kg.
Fuel capacity is up to 17 litres from 15.5, and other fresh touches include new exhaust silencers, a new aluminum handlebar, textured seat and redesigned dash and information interface.
Kawasaki Australia anticipates an early 2014 release.
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