Kawasaki Z750R streetfighter

Kawasaki has beefed up its sporty naked bike wing again, this time by taking its popular Z750 and adding to its handling and braking firepower, along with some styling tweaks. The end result is the Z750R.

Kawasaki’s entry into the “R” arena certainly looks impressive, with new upside-down 41mm forks which offer more adjustability. An aluminium swingarm and piggyback shock are are present. There is no doubt the soft suspension on the Z750 can be left wanting in more testing situations, so there are some positive moves right there.

There are also radial brakes, petal discs, radial mount brake reservoir, and braided lines.

Styling wise, the livery is new and the cowl has a sharper, more aggressive look. There are a few other minor changes, such as different turn signals.

There will be a number of accessories, such as an Akrapovic slip-on muffler.

The in-line four-cylinder engine remains in the same state of tune as the Z750, which is 104hp and 78Nm. Its kerb mass is around 226kg.

That puts the Z750R around the same power-to-weight ballpark as the new Yamaha FZ8N, but well behind the thoroughbred Triumph Street Triple range.

The Z750R will soon make its public debut in Europe, but Kawasaki Australia told the Bikesales Network that the new model "...wouldn't be high on our import priority list."