Z1000SX review: SeXy roudster !
With the Z1000SX, Kawasaki brings the zest of fun that is too often lacking in the category of “ roudsters ”: as comfortable as it is playful, this surprising roadster-road is an invitation to a dynamic ride … even to the frank arsouille ! Test.
Sport yes, GT not quite…
Aware that more is needed to satisfy the new road claims of this Z1000SX, the Japanese have also completely redesigned ergonomics and comfort: the sheaths of the inverted fork thus take up 45 mm in height and the handlebars are fixed on generous stems, which brings the grips closer to 10 mm.
The pilot is now comfortably installed, because the torso is much less leaning forward than on the Naked model: combined with judiciously placed toe clips, this new position turns out to be an excellent Sport-GT compromise which allows chain the kilometers without tormenting wrists and vertebrae.
Good pick, therefore, especially as the pilot seat gains ten millimeters in consistency – to the detriment of the saddle height which goes from 815 to 820 mm – and that new suspension settings provide the flexibility and comfort that are lacking in the Z1000 "short" version.
This flattering picture is reinforced by the smoothness and availability of "4-legged" which allows you to cross a city in fourth and come out with strength. But its explosive revivals of 6000 rpm at 11000 rpm of the breaker betray the resolutely sporting bias of this Z1000SX…
While its direct rivals highlight their predisposition to Touring, the Zak ‘, it clearly relies on sportiness to differentiate itself. As evidenced by the conservation of high-end peripherals discovered on the roadster: full radial braking (calipers and master cylinder), petal discs, swingarm equipped with eccentric tension settings, fully adjustable inverted fork (rebound, compression and preload) , not to mention the aluminum chassis strongly inspired by that of the ZX-10R !
This daring dynamic positioning inevitably leads to concessions in terms of driving pleasure and comfort: thus, the pronounced bite of the front brake quickly suggests resorting to the benefits of the optional ABS to avoid unpleasant surprises, even if in the car. absolute, the impressive power is easily dosed … on dry ground !
In addition, if the benefits to be credited to fairings in terms of protection are real, the pilot remains highly exposed on expressways. The screen, the inclination of which is manually adjusted to three positions after having released it via a control located under the dashboard, hardly protects more than on a sports car in the low position and leaves the shoulders and three quarters of the body exposed. head when fully raised…
Finally, the engine of the Z1000 may well be a monument of pleasure, its good health and its hairy revivals are not always enough to excuse the discomfort caused by the vibrations it generates in the crotch from 6000 to 8000 rpm. Especially since these big tingling spreads up to the handlebars and regularly make the bubble resonate when it is placed in the high position..
However, the Greens took care to mount the footrest plates on rubber and weights were even added in order, precisely, to contain the vibrations. But the result is clearly perfectible.
Despite the addition of shock absorbing pads under his saddle – under which only a disc block and gloves slipped although the space is practically doubled according to Kawasaki – the passenger suffers from the same ailments, but he will surely console himself in front of the comfort offered by the efficient grab handles and the additional 10 mm added to the length of the seat.
On the other hand, the pilot’s heels and elbows often come into contact with the toes and knees of his passenger: the compactness of the Z1000SX and its sporty positioning inevitably limiting the space necessary for duo driving, even if the Green is gets pretty good exercise.
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