All Tests – New Kawasaki Z1000 2010 test: the Zed power 1000! – Look: plastic dress but steel chest!

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New Kawasaki Z1000 2010 test: the Zed power 1000 !

All Tests - New Kawasaki Z1000 2010 test: the Zed power 1000! - Look: plastic dress but steel chest!

Rather than simply grafting an engine and a hypersport cycle part on its third Z1000 of the name, Kawasaki returns to the fundamentals of the genre: a catchy face, an efficient chassis without being radical and an explosive engine… Test !

Look: plastic dress but steel chest !

Whether it is the 1972 Z1 or the first Z1000 of 2003, the saga of the big "Zed" has always brought together suggestive plastic, four tailpipes and a bevy inspiring respect. On the engine side, this 2010 model is no exception to the rule and the inevitable four silencers – 30% less bulky and at least 200% more beautiful than in 2007! – are part of the game.

On the other hand, the days when a roadster was reduced to two wheels, an engine and a handlebar seems to have fizzled out on Akashi’s side. Although it is appropriate to salute the audacity of Kawasaki and its aesthetic "manga" bias, the 2010 Z1000 appears very loaded on the front and as semi-faired … Much more inclined and protruding than before, the head fork almost joins the large scoops integrating the indicators and surmounted by the air intakes.

In profile, the effect is striking and is further reinforced by the original presence of plastic covers on the tubes of the inverted fork: "they protect the fork from projections and it improves aerodynamics and engine coolingChief designer of the model, Keishi Fukumoto, explains to Site readers..

Determined to tape the retina to the front part, the design team reinforced the lines of the fuel tank – whose capacity goes, unfortunately, from 18.5 to 15 liters … – before adding an unexpected shoe with lively shapes whose extensions hide part of the lower engine and the exhaust line. Unexpected too, the brown color unveils an original snakeskin-style saddle: will French bikers love it or shout at the low-level tuning? First answers below in a few minutes…

Compared to the front, the rear seems almost airy as Kawasaki has done its best to turn everything that is not strictly necessary in terms of the hull and the very successful wheel arch. The rear LED light refers to the first versions of the Z1000 while practical and discreet notches in the shell will delight the passenger.

More satisfying still, the general finish has evolved in the right direction: the wheel tension eccentrics and polished rims – subtly machined at the ends – stick in the face, while the stylized shapes of the radial master cylinder jar, calipers polished pistons, beautiful and efficient mirrors, petal brake discs and quality of welds demonstrate the attention to detail.

While looking well – but not too long -, some unfortunate details eventually appear: the poor quality of certain plastics (the front of the tank and the air intakes, in particular), the horn shamelessly placed near the collectors and the electrical network not always well camouflaged…

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