2017 Kawasaki Z1000SX review: a "super bike" for the road
Kawasaki is taking advantage of the switch to Euro 4 to polish its Z1000SX on many fronts: mechanical, but above all aesthetic and electronic! Sport-GT road bike will arrive in green dealerships in December, but MNC has already been able to test it… First try.
Page 2 – The Kawa Roadster Even More Ninja !
If the new Z1000SX wants to be a little more GT in terms of equipment, visually it chooses on the contrary to orient itself very clearly towards the sport. Previously quite close to the small road, the front of the streamlined Z1000 takes on the air of Superbike in 2017 …
Sharper and choppier, the fork crown corresponds better, according to MNC, to the sportivo-GT program (and not GT-sportive, nuance!) Of the motorcycle. Its increasingly high degree of sophistication – while the original roadster lacks traction control, it’s a shame – is illustrated by "Full LED" lighting..
Our test, carried out during the day only, did not allow us to validate the progress in terms of range, but the power and the brightness did indeed seem to us to be increasing: in the mirrors, the 2017 Z1000SX stands out strongly from cars whose headlights are not – yet – all light emitting diodes.
Inside the "Zedessix", the injection and exhaust programming have been revised so that the 4-cylinder complies with the new Euro 4 antipollution standard. However, it does not lose a single one in the operation. horsepower (142 hp in all) or the smallest Newton-meter (111 Nm).
In their presentation in Cologne, the Japanese engineers warned that the arrival of power was softening in this 2017 version. So, too smooth the new Kawa? Finally, no. Whether it was the first day in the rain or the second in the dry, Site was pleased to rediscover the tasty driving character of the Z1000SX.
Since its debut in 2011 (read our), the road has among its strengths its 1043 cc damn supple and devilishly angry. However, this does not change for the third edition! The bike accepts in particular to trot at 35 km / h in the last gear, its engine then purring at around 1500 rpm.
The finely calibrated injection and the chain transmission – almost transparent – make it possible to wander around town without any difficulty, to drive carefully on wet-fat, to relaunch smoothly out of small pins or to calmly adapt your speed in the blind curves.
The confusing smoothness of the clutch lever – for such a muscular "mile" – is still appreciable at low speed while, once started, the pilot takes advantage of the remarkable efficiency of the gearbox to increase gears on the fly, even to get them down.
Solid from 3000 rpm, the pickups become sensational at 6000 rpm: the traction in the arms, the vibrations in the legs, the hoarse sound of the airbox and the clamor of the exhausts in the ears … Everything matches. to impress the pilot and nothing stops before the red zone, 5000 laps higher.
By pulling the first three gears, the Z1000SX quickly reached speeds that were largely prohibited. But compared to some opponents – the and its 173 hp in the lead – the power of the Kawasaki is not disproportionate (142 hp as a reminder, even in France!), So that a slightly experienced biker will not be overwhelmed..
After all, the main rival of the SX develops "only" 125 hp: credited by Kawasaki Europe officials with 37% market share, the is just ahead of the Kawa (35%). Less powerful than the Japanese 4-cylinder, the German "fleet-twin" is on the other hand more torque: 125 Nm, or 14 more than the Green. Simple matter of taste !
Controlled by Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) for three years, the traction of the Z1000SX is now "anticipated" thanks to the addition of the inertial unit, the famous IMU adopted in recent seasons by the Superbike models (in 2015 and in 2016 ) !
On the handlebars, the system – "predictive and no longer reactive", insist the Greens – gives complete satisfaction. Set on the first morning of our test on mode 2 (intermediate) by the Kawasaki team, the KTRC did not trigger once on our motorcycle (note that when cooled by the rain, MNC drove quietly but without hang out)…
In the afternoon, on still wet roads, Site activates the less permissive mode 3: while driving with gas off – and the road clear in front of you … -, you can change the engine mode at any time ("Full" or "Low", which become unnecessary given the effectiveness of current assistance) as well as the settings of the KTRC, with a few presses on the left stalk.
On exiting bends and in the few stretches offered by the Verdon gorges, the traction control indicator light ends up flashing when the needle reaches the last third of the tachometer and it itself goes through a shade. white to pink, then red! The Z1000SX remains perfectly upright and continues to accelerate, but less strongly.
The next day, in the dry, MNC notices that the sensitive mode 3 only limits accelerations when the Z1000SX is heavily angled or its engine is whipped to the maximum on the first three gears and the front wheel tries to leave the ground. , which the system formally forbids him.
The front axle remains in contact with the asphalt and thus retains its guiding function, which is particularly reassuring when it is fun to set the pace on a whirling road. In mode 1 on the other hand, light "wheelings" are tolerated by the KTRC … which can also be fun. !
Like traction control, the Z1000SX’s ABS was not overworked by the careful Motorcycle Journal on the Net. It was only when tumbling down a little too hard on a very slippery portion of the road that MNC felt the KIBS (Kawasaki Intelligent anti-lock Brake System) take over..
The intervention of the electronics (Bosch) is very soft at the level of the controls but all the same noticeable, which invites the pilot to more measure during the following braking. The braking distance is not too long … and the motorcycle remains on its two wheels !
In the dry and on the angle, a sudden pressure on the right lever immediately causes slight twitches of the same control. The measurements sent by the IMU lead the KCMF (Kawasaki Cornering Management Function) to curb the ardor of the overconfident pilot … or the reflex of the backpacker surprised by an obstacle !
Beneficial in certain perilous situations, the intervention of the KIBS has little risk of turning against the rider: the speed of the machine is all the same reduced while its trajectory is virtually unchanged. On heavy braking in a straight line, we also appreciate that the bike remains impeccably in line thanks to the function of "suppression of lifting of the rear axle".
It should be noted that beyond all this electronic paraphernalia, the braking of the Z1000SX is particularly convincing. Unchanged at the front, it perfectly combines power and dosage. The rear brake, equipped with new pads, is meanwhile more present than before, which is a good point both in "GT" use (smooth and flat braking) and in sport (for those who like to play. pedal on a curve).
Even more reassuring in 2017, the electronics of the Z1000SX also highlight – indirectly, by not intervening! – the fitting of original tires, whose performance will be satisfactory for all Z1000SX users, whether they are more sporty or heavy rollers.
The cycle part – which changes only briefly – is just as reliable. More agile than the and less sharp than the, the Z1000SX offers an interesting alternative for those who like to trace on the main axes and to work on small roads … with the same motorcycle !
Adapted the first day by the Kawasaki staff due to the more than delicate climatic conditions (rain and 6 ° C), the suspensions returned the next morning to their standard settings which offer an excellent sport / comfort compromise..
Correctly erasing the violent speed bumps in the city center, the fork and the shock absorber – slightly revised for 2017 – without flinching the – very – strong braking then the acceleration on open country roads, including on the worst coated.
It is hardly that in the fast sequences that the character a rebounding hair of the road Kawasaki will be able to pain the apprentices Jonathan Rea or Tom Sykes. Real fans of champions perched on their radical sports ZX will still have to spit in the gloves to overtake their comrades in SX … Challenge met ?
In terms of price finally, even if the latter is not yet completely finalized, the Z1000SX scores a point against its cousin Superbike and, more importantly, against its Germanic rival since the new road from Kawasaki will be displayed during December in concession "between 13,500 and 14,000 €".
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