Tuning: Z-Supermoto by Thomas Holzner

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Test: Kawasaki Z Moto 1000

WahnZinn: Kawasaki Z Moto 1000

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The Kawasaki Z 1000 just celebrated its 40th anniversary and has been a popular base for crazy conversions all these years. But what an Aalen tuner now made of the Z is unique madness.

For “Q”, James Bond’s brilliant designer gimmick, that would have been an exciting task. “Build me out of one Kawasaki Z 1000 a handy supermoto, Q! ”That only works in films, I thought. Goal when “Boddle” Schellberg started a Megamoto racing series a few years ago and people like Napalm Inge built a Megamoto rocket from an ordinary Yamaha R1 using Flex and a lot of money, I was taught better.

Test: Kawasaki Z Moto 1000

WahnZinn: Kawasaki Z Moto 1000

Z 1000 with over 240 kilos of bacon on its ribs? The tuner "Warm up "from Aalen was not afraid, Thomas Holzner took up this challenge. What’s more, he created a bewitchingly beautiful Z-Supermoto. But can she keep what her look promises? We wouldn’t be PS if we didn’t have the ultimate test ready. A few organizational calls later it is fixed: We will drive this green and gold eye candy in the Supermoto Show Arena at Messe Friedrichshafen.

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The Kawasaki Z Moto 1000 in Supermoto style.

So while she is waiting for the tire warmers to be used, we notice the attention to detail of the "warm-up" makers all the more. Our photographer is constantly finding new, even more exciting details. To list all of them at this point would go beyond any limit, so here are a few of the most beautiful: For the geometry and a driving experience typical of Supermoto, the handlebars, triple tree, grips and shock absorbers have been changed and the rear has been raised. In order to give the Z this completely independent appearance, many self-developed and laminated special parts such as the stern, front spoiler and light mask were necessary. A lot of attention was paid to the color scheme of the entire motorcycle. But not just in the style of paint on tank and plastic, done. The finest airbrush was applied and coordinated, and also paid homage to Z-racing legend Eddie Lawson. Whether the engine, coolant hoses or add-on parts such as brake lines – everything is painted either in Kawa green or gold. Even the chain shines in a wonderful neon green. Another visual treat: the green lacquered spoke wheels.

The technical refinements were also creative. Ignition lock? Superfluous! The Z is activated remotely using the M-Lock. The series cockpit finally found space in the tank. Simply great, because the Z looks unbelievably tidy. As soon as you take a seat, you almost feel like you are in Z’schen Supermoto heaven. Isn’t it wonderful when it is really consistently and skillfully converted?

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The muffler with the two pipes fits in harmoniously with the self-constructed rear end.

The exhaust is really awesome, a wonderful underseat system with a roaring loud sound. Absolutely cool, wildly growling, even if it is clearly too loud for the street despite the E number. Anyway, we’re in the Supermoto hall in Friedrichshafen. Tire warmers down, the driving pleasure can begin. Doubts about the compatibility of the Z 1000 and Supermoto style are quickly dispelled. The converted Z enables an active and typical sitting position. The circuit is easy and inconspicuous to operate even with the somewhat bulky boots. The tight route layout demands everything from the bike, geometry and condition of the rider. There is actually no time to take a breath or let your arms hang down in a straight line. Bend follows a bend and actually you are always somehow sloping.

But no problem, after just a few laps the green is like a second racing skin. And with increasing speed, drifting also works. I drive out of the tight bends with a lot of clutch, almost like a 125cc cross machine, because the selected gear ratio is far too long for indoor use. However, once you have overcome the first torque hole, things really get down to business. The Kawa can be directed precisely from the curve to the next vertex. The Z spurts perfectly thanks to the warmed up Pirelli Supercorsa SP. Even deep braking in a full lean position is easily possible with a little counter pressure. The front brake could, however, be more toxic for these tight bends, because second gear is also fully accelerated. You have to anchor powerfully to recapture the horrific mass of the Z in front of the audience.

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The speedometer and rev counter sit in the tank, which pays homage to Z legend Eddie Lawson (# 21).

Otherwise, it is simply unbelievable how nimble this supposed colossus with almost one liter of displacement whizzes through these tight turns. The guys from "Warm up" did their job with flying colors. I only run over the six-meter-long table with a little discomfort. The attraction is great to pull it up every time you approach it, but I doubt that this two meter high table nailed together at 70 km / h would withstand the 210 kilos of the conversion plus my 90 kilos of body mass on landing. Fortunately, the route designers have created a bypass lane. Not because of the pile of boards. It would have just broken my heart to have to bring the Z back to the tuner’s showroom in two or more parts – and to him first.

We gave a clear “thumbs up” to this one-off piece, Q would certainly not have managed it so well. It’s nice when reality is better than the cinema. If you don’t believe it, you can marvel at the bike from January 25th to 27th at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Center. A supermoto track is prepared, maybe the builder can join the group of wild supermoto show drivers and do a few laps. That would be awesome, because the sound of this Z is infernal in the hall!

Naked bike

The Kawa fighter after 25,000 kilometers

Interim balance: Endurance test Kawasaki Z 1000

read more

Exhaust & silence

Product test: exhaust systems for the Kawasaki Z 1000

Accessory silencer for Kawasaki’s naked bike

read more

Tourer

Generation comparison

27 years of Kawasaki sports tourers: GPZ 900 R and Z 1000 SX

read more

PS data

jkuenstle.de

Doubts about the compatibility of the Z 1000 and Supermoto style are quickly dispelled.

Kawasaki Z Moto 1000 (Z 1000 Bj. 2005)

Drive:
Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, bore x stroke 77.2 x 50.9 mm, displacement 953 cm³, 93.4 kW (127 PS) at 10,000 rpm, 96 Nm at 8,000 rpm, two chain-driven ones at the top Camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, wet sump lubrication, injection, Ø 38 mm, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, special green chain.

Landing gear:
Backbone frame made of steel, load-bearing motor, upside-down supermoto special fork conversion, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, rear lift kit Wheelbase 1415 mm, steering head angle 66.5 degrees.

Wheels and brakes:
Spoked rims 3.50 x 17 "and 6.00 x 17" painted green, tires 120/70 ZR 17 and 190/50 ZR 17 Pirelli Supercorsa SP, wave double disc brakes at the front with two four-piston radial fixed calipers and steel flex brake line, rear disc brakes with single-piston floating caliper. Without ABS.

Weight (full tank) *:
210 kg, tank capacity 18 liters

Base price:
20,000 euros

* Manufacturer information

Naked bike

The Kawa fighter after 25,000 kilometers

Interim balance: Endurance test Kawasaki Z 1000

read more

Tourer

Generation comparison

27 years of Kawasaki sports tourers: GPZ 900 R and Z 1000 SX

read more

Exhaust & silence

Product test: exhaust systems for the Kawasaki Z 1000

Accessory silencer for Kawasaki’s naked bike

read more

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