KAWASAKI Z1000 (2010 - 2013) Review

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £35

This bike has power no matter the gear you are in, so much so that down shifting is optional. This bike is fast and crazy fast once you enter the 8,000 rpm and up range! Breaks, suspension and handling are all good not to mention the gorgeous lines of the bike and the aggressive stance. All while giving the rider the ability to set more up right and comfortable for those longer rides. I wish the fuel mileage was better but it's probably me since it's hard to keep out of the throttle. This bike is a lot of fun to ride and to have that kind of power just a small twist of the throttle away is exhilarating to say the least. You can't go wrong with this bike and the bang for your buck is just icing on the cake.

Buying experience: Bought used in 2021 from Southwest Superbikes in Dallas TX. Advertised price was $7470, purchased for $7300. Bike was 8 years old with 2,222 miles, looked brand new.

Version: Z1000 ABS

Year: 2010

I've had this bike for almost 5 years now and it was my dream bike when I bought it. I feel the styling of this generation in particular will make it a future classic. Bought with 11,000km on it, now at 46,000km and it just keeps rewarding me when I twist the throttle. This bike seriously hauls ass and is in a perfect spot power/acceleration wise right where if you had any more you'd be needing/wanting electronics to tame it down. I've done a lot to the bike, 4-2-1 Akrapovic system, K&N filter, airbox mod, HM Quickshifter plus, PCV and dyno tune. She puts down 143.3hp to the rear tyre and never fails to put a smile on my face. Must mods if you happen upon a stock or mostly stock one would be a 16T front sprocket (+1), that eliminated the vibey feel from the motor, and you can go up teeth on the rear to keep the gearing similar. Definitely put on 190/55 tyres instead of 190/50, improves handling and tip in. Benefits from a gear indicator for sure as many owners incl. myself report trying to click into '7th' at highway speeds.

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £130

The thing I love in this bike it's the feel you have when you ride it. The power it delivers can move a mountain!!!!!

Year: 2013

Annual servicing cost: £200

The Z1000 has great syling and draws a few admiring comments whenever it's parked. The seating position is upright and relaxed and the bike is lively and fun to ride under 60 mph. On the down side, the bike is heavy, it's gearing has you permanently looking for a seventh gear, the engine is low powered for a 1000cc and the seat is crippling after about 100 miles.

Buying experience: I bought the Z1000 privately for around £6000 at less than a year old. The bike was in mint condition save for some poorly installed heated grips.

This bike is so much fun to ride and, in my opinion, better in every way then an speed triple. The build quality is on a par with the big H, while the S3 struggles to make it through winter without a lot of corrosion setting in. The bike handles really well and has far more potential than me unfortunately The motor is excellent, but I wish it had a little more rev range to play with, and the tank range is a little annoying sometimes as you need to be on the hunt for a fill up after 90 or so miles(riding in the way Mr Kawasaki intended) or if you ride like a old lady you could probably see a bit more Otherwise I cant fault it,I just wish I fit it better, at 6 ft 2 and 16 stone Im a bit big for it really so I'm off to buy a zzr soon Do yourself a favour and fit Pirelli angel st's and dump the o.e tyres, a huge improvement over standard and good value

Excellent bike, ride and handling are great when set up properly and you replace the poor OEM tyres (rear only lasted 2100 miles). Bit buzzy around 6k revs and a bigger tank would have been better also rear mudguard is useless. Brilliant to ride in the real world, brakes are good, power is usable and its quick enough. It looks amazing puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.

loved the looks although some people hate it just because it is Kawasaki and is not Triumph written on it. not the best in terms of handling but acceptable. suspensions and forks needs attention. the speedometer is rubbish in looks, data and colour. surprisingly small tank for a naked Bike, gives you about 100 miles between visits.comfortable for the rider but annoying for the pillion as there is no grab-rail apart from two tiny holes under the seat and the only option available from Renntec is useless and rubbish. overall is acceptable as naked Bike with some minor issues.

Read my full review on http://ridingthecarolinas.blogspot.com/

awesome

Like its looks power & torque should make it a very usefull bit of kit. However Honda have had this power & torque in a naked with an alloy frame for ten years, better fuel range too, some lead others follow.

Engine is smooth and torquey. Have just finished running in by the book (under 7k rpm) and managed ~50mpg on every tank= 150mile tank range - fuel gauge emptys very quickly though but don't pay attention to this I did 30 miles on reserve. 7k rpm is 100mph and I was impressed just with the pull under 7k - didn't think I needed more. 7k to 12k this beast is rapid and really pulls well out of the corners chewing up the OEM Dunlop Qualifiers. Engine is silky smooth and the seat is hard at first but beds in. Handling is taut and firm with fully adjustable front and rear suspension - very stable and it soaks up bumbps 100% more than the '09 Z. Excellent damping which I have yet to play with. There was a very annoying buzz on my clocks at 30mph but dealer sorted this and pillion seat is far too hard. Fuelling seems perfect to me, no lag coming off or onto throttle. I am very impressed with ride and handling mostly, engine compliments this well and build quality and attention to detail is top notch. Wind protection is surprisingly good, cruising above 60mph is a pleasure. Brakes have a soft bite but when squeezed really work well. Can't really fault her - and can't wait to ride her next.

the bike being new from the ground up, now having a aluminum frame,make this bike handle like a true sports bike.Clutch shift and feel are also improved dramatically over previous models.The engine is very smooth and mostly vibration free, but could use some more power,as it runs out of rpm's on the highway where you have only one gear left.the brakes are very capable except for the rears which don't seem to be connected to anything..ergonomics are excellent.This is a bike you can and want to ride for day's on end.A truly excellent evolved bike from the original.

Great fun, certainly gives you the smile factor, excellant performance and handling, always draws a crowd wherever it's parked. Bit vibey but all part of the fun. Only drawbacks are the fuel range and seat not too comfortable after 100 miles but if that concerns you, buy a tourer. Well worth the money and all in all, a fantastic bike, well done Kawasaki.

overpriced at 8500 but better than a speed triple inspite of what MCN say, ive had em both in 5 yrs.The build quality alone knocks spots off the trumpet!