First Ride: Kawasaki Z1000SX

Kawasaki’s updated Z1000SX is currently being put through it’s paces in Austria by MCN’s Phil West and here are his first impressions.

‘The SX has been a massive hit for Kawasaki in the UK being by far their best selling bike, so there wasn’t much they needed to change but even so they have made a host of changes which take nothing away from this classy sports tourer but adds a good few things that it needed.

The rear spring is new and give a much tauter ride it’s got brand new superbike spec monobloc front brakes which are one finger good. The engine has been honed and is gruntier than ever plus it has now been given three way traction control and twin driving modes. All of which make the SX sportier, classier and a nicer place to be.

The best of all it has all new integrated one key panniers designed specifically for the SX which look great and are easy to use, this are a £500 optional extra. All these goodies come for just £100 than the outgoing model at £9299 or £9699 for the ABS version.’

The full report will be in MCN on this sale on 25 September.