PERFORMANCE
ENGINE & GEARBOX
Thrusting the 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 is a liquid cooled 1043cc inline four engine- the same motor that powers the 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (read our review here). Treated to revised ECU settings and camshaft timings, connectors between the header pipes and new cylinder connecting passageways, the Z produces improved punch in the mid and higher rev range. The power and torque figures might be similar to the N1000 reading 140 bhp @ 10,000 rpm and 111 nm @ 7300 rpm respectively- but the Z is a different animal here.
When compared to the N1000, the Z feels restless and more eager to get that front wheel airborne- thanks to those two extra teeth in the rear sprocket. While we were overwhelmed with the N1000’s ability to crawl through traffic in the higher gears- the Z1000 with the extra 2 teeth bettered our earlier experience. Refinement from the engine is trademark Japanese and the gearbox is extremely light even while in hammering mode. We remember trundling around in 6th gear with the speedo reading 25 kph. And the best part- you could go all the way to its claimed top speed of 240 kph without troubling your left foot.
Acceleration is crisp and the beautiful inline four hum transforms into riotous resonance with the revs climbing high. It’s indeed amazing that just two extra teeth in the rear sprocket create an absolute hooligan in the Z1000. While the N1000 would feel relaxed while being thrashed – the Z behaves as if delivered a high dose of testosterone. It would lunge ahead with zest on every shift and with its street riding posture, one really doesn’t have an option but to grasp the bars tight. With a forward-canted riding position and lack of any wind protection, the Z pushes you back further into the seat and in upwards of 150 kph- takes you closer to the experience of being caught in a storm. Top speed tests took a beating and we couldn’t get any further with the speedo reading 188 kph with all hell breaking loose around us. All this might not make for a pleasurely reading, but the adrenaline rush the Z manages to send through your veins is beyond compare.
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