The
Kawasaki Z1000 2014 Z certainly talks the talk, as two new airbox intake
passageways give the engine a more visceral snarl from idle to redline. The
real benefit being a pleasant musical/mechanical accompaniment for the rider
while not disturbing the slumbering public as loud exhausts tend to do. And the
Z certainly enjoys playing its favorite rpm tune en route to its crescendo when
the red rpm lights begin at 10,500 revs.In addition to the rush of forward
acceleration made more prominent by virtue of shorter first-through-fifth gear
ratios (sixth gear is slightly taller than last year’s model), as well as
intake cams with 0.3mm less lift and 6° less duration, you’ll be feeling some
high-frequency vibes as the Z’s engine comes to a boil around 7,000 rpm.
Besides a minor off-to-on throttle abruptness (especially in first gear)
modulating the 1043cc engine’s power delivery isn’t difficult even though the Z
is absent traction control.
While
the Ninja 1000 ABS and Z1000 ABS share many attributes such as new front
radial-mount monobloc calipers and ABS braking, TC and selectable ride modes
aren’t included in the Z’s arsenal of technology. ABS is, in fact, the only
electronic tech gracing the Z. Kawasaki says it wants to maintain the raw
experience of riding a hooligan. However, incorporating technology like ride modes
and TC and being able to select the full-power Ride Mode and disabling the TC
would achieve the same result while giving Z owners the option of utilizing
more subdued settings if so desired.
At
$11,999 the new Z is priced well above Yamaha’s impressive FZ-09 ($7990) and
equal to the exotic MV Agusta Brutale 800 ($11,998). Both of these bikes are
dealing with their own gremlins (noted in our Four-Thirds Shootout: Tre Cool –
Video), but they also offer savings or technologies that anyone desiring a new
naked would likely consider. And with the aforementioned Super Duke R and
S1000R as well as our Hooligan Bike of 2013, Aprilia’s Tuono V4 R, the
available options are almost overwhelming.
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