The Kawasaki Kz1000 or Z1000 is a motorcycle made in Japan by Kawasaki, released in September 1976 as a 1977 model to replace the 1976 Kawasaki KZ900, which in turn replaced the Z1 launched in 1972 in the Z series. It has an inline-four cylinder engine and a 5-speed transmission, in a 'one down and four up' configuration. Producing about 90 hp, it was one of the fastest production motorcycles of the era. The police model continued in production until 2005.
Model differences
Some of the significant differences between the KZ900 and the KZ1000 include that the 1000 has a heavier crankshaft for less engine vibration, smoother acceleration and a larger displacement. The 1000 received a rear disc brake. There were various configurations of specifications and assembly, such as having the choice between chain-drive and shaft-drive. The cruiser version LTD was assembled in Nebraska and sold in the United States and Canada. Kawasaki swapped the traditional 4-4 exhaust for the 4-2 Jardine exhaust on the LTD and quiet and restrictive muffler on the 1000 A1 and A2 as shown in the top photo in this article. The KZ1000 came with either a chain drive or shaft drive in 1979 and 1980 named ST and SHAFT, KZ1000E1 and E2. The frame on the KZ1000 was a conventional featherbed design, but was not significantly changed in over 30 years of production. The 1980 Kawasaki Z1000H was Kawasaki's first fuel injected motorcycle and based on the KZ1000A3/A4 Mk.II frame and body work. There were only 1000 examples of the Z1000H made for the global market. In the US market, the Z1000G "Z-1 Classic", based on the LTD frame and body work, also featured the same fuel injection system used on the Z1000H. The 1981 Kawasaki Z1000J debuted with Kawasaki's new "J" motor with displacement down to the drop in displacement from 1015cc to 998cc was in order to comply with the new rule for superbike racing-which stipulated a maximum of 1000cc.. For the 1982 model year, Kawasaki introduced the KZ1000R1 Eddie Lawson Replica ; based on the KZ1000J2. The 1983 model was designated KZ1000R2 with cams and a cylinder head from the 1982 GPz1100B2, boosted power from 102 to 104 at 8500 rpm. The bike had a limited run of 750, and was named after the Eddie Lawson 1981-1982 Superbike. It had a claimed rear wheel HP @ 8,500rpm and dry. Aside from the 1982-2005 KZ1000P Police motorcycle, the model was discontinued in 1984, in favor of Kawasaki's liquid-cooled bike, the Ninja GPZ900R.
Wheels and tyres
The Kz1000P has 18 inch cast wheels with Dunlop run-flat tires. The front tire is size MN90-18, and the back tire is size MR90-18.
Accessories
The KZ1000 had optional dealer installed Windjammer brand fairing, saddle bags, sissy bar and highway bars. Highway bars were also used for comfort on long trips and sometimes held additional lighting.
Z1000 Z1-R
The Kawasaki Z1000 Z1-R is a Japanese motorcycle from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Styling characteristics are the front fairing, black engine finish, the 4-into-1 factory exhaust system and cast wheels.
History
Following the success of the original Z1000, Kawasaki developed the "Z1-R" as a new top model that would set standards in design and performance. This emphasized motorcycle with a fixed half-shell fairing was only available with a metallic silver-blue paint. Although the design was well received from the potential buyers, sales remained unsatisfactory after tests in motorcycle magazines. They criticized the poor engine performance and the small fuel tank. Readers of the German Motorrad magazine selected the Z1-R as their Motorcycle of the Year for 1977.
Z1R-TC
The Z1-R was introduced for the 1978 model year, the same year as the Yamaha XS11, the Suzuki GS1000, and the Honda CBX. Magazine tests showed all three competing bikes to be quicker in the performance test. In response, the company quickly introduced the semi-production, turbocharged Z1R-TC.
Police use
The KZ1000C and KZ1000P were police sub-models. The KZ1000C was based on the 1977-1980 KZ1000 while the KZ1000P was based on the "J" model. They had a number of technical problems, including electromagnetic interference between some radios that caused problems for the ignition system. In addition, the combined set of equipment mounted at the rear caused high-speed handling difficulties.. That said, with a relatively light weight, comfortable seat, good cornering clearance and powerful engine, it remained so popular for the police market that it remained in production until 2005.
Motorsport
The Z1000 was successfully raced in European, Australian, American and British Superbike racing. A KZ1000 ridden by Reg Pridmore won the AMA Superbike Championship in 1977 and 1978. Pops Yoshimura first began to make his reputation in the mid-1970s by fielding fast, reliable Kawasaki KZ1000s in the AMA Superbike championships. Kawasaki Z1000s tuned by Mamoru Moriwaki were successfully raced in the Australian Superbike championships in the late 1970s by New Zealander Graeme Crosby. John Cowie riding a Z1000 for the Pecket & McNab team, won the 1978 British ACU Formula One championship for production bikes. Freddie Spencer rode a KZ1000 during the 1979 AMA Superbike Championship, winning two races and finishing third in the final championship points standings. Wayne Gardner and co-rider John Pace qualified their Moriwaki-Kawasaki Z1000 on pole position at the prestigious 1981 Suzuka 8 Hours, ahead of all the major factory racing teams. Also in 1981, Eddie Lawson won the AMA Superbike Championship for Kawasaki on a factory-backed KZ1000S1.
Film and TV appearances
The KZ1000C was ridden by California Highway Patrol officers Ponch and Jon of the 1977–1984 TV show CHiPs. It was also in the anime television seriesGreat Teacher Onizuka, and ridden by Keanu Reeves in the film Chain Reaction. Fourteen of the motorcycles in Mad Max were Z1000s. The bikes were donated by a local Kawasaki dealer and modified in appearance by Melbourne business La Parisienne; one as a police bike ridden by 'The Goose', and thirteen for members of the Toecutter's gang, played by a real motorcycle club called the Vigilantes. The KZ1000P appeared in the 1991 movie.
