Best Standard Kawasaki Z1000

In our Oddball Sport-Touring Shootout the Z surprised even us as to how well it performs when placed into a role where it isn’t expected to excel.

The Z1000 is adept at stunts like this. However, after much experience blasting around town, and up and down the state of California, we found the Z makes an excellent all-‘round motorcycle. Rebirth of the UJM, perhaps?

The Z1000 is adept at stunts like this. However, after much experience blasting around town, and up and down the state of California, we found the Z makes an excellent all-‘round motorcycle. Rebirth of the UJM, perhaps?

Its nod to the streetfighter style means an open, upright riding position with little to shield the rider from the elements. Yet rarely does a rider feel cheated by a lack of a substantial windshield. An easy reach to the one-piece handlebar, roomy cockpit, humane seat height and a 481-lb wet weight combine to make the Z a friendly, manageable motorcycle. Smooth, linear power from its liter-class inline-Four paired with excellent throttle response enhances the Z1000’s user-friendly nature. But with over 123 hp at the wheel, an agile yet stable chassis and good brakes, the Z is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The naked Kawi’s numerous admirable qualities mean to us that this bike is capable of filling many roles, making a case for itself as a new UJM. From commuter to canyon-carving sportbike slayer, from a lightweight tourer to everyday transportation, the Z’s got it covered. It even makes more horsepower and torque than MV Agusta’s $4,500 costlier Brutale 990R. The Z1000 does all this for the modest sum of $10,499.