2014 Kawasaki z1000 | GTAMotorcycle.com

2014 Kawasaki z1000

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boywonder

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Has anyone ridden the 2014 Kawasaki z1000?
I was at Kahuna yesterday for the Honda demo ride/ bar-b-q. I sat on the z1000 and it was super small and compact. I am only 5 foot 7 and I could easily flat foot both sides at once which is rare for me on ss bikes.

I hate to admit it but I'm starting to actually like the looks of it even the front light.

Just wondering how it rides and how it would be for commuting within the GTA daily?
 
boywonder said:
Has anyone ridden the 2014 Kawasaki z1000?
I was at Kahuna yesterday for the Honda demo ride/ bar-b-q. I sat on the z1000 and it was super small and compact. I am only 5 foot 7 and I could easily flat foot both sides at once which is rare for me on ss bikes.

I hate to admit it but I'm starting to actually like the looks of it even the front light.

Just wondering how it rides and how it would be for commuting within the GTA daily?
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I have ridden its faired brother, the Ninja 1000. After riding the Ninja 1000, I started seriously contemplating on getting a naked street bike (SuperDuke, Z1000, CB1000R and the S1000R mainly) and converting my 750 to a track bike. The only thing holding me back is funds.
 
I have it down to either the 2014 z1000 or 2014 Tuono V4R. I love the comfortable seating position of the naked bikes.
 
boywonder said:
I have it down to either the 2014 z1000 or 2014 Tuono V4R. I love the comfortable seating position of the naked bikes.
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Last year, I was in the same situation as you. Never really payed much attention to "Naked" bikes but as I'm getting older, ridding a SS was becoming more and more uncomfortable. I love the looks of the Kawi but having owned mostly Italian bikes for the last few years, I decided to go with the Tuono. I can do 8 hours on it, no problem. Good luck with your decision.


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Can't go wrong with the Z. Tons of power, great handling, comfortable ergonomics, great looking (imo), and best of all is japanese reliability/low maintenance and huge dealer network. If I didn't love my hard luggage so much the Z would probably be the bike I'd want.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
 
HELLBOY said:
Wouldn't go so far to as to say "a LOT more bike" in comparison to the Tuono. They're both great bikes, and electronics aside, the Tuono might even be more powerful? (Forgot the specs)
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Every comparison that I have read, the S1000R lost to the KTM and the Aprilia. I was expecting more from BWM; specially after producing the amazing S1000RR.
 
The ninja 1000 and z1000 are so underated here.
 
I have been reading my digital July Motorcyclist mag and they did a 6 bike naked comparo. The Z1000 finished last but I think a big part of that position was due to how it performed on the track. However, for the other 98% of the usage of the bike it would not matter.

I do not think I am anywhere near ready for a bike of this caliber but I can see the allure of these bikes. Cool looks, comfy ergonomics (at least compared to a SS), and ridiculous power.
 
veteq said:
Every comparison that I have read, the S1000R lost to the KTM and the Aprilia. I was expecting more from BWM; specially after producing the amazing S1000RR.
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But chicks and StarBucks patrons would be so much more impressed by the BMW logo. They won't know what the hell the other makes are.

Where do you even buy a KTM anyways? Parts supply must be a nightmare.
 
Zoodles95 said:
The Z1000 finished last but I think a big part of that position was due to how it performed on the track. However, for the other 98% of the usage of the bike it would not matter.
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I had a moment to reflect on that yesterday as a KZ1000J Superbike replica pulled into Icehouse. That was my dream bike all thru the '80's while I was splitting time between a cafe racer CB750 and eratz Z1B superbike. The Z1000 would put those all those bikes to shame in every measurable way. Hands down. Bikes today are so damn good. Even last place finishers.
 
inreb said:
I had a moment to reflect on that yesterday as a KZ1000J Superbike replica pulled into Icehouse. That was my dream bike all thru the '80's while I was splitting time between a cafe racer CB750 and eratz Z1B superbike. The Z1000 would put those all those bikes to shame in every measurable way. Hands down. Bikes today are so damn good. Even last place finishers.
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I think today's bikes are amazing. Heck, the modern 600cc SS bikes have more power than the litre bikes of my youth and weigh considerably less to boot.
 
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Zoodles95 said:
I think today's bikes are amazing. Heck, the modern 600cc SS bikes have more power than the litre bikes of my youth and weigh considerably less to boot.
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so true.

SunnY S said:
But chicks and StarBucks patrons would be so much more impressed by the BMW logo. They won't know what the hell the other makes are.

Where do you even buy a KTM anyways? Parts supply must be a nightmare.
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GPbikes sells KTM.
 
veteq said:
Last year, I was in the same situation as you. Never really payed much attention to "Naked" bikes but as I'm getting older, ridding a SS was becoming more and more uncomfortable. I love the looks of the Kawi but having owned mostly Italian bikes for the last few years, I decided to go with the Tuono. I can do 8 hours on it, no problem. Good luck with your decision.


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Whats it like on the hwy? Any wind protection offered by that bikini fairing?
 
I own a 2013 z1000 and boy this bike has power!!! I come from ss and I must say this beast is very comfy. I looked at the s1000r but had to go with Japanese reliability. I am happy with it.
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
Whats it like on the hwy? Any wind protection offered by that bikini fairing?
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It's a naked bike. By definition you should not expect a lot of wind protection. I own a black Tuono V4 and I had Z1000 (but 03 model) in the past. V4 engine is way superior to I4. Totally different beast and I like it a lot! But I do agree that Japanese bikes are more reliable than Italian. Also they Tuono services are more expensive, especially major ones, like valves adjustment, etc. But I do all maintains by myself, so it's not an issue for me.
 
veteq said:
Last year, I was in the same situation as you. Never really payed much attention to "Naked" bikes but as I'm getting older, ridding a SS was becoming more and more uncomfortable. I love the looks of the Kawi but having owned mostly Italian bikes for the last few years, I decided to go with the Tuono. I can do 8 hours on it, no problem. Good luck with your decision.


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Beautiful bike but do you not have to inject novocaine into your *** to endure that seat for 8h? I've seen more padding on an Ethiopean chicken.
 
EX500R2001 said:
It's a naked bike. By definition you should not expect a lot of wind protection.
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Thanks Sherlock. It's got some small fairings and the headlight is more than just a light housing which is why I asked if there was ANY protection.
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