Kawasaki Motors has launched the Z1000 in India for a price of Rs 12.5 lakh. This 2014 version of the motorcycle will hopefully create a large impact on the minds of the naked motorcycle fans with the combination of its mean appearance and scorching performance. The company has also launched the Ninja 1000, pricing it at Rs 12.5 lakh, at the same event in Pune.
The Kawasaki Z1000 is the first non-moniker Ninja to be sold in India. The motorcycle has been priced very aggressively and it is way below the ZX-10R and the ZX-14R. The Japanese motorcycle manufacturer will currently bring this motorcycle through the completely-built-up (CBU) route. We hope that the company sees a good demand for this motorcycle, eventually making the manufacturer to opt for the completely-knocked-down (CKD) route.
The naked motorcycle looks as aggressive as its price. The Z1000 has been built around a new aluminum frame housing the motor. It boasts of fully adjustable 41mm inverted SFF-BP forks in front and the main highlight is the preload and rebound adjustable back-link monoshock at the rear. The motorcycle brags about this monoshock which is almost horizontally mounted making the motorcycle have an optimal mass centralisation and heat resistance. The Z1000 comes with 310mm twin front petal discs and 250mm single rear petal disc. ABS is offered as standard.
The Kawasaki Z1000 is powered by the same 1,043cc, 16-valve, liquid-cooled inline-four cylinder engine that the Ninja 1000 is equipped with. However, to deliver its respective segment performance, the engines for both the motorcycles have been slightly remapped. The mill on the 2014 spec Z1000 produces 142bhp of power and 111Nm of torque. This motor also comes with a new cold air intake (CAI) system apart from the remapped ECU. The CAI system comprises of a new non-woven air filter element which receives fresh air via the extra ducts in the front of the motorcycle. These assist in better air flow at high rpms.
With these two new motorcycles, Kawasaki India has expanded its line-up to a total of six motorcycles. Presently, the Ninja 300, Ninja 650, Ninja ZX-10R and the ZX-14r are being sold in India. It looks like the company is going aggressive with their plans, with five bike launches in a single year.
We were the first to bring you the news of the Kawasaki Z1000 bookings that began last month and also about the Ninja 1000 that will be displayed at their Pune showroom. Our sources had informed us that the Japanese manufacturer is planning to launch the Ninja 1000 along with the Z1000. Now with the launch of the Z1000, we can see the litre-class naked motorcycles, the likes of Honda CB1000R and Yamaha FZ1 competing in the Indian motorcycle market.
