Amazing Motor

Kawasaki Z1000 Groung Touch

Naked bikes have never sold well in the U.S. Although European brand loyalists surely beg to differ, the actual number of naked bikes sold here is miniscule compared to other categories, and especially tiny compared to the numbers sold in Europe. Thus its easy to see why most manufacturers American lineups are devoid of any fairing-less bikes that used to be the standard in the 70s. The attempts in the recent past-especially by the Japanese factories-have received a tepid response at best from American consumers.

So it was easy to wonder at first why Kawasaki was even bothering with the new Z1000. While the previous two generations of Z1000 were interesting bikes in their own right, both editions didnt exactly ring up major sales in the USA.

But there was a distinct enthusiasm for the new Z1000 among the Kawasaki personnel that went well beyond the usual company loyalty or sales pitches. "We were seriously considering just letting you ride the bikes first and skipping the tech presentation until afterward," admitted Kawasaki senior media relations manager Jeff Herzog at the 2010 Kawasaki Z1000 press launch in Cambria, California, "because we wanted to see your reaction after riding it. Riding the bike tells you more about it than any technical presentation ever could."

Actually, the new Z1000 almost never made it to American shores. After lackluster sales with two editions of the bike (the 07 model only made it to the 08 lineup before being axed a year later), Kawasaki Motor Corp USA product planning reps said "no thanks" when parent company Kawasaki Heavy Industries offered the 10 version Z1000. KHI management was persistent however, and asked the KMC reps to consider riding the bike before making a final judgment.

Ironically, it was a day spent riding the bike at Kawasakis world-class Autopolis racing circuit in Japan that convinced the American KMC reps that perhaps the KHI officials might be on to something. "We couldnt believe how much fun to ride the Z1000 really was," recalled Kawasaki product manager Karl Edmondson, "and its quickly become the favorite bike of everyone whos ridden it at KMC."

How could a bike that was merely a footnote in past years suddenly become the greatest thing since the color green to Kawasaki personnel? After all, the new Z1000 still bears more than a faint resemblance to the previous generation model.