Kawasaki Z1000SX

Power to move you

The Z1000SX has the power to move you, matching sports style, response and performance with more practical features such as a refined pannier option and the addition of new electronic rider aids as well as braking and suspension upgrades. As a sports or touring platform, the Z1000SX has few, if any, rivals. Add the timeless Kawasaki DNA and it is sits proudly in a class of one.

2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX Key Features:

Cool Air system

Intake ducts at the front of the side fairings route a steady supply of cool air to the engine. The Cool Air system routes cool air to the airbox from ducts at the front of the side fairings, minimising performance loss due to heated intake air.

Inverted front fork

41 mm inverted fork is adjustable for compression and rebound damping and spring preload. Sportier settings deliver quicker handling while maintaining excellent ride comfort, ensuring the response and handling for enjoyable street riding both in town and in the hills.

1,043 cm3 liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-line Four

Powerful engine pulls strongly from all rpm and does not let up before the redline. Adding to rider exhilaration, the engine delivers superb response, a strong mid-range hit and an intoxicating intake howl. More direct response thanks to revised engine settings adds to the Z1000SX’s sporty street riding potential.

Integrated panniers

Accessory panniers offer increased touring potential. Revised mounting system allows the panniers to be better integrated into the rear section of the bike, and ensures the Z1000SX’s sleek sporty looks are maintained when the panniers are removed. (Available as accessory).

Mass centralisation

Under-engine pre-chamber, Horizontal Back-link rear suspension and downdraft throttle bodies are the key elements to mass centralisation. Light, nimble handling is the result.

Pre-chamber and short silencers

Using an under-engine pre-chamber enables smaller-volume silencers, contributing to both mass centralisation and a more concentrated styling. Revised silencer end-cap design adds to sporty looks.

LED taillight

Slim and compact tail cowl design moves mass both physically and visually away from the rear and toward the front. LED taillight with red LED bulbs and a smoked lens adds a touch of class to the tail cowl.

Horizontal Back-link rear suspension

This rear suspension arrangement offers excellent performance while contributing to mass centralisation. A stiffer spring and revised damping settings contribute to more direct handling, while a new remote preload adjuster facilitates setting up for rides with a passenger and/or luggage.

Seductive full-fairing styling

The Z1000SX’s well-integrated full-fairing styling offers a good indication of its sporty character. The sensuous styling is both audacious and subtle at the same time. Full-fairing bodywork gives the Z1000SX a distinct, head-turning look. The sleek styling also offers a good measure of wind protection, facilitating short touring runs.

Radial-mount monobloc calipers

Supersport-style brake package includes triple petal discs, radial-mount monobloc calipers and radial-pump front brake master cylinder. The new Tokico monobloc calipers and new brake pad material contribute to a firmer initial touch, superb braking control and even more formidable stopping power.

Aluminium rear frame

Slender design makes it easier for riders to reach the ground while offering tandem comfort and under-seat storage space. Light weight contributes to mass centralisation.

Lightweight wheels

Supersport-style wheels reduce unsprung weight and contribute to racy styling.

Large-volume Fuel Tank

19 litre fuel tank offers a substantial touring range. Dynamic fuel tank design with tall upper surface features supersport-style flared edges with a trim shape at the rear, a shape that is easy to grip with the knees.

adjustable-windscreen

Windscreen has three available positions spanning approximately 20o and ranging from sporty to maximum wind protection, to suit rider preference. Adjustment can be done by hand (no tools required) by depressing the release button below the instrument panel.

Relaxed riding position

The Z1000SX relaxed riding position was designed to accommodate everything from city riding to touring to sport riding. This blend of comfort and control allows the rider to enjoy a variety of riding situations. Relatively upright position offers both control and comfort.

Aluminium passenger grips

Ergonomic passenger grips are easy to grab, contributing to passenger confidence.

Aluminium twin-tube frame

The highly rigid aluminium frame features a high degree of mass centralisation, ensuring a balance of sharp turning and firm handling. Aluminium twin-tube frame design features frame beams that go over engine, allowing a narrow construction that is easy to grip with the knees.

Numerous accessories

In addition to the accessory panniers, a top case and numerous other accessories add to the Ninja 1000’s touring potential and everyday versatility.

Dual throttle valves

Late-model sport bikes often use large-bore throttle bodies to generate high levels of power. However, with large diameter throttles, when a rider suddenly opens the throttle, the unrestricted torque response is anything but gentle and often more than the rider can handle. Dual throttle valve technology was designed to tame engine response while contributing to performance. On fuel-injected models, throttle bodies generally have only one throttle valve per cylinder. On models with dual throttle valves, there are two throttle valves per cylinder: in addition to the main valves, which are physically linked to the throttle grip and controlled by the rider, a second set of valves, opened and closed by the ECU, precisely regulates intake airflow to ensure a natural, linear response. With the air passing through the throttle bodies becoming smoother, combustion efficiency in improved and power is increased. Like other Kawasaki engine management technology, Dual Throttle Valves were designed with the philosophy of "following the rider’s intention, while providing natural-feeling support." They are featured on many Kawasaki models.

KTRC (3-MODE)

3-mode KTRC combines the traction control technology of both 1-mode KTRC, which provides enhanced stability in slippery situations by preventing wheel slip, and S-KTRC, which helps maintain optimum traction in sport riding situations by predicting the rear wheel slip ratio during acceleration, into a single system. The convenient handle switch allows the type of traction control to be changed instantly by selecting one of the three modes, even while riding. Modes 1 and 2 maintain optimum traction during cornering, like S-KTRC. Designed with sport riding in mind, they enable sharp acceleration out of corners by maximising forward drive from the rear wheel. Modes 1 and 2 differ in the amount that they intervene. Mode 1, set for dry, good-grip road conditions, maintains the ideal slip ratio to ensure optimum traction. Mode 3 operates like 1-mode KTRC, reducing power to allow grip to be regained when rear wheel spin is detected. It is ideal when riding in slippery conditions or in the wet. Enabling riders to easily change traction control character, 3-mode KTRC is Kawasaki’s most advanced engine management system.

Horizontal Back-link Rear Suspension

Compared to Kawasaki’s traditional Uni-Trak rear suspension, which mounts the shock unit vertically, with Horizontal Back-link rear suspension, the shock unit is almost horizontal. Kawasaki’s original suspension arrangement locates the shock unit very close to the bike’s centre of gravity, greatly contributing to mass centralisation. And because there is no linkage or shock unit protruding beneath the swingarm, this frees up space for a larger exhaust pre-chamber (an exhaust expansion chamber situated just upstream of the silencer). With a larger pre-chamber, silencer volume can be reduced, and heavy exhaust components can be concentrated closer to the centre of the bike, further contributing to mass centralisation. The result is greatly improved handling. Another benefit is that the shock unit is placed far away from exhaust heat. Because it is more difficult for heat from the exhaust system to adversely affect suspension oil and gas pressure, suspension performance is more stable. Horizontal Back-link rear suspension offers numerous secondary benefits like this.

Power Modes

Power modes offer riders an easily selectable choice between Full and Low Power. While Full Power is unrestricted, in Low Power mode maximum power is limited to approximately 75-80% of Full. Response is also milder in Low Power mode. Riders may opt to use Low Power mode for rainy conditions or city riding, and Full Power when sport riding. Available on the Ninja ZX-14R / ZZR1400, Versys 1000 and other key models, when combined with the 3-mode KTRC (+ OFF) traction control system, Power Mode selection offers a total of eight combinations (KTRC: Mode 1/2/3+OFF x Power Mode: Full/Low) to suit a wide range of riding situations. For example, an experienced rider enjoying sport riding on dry pavement might choose Full Power and Mode 1. On a wet or slippery surface, choosing Low Power and Mode 3 would yield the lowest chance of incurring wheel spin, and with the milder throttle response would offer a high level of riding safety.

Economical Riding Indicator

Using high-precision electronic control for engine management, Kawasaki models can achieve a high level of fuel efficiency. However, fuel consumption is greatly affected by throttle use, gear selection, and other elements under the rider’s control. The Economical Riding Indicator is a function that indicates when current riding conditions are consuming a low amount of fuel. The system continuously monitors fuel consumption, regardless of vehicle speed, engine speed, throttle position and other riding conditions. When fuel consumption is low for a given speed (i.e. fuel efficiency is high), an "ECO" mark appears on the instrument panel’s LCD screen. By riding so that the "ECO" mark remains on, fuel consumption can be reduced. While effective vehicle speed and engine speed may vary by model, paying attention to conditions that cause the "ECO" mark to appear can help riders improve their fuel efficiency – a handy way to increase cruising range. Further, keeping fuel consumption low also helps minimise negative impact on the environment.