Kawasaki Z1000: first official pictures and specs

First official studio shots and specifications of Z1000SX-powered naked bike

KAWASAKI has officially unveiled its updated Z1000 at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

As revealed by Visordown last night ahead of the show, the litre naked bike shares its 1043cc engine and specifications with the 2014 Z1000SX, making 142hp and 81.8lbft of torque.

It's a tweaked version of the engine shared by 2013 versions of both the Z1000SX and Z1000.

The new Z1000's aluminium frame is unchanged but Kawasaki says the bike has a 'stiffer, more direct ride feel' thanks to new seperate-function big-piston forks 'with preload adjustability in the left tube and damping duties in the right'.

Other new features include a wide, flat aluminium handlebar and radial-mounted monobloc brake calipers which Kawasaki says deliver stronger bite.

The fuel tank has been increased from 15 to 17 litres.

Without ABS it weighs 220kg, 2kg more than the old version. With ABS its weight is unchanged, at 221kg.

According to Kawasaki, the model's performance and new styling 'can be expressed by the word sugomi' meaning 'the intense aura or energy given off by a person or object of greatness and felt by the viewer'. Ahem.   

New exhaust internals contribute to a 'more dramatic' sound, the firm says.

The new Z1000 comes in grey/green, orange and black, with prices to be announced.