When the Kawasaki “Large Zed” naked was discontinued just a few years again, it broke the hearts of many a folks. Some moved on, principally to the Honda CB1000 Hornet. Others merely selected to stay within the ghost of days passed by.
Now, in 2025, Kawasaki has chosen to convey again the liter-class bike, and far to the whims of many, carries the identical “Sugomi” ideology because the Z1000, which was final on sale within the USA in 2016 and within the UK in 2020.
And there’s not one, however two iterations – with the Z1100 and Z1100 SE. The bikes run on the identical 1,099 inline-four mill discovered on the Versys 1100 and Ninja 1100SX. However Kawasaki has made delicate modifications, together with a further 3 mm of stroke, which makes the engine corresponding to the 1,043cc motor used on the sooner 1000 variations.
Kawasaki
That’s not all there’s to it – the corporate has additionally up to date the consumption ports, camshaft profiles, valve springs, and pistons, whereas moreover incorporating a stronger flywheel. The output, you ask? It is 134 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 83.3 lb-ft (113 Nm) at 7,600 rpm.
Meaning it generates higher torque than the Z1000, which produced 81.8 lb-ft (111 Nm). The now-discontinued bare did produce higher energy, but it surely kicked in at round 10,000 rpm – precisely 1,000 revs extra.
The motor is linked to a six-speed slip/assist-equipped gearbox. The most important replace, although, comes within the type of a 4-2-1 exhaust on the correct facet, which takes the place of the previous double-exhaust design.
Including to the record of modifications, it will get upgraded LED lighting, a revised undercowl with fin-shaped apertures, plus a brand new handlebar that’s 0.9 inches (22 mm) broader and 0.5 inches (13 mm) farther ahead. This transformation, as one would count on, is to boost the bike’s ergonomics slightly than beauty.
Kawasaki
Along with the usual Sport, Street, and Rain modes, the Z1100 additionally will get a particular Rider mode. Digital aids like lean-sensitive traction management, wheelie management, slide management, Kawasaki Clever anti-lock Braking System (KIBS), and engine brake management are all a part of the Kawasaki Nook Administration Operate, which is unlocked by a six-axis IMU.
Additional on, commonplace options come within the type of a bidirectional quickshifter and cruise management owing to new Digital Throttle Valves. The entire digital settings may be managed by a brand new 5-inch TFT coloration show, which additionally supplies smartphone connectivity by means of Kawasaki’s Rideology app and turn-by-turn navigation.
The dual-tube aluminum body and the absolutely adjustable 41-mm upside-down Showa SFF-BP fork are carried over as is, from its predecessor. A monoshock takes care of the rear suspension – each provide preload adjustment, compression, and rebound damping.
The SE trim options Brembo M4.32 monoblock calipers related to metal braided brake strains, versus a 310-mm entrance disc on the usual variant. Alongside, there’s a extra premium Öhlins S46 shock absorber with a distant preload adjuster. It additionally will get a extra expansive paint job, plus gold wheels and gold fork stanchions.
Kawasaki
Each fashions roll off the manufacturing line on Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tires. A 32-inch (815 mm) seat top, a considerably hefty 487.2-lb (221-kg) kerb weight must disappoint shorter and lighter riders. The 4.5-gallon (17-liter) gasoline tank does appear enough sufficient to take you far sufficient when you’re out having enjoyable.
The supernaked, for now, has been confirmed for Europe, the place it’s anticipated to be obtainable with sellers by the tip of this month. A USA launch is kind of a given and will comply with quickly.
As for pricing, the Z1100 has been priced at £11,099 for the usual trim, whereas the plush SE will get a £12,699 price ticket. That’s round US$14,800 for the usual and $16,940 for the Z1100 SE per direct conversions.
Kawasaki
It needs to be famous that producers hardly use that rule when pricing their bikes for various markets. As Motorcycle.com factors out, evaluating the costs for the Z900 and Z900 SE bare inline-four reveals that the usual mannequin is priced at £ 9,199/$9,999 within the UK and the USA, respectively, whereas the SE mannequin is priced at £11,349/$11,849. By these conversion metrics, you possibly can count on the Z1100 to be priced at round $12,000 and the Z1100 at across the $14,000 mark. However that’s guesswork at finest, at this second.
What issues is that Kawasaki’s top-of-the-line bare is again, and I reckon it would have loads of followers able to shed some pores and skin to have a go at it once more. Good occasions, certainly!
Supply: Kawasaki
