2010 Kawasaki Z1000 review

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

This review makes me like my 2005 even better. I’m getting 125 rear wheel hp and I can get 160-170 miles before the low light comes on with a mix of highway and city. I hammer on it somewhat frequently. I’m running Michelin Pilot 2CT and couldn’t be happier with grip. It’s been 100% reliable and always pus a smile on my face. I don’t miss super sports at all

[@aarikc17]

He is a great reviewer. I actually listened the whole time rather than day dreaming.

[@tommydickfingers1]

i,ve had one of these bikes now for 6 months, and it is awesome, yes the clocks are a bit quirky, and the dunlop tyres it comes with are not the best, but apart from that it,s a good bike.i sold my suzuki b-king to get this bike and i don't regret it.3000 miles since i got it and still loving it.

[@sicknwrong]

great review, one of the best ive seen from mcn.

[@Spearfisher1970]

One of the most honest, pertinent and worthy bike reviews I've ever seen. I'm so glad I watched it - sounds like a great bike for some riders, but 90 miles before reserve would drive me nuts... I do 80 miles, at least, a day.

[@Terraceview]

Michael, you should do more of these long term vids as I really apreciate them, you're a true biker.

[@EppingForest304]

I think michael neeves is the best MCN vlog presenter & reviewer.

[@AndySV1K]

Great review, i have no interest in buying a z1000 but listened to the whole thing and found it really interesting. Thanks.

[@1000Zebedee]

Heavy bike?... No way. It feels like a bicycle and handles so well with enormous power! 90 miles to the tank, really does let it down. Fitted with IXIL hyperflow exhausts and a tail tidy, looks the biz. It turns more heads than a field of sunflowers does!

[@SirBootsalot]

Nice bike, good quality video, informative review and nice mic kinda old school. lol

[@cardboardreindeer]

Wonderful review, more like this please

[@JeffW704]

I agree with the comments on the suspension, and fuel consumption (about 34mpg). It's easy to upset this thing in a fast sweeper. definitely need to play around with the suspension. Yes, high RPM's at highway speed 70-80mph. When it's time for a new chain I'll replace the sprockets also to bring the rev's down. I don't think i"m near 8 grand at these speeds. I think it's light and handles well, but my other bike is a Sprint ST. I expect it to require a lot less maintenance than a Ducati.

[@reasoningphaedrus4376]

Great review, very informative.

[@sheafferize]

great review very informative! thank you!

[@granz87]

i started on a bandit 600, super first bike.. lots of power

[@zenden6564]

My stock Z1000 runs exactly 5,000rpm at 120km/h indicated in 6th gear. 11,000 rpm the needle is at 12 o'clock on the tacho, 5,000rpm (120 km/h) the needle is at 7pm on the tacho.

[@zenden6564]

Mr Neeves speaks of 8,000rpm for normal highway speed? Well that would have the Z1000 travelling at 165+km/h. Re: fuel gauge: It's 120km's for it to first drop down from all bars on the gauge, then evenly (~30kms/bar) down to the last 1 bar at 260kms around town (used 15.7 litres or exactly 6litres/100km). So you've only got 35-45kms range from when FUEL warning starts to flash. This is with average city riding, it would then theoretically be 310-320kms at the very limit around town (Canberra), moderately driven. Driven smoothly (impossible I know) on the highway, 350kms (220miles) maximum range limit is realistic. The one area he is soft on in his critique is the engine buzziness from 7,000rpm on, felt through the seat, foot-pegs, hand grips depending on rpm.

[@zenden6564]

@Donald Trump's Space Force I'm claiming i got with gentle driving 6litres/100kms or 39miles/US gallon. On its 18.5 litre tank that's over 300kms range. Nothing special IMO. If i was touring on our highly policed A-roads and holding a steady 100kms/hour then yes i could do better than that, maybe 44miles/US gallon. But i found that very steady speed riding quite hard to do and then with riding really enthusiastically through the hills the mileage/tank could be halved. My Z1000 was the 2009 model.

[@carlylespicks]

I've ridden 10s of thousands of miles and I practice a LOT. Rode this bike yesterday and even I would have to be very careful on it. This ,bike responds like it can read your mind. Meaning if you want it to go faster and change your mind a lit second later...you will already be half in a ditch. You hit a bump with inexperienced throttle grip and you will jerk the throttle and crash.

[@AndreaPessino]

Great review! :)

[@bfmv580]

Great vid

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

Great review. I am looking at these as well as Ninja 1000sx and Yamaha FZ1. I am older and do prefer the classic look of the FZ1. How do they compare with the 2010 gen 2 Z1000?

[@MrShaggyL]

I have this bike and absolutely love it! hate putting miles on it though..

[@THUGNERD81]

@Rolodojo tHANKS FOR THE ADVICE I was concered because it is a 1000!!! So i know that is a big jump for power and im "used" to the power of the 650 so its ok to ride that bike on the edge a bit but always cautious i hope when i do upgrade later this year i can go back to the mind frame of taking it sloooow then progress thanks again buddy for the advise

[@UltrasabersVideos]

@psychedelicfunkymonk I think a Super Naked is based on 1 liter "superbikes", so I don't think the B-King is a Super Naked since the Hayabusa is not a Super Bike, it's a Hyper Sport. Maybe the B-King is a Hyper Naked?

[@THUGNERD81]

Hello...i just have a ? about the amount of power this bike has......Do you think moving up from a ninja 650 to this bike is too big of a jump?

[@SpeedUpPlz]

I learned on a BMW S1000RR(No, I'm not trying to brag), it was way easier to handle then the abused Buell's over at the Harley Class. It's not about how much power you have, it's about not letting your ego drive YOU into the ground. Everyone has a preference, so just test out some bikes, then make a decision on which one YOU want to start with. It's your bike, don't let anyone else decide for you when you ride.

[@JeffW704]

@toypopuk I have the 2010, bought in April 2010 in the USA. Figure I must be one of the first as I was ready to buy in January, but had to wait for one to show up in my area. ANYWAY - if you're turning 5K at 70MPH, then the 2011 absolutely has different gearing. --Jeff

[@BodybuildingSteve]

@motorcyclenewsdotcom how comes his helmet has black visor i thought it was illegal in the uk?

[@ErKa44]

I rode one just a few days ago, and i am absolutely amazed! But the handling is kind of stubborn i think, i would put a wider handlebar on it. but all in all, i would buy it ! Sadly tho, i just lost my job, so im stuck to my FZS600 :(

[@PohnyJ]

Would this bike be suitable for the daily city rides or could I better get a Z750 R in this case? -> Lighter steering, handling etc.

[@powersliding]

nice bike, exhaust looks like it has swimming fins, price is really tempting

[@cromick69]

Was/is there ever a follow up to this video?

[@Z1000KW]

Really enjoyed this videos review, but... I own this bike and there are a few minor mistakes. Gearing comment about motorway speeds is not accurate (unless you can go 200km/h in Britain), the bike sits on 4-4.5 thousand rpm at 100km/h in top gear. The indicators are easily visible too, as you can see on the video. Aside from those minor things, GOOD JOB MATE!

[@C8guy84]

Talkin to a guy at the dealer here in the us and he said that they are not very popular here in america he has a 2010 still sitting there collecting dust i think there cool.

[@flatblackstrat]

All your nigels are basically the same for their whole naked line all the way down to the ER-4n. My ER stay on full for quite a while then drops like a rock. It seems they arejust using the same parts bin for everything because my 400cc has the 15L tank as well and everyone says that bike feels very heavy as 400cc at 200kg. But at the same time the ER 4 and 6 are highly reviewed along with this thing.

[@psychedelicfunkymonk]

would the B-King (and CB1000R) be considered a "supernaked" like this too? thanks guys!

[@johnholloway4147]

love this bike

[@hugobear1]

Would anyone recommend this as a commuter - with a occasional week-end blats? I'm coming from a Buell Ullyses but hav eowned litre sports bikes in the past. Very worried about the 100 mile range - seems mad - my Buell only has about 90 miles and it's a pain. I'm 6ft 6 and 20 stones....would appreciate any thoughts from owners, thanks.

[@jasonsong86]

like this bike, almost bought one

[@dirtytrancer]

Can you do some tyre reviews?

[@erickn911]

I'm thinking of buying a bike. This would be my first. Because i've never driven one, i was wondering which one would be the most easy bike to learn. I am thinking of the Kawasaki z750 or the Kawasaki z1000. Can someone recommend me one and help me by explaining what the main differences are? Thanx

[@MechRider89]

hey if anyone want to know some good tires that are all around good and last a good while i suggest bridgestone battlax's very very good tires. I got 21000km's on my back tire (stock tire) and and 19000km's on my front (also factory tire) depending what style of riding you do will depend what kind you should get, but their an all around good tire.

[@shiftyshamsk]

I have a similar thing on my ZR1000 B7F. The bar will flap if your silly with it. These hard nosed Kawasaki nakeds are designed to be RAW and aggressive, bordering on dangerous. It's not a distance machine either. The gearing is for B roads. One extra tooth on the front is all you need for doing a bit more of motorway at a max of 80-85. Your over the limit at that anyway. Don't worry about fuel as you'll need to stop for a rest at every tank emptied. The initial thrust between short gears is entertaining to say the least! Buy one, but don't be silly and expect anything more than what it is.

[@AIBETTSYIA75]

If you like kawasaki's think about a Ninjar 300 or er6-f/r. If your'e quite tall maybe a suzuki Bandit/ What style of bikes do you like?

[@aaarsix]

i love his helmet, what is it?

[@frontier1701]

Descent bike, but it sounds like a lot of little things need to be factory tweaked.... What about the brakes???

[@psicodelicoworld]

Classic bike ever

[@Marcus819169]

Ok Mr. Neeves; you liked the Ducati, but was the best long term tester you've ever had the pleasure of riding?

[@Coupydog]

I don't understand why Kawi short-geared this bike's 6 speed tranny so much? Gear Ratios: 1st 2.600 2nd 1.950 3rd 1.600 4th 1.389 5th 1.238 6th 1.136. Notice, even with 6 gears, there isn't even an overdrive? wtf? I would've suggested they keep the 5 the same & step up 6th-large jump for relaxed cruising. Who races a course in 6th gear, especially when the rpm's only drop about 200rpm? What sense was there in making that decision?

[@Coupydog]

+Antreas zeusson Absolutely NOT true. The low-mid range torque in the Z1000 is enuff2 kick some butt! I changed sprockets to bring down the cruising RPM's by 1,000 in 6th. She STILL has all kinds of scary power in any gear & yes, even 6th after the change. Their factory gearing wasn't well thought out by Kawasaki. One more thing, if you think you're in too tall a gear for the speed & want more power, there's always that downshift!

[@Coupydog]

+Antreas zeusson Ok, you've made some points. I've been riding my Z1000 since 2011 & can validate what I wrote is fact. I didn't know the point here was to go full-out racing for quarter miles times & overall top speed? The way I proposed it (& how mine is set up) is to have the best daily driver experience, while maintaining plenty of power for most any occasion at any "sane" speed.

[@senzozn]

I rode this during the last ticket2ride and it was crazy fun bike. I disagree with this commentor that its too heavy. nonsense. at 6k -7k rpm it is front end light in a turn. this was a great bike.

[@Coupydog]

..wait a minute... the guy said the bike's revving 8,000rpm to maintain freeway speeds & cruising range is about 90 miles before the reserve comes on? This (to me) isn't so good. I'd have to change out both sprockets & figure on losing some acceleration. I wonder why Kaw set it up like this?

[@chirotrel]

@ylism UK vs US pronunciation, mate! From the first 900's kwakas have always been a 'zed' here in aussie and the zed 1000 is the shiz.

[@CycleSportsTV]

Glad to see a naked bike getting some attention.

[@paulduncan3214]

Motorway speeds ( 70mph ) is 8,000rpm , so 150 is 17,000 ! Bollocks , use the lever at your left foot !

[@TheDuerden]

I always wonder the value of such long term road tests. I am not sure how many people will adjust the preload suspension or will change the tires immediately... Is this really a long term test for the "average" motorcycle rider or is it a long term test under the absolute best conditions possible...and how realistic is that? This is not to detract from the reviewer, who is great. This is criticism of the long term test and the way it is conducted.

[@paneksshops]

i will be get one next year from 125 to 1000 hell yea fast bike

[@gregg2k]

No mate, Depends on the driver. A 250 is a good choice to begin with but not everyone has to or needs to start with one. Also on a side note, I can see he lives in Belgium, same as me, and the 250 market here is sh!t, cost almost the same as a 600 or even 1000. That being said, I think the Z1000 is a reasonable choice to begin with, if you don't drive it thinking you are invincible and ride mature. (just as with every bike) I do recommend this one over sportbikes if you are a starter.

[@MrGixxernut]

Great bike great looks however it’s feckin tiny why build them so small

[@wideopenthrottl]

They should just take a zx10r and give it the Street Triple 675 makeover like Triumph does with the Daytona 675 or Aprilia used to do with their RSVR's and Tuono's or Buell did with the 1125R and CR. Instead of designing a completely different platform they could save money and still have a better performing bike. Even if they retuned the zx10r engine for more low end and midrange it would still put out more than 150rwhp.and the bike would weigh less than 400 pounds. Less gimicks more power.

[@korefighter]

@envisionluke - I agree, but with ducati... the quality and technology can't be copied that easily.. Specially if ducati have it patented! The z1000 was a ground up design, I doubt it was copied at all... No other bike looks even close to the Z !

[@iqmalryder8212]

nice bro

[@homersimpson2963]

I think the ER6N would be more fun for a lot of riders.

[@zymuur]

My first street bike was zx11

[@vtec407]

I plan on buying this bike to be my first. Is it a good bike for beginners?

[@Tripl3blue]

@envisionluke OH wait! Kawasaki did! The Z1000 is a Duke Street Fighter… ..... only it will do more than 20 miles before breaking down :P

[@AshFromCan]

@J4AProductions he said "a true hundred thirty one horsepower"

[@Tripl3blue]

@THUGNERD81 The Ninja 650 or should i say the ER-6f as its known in the civilised world is after all a "full power" Bike. There is absolutely no reason for you having a problem moving to a Z1000 sure it has double the HP but as I say to many people a bike only goes as fast as your wrist will turn the throttle and you will soon learn just how far and hard that throttle will go - speed doesn't kill, a lack of respect for speed kills so go for it stay on the greens

[@89powerup]

@TheMoncibaiz wth? I know kawasaki is japanese. You misread what I wrote.

[@0934631484]

I also have a white-orange ! Everytime when turn the key to start the bike,I always see a blinking red spot next to a shape likes an oil-can.....I just bought it from some1 2 weeks ago ! ODO : 2520 kilometers If anyone know abt this problems,pls inbox or send me a mess ! Thanks you guys for reading my troubles :(

[@jandreub]

Mi futura moto

[@nabiji]

Everyone who asks whether they can learn on this should get a Hayabusa, then turbo it. Also, don't ride with a helmet. That should be a golden rule.

[@zymuur]

yeah And I was 16.. A ninja 250 can do what, 140kph? If you're going 50-90mph you can die fairly easily really. A bigger bike has a bit more power yes. But if you have throttle control and stay within your limits it's all good. And a bigger bike is something you can grow into. I don't think supersports are the best as a first bike. Maybe a 650 or something. Just a better riding posture and more comfy for a first bike. It'll make it more enjoyable until you get adapted to it.

[@ylliavdiaj]

what's the price of this amazing creature :D

[@theuncanspan]

yeah this the actually the best color but u cant find it in saudi dealers

[@apiwatbob]

Ho no.....problem with the fuel gage! sounds minor but could be a big problem somehow

[@bathu57]

z1000 süper

[@LOKgr]

1st gen i love you more every day.....!!

[@geminiman7069]

Who in Japan let this bike get to the dealers without thinking the gearings wrong, or god I forgot the fuel range is bad, or the tacky orange adjustable tacho is a good idea.

[@bakerXderek]

Get a 600 bro, it will be perfect

[@ThatDudeMidnight]

Chhhhheeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa

[@Jandejongjong]

Better get a GSX 1250 Super torq and low mile the gallon. It is heavy

[@SaintVader]

Get the kawasaki ER6n or ER6f. ;)

[@Saul0052]

i learned on a buell 1200 it was easy

[@paulduncan3214]

2000 - 3000 miles out of the rear . Someone pass me a 250 !

[@jasonsong86]

@aaarsix arai.

[@Driftuner]

well, if u really have no experience i wouldnt recomend any of these bikes..they are very fast and require a certain level of skill...get something under 600cc/80hp...even 80hp is for begginers already strong bikes...so be careful...the "go" a lot more they they "turn" or "stop"...even the smaller 80hp bikes...

[@albyhellscream]

90 miles before (whatever he said) comes on and another 25 miles TO PANIC..hahahaha..

[@pacsum]

Recommending a newbie to start with a 100+hp bike is really stupid and irresponsible. If you don't want a 250 or a 300, you could start with a bmw 650gs.

[@envisionluke]

@ Rolodojo Yes, your right beauty is personal. However companies like Kawasaki need to be original. This 2010 Z1000 is a confused bike; One point is EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE steals from Ducati. Ducati is the GOD of design; they come out with it first and everyone runs to copy it. Kawasaki should do what everyone else does and steal as much as they can and then change it a so Ducati’s looks like their bikes. Do I make sense? OH wait! Kawasaki did! The Z1000 is a Duke Street Fighter…

[@DuranXL]

@EppingForest304 Totally.. kick those newbie students!

[@Tripl3blue]

@envisionluke dont they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder - personally i think it looks the dogs'

[@doodskie999]

I love naked bikes, I love naked women! is there something wrong with me?

[@MrBullya]

I prefer my woman half naked for some reason.

[@lamilumag]

@psychedelicfunkymonk depends on definition - if 1liter nakeds are being called supernakeds- sure :P

[@vinniedurrant]

Nah mate, you should've told him to stick to a push bike lol

[@chanboyable]

@SayNoToEThug How can it be a top comment if theres no thumbs up?

[@sam_p792]

8 and a half grand and it sounded awful to me, looks are hot though.

[@lamilumag]

he wants his ducati back - hehe

[@ThePatto1993]

Your crazy mate! Way too much power for a beginner. Get a 250

[@MrProsfigas]

kawasakh 1000

[@niko7024]

mitica .

[@cameronjackson8549]

It all looks nice but does anyone agree that the exhaust is hideously ugly!!!

[@keno0bi]

Can you just speak slower?British accent , damn!The only one(along with the Australian) I have to be focused to understand it..