Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki Z1"

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The '''Kawasaki Z1''' is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Kawasaki]] from 1973 to 1975.

The '''Kawasaki Z1''' is a high performance [[superbike]] [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Kawasaki]] from 1973 to 1975.

==Intro==

[[Kawasaki]]'s earlier two and three-cylinder bikes such as the [[Kawasaki H1|H1]], and [[Kawasaki H2|H2]] had bestowed Kawasaki with a high performance image. ~~The '''Kawasaki Z1''' gave~~ the ~~world its first true [[superbike]]~~. ~~Introduced in late 1972, the Z1 was~~ Kawasaki~~'s first four-cylinder, four~~-stroke ~~motorcycle~~. ~~During its~~ planning ~~stages it was called~~ the ~~Z1 'New York Steak'. The Z1 became~~ the "~~King of the Road~~" ~~and an industry leader; as the first production motorcycle to bring such high performance and prestige to the general public~~. ~~''[[Cycle magazine|Cycle Magazine]]'' recorded a standing quarter mile time of 12.83 seconds @ 101.7 mph.~~

[[Kawasaki]]'s earlier two and three-cylinder bikes such as the [[Kawasaki H1|H1]], and [[Kawasaki H2|H2]] had bestowed Kawasaki with a high performance image. But these bikes had known problems: excessive fuel consumption, noise, vibration, and less than perfect handling. Their sparse comfort relegated them to the role of street racer. Kawasaki engineers had outlined these limitations of their two-stroke triples as early as 1967. This led to the beginning stages of planning a four-stroke super cruiser in the mold of the 1000cc Vincent, that could be ridden in any situation, and would be "THE" bike all experienced riders lusted after.

==New York Steak==

The '''Kawasaki Z1''' gave the world its first true [[superbike]]. Introduced in late 1972, the Z1 was Kawasaki's first four-cylinder, four-stroke motorcycle. During its planning stages it was called the codenamed the T-103 and nicknamed the 'New York Steak'. Before the introduction of the [[Honda CB750K]] to the world at the October 1968 Toko Motor Show, Kawasaki had already sent a mock-up double overhead camshaft Z1 to US Kawasaki's [[Sam Tanegashima]]. Honda's head start caused Kawasaki to be patient and carefully judge the revolutionary bike's impact.

==Reception==

The Z1 became the "King of the Road" and an industry leader; as the first production motorcycle to bring such high performance and prestige to the general public. ''[[Cycle magazine|Cycle Magazine]]'' recorded a standing quarter mile time of 12.83 seconds @ 101.7 mph.

==1973 Z1==

Difference between revisions of "Kawasaki Z1"

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 }}
-The '''Kawasaki Z1''' is a [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Kawasaki]] from 1973 to 1975.
+The '''Kawasaki Z1''' is a high performance [[superbike]] [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Kawasaki]] from 1973 to 1975.
 ==Intro==
-[[Kawasaki]]'s earlier two and three-cylinder bikes such as the [[Kawasaki H1|H1]], and [[Kawasaki H2|H2]] had bestowed Kawasaki with a high performance image.  The '''Kawasaki Z1''' gave the world its first true [[superbike]].  Introduced in late 1972, the Z1 was Kawasaki's first four-cylinder, four-stroke motorcycle.  During its planning stages it was called the Z1 'New York Steak'.  The Z1 became the "King of the Road" and an industry leader; as the first production motorcycle to bring such high performance and prestige to the general public.  ''[[Cycle magazine|Cycle Magazine]]'' recorded a standing quarter mile time of 12.83 seconds @ 101.7 mph.
+[[Kawasaki]]'s earlier two and three-cylinder bikes such as the [[Kawasaki H1|H1]], and [[Kawasaki H2|H2]] had bestowed Kawasaki with a high performance image.  But these bikes had known problems: excessive fuel consumption, noise, vibration, and less than perfect handling.  Their sparse comfort relegated them to the role of street racer.  Kawasaki engineers had outlined these limitations of their two-stroke triples as early as 1967.  This led to the beginning stages of planning a four-stroke super cruiser in the mold of the 1000cc Vincent, that could be ridden in any situation, and would be "THE" bike all experienced riders lusted after.
+==New York Steak==
+The '''Kawasaki Z1''' gave the world its first true [[superbike]].  Introduced in late 1972, the Z1 was Kawasaki's first four-cylinder, four-stroke motorcycle.  During its planning stages it was called the codenamed the T-103 and nicknamed the 'New York Steak'.  Before the introduction of the [[Honda CB750K]] to the world at the October 1968 Toko Motor Show, Kawasaki had already sent a mock-up double overhead camshaft Z1 to US Kawasaki's [[Sam Tanegashima]].  Honda's head start caused Kawasaki to be patient and carefully judge the revolutionary bike's impact.
+==Reception==
+The Z1 became the "King of the Road" and an industry leader; as the first production motorcycle to bring such high performance and prestige to the general public.  ''[[Cycle magazine|Cycle Magazine]]'' recorded a standing quarter mile time of 12.83 seconds @ 101.7 mph.
 ==1973 Z1==