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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== | ==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. | [[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== | ==1973 Z1== |
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