2026 KAWASAKI Z1100
BRAWN AGAIN
Kawasaki's new Z1100 reminds me of an old-school '80s or '90s big-bore four-cylinder. Obviously, it's a far more modern bike with all the mod cons and bucket loads of electronic fruit, but the engine, oh that engine is a beautiful, grunty beast of a thing. It doesn't need to be revving at 15,000rpm to work; it does its best work down low and that is the way it used to be and that is the way it should be, for that is what works best if you want to get from point A to point B on the road in a hurry.
The 1099cc inline four punches out a healthy 136hp (100kW), which is ample to fry tyres and blur scenery, but as I alluded to, grunt is where it's at here. There's 113Nm of torque available at 7,600rpm and the surge up to that point is instant and relentless. Not long after 7,600rpm the full force of the 136hp hits at 9,000rpm, so it's one big hammer blow from right off idle to 9,000rpm if you're greedy on the throttle – it's glorious and dastardly! But it's a real Jekyll and Hyde bike because if you're tame on the throttle, it's so smooth and easy to ride. The caseload of grunt you have at your disposal means it's easy to pull away, easy to overtake and you can lug along in sixth gear at 60km/h and the Z just rumbles along nicely.
Helping matters is an excellent six-speed gearbox backed by Kawasaki's up-and-down quickshifter. Gear changes are slick, clutchless shifts are smooth and the electronic throttle delivers crisp, predictable response no matter which riding mode you've selected. Add electronic cruise control into the mix and the Z1100 is every bit as comfortable chewing through long highway kilometres as it is carving up your favourite stretch of back road.
The double overhead cam engine is wedged into a beefy aluminium frame, with quality Showa suspension lashed to both ends. The 41mm Showa SFF-BP forks and Horizontal Back-link rear shock strike an excellent balance between comfort and control – again, like the engine, the suspension is smooth when you want it to be but gets down to the business of going fast with aplomb. It's a very light steerer for the size of the bike and the Z can really bang in the twisties – we're not talking hypernaked Ducati Streetfighter V4 S or KTM 1390 Super Duke R territory, but by gum, it's no slouch when the road ceases to be straight.
Remarkably, all of that comes despite the Zed weighing in at 221kg ready to ride. The Z1100 certainly isn't a lightweight naked bike, but it carries its weight well and from the time I hopped on it, it felt way lighter than the numbers suggest. And once moving, it disguises it even better. Some of that is down to the wide handlebars, which give plenty of leverage, and the physical size of the bike, which is quite small considering the lump of engine beneath you.
Braking performance is exactly what you'd expect from Kawasaki's flagship naturally aspirated Z. Twin 310mm front discs grabbed by radial-mount monobloc four-piston calipers deliver strong stopping power with excellent feel at the lever, while the 260mm rear disc provides plenty of control in all situations. Backing everything up is Kawasaki's Intelligent Anti-lock Brake System, with the six-axis IMU helping the electronics remain impressively unobtrusive.
The electronics package is one of the biggest steps forward over the previous generation. Multiple riding modes, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, selectable power modes and cruise control are all accessed through a bright, easy-to-read five-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity. More importantly, none of it feels overbearing. The rider aids simply get on with the job in the background, stepping in only when required to try and help you not spear off into the scenery.
Final Thoughts:
Despite its sporting intentions, the Z1100 is also a surprisingly comfortable place to spend a day – for a naked bike. The upright riding position, comfortable yet purposeful reach to the bars and well-shaped seat make longer rides a physio-free experience, while the 830mm seat height is accessible for a wide range of riders. An 18-litre fuel tank also gives the Kawasaki decent range, making it much more than simply a weekend scratching tool if that's what blows your hair back.
The Z1100 stays true to everything that has made Kawasaki's Z models so popular over the years. The grunty powerplant is simply delightful to have between your legs, the handling and brakes are top notch and overall it's an engaging, comfortable and exhilarating bike to ride. And while it is heavier than one of the top-shelf hypernakeds, that bulk rewards you with a smooth and stable ride no matter what the brief. If you're looking for a litre-class naked that prioritises usable grunty performance over headline figures, the new Z1100 is certainly worth getting your bum on for a test ride.
