Kawasaki Z1000 (2003-2009) - Review & Buying Guide

2003 model has gold, split exhaust while 2007 model has larger can which includes a valve.

The 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 is one of those bikes that everyone instantly knows, which is due in a large part to its aggressive styling and unique twin stacked exhaust system. Arriving like a bolt from the blue at a time when Kawasaki were desperately in need of a breath of fresh air in their model range, the Z1000 (alongside the Ninja ZX-6R B1H) heralded in a new era of wildly-designed models as Shunji Tanaka (a former Mazda designer poached by Kawasaki who had previously created the MX-5’s look) put his unique ‘sugomi’ stamp on the company’s products. Like many of these early ‘next generation’ bikes, the Z1000 was very much a case of fairly old technology hidden behind an aggressive façade, but that doesn’t matter too much as the parts that Kawasaki reused (most of the Ninja ZX-9R’s motor) suits the bike’s attitude. With prices of the Z1000 now temptingly low, this eye-catching naked from Kawasaki is worth considering – especially if you like to get the spanners out and try bringing the original package closer to modern handling standards.

Pros & Cons

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Prices

The original Z1000 is teetering on ‘modern classic’ status, however it hasn’t quite got there yet as naked bikes aren’t as quick to slip into this category as sportsbikes so you can pick up a really tidy first-generation example for less than £3500. With the Zed colour makes a difference to its price tag and grey bikes are less desirable than green ones with red, blue, orange and black sitting in the middle-ground. The updated second-generation (2007-2009) isn’t as popular as the original model and that means that despite it being newer, prices are roughly comparable with the older bike’s value. Set yourself a budget of £3500-£4000 and you will get a really good example. Always keep in mind its originality as trying to source a set of used twin-stacked OE pipes can get expensive...

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Engine & Performance

Both the 2003-2006 and 2007-2009 generations of Z1000 use the same liquid-cooled Ninja ZX-9R-based engine, however there are a few differences between the models and the engine itself is actually very different to the unit used in the sportsbike.

A completely re-worked engine, the Zeds run a 953cc capacity where the ZX-9R was 899cc and this increase is down to a larger bore and stroke and not just a bigger-bore as most assume. Very few parts of the Ninja’s engine are interchangeable with the Zed’s motor (a few owners do swap cams and even flywheels to boost the Zed’s performance) and the Zeds run fuel-injection where the Ninja was always carbed. Happily, these updates see the Zeds’ gearbox more robust than the Ninja’s, a well-documented weak point on the sportsbike...

With the engine’s history covered, looking at the two Zed generations there are subtle changes. The original model does actually make more power than the later bike (127bhp compared to 125bhp) but that is down to Kawasaki re-tuning the engine for enhanced low and mid-range performance and the later bike boasts extra peak torque (72.8lb-ft compared to 70.5lb-ft) as well as healthier mid-range grunt. These changes are thanks in part to the beautiful twin-stacked round exhausts end cans being junked in favour of a less visually-pleasing angular system, which is a shame. There is also there is an exhaust valve tucked away in the right-side muffler just upstream of the silencer on the 2007-2009 bike which the early model lacks, so you need to check on this generation that it isn’t seized. The second-generation motor also has smaller intake and exhaust valves as well as a 7% heavier crank, lower gearing and a lighter clutch action.

To ride the engines feel pretty similar and if you are after a relaxed roadster, the Zeds certainly tick the box. Although the fuel-injection is a touch jerky, it isn’t horrific (and is easily sorted through a fuelling module) and the inline-four has lots of mid-range drive.

When buying used, the Zed’s engine is generally very robust but there are areas to keep an eye on. The OE exhaust is both horribly heavy and restrictive so most owners swap it for an aftermarket unit, which benefits the bike’s performance but not its looks so try and ensure the original unit is included as used ones will set you back roughly £400 and are becoming increasingly rare. The Zed’s gearbox is generally fairly sound but check all is sweet on a test ride (watch out for any fault codes that hint the fuel-injection has an issue) and also be wary of damage to items such as the radiator, scratches on the coloured plastic engine covers and flaking paint as the black finish on the motor isn’t very good.

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

To be brutally honest, the Zed is a touch style over substance and its suspension and brakes are an area that owners feel let the side down. The steel chassis is pretty basic and while the inverted forks and monoshock both have variable preload and rebound damping, Kawasaki set them softly and that results in a wallowy ride when you up the pace and a slight lack of ground clearance (look for scraped exhaust clamps). Happily, help is at hand...

There are two routes to sorting out a Zed’s handling – stick with original or modify. Most riders pick to get the forks revalved and replace the original shock with a quality aftermarket unit, which is a safe route but quite expensive at around £1000 all-in. Others decide to swap out the offending parts for used bits from other Kawasaki models and this is where a used buyer needs to be a bit cautious. You can fit complete front ends to the Zed (the 2003/04 Ninja ZX-6R’s will fit) as well as sticking in another Kawasaki model’s shock (ZX-6R or ZX-10R) as many parts are interchangeable but if you do this, you need to ensure the new parts are spaced correctly. While a cheaper route to upgrading, it is fraught with pitfalls and ideally the shock and forks will need revalving to suit the Zed’s weight anyway. If you want to try this, get online and find out what other owners have done to avoid disasters...

In the 2007 update Kawasaki armed the Zed with radial brake calipers and also a slightly tweaked chassis with new geometry and revalved suspension. ABS was also an option for the first time. Generally the original model is felt to be better handling but the second-generation is less flighty, however neither’s brakes are that good and will certainly need braided lines and probably a caliper rebuild by now (some owners fit R1 calipers to original generation bikes).

If the bike you are viewing has been modified, treat the alterations with caution. Replacement bars (generally Renthal) are common but can hit the tank or even stress the brake and throttle lines if they aren’t extended to suit (check by going from lock to lock with the engine running to see if the engine picks up revs or bars interfere with the tank and ensure the brake lines are slack when the forks fully extend) and any non-standard parts need to be spaced correctly to work. Also, insurance companies need to be informed about any modifications from stock.

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Comfort & Economy

The Zed is a comfortable bike thanks to its upright riding position and low pegs and owners do often use them for fairly long distance riding. The original screen is a touch limited in its effectiveness but it isn’t hard to find a taller alternative, however it doesn’t do much for the bike’s looks... One or two Zed owners fit top boxes and the like but generally most don’t use the Zed for commuting, instead saving it for pleasure riding. Frustratingly, if you take a pillion a lot, the passenger facilities are pretty poor with the Zed’s pillion seat small and not particularly comfortable as it is modelled more for style than use!

When it comes to economy, you can expect to average in the mid to high 40mpg figures, giving a tank range of around 180-190 miles until dry with the fuel warning (there is a fuel gauge) illuminating at about 150 miles.

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Equipment

The Zed isn’t really packed with equipment as such and aside from a fuel gauge, there is little to write home about. The 2007-2009 model ups the spec slightly with the option of ABS and an immobiliser built into the ignition assembly as standard but that’s not exactly ground-breaking. Happily, there are a few easy upgrades out there...

If you want to make the Zed feel a bit more modern, you can add an aftermarket gear position indicator with examples costing anything from £18 to £100. Ideally, buy a plug-and-play version as you don’t really want to get into cutting wiring looms. Quite a few owners fit heated grips, which are a good addition, and tail tidies are also very prevalent. It’s not uncommon to see top boxes on a Zed, which are handy and also give the pillion an easier time as they double up as a back rest and also add grab rails, something the Zed lacks as standard. As we have already spoken about in the engine and chassis sections, modification such as uprated suspension and loud exhausts are common but not always welcome so be a bit wary and the same is true of bar-end mirrors, stubby levers etc.

Always check a Zed over thoroughly for any loose bolts when you get it home, lots of owners remove aftermarket parts to sell separately when they decided to move their bike on and not all torque the bolts up correctly afterwards!

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Rivals

The early to mid-2000s saw several Japanese naked bikes enter the market but none really took off, mainly due to their somewhat ‘safe’ styling and quite lacklustre performance when compared to the far feistier Italian options.

Suzuki SV1000 (2003-2007) | Price: £1999-£3500

Read more

Power/Torque

118bhp / 75lbft

Weight

189kg

Honda Hornet CB900F (2001-2007) | Price: £1500-£3500

Read more

Power/Torque

110bhp / 63lb-ft

Weight

194kg

Yamaha FZ1 (2006-2016) | Price: £1999-£4500

Read more

Power/Torque

150bhp / 78lb-ft

Weight

204kg

2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Verdict

The Z1000 is a bike that defined an incredibly important era in Kawasaki’s history when the firm reignited the fire in their belly. Still one of the most visually-striking Japanese naked bikes of the 2000s, the original model (2003-2006) is visually the pick of this generation as the updated bike (2007-2009) is a bit too restrained due to its lack of twin stacked pipes. Fun to ride, the Zed’s suspension is a real weak link but there are lots of options out there to improve it and once sorted, it rides well. The re-tuned ZX-9R motor is far from a super naked heart and the chassis feels more 1990s than 2010s but the Zed still makes for a stylish and fun roadster that owners adore. Buy a good stock one and if you really feel the need to modify it, keep all the original parts somewhere nice and safe.

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2003 - 2007 Kawasaki Z1000 - Technical Specification

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