No, you haven’t made a mistake with your search on the net. And no this isn’t a story about a sex columnist and her three friends; Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. And no this isn’t a story of women exploring Manhattan's dating scene, chronicling the mating habits of single New Yorkers. This is a story about a motorcycle more beautiful than Sarah Jessica Parker and with longer legs than Kim Cattrall; it’s a story about the Kawasaki Z1000SX, a sexy machine with huge ponies, torque for days, comfort, looks and gadgetry, a true all-rounder that oozes sex appeal.
So if you’re in the market for a new steed but your back, like mine, cannot handle the hunched-over-the-bars stance of a superbike, but you still want that speed, agility and angular beauty only a superbike offers, look no further, this Z is for you.
Just look at it, it’s simply gorgeous. You can clearly see the ZX-10’s stylistic influence. It’s that pretty the JMPD thought it necessary to pull me over in no less than three roadblocks during the week I had it. All three times, ‘Good day sir, what size is the motor? How fast does it go? How long from Joburg to Polokwane?’ were exactly the same questions I ‘enjoyed’ each time. Not sure about the relevance of Polokwane though, must be where speed cops go to let their hair down. But the fact is these guys, who literally see everything showed such massive interest; it certainly validates the fact that this is one sexy looking two-wheeled transportation device.
The heart of the Z1000SX is not that dissimilar to its crazier sibling the ZX-10R, being an in-line, four-cylinder, 1043cc, DOHC power plant, sporting 16-valves. However the Z1000SX engine is geared more for low-end and mid-range torque at the expense of peak power. You can easily feel the different focus of each engine's power delivery. The Z1000SX’s engine is superb; it fuels perfectly and has great throttle response with bags of power everywhere. Thanks to its torque passing vehicles is super easy without taking a lower gear, meaning that in ‘twisties’ you can hold a high gear and just roll on and off the power. With the ZX-10, it isn't until 9,000rpm that it starts to take off, making it feel peaky and racy, exactly what Kawasaki intended of course. One is a racer, the other a very sporty sports tourer. The big plus is that you get the same hearty induction sounds as the 10 makes through the gears. Oh and about gears, the box is slick and smooth, and you get the benefits from an assist and slipper clutch meaning if you’re in a crazy mood backing her in is possible, if you know what I mean?
Kawasaki says the smooth power delivery is the result of revised ECU settings, but that’s not the only technological revision on the 2017 Z1000SX because it’s equipped with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). That means the bike’s traction control (with three settings) is lean angle sensitive. Level one is the least intrusive and allows power wheelies, level two cuts in a bit sooner but will allow the front to lift, and level three is for wet (or timid) riding. This state-of-the-art system is derived from the ZX-10R but with its parameters altered to suit the Z-SX’s intended use. Claimed power output is a healthy 142hp@10, 000rpm but as I said earlier you ride this bike on its torque, which is a claimed 111Nm at only 7,000rpm.
This test bike, as you can see, is painted in the traditional Kawasaki green/black, but a tasty silver/black version is available as well. The updated aero and ergonomics package on the 2017 Z-SX is top drawer and the easy-to-use whilst riding, adjustable screen works perfectly and you can easily select which angle you want with a release lever whilst on the fly.
How sporty is the Z-SX from a handling point of view? Well it behaves like a sport bike when pushed yet remains poised and solid when commuting or touring. The 41-mm inverted fork has compression and rebound damping as well as spring pre-load adjustability, while the rear suspension features a horizontal back-link, gas-charged rear shock with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability. A bit of a mouthful but you can set this beast up to perfection no matter what you have in mind, this chassis truly is versatility personified.
The kerb weight is a claimed 235kg which, to laymen, is fully fuelled and inclusive of all lubricants and radiator fluid. That may sound astronomical when compared to the ZX-10R’s 204kg, but believe me when I say she doesn’t behave like a fat girl on roller-skates, more like a plus sized model on a catwalk. Elegant, smooth and laps up every turn with ease is a good description here. You don’t have the sensation of walking a tightrope like you do on the racer. Also bear in mind the SX offers integrated luggage mounts and other add-ons the 10 doesn’t have. So, if you’re planning on touring, all you need is to do is ask your Kawasaki dealer for the hard luggage option and the world is yours.
There are loads of reasons to buy a Z1000SX, but the one that jumps out at you is the price tag of R155,995. You’re getting a LOT of motorcycle for that, especially in the current fiscal situation the planet is facing. Yes, you’ve read correctly that’s around 70K cheaper than the ZX10-R; a bargain price to be totally honest. Look the Z1000SX isn’t a ‘cheap’ bike in the sense of the word, unlike the girls from Sex and The City who are easy (law suit in the post please). So whether it is in the city, on the open road or your favourite set of turns, the Kawasaki Z1000SX is most certainly a sex symbol of note. Go and test one, you’ll see!
Click here www.kawasaki.co.za to locate your closest dealer for a test ride.
Words by: Vorg
