Z1OwnersClub GB

I have been hanging out to see the new Kawasaki retro since Hodna launched theirs in 2013.

Really tried to get it on with the new Z900 RS but I can still see too much of the original Sugomi (modern) styling underneath the retro body kit.

So after a couple of abortive early Zed purchases went pear shaped I bit the bullet and went for what reminded me most of my old Z650s.



My mate John Brown from Hunts MCs had a few brand new 2016 spec models left to clear.



I think the spokes, air cooled engine & chrome work really work on this version.



Plus you get ABS, gear position indicator & no carbs to fiddle with



There's no rider modes to confuse me, and the look is drawn from a few early models that people on here will have either had or seen about -CB 750, CB650, CB900 etc. rather than trying to copy one bike exactly.



John has had one painted in blue /gold early colours, I have had one and there is one more left if anyone fancies one to go with their other machines.

2018 bikes are £11k and you can get a steal on one of these if you are quick - I saved over £1500 against a new Z900RS in Jaffa paint.

Speak to John at Hunts MCs or pm me for his email - and say Mark from Zedrider sent you - to get the best price.



Think there is a speed limiter at 112 mph but I am not going to worry about that at my old age !!
I like the idea that the current designers were sent back to the museum to get inspiration for this one and were given a blank canvas - rather than adapting a current model.
Good Luck to all those getting new machines next month.
From Mark

I think that will be a marmite purchase on here but it looks a good all rounder and well engineered. Enjoy.

At the NEC Bike show I looked closely at all the "retro" type offerings. I really tried hard to like the 900RS but I thought it was too small and too similar to the the bike it was based on, the Z900.

I thought the best retro by far was the CB1100 and the RS version of that. It felt old school but still had modern kit on it.

I haven't ridden either bike so my opinions may be changed by a quick blast on a nice road.

Looks ok to me
Would definitely choose this over the RS

Nice classic lines

oh dear!

Nice.

Looks a bit lumpy, but must admit I do quite like it.

I think it's performance will be more Z650 than Z1, but it was the only big cc spoked 70s style bike I could see at this quality for the money.

It was born with twin shocks - but the larger tank, four into two pipes and spoked wheels came along in year two. Perhaps the RS will do likewise ??

Probably be April before it gets out much to see for sure - but MCN were pretty positive (more so than the RS version funny enough).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpgoUMIeTaQ&t=6s

I thought the new Z650 was NOT the way to go LOL

This was where I came into Kawasaki ownership back in 78.

It sure is a sweet looking bike. Just a shame Kawasaki can’t get off their backsides and produce something of this quality.

Adrian,
I think it may be sadly down to resources - Hodna can write off small volume sales to produce something that is pretty true to their heritage. Just to prove they can.
e.g. they had to get special process to make cooling fins 2mm thick so that the engine would tick on cool down like in the old days.
They have even re-invested on getting this 2010 air cooled engine through euro 4 emission tests - when others have dropped water cooled "modern" engines because it was too hard.
Kawasaki went off in another direction and produced H2 as their "just because we can" machine.

pertonpc wrote:This was where I came into Kawasaki ownership back in 78.

+1 .....my first new fangled four stroke.

Nice lookin bike... to small for me but one of my faves back in the day was the original cb250.... the one before the super dream... it’s all about the lines

I had a 250n Superdream in Silver with a Darth Invader screen.
Also had the 250rs in blue.
My guilty pleasure was always CBX but never managed to get one.
My brothers both had a few CB900s as well.

Don’t worry about the speed limiter, doubt if it will do much more anyway! Nice enough to poodle around on tho!