1978 KZ1000 A2

[1340fxd]

My bike after I fitted the "wrong" pipes - actually what it should have had in the first place IMHO. Going to fit K&N air filters for the sound and so I can actually get the carbs off to clean them without being a magician!

[Garry.L]

Looks Well.

It's interesting the number of people that say that the Z1000 should have had the 4x4 pipes as standard, yet the first think most of us did to the Z1/1000 back in the day was junk these pipes and fit a 4-1.

[1340fxd]

Yes - but we were young!

[DavidZ1R]

The 4 into 4 pipes look good on the z1000a1 and a2, 4 into 2 are very hard to find.

[DavidZ1R]

The 4 into 4 pipes look good on the z1000a1 and a2, 4 into 2 are very hard to find.

The first z1 I had did have a 4 into 1 fitted, a Z1R

[Garry.L]

Yes - but we were young!

And by the time the Z1000 came along 4x4 pipes were yesterdays fashion as everyone was moving to 4-2 or 4-1 (GS's. CBX. XS's etc) so KHI had to move with these times, Given this I'd think keeping a few Chin Stroking old Men like us happy 40+ years in the future wasn't really top of their priority list.

[damien.wrl]

I love the z1000 because of the 4:2 pipes, they just look right, I also struggle to appreciate any 4:1 systems as half the bike looks right , the other side is missing something, now my aims are just a spirited ride at most and no desire for knee down top end performance , sports exhausts are unwarranted... Just my thoughts though...

[KWACKERZ1]

Hate to disagree but I actually think the twin exhausts on the z1000's are too bland (like superdream silencers).
The 900 4-pipes are classic kawasaki, and distinctive.
Mine have 4-1's but that is more a price and performance than style decision.

[chrisNI]

Hate to disagree but I actually think the twin exhausts on the z1000's are too bland (like superdream silencers).
The 900 4-pipes are classic kawasaki, and distinctive.
Mine have 4-1's but that is more a price and performance than style decision.

Pretty much what he said

[Kev1R]

My reaction is I think the original Z1 motorcycle is a design masterpiece and the original shape pipes is one (of the many) things that Kawasaki got 'just right'.
Look at any 900/ 1000 with a non standard 4 into 4 and it is just not quite right.

I think a part of how people react is, after 40 odd years of looking at these machines- what you are 'programmed' to expect - So to me a z1000 with the 4 into 4 does look a bit odd.
Overall I agree mainly with Damien.wrl comments and think the Z1000 with its 4 into 2 is a cool, more restrained look for that particular bike, but if I ever get my hands on owning a z1 through to Z1b I would want the 4 into 4.

[DavidZ1R]

Must admit the 4 into 2 does look right, the 4 into 4 set the standard, but designs move on.

[Pigford]

Perception - an individual thing.

Myself think's the 4-4 is visually "correct", although I love the sound (and look) of a decent 4-1.

As for the Z1000 not looking right with 4-4, why not? The Z1000 is nigh-on identical to the Z900 so to my mind looks ace with a 4-4.

Whatever, Zeds are the most gorgeous bikes ever

[flateddie]

I put 4 x 4 pipes on one of my z1000a1's and love them and agree the zed shape suits the 4 pipes well but I have a 2nd zed 1000a1 with the noisy 4 into 1

[000zeds]

4 Pipes even look good on Z1R or z1000s as Kawasaki Germany called it

[dave cullen]

great looking A2, I love the Z1R with the four pipes, it's gorgeous