The wait is finally over, Kawasaki has launched two new litre-class bikes in India – Z1000 and the Ninja 1000. Both the bikes will be imported in India via CBU route, and the company has priced both the bikes at Rs. 12.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). With the addition on 2 new bikes, Kawasaki’s India line-up has increased the number of models to 6. Where-in the Ninja 1000 is fifth bike under the Ninja brand in India, Z1000 is first bike in India, which belongs to the Z family.
2014 Kawasaki Z1000 is a naked sport bike, while the Ninja 1000 is a full-faired sports bike. Both have a twin-tube aluminium frame, a 41mm, adjustable, inverted fork suspension at the front and a horizontal monoshock suspension at the rear. The Z1000 is equipped with 310 mm dual petal brakes on the front wheel and a single 250 mm petal on the rear wheel. The Ninja 1000 gets 300 mm dual petal brakes at the front and a single 250 mm petal at the rear. Kawasaki has provided ABS on both bikes.
Both, the Z1000 and Ninja 1000 are powered by an identical 1,043 cc, in-line 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC, liquid cooled engine, developing 142 PS @ 10,000 rpm and 111 Nm @ 7,300 rpm of torque, mated to a 6-speed transmission. But in characterstics, they are completely different. One is a naked sportsbike whereas the other is a touring sports bike. It will be difficult to choose from the two, especially when you realize that the price they are offered at in India, is also same (Rs 12.5 lakh ex-Pune).
In India, Kawasaki Z1000 will compete with the Honda CB1000R and Yamaha FZ-1, while the Ninja 1000 stands in front of Honda CBR1000RR, Yamaha YZF R1 and Suzuki GSX-R1000. Kawasaki has started accepting bookings for both the bikes. The company has a showroom at Wakdewadi, Pune and will be opening a new one in Delhi shortly.
At launch, Mr. Yuji Horiuchi, Managing Director, India Kawasaki Motors said –
“The Indian high-end motorcycle market offers tremendous growth opportunities. We had recently launched two of our flagship models and received impressive response for these products. To further strengthen our presence in the country, we are now launching two more global products targeted at specific audiences. We are also launching our first exclusive showroom in North India, to strategically expand our national footprint. With incessant support from our long-standing partners, Bajaj Auto, we look forward to taking the Kawasaki brand in India from strength to strength.”
Also see – 2014 Kawasaki Z1000 now open for booking in India
