Kawasaki launches Z1000 and Ninja 1000 in India

Today, the Japanese auto giant Kawasaki has launched two more superbikes, Z1000 and Ninja 1000 in India. The bike will be imported in India via CBU route, and the company has priced both the bikes at Rs. 12.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). Including the new bikes in the range, now the company has 6 bikes for the Indian buyers. Where, the Ninja 1000 is fifth bike under the Ninja brand in India, Z1000 is first bike in India, which belongs to the Z family.

Commenting on the 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.”

Both the bikes shares the same 1043cc, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, inline four engine with 4-valve per head, which churns out a maximum power of 142bhp and a peak torque of 111Nm. Many other technical specifications of the bikes are also similar like 41mm inverted front forks, preload and rebound adjustable back-link monoshock at the rear, 250mm rear petal disc brakes and standard ABS system.

2014 Kawasaki Z1000 is a naked sport bike, which has been redesigned using the company's new 'Sugomi' approach. The design technique makes the new model more brutal and wild in appearance. It comes with a 310 dual petal disc brakes at the front and the first kawasaki bike, which uses LED units in the headlamps. Engine uses a new cold air intake (CAI) system, which helps in better air flow at high revs through a new non-woven air filter element taking consistent air supply from the extra ducts at the front. Dual side twin-chrome exhaust muffler system makes the bike sportier.

Kawasaki Ninja 1000 is a full faired super sport bike like other members of the Ninja family. The bike comes with 300mm dual disc brakes at the front, Kawasaki Power Mode Selector and three-stage Kawasaki Traction Control (KTRC) for better safety on tracks. The bike also gets an adjustable wind shield visor made of a durable transparent material.

Kawasaki Z1000 will compete with the Honda CB1000R and Yamaha FZ-1 in the Indian market, while the Ninja 1000 stands in front of Honda CBR1000RR, Yamaha YZF R1 and Suzuki GSX-R1000.