Kawasaki has completed its 1100cc model trifecta by revealing the new Z1100 in European markets. If the new Z1100 looks uncannily similar to the previous-gen Z1000 to you, you aren’t alone. Kawasaki has repurposed some bits from the Ninja 1100SX and some from the new Z900 and wrapped the old Z1000’s bodywork around these parts to create the new Z1100, in a nutshell.
- Z1100 uses same 136hp/113Nm 1,099cc motor as Ninja 1100SX
- It looks nearly identical to previous-gen Z1000
- Z1100’s only rival in India is Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Kawasaki Z1100 engine and chassis
Higher-spec SE variant gets better componentry
At the heart of the Z1100 is the familiar 1,099cc 4-cylinder liquid-cooled engine making 136hp at 9,000rpm and 113Nm of torque at 7,600rpm, the same engine and power output as the Ninja 1100SX. The 6-speed gearbox and its ratios (both primary and final) are also a straight lift from the Ninja. The previous Z1000 was a rather short-geared thing (and had barely any riding aids), so the taller gearing of the 1100cc Kawasaki motor will be a welcome change.
Wrapped around the Z1100’s smooth and unstressed inline-4 engine is the same aluminium main frame as the Ninja 1100SX, suspended by the same fully adjustable Showa suspension units. While the standard Z1100 uses Showa suspenders, the higher-spec SE variant comes with a Showa fork and an Ohlins S46 monoshock with a remote preload adjuster.
Braking hardware on the standard Z1100 is nearly the same as the Ninja 1100SX’s, with Kawasaki-branded Tokico radial calipers. However, the Z gets larger 310mm dual discs in comparison to the Ninja’s 300mm setup. The SE version gets Brembo M4.32 calipers and steel-braided brake lines, a notable step up from the standard model’s stopping hardware. Just like the Ninja, the Z1100 also runs the same-sized tyres, 120/70-ZR17 and 190/50-ZR17 (F/R), but the compound used is the same as the Z900, Dunlop Sportmax Q5A.
While the main frame is shared between the 1100cc Ninja and Z, the latter’s relatively petite split seats are a far cry from the generously padded ones on the former, and this is one of the key areas where the Z has shed some weight in comparison to the Ninja. With its 17-litre fuel tank brimmed (2 litres less than the Ninja), the Z1100 tips the scales at 221kg, 14 kilos less than the EU-spec Ninja 1100SX. The Indian version weighs 3kg more because of that over-the-top government-mandated saree guard.
With an 815mm tall perch, the Z1100’s seat is 20mm lower than the Ninja’s. However, one number on the Z1100 that’s lower than the Ninja – and not in a good way – is its ground clearance. Worryingly, the Z has just 125mm of it, in comparison to the Ninja’s already low 135mm.
Kawasaki Z1100 features and electronic riding aids
Same 5-inch display as Z900 seen here
So far, we’ve established that the ‘new’ Z1100’s mechanicals are very closely related to the Ninja 1100SX. However, its 5-inch colour TFT display is borrowed from the latest-gen Z900. This display is Bluetooth-compatible, and you can connect your phone to show navigation and music playback on the screen via the Kawasaki app.
Unlike the previous Z1000, which had no riding aids outside of dual-channel ABS (in fact, for the first couple of years, it didn’t even have a slip/assist clutch!), the new Z1100 has a fair few riding aids. The suite comprises two power modes (Full and Low), three levels of traction control as well as the ability to turn it off, a bidirectional quickshifter, cruise control and dual-channel ABS. All of these are supplemented by a 5-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit).
Kawasaki Z1100 design and colours
Standard variant comes in all-black; SE gets a different colour
One can point a finger at Kawasaki’s design department for being a bit lazy with the Z1100’s styling because it looks virtually identical to the old Z1000 from more than 10 years prior. The only two changes are the single exhaust muffler on the Z1100 in comparison to the Z1000’s twin exhaust muffler setup and the small plastic shrouds on either side of the engine. That said, despite its age, this fierce-looking design still looks sharp, which should tell you just how ahead of its time it was more than a decade ago.
The standard Z1100 comes in a single all-black colourway, while the SE comes in a grey colour with green wheels.
Kawasaki Z1100: Will it come to India?
The previous-gen Z1000 was sold in our market
There is currently no word on when or whether Kawasaki India will bring the Z1100 to our shores. Both the Ninja 1100SX (Rs 14.42 lakh) and Versys 1100 (Rs 13.79 lakh) are sold here only in their base avatars. For those of you who remember, the previous-gen Z1000 and the top-spec R variant were sold in our country pre-2017.
Both bikes came to India as CBU imports, which meant they were quite pricey. If the Kawasaki Z1100 were to be launched in India, its only real rival would be the quite competitively priced Honda CB1000 Hornet SP (Rs 13.29 lakh).
All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
