Kawasaki Z750 - it’s an ‘everyday’ superbike
Superbikes are great for those who want to emulate their MotoGP heroes over weekends, just as cruisers are perfect for relaxing rides on Sunday mornings, and adventure bikes suit those who’d rather explore unfamiliar dirt roads than mow the lawn.
Many riders, however, just want to ride their motorcycles every day - sometimes briskly, sometimes sedately.
Kawasaki says its 2007 Z750 is made for those riders; it shares what the factory calls “true street performance” with its bigger brother, the Z1000 but with a different design approach: the Z1000 kicks out serious power but the 750 is more subtle, it says, with crisp, quick-revving power and sharp handling.
The 2007 model’s steering head has been moved 10mm forward to extend the wheelbase for improved stability and handling, while the chassis’ rigidity has been revised, says Kawasaki, to improve feedback.
A new cast-aluminium engine sub-frame allows the front engine mounts to be repositioned closer to the centre of gravity, behind the cylinder head rather than in front, while a combination of rigid and rubber mounts reduces engine vibration, particularly through the handlebars.
The bike has new, upside-down 41mm front forks, with smooth initial action giving way to firmer damping as the forks compress; the nitrogen-charged rear shock absorber also has longer travel than the previous model.
Petal-shaped brake discs improve heat dissipation and reduce unsprung weight; the front pair are 300mm in diameter as on the earlier model but the rear disc has been increased in size from 220 to 250mm.
Kawasaki says feedback from owners of the earlier earlier Z750 showed riders preferred a slightly more upright riding position for better manoeuvrability around town, so the handlebars have been moved slightly closer to the rider.
The frame has been narrowed 40mm below the nose of the saddle, it says, the fuel tank is narrower and the footpeg hangers have been moved slightly inboard to create a slimmer riding position, enabling shorter riders to reach the ground comfortably with both feet.
The 2007 Z750 has new, instrumentation with an analogue rev-counter and a liquid crystal display that includes a digital speedometer, odometer, trip meter, water temperature and fuel gauges and a clock.
The ignition key includes an electronic immobiliser.
Comprehensively retuned
The engine has been comprehensively retuned, according to Kawasaki, for better acceleration and overtaking with re-profiled inlet and exhaust ports, new cam profiles and a new exhaust system.
Smaller throttle bodies (32mm diameter rather than 34) with oval sub-throttles are fitted, it says, for a much more refined response at all throttle openings, while new ignition mapping improves power delivery where it’s most needed - in the mid-range.
The Z750’s transmission has also been revised for 2007 with a revised shift drum and ball bearing-mounted selector shaft which, says Kawasaki, gives a crisper feel and cleaner shifting than that of the previous model.
The Kawasaki Z750 is available in lime green or black with a two-year, unlimited distance warranty, for R69 995.
This article was taken from: Motoring.co.za