As niche markets go, the "performance naked class" as Kawasaki calls it (and claims to have started back in 2003 with the original Z1000, which other manufacturers would surely dispute) is booming. In Europe, at least: Here in the States most riders still prefer their full-faired, full-caff sportbikes. Personally, I think there's a lot to be said for plenty of useable horsepower in a solid chassis matched to an ergo package that you can live with for more than 30 minutes, but I'm in the minority (I know). The new Z1000 has all of the above, and then some, so I can't help but like it. I don't know if I like the look of it, though. From some angles-straight side-on, f'rinstance-it's all hunched, muscular and kinda ....

As niche markets go, the "performance naked class" as Kawasaki calls it (and claims to have started back in 2003 with the original Z1000, which other manufacturers would surely dispute) is booming. In Europe, at least: Here in the States most riders still prefer their full-faired, full-caff sportbikes. Personally, I think there's a lot to be said for plenty of useable horsepower in a solid chassis matched to an ergo package that you can live with for more than 30 minutes, but I'm in the minority (I know). The new Z1000 has all of the above, and then some, so I can't help but like it. I don't know if I like the look of it, though. From some angles-straight side-on, f'rinstance-it's all hunched, muscular and kinda ....