Post on 24-Jul-2020
18 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS JANUARY 7, 2004
ROAD TESTJ KAWASAKI Z750 90% J YAMAHA FZ6 FAZER 90% J DUCATI MONSTER 800 82% J KAWASAKI Z1000 86%
Can the Z750 be allthings to all people?BY MARC POTTER PICTURES HOWARD BOYLAN
OVERALL LENGTH: 2080mm
WHEELBASE: 1425mm
RAKE: 24.5°
HEI
GH
T: 1
04
0m
m
WID
TH: 7
80
mm
OV
ER S
EAT:
182
0
FUEL: 40mpg, 18 litres, 160 miles
SPECIFICATION:Engine: Liquid-cooled 748cc(68.4x50.9mm), dohc, four-stroke in-line four. Fuelinjection. Six gears.Chassis: Steel diamond frameFront suspension: 41mmtelescopic forksRear suspension: Singleshock with rising rate linkage,adjustable for pre-load andrebound dampingTyres: Bridgestone BT012;120/70x17 front, 180/55x17rearBrakes: Tokico; 2 x 300mmfront discs with two-pistonsliding calipers, 220mm reardisc with single-piston caliper
PROS l Strong usable motor l Howling exhaust l Quick steering l Comfortable riding position
CONS l Unrefined suspension l Lack of wind protection 90%
KAWASAKIZ750£5490 otrAvailable: January2004, with 24months’ unlimitedmileage warranty, oneyear’s RAC cover Colours: Blue, red,blackNew for 2004: New modelInsurance group: 13 (of 17) tbcInfo: Kawasaki UK;01628-851000
TRAIL: 104mm
WEIGHT: 195kg (432lb)
KAWASASKI istrying to cover alot of bases withthe Z750. At oneend of the scalethe firm sees the
naked 750cc roadster asnovice-friendly enough toattract first-time big-bikebuyers. But its aggressivestyling and near-150mphperformance is also designedto pull in back-road thrashers
and urban terrorists.With a price tag of only
£5500 the Z750 has got a lotof people to please. It has gotto be easy and unintimidatingto ride, but still exciting whenyou want it to be; flexible intown but flickable down yourfavourite B-road; and alsolook good enough to draw acrowd.
The Z750 is competing withmusclebikes, commuters and
middleweight 600s, so we’vepitched it against a variety ofmachines.
First up is the current king ofthe all-rounder 600 class, theFZ6 Fazer. Next we paired itwith the Ducati Monster 800,to see how it fares in the stylestakes. And finally we put itup against its big brother, theZ1000. See how well it takeson allcomers over the nextfour pages...
800mm
845mm510mm
It promises big-bore power for 600 money, wrapped up in an easy-to-use package thatbristles with attitude. Does that mean it’ll please everyone...or no one at all?
IF you’re after a practicaleveryday middleweight bike,the Fazer is the one to beat.
With an alloy beam frame, R6motor and a sporty edge, theall-new Fazer has moved thebudget 600 class forward.
It is comfortable, quick and ashappy on a Sunday thrash as it iscommuting on Monday morning.
Kawasaki has pulled the sametrick it did with the ZX-636 –adding a few more cubes thanthe competition. The big-boremotor means the Z750 is ableto pull harder than the Fazer,everywhere, all the time.
Roll on the Fazer’s throttlefrom low speed in top and you’llhear a rumble from the airboxbut not much else. On the Z750you’re met with instant drive.
From any gear, at any speed, youget usable punch. And as therevs rise the gruff exhaust noteturns into a wail.
The Z750’s sleeved-downZ1000 motor makes 94bhp atthe back wheel compared to theFazer’s 89bhp and makes it atlower revs. While the Fazer ridertap dances on the gearbox, theZ pilot can just use its bulgingtorque curve.
Both bikes top out at over140mph. But the Z750 lackswind protection above 100mph.
Keep the motor spinning andthe Fazer will eat up A-roads. It’srelaxing too – the quiet motorcombines with a half fairing thatdeflects most of the airflow.
Turn on to a B-road and thingschange. Sitting over the front
wheel of the Z750 gives afeeling of weightlessness thatbelies its 186kg dry weight. Itfeels tiny, lithe and chuckable.
Steering is light and on thequick side of neutral – the Z canbe levered on to its side quickly.In slow and medium-speedturns it inspires confidence,helped by sticky BridgestoneBT012s. The unadjustable forksand pre-load and reboundadjustable rear shock soak upthe bumps, but push hard in abumpy corner and it will start towallow and weave.
Cornering is more cultured onthe Fazer. Turn-in is slower,thanks to sports-touring BT020sand everything is more preciseand measured. For fast roadriding it is an excellent tool and
Is it a better all-rounder
than a... Fazer 600?
THE Z750 may have a 150ccadvantage but the Fazer makesup for it in the bends
JANUARY 7, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 19
CONTINUES ON PAGE 20
With a price tagof £5500 the
Kawasaki Z750has got a lot of
people to please
‘
’
OVERALL LENGTH: 2095mm
WHEELBASE: 1440mm
RAKE: 25°
HEI
GH
T: 12
15m
m
WID
TH: 7
50
mm
OV
ER S
EAT:
178
0m
m
FUEL: 48.4mpg, 19 litres, 200 miles
SPECIFICATION:Engine: Liquid-cooled, 599cc(65.5 x 44.5mm), 16v dohc, 4-stroke in-line four. Fuel injection.Six gearsChassis: Cast aluminium twin beamFront suspension: 43mm forksRear suspension: Single shock,adjustable for pre-load.Tyres: Front 120/70 x 17, rear 180/55 x 17Brakes: 2 x 298mm front discswith two-piston calipers, 245mmrear disc with two-piston caliper
PROS l Supremely comfortable l Confident and competent handling l Strong and willing engine l Good fuel economy
CONS l Less underseat storage than old model l Budget brakes l Notchy gear change at low revs 90%
YAMAHA FZ6FAZER£5449 otr Available: October 2003,with 24 months’ unlimitedmileage warranty, one year’sRAC coverColours: Silver, grey/blue andblueNew for 2004: All-newmodelInsurance group: 12 (of 17) Info: 01932-358000
TRAIL: 97.5mmWEIGHT: 187kg (411lb)
720mm
850mm 470mm
HALF fairing and screen cosset the rider
its suspension copes with bumpsbetter than the Kawasaki’s.
Underseat storage on the newFZ6 has been compromised, asthe underseat exhausts limitavailable space. But the peg/bararrangement offers all-daycomfort on both bikes.
If you want to cover a lot ofmiles at high speed, the Fazer isthe bike for you. But the Z750’szesty sense of fun and moreuseable power makes it extremelynovice friendly.
DIGITAL display is verysimilar to Z750’s
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20 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS JANUARY 7, 2004
ROAD TEST
V ISIT Milan or Rome and you’ll seestacks of Ducati Monsters jostlingwith Vespas and Fiat 500s. But
riders also spend a lot of time posingoutside pavement cafes on this Italianstyle icon.
From the clean naked looks and air-cooled motor to the triangulated beautyof Ducati’s trademark trellis frame this isa bike to be seen on.
The Z750 lacks the visual drama ofthe Monster. It might have a tailpieceand tank of origami creases andupswept curves, but it lacks the ‘look atme’ clout of the Duke. It’s a good-
looking bike, but without the tricksuspension and Buck Rogers pipeworkof the Z1000, the Z750 isovershadowed.
Outside a local cafe, it’s the Monsterthat people look at. Ducati was recentlyvoted as one of the coolest brands everamong the non-riding public.
Cruising through town, it’s the bloodred paintwork and the low rev throb ofthe Ducati that turns heads, but theKawasaki is the bike of choice when itcomes to riding. Around town it is simplysuperb. Short shifting and using thewide bars to flick the bike in between
the traffic, the Z750 is in its element. With suspension that soaks up bumps
at low speed, light controls and a head-up riding position the Kawasaki makesthe Monster seem agricultural. Gearselection is crucial on the Ducati – loadthe engine with less than 3000rpmshowing and it’ll shake like a MasseyFerguson. Combined with a lack ofsteering lock it means the Kawasaki ismore useful within the city limits.
If you want crowd pulling power then ithas to be the Monster. The Z750 getspushed into the shadows but it makes abetter town bike.
Has it got the kerb appeal of a...
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Ducati Monster 800?
OVERALL LENGTH:2100mm
WHEELBASE: 1440mm
RAKE:24°
HEI
GH
T: 1
020
mm
WID
TH: 7
50
mm
OV
ER S
EAT:
177
0m
m
FUEL: 48mpg, 15 litres, 160 miles
SPECIFICATION:Engine: Four-stroke 803cc (88 x66mm) 4v V-twin. Fuel injection.Six gearsChassis: Steel trellisFront suspension: 43mm invertedforksRear suspension: Single shockwith progressive linkage, adjustablefor pre-load onlyTyres: 120/70x17 front, 160/60x17rearBrakes: 2 x 320mm front discswith four-piston calipers, 245mmrear disc with two-piston caliper
PROS l Style in spades l Low seat height l Unintimidating riding position l Sounds like a ‘proper’ Ducati...
CONS l Lacks the power of the other bikes l Vibes at low revs mean that it is difficult in town l More costly 82%
DUCATI M800ie£5995 otrAvailable: Now. 24 months’unlimited mileage warranty,one year’s roadside recovery.Colours: Red, yellowNew for 2004: Unchangedfrom previous yearInsurance group: 14 (of 17)Info: Ducati UK, 0845-1222996
TRAIL: 94mm
WEIGHT: 179g (394lb)
FOR an extra £2000 over the Z750,its big brother offers four shiningexhaust cans, polished wheel rims,
upside-down forks and an extra 24bhp atthe back wheel. But is the gap betweenKawasaki’s two siblings wide enough tomake it worth parting with so much extracash for the litre Z?
We ran a Z750 and Z1000 head-to-head at Bruntingthorpe’s speed testingfacility to find out.
Side by side, the Z750 has fewer of thetrinkets that shout performance. A high-level 4-2-1 exhaust and wheels from thenew ZX-10R is about as lairy as it gets.
The flag drops and both bikes chargeaway from the line, front wheels wavingand bars waggling all the way through firstgear. The Z1000 starts to pull away and assecond gear is engaged, the front liftsagain. 60mph comes up in 3.02 seconds– that’s as quick as a GSX-R1000.
Things are a bit more controlled on the750, but not much slower. The slightlymore docile power makes it easier tolaunch. It hits 60mph in 3.44 seconds,only just off the pace of the 1000.
As the speed builds and the riders tuckdown flat on the tank to take advantage ofwhat little wind protection there is, thegap begins to widen, but it’s still closeenough that a missed shift could tip thebalance. 100mph comes up in 6.02
DUCATI’S Monsterovershadows the Z750when it comes to cafeculture clout
CIRCULAR digital dash started out onZX-6R and is now on Z750 and Z1000
NO fairing means great view of V-twin motor TWIN analogue clocks look right on the Duke BREMBO brakes are more than up to the job
WE spoke to renowned designerMartin Longmore, whose creationsinclude the Audi TT and the latestAprilia Mille, to find out what hethinks about Ducati’s style iconversus the new Kawasaki Z750:
DUCATI M800ie“THE Monster 800 can bedescribed in two words:Mechanical purity. It is thedefinitive naked bike and epitomeof Italian style. But it’s not overlystyled. Like many successfulproducts it has spawned manyimitations and generated cultstatus.”
KAWASAKI Z750“THE Z750 is an aggressive andcharismatic looking bike. It followsthe look of the Z1000. The biggestvisual loss is the double-barrelledexhausts used on the Z1000. Butthe sculpted tank and steep rearend accentuates the machine’saggressive stance perfectly.”
DESIGNER’SOPINION
835mm
855mm 455mm
Is it wilderthan a...
JANUARY 7, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 21
OVERALL LENGTH: 2080mm
WHEELBASE: 1420mm
HEI
GH
T: 1
055
mm
WID
TH: 7
70m
m
OV
ER S
EAT:
18
40
mm
FUEL: 32mpg, 18 litres, 125 miles
SPECIFICATION:Engine: Liquid-cooled 955cc (79 x65mm) 16v dohc four-stroke four.Fuel injection. Six gearsChassis: Steel diamond frameFront suspension: 41mm invertedforks, adjustable for pre-load andrebound dampingRear suspension: Single shock withrising rate linkage, adjustable forpre-load onlyTyres: 120/70 x 17 front, 190/60 x17 rearBrakes: 2 x 300mm front discs withfour-piston calipers, 245mm reardisc with two-piston caliper
PROS l Mad, mad power l Bags of low-down grunt l Looks hard as nails l Good around town
CONS l Back roads can tie it in knots l Brakes could be better l Can scare as easily as thrill 86%
KAWASAKIZ1000£7390 otrAvailable: Now. 24 months’unlimited mileage warranty,one year’s RAC membershipColours: Green, orange, blackNew for 2004: Unchangedfrom previous yearInsurance group: 16 (of 17)Info: Kawasaki UK; 01628-851000
TRAIL: 101mm
WEIGHT: 198kg (437lb)
830mm500mm
seconds on the 1000, 7.28 on the750, making the 750 just 1.26 secondsslower to the three figures.
Above 120mph the sheer power ofthe Z1000 shows. It howls through thequarter mile in 10.8 seconds, while the750 takes 11.6, at which point it istravelling 9mph slower.
Top speeds on naked bikes like thesearen’t very relevant, unless you’re builtlike the Terminator, but they dohighlight just how close the 750 andthe 1000 are. The Z750 hits a genuine145mph, while the 1000 sees 155mph– not a huge difference on naked bikesthat offer very little wind protection.
The difference is slightly more
noticeable on the road. The Z1000 hasmassive roll-on power, whichunderstandably the smaller capacitybike can’t live with. But the 750’s spot-on gearing means that snappyacceleration is always on tap.
The Z750 is easier to ride quickly onthe road. The power of the 1000 motoroverwhelms the short but softly sprungchassis on bumpy roads. The big Zshakes its head and wobbles andweaves when pushed hard, especiallyon standard suspension settings.
The Z750 doesn’t offer the massivetorque that lifts the front wheel in thelower gears on the 1000. It’s stillexciting to ride, but never scary. The
steering on the 750 is lighter and moreaccurate too, especially at low speeds.
The budget brakes on the Z750 helpit stop quicker than the four-pots onthe Z1000. The sliding calipers lackinitial bite, but pull on them hard andthe Z750 will stand on its nose aseasily as anything. The 750 pulls upfrom 70mph five feet sooner than aZ1000.
The Z750 may lack the insane rushof the Z1000, but for most of us thegap between the two is close enoughto make shelling out an extra £2000 areally tough decision.l Thanks to Planet Bikes for the loan ofthe Z1000. Contact: 0116-244-2000.
The Z750 is easier to ride quicklyon the road than its big brother‘ ’
POLISHED rims and four exitpipes (right) give the Z1000more of a presence on the
street than the Z750
QUAD pipes add to the Z1000’s streetfighter look 1000 doesn’t offer amy more to tuck behind at speed
800mm
Z1000?CONTINUES ON PAGE 23
RAKE: 24°
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22 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS JANUARY 7, 2004
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JANUARY 7, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 23
ROAD TEST
TOP SPEEDMORE power and a tinyfrontal area means theZ750 beats the Fazerthough the rider has to lieflat on the tank. TheZ1000’s extra bhp meansit rules the runway.
22.50sec
Top speed Time to reach top speed
21.30sec 144.83mph
21.50sec 140.85mph
Z750
FZ6
19.00sec 154.65mph Z1000
M800 129.02mph
Z750 FZ6 Z1000 M800SPEED TIME DISTANCE TIME DISTANCE TIME DISTANCE TIME DISTANCE (MPH) (SEC) (M) (SEC) (M) (SEC) (M) (SEC) (M)
40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 050 1.75 35.12 1.75 35.01 1.45 29.12 1.80 36.1460 3.35 74.50 3.50 78.01 2.80 62.23 3.70 82.9470 5.10 125.40 5.35 131.81 4.25 104.26 5.60 138.1680 6.90 185.89 7.40 200.57 5.80 156.20 7.55 203.6990 8.70 254.34 9.25 270.88 7.35 215.07 9.65 283.55100 10.65 337.26 11.30 358.08 8.85 278.83 11.80 374.90110 12.70 433.54 13.45 458.98 10.30 346.97 14.50 501.93120 15.25 564.91 15.75 577.30 11.85 426.84 18.40 703.01
TOP GEAR ROLL-ON ACCELERATION FROM 40-120MPH
THE sheer torque of the Z1000means it beats everything else easily.The Z750’s good poke lets it pull awayfrom the Fazer a little, though it’s afairly close match. The M800 holds onreasonably well to the four-cylinderbikes - demonstrating its flexibility on the road.
Z750 FZ6 Z1000 M800SPEED TIME DISTANCE TIME DISTANCE TIME DISTANCE TIME DISTANCE (MPH) (SEC) (M) (SEC) (M) (SEC) (M) (SEC) (M)
10 0.89 4.64 0.77 1.48 0.55 1.11 0.86 1.6820 1.37 4.84 1.26 4.61 1.01 4.18 1.41 5.3530 1.90 10.81 1.75 10.25 1.50 9.68 1.89 10.6640 2.39 18.39 2.26 18.23 1.98 17.23 2.45 19.5450 2.90 28.74 2.86 30.14 2.50 27.58 3.02 30.9860 3.44 41.87 3.47 45.35 3.03 40.720 3.81 50.4870 4.27 66.28 4.19 66.26 3.70 60.39 4.64 74.5380 5.05 92.37 5.11 97.26 4.26 80.32 5.63 107.7490 6.15 134.19 6.09 134.779 5.15 112.96 6.84 153.91100 7.28 182.02 7.27 184.73 6.02 149.74 8.45 222.32110 8.78 252.50 8.82 257.58 7.15 203.14 10.45 316.76120 10.85 359.72 10.72 355.91 8.58 276.63 13.74 485.97130 13.31 497.39 13.86 531.59 10.21 367.90140 17.56 754.32 20.66 943.87 12.55 509.22
ACCELERATION THROUGH THE GEARS
THE sheer power and torque of theZ1000 means it is in a different leaguehere. It blasted away from the otherbikes. It reaches 140mph a massive five seconds faster than any of theopposition. The Z750 and the Fazerare almost neck and neck all the way.The docile Fazer is easiest to launchquicker, but as speeds build, the Z750comes into its own. The Monster is leftstranded. It’s way down on power andjust can’t compete.
THE FINAL VERDICTBUILDING a bike that is docileenough for first-time big-bike buyerswhile offering the thrill that moreexperienced riders crave is no easytask, but Kawasaki has just aboutpulled it off with the Z750.
It’s more fun and easier to ride thanthe FZ6 Fazer, the king of the 600all-rounders. With better wind
protection it would romp away withmiddleweight class honours.
It has also got top town manners –thanks to decent low-speed handlingand a tractable motor.
The Z750 is not a bad looking bike,either. But just doesn’t quite have thecrowd pulling power of Ducati’s stylishMonster.
The Z1000 has more shiny metal onshow and bags of attitude. But whilethe 750 is a little slower, its power iseasier to exploit.
With an on the road price of just£5500, the Z750 is set to be thebargain buy of 2004. For that you getsupersports performance in agood-looking, easy-to-use package.
PERFORMANCE
12.20 sec
STANDING QUARTER-MILE ACCELERATION
Terminal speed Time to cover 1/4-mile
11.65sec 123.83mph
11.60sec 122.79mph
Z750
FZ6
10.80sec 132.58mph Z1000
THE FZ6 pips the Z750,but it’s close. The M800puts up a fair fight thanksto snappy gearing, but theZ1000 stomps oneverything in sight. M800 115.190mph
THE Z750’s brakes don’thave the best feel, but thelack of bite encouragesyou to tug harder and theywork. The heavier Z1000struggles, while the FZ6 islast. The old bike’s fourpots were much better.
3.25sec
Distance covered Time taken
3.06sec 46.67m
3.26sec 50.58m
Z750
FZ6
3.12sec
BRAKING FROM 70-0MPH
bhp/ftlb
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
RPM 4000 6000 8000 10,000 12,000 14,0002000
POWER AND TORQUE CURVES
PEAK POWER- 118.2bhp @ 10,000rpm- 69.2bhp @ 8000rpm- 94.6bhp @ 10,250rpm- 89.9bhp @ 11,500rpm
PEAK TORQUE- 65.5ftlb @ 7600rpm- 47.9ftlb @ 6250rpm- 48.8ftlb @ 8000rpm- 41.9ftlb @ 9600rpm
THE Z1000 shows its true power here – although itseems to be masked by tall gearing. The Z750 beatsthe Fazer everywhere and has the flattest torque curveof the lot. The Ducati is torquey but fades early on.
Kawasaki Z1000Ducati Monster 800
Kawasaki Z750Yamaha FZ6 Fazer
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
48.36mZ1000
M800 49.54m
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