Kawasaki restarted its naked programme in 2003 with the aggressive Z1000. One year later the Z750 was born, and a year after that the Z750S, and a year after that we test them all. To Z with S or not is the question in this test.
Kawasaki made a great bike in the Z1000 with all the right styling, plenty of power and decent handling. With 198 kilos it was never a lightweight and unfortunately this has been transferred to the Z750. Whilst the Z1000 can compensate with more power and torque and good suspension, the 750 is a big compromise. Don’t get me wrong, it is still bloody fun to trash the Z750 around.
My first impression was of a heavy motorcycle with poor handling. It does not help that the middleweight 750 has got a bit more oomph at lower revs when it weighs in at 195kg dry. The Z750S weighs even more with the claimed dry weight of 199 kilos. The Zs' feature a modified steel frame from the Z1000 which is a major contributor to the overweight. However, it probably contributes to the friendly price too. So if you are up for a compromise read on, I’ll soon get positive.
I started the test out by picking up the Z750S and rode 200 miles on mixed motorways straight away. Perfect to see how much it helps having a fairing on the 750. Not that I ever asked for one. The seat height on the Z750S is 10mm lower than on the Z750 which changes more than you think. It increases the efficiency of that half cowling when riding in upright position, but when riding in the rain on a motorway it is quite a strained position when I tuck as far down as I can behind the cowling because I have to bend forward rather than just lean over the front. I was still thankful for that extra wind protection on the motorway though. The naked Z750 is not built for motorway riding and in that respect it is just as uncomfortable at speed as any other naked. It’s the name of the game. The clocks on the S differ from the Z750 as they are double analogue with LCD displays showing various information. The speedometer is not as easy to read due to the small numbers being tight together. On the naked Z750 big digital letters make the speedometer easy to read whilst the rev counter swings around, also digital. Z750 has got the same speedometer as Z1000.
I could not really get my head around the suspension on the fast motorways. The front did not feel in tune with the rear suspension disturbing stability. You can adjust the rear shock, but not the 41mm telescopic fork. I did find that the suspension worked better at lower speeds through the twisties. Video Z750S & Z750
