Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Kawasaki Z1" in English language version.
While I don't have a clue what I was doing when Kennedy was shot, I can clearly remember the first time I saw a Kawasaki Z1. In 1974, this four-cylinder, 903cc, 81bhp, 132mph projectile was the fastest, most glamorous thing on two wheels. Only a handful had been sold in Britain, and only the lucky few had even seen one.
The 1973 Kawazaki Z1 was the world's first superbike and its spiritual successor, the Z1000, relies on the same stripped-down looks and raw, steady power for its appeal. It's the ideal big boy's toy…
…the DNA of the 1972 Z1 is still clearly discernable in the Kawasaki's current litre-class musclebike, the Z1000.
Journalists and riders called it the king of motorcycles, and it gained a reputation as a super sport model all over the world. The Super Four boasted high performance and quality. This best-selling motorcycle won many prizes around the world within only six months of its release.
It's time to correct one of the popular myths which is becoming ever more prevalent in the motorcycling world. Thus: 'When Honda launched its 750 '4' in 1968, the biking world fell on its knees and worshipped the new arrival.'
During its development, the 1973 Kawasaki Z1 was codenamed New York Steak. And it was just that: 23 percent larger than Honda's benchmark 750cc Four, it busted open the fledgling superbike ranks and would soon make its impact in racing, too. Blasphemously heavy at 542 lbs. wet, the Z1 did everything to excess, from its audacious 903cc DOHC four-cylinder engine to its roomy cockpit, enormous linkless chain with proprietary oil pump, and quartet of chrome-plated megaphones.
By now you must've already heard the story of how the Z1--code-named 'New York Steak' for some ridiculous reason or other by Kawasaki--was originally intended to be a 750, and of how Kawasaki brass nearly suffered a corporate coronary when Honda introduced its own 750cc four-cylinder in late 1968. Kawasaki, cornered, had no choice but to make the Z1 even bigger and stronger and tricker than the mighty CB750.
While I don't have a clue what I was doing when Kennedy was shot, I can clearly remember the first time I saw a Kawasaki Z1. In 1974, this four-cylinder, 903cc, 81bhp, 132mph projectile was the fastest, most glamorous thing on two wheels. Only a handful had been sold in Britain, and only the lucky few had even seen one.
The 1973 Kawazaki Z1 was the world's first superbike and its spiritual successor, the Z1000, relies on the same stripped-down looks and raw, steady power for its appeal. It's the ideal big boy's toy…
