Key highlights
- Kawasaki Z1100 debuts with the same 1,099cc inline-four engine from the Ninja 1100SX.
- Styling closely mirrors the previous-gen Z1000, with Sugomi design DNA intact.
- SE variant gets premium upgrades including Brembo brakes and Ohlins suspension.
Kawasaki has officially unveiled the new Z1100 and Z1100 SE, expanding its Supernaked lineup with a machine that blends nostalgia with modern muscle. If the Z1100 looks familiar, that’s because it borrows heavily from the previous-gen Z1000’s aggressive styling. But under the skin, it’s a different beast.
The Z1100 uses the same 1,099cc inline-four engine found in the Ninja 1100SX. It makes 136 hp at 9,000 rpm and 113 Nm at 7,600 rpm. The gearbox, gearing, and frame are also carried over from the Ninja, but the Z1100 sheds weight and adds sharper ergonomics for a more street-focused experience.
What’s new and what’s borrowed
The Z1100 may wear familiar clothes, but it’s packing some serious upgrades:
- Aluminium twin-tube frame
- Fully adjustable Showa suspension (SE gets Ohlins rear shock)
- 310mm dual discs with Tokico calipers (SE gets Brembo M4.32)
- 5-inch TFT display with ride modes, traction control, and quickshifter
- Cruise control and cornering ABS via IMU
The SE variant also gets steel braided brake lines and a remote preload adjuster. Both models ride on Dunlop Sportmax Q5A tyres, with 120/70-ZR17 front and 190/50-ZR17 rear sizes2.
Design: Sugomi lives on
Kawasaki has stuck to its “Sugomi” design language, first seen on the 2014 Z1000. The Z1100 features a split LED headlamp setup, fin-like under-cowl, and a low-slung stance. Ergonomics have been tweaked with wider handlebars and a lower seat height (815mm), making it more accessible and aggressive at the same time.
The fuel tank holds 17 litres, and the bike weighs 221 kg i.e. 14 kg lighter than the Ninja 1100SX. That weight drop, combined with taller gearing, should make the Z1100 more relaxed on highways and more nimble in the city.
Our thoughts
The Z1100 feels raw, muscular, and unapologetically old-school in all the right ways. I think the SE variant is the one to get. Brembo brakes and Ohlins suspension? Yes, please.
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