Kawasaki Z750: the budget Z that outsold the rest

The Kawasaki Z750 is a 750 cc inline-four standard motorcycle that Kawasaki made from 2004 to 2012. It is a smaller, cheaper version of the Z1000 and a modern take on the Kawasaki Z750RS Z2 of the 1970s.

Kawasaki Z750 at a glance

The English article gives the model story; the German one adds type codes and the detail of each update.

History of the Kawasaki Z750

Kawasaki launched the Z750 in 2004 as an economy model, a year after the bigger Z1000. It used a 750 cc sleeved-down version of the Z1000 engine, cheaper front suspension and a conventional exhaust. It was conceived to rival the Honda Hornet, Yamaha FZ6 Fazer and Suzuki SV650, but with extra performance from the larger displacement engine. Kawasaki Europe’s Kenji Nagahara explained the thinking: “Our strategy was to make a budget bike, but we wanted something different. Manufacturing a 750 isn’t really any more expensive than building a 600. And with many parts common to the Z1000, we were able to offer the 750 at the right price. In essence, the 750 is a sleeved down Z1000 using some cheaper, lower-spec components.”

Z750S, 2005–2006

The S was a touring variant with a single long seat instead of the two-part seat, a half fairing for wind protection and no rear tyre hugger. It used analogue speedometer and tachometer from Kawasaki’s ZX-R supersport models instead of the digital cluster, and had a slightly lower seat, grab rails and ZX-10-style rear lights.

2007 update

The 2007 Z750 gained a bikini fairing, an engine with less vibration and more low-end torque, an upside-down front fork and petal-shaped front and rear discs. The German Wikipedia adds a 2-way uncontrolled catalyst meeting Euro 2 on the 2004–2006 model, an immobiliser from 2006, and for 2007 a Euro 3 catalyst, revised frame with an aluminium side sub-frame, an exhaust throttle valve for more torque, 3 N·m more torque and 4 hp less peak power arriving 500 rpm earlier, and an ABS version weighing 4 kg more.

Z750R, 2011–2012

The R resembled the 2007–2012 Z750 but had upgraded front suspension, a rear shock with a piggyback nitrogen reservoir, radially mounted four-piston front calipers with metal-braided lines, an aluminium swingarm — 11 mm narrower and lighter — and black instrumentation. The headlight cluster, front mudguard and indicators were redesigned for a sportier look. In 2012 the Z800 replaced the Z750, with a larger bore and new styling, aimed at the Yamaha FZ8.

Design and features

• Sleeved-down Z1000 engine: 748 cc and 110 hp at a lower price than a dedicated design.
• Shared parts: many components common with the Z1000 kept manufacturing costs down.
• Z750S tourer: half fairing, one-piece seat and analogue instruments.
• 2007 upgrades: upside-down fork, petal discs and stronger low-end torque.
• Z750R: radial calipers, better suspension and an aluminium swingarm.

Kawasaki Z750 versions

• Z750 (2004–2006): the original economy model, ZR 750 J.
• Z750S (2005–2006): touring variant with half fairing, ZR 750 K.
• Z750 (2007–2012): bikini fairing, upside-down fork, Euro 3, ABS option.
• Z750R (2011–2012): upgraded suspension, brakes and swingarm.
• Z800 (2012): the replacement with a larger bore.

The Z750 was the smaller sister of the Z1000, and its name recalls the 1970s Z1 generation. More models are in the Kawasaki collection.

Video: Vergleich Triumph Street Triple vs. Kawasaki Z 750: Wieviel Spaß macht die Motorrad-Mittelklasse?

Video by Motorvision Deutschland on YouTube.

Sources

• Kawasaki Z750, English Wikipedia: launch, Z750S, 2007 and 2011 updates, Z800
• Kawasaki Z 750, German Wikipedia: model codes, technical changes, colours
• Kawasaki Z, Italian Wikipedia: place in the Z series