Kawasaki Z750

The Z750 motorcycle is Kawasaki's model in the budget class of naked and half faired bikes. It is a smaller version of the Kawasaki Z1000.

Kawasaki Z750

The Kawasaki Z750 was launched in 2004, after its bigger brother, the Z1000 in 2003. Kawasaki kept it simple, using the same engine block and sleeving it down from 1000cc to 750cc, cheaper front suspension and using a conventional exhaust, making it a cut-down version of Z1000. Like the Z1000, which is considered a modern version of the Kawasaki Z900/Z1, the Z750 can be considered a modern take on the Kawasaki Z750RS Z2. A remodeled version of both the Z750 and the Z1000 was released in 2007, with changes both stylistically and mechanically.

Technical specifications (ZR750-J1)

• Engine Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four
• Displacement 748 cm3

Modified Z750

• Bore and Stroke 68.4 x 50.9 mm
• Compression ratio 11.3:1
• Valve system DOHC, 16 valves
• Fuel system Fuel injection: Ø 34 mm x 4 (Keihin)
• Ignition Digital
• Starting Electric
• Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump
• Transmission 6-speed, return
• Maximum power 106-110 PS (depending on market)
• Maximum torque 72-75Nm (7.4-7.6 kgf/m)
• Tyres 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) & 180/55ZR17M/C (73W)
• Front suspension 41 mm telescopic fork (non-adjustable
• Rear suspension Bottom-Link Uni-Trak (adjustable preload and rebound)
• Front Brakes Dual semi-floating 300 mm discs with dual twin-piston calliper
• Rear brakes Single 220 mm disc with Single-piston calliper
• Overall length/width/height 2,080 mm/780 mm/1,040 mm (82/31/41 inches)
• Wheelbase 1,425 mm (56.1 inches)
• Ground clearance 165 mm (6.5 inches)
• Seat height 815 mm (32 inches)
• Dry weight 195 kg (429 lbs)
• Fuel capacity 19 litres (4.75 gallon)
• Maximum Speed est. 240 km/h (150 MPH)
• Available colors Black, Silver, Orange (Black, Silver, Blue - y. 2005, Black, Red, Blue - y. 2004)

Variants

• In 2005, Kawasaki launched the Z750S version which is more tourer, and less streetfighter. This version has a single long seat instead of the two-part seat on the Z750 similar to the Kawasaki ZXR600R, half fairing for wind protection, and excludes the rear tire "hugger" as found on the unfaired Z750. The 'S' version also uses an analog speedometer and tachometer instead of the digital instrument cluster taken from Kawasaki's supersport ZX-R models of which some riders complain that the digital LCD tachometer was harder to read while riding. Other differences include a slightly lower seat, grab rails and ZX10 style rear brake lights.

• In 2007, Kawasaki launched a newer version of the Z750. The styling was slightly changed and inclued a bikini fairing. The engine vibration was reduced and it was also revised for more torque. The front suspension was also changed to an Upside Down Fork. The front and rear disk brakes have been changed to a petal design.

2007 to 2009 Model Year Technical specifications (ZR750L/M)

2008 Kawasaki Z750 ABS

• Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line 4
• Displacement: 748 cm3
• Bore x stroke: 68.4 x 50.9 mm
• Compression ratio: 11.3:1
• Valve/Induction system: DOHC, 16 valves
• Maximum power: 77.7 kW {106 PS} / 10,500 rpm
• Maximum torque: 78 N•m {8.0 kgf•m} / 8,300 rpm
• Fuel system Fuel injection: ø 32 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles
• Ignition: Digital
• Starting: Electric
• Lubrication: Forced lubrication, wet sump
• Transmission: 6-speed, return
• Final Drive: Sealed chain
• Clutch: Wet multi-disc, manual
• Frame type: Tubular backbone (with engine sub-frame), high-tensile steel
• Rake/Trail: 24.5° / 103 mm
• Suspension front: 41 mm inverted fork with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
• Suspension rear: Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock Stepless 7-way
• Wheel travel: front 120 mm, rear 125 mm
• Tyre: front 120/70 ZR17M/C (58W), rear 180/55 ZR17M/C (73W)
• Brakes: front Dual semi-floating 300 mm petal discs - Dual twin-piston, rear Single 250 mm petal disc - Single-piston
• Steering angle: left / right 31° / 31°
• Wheelbase: 1,440 mm
• Ground Clearance: 155 mm
• Seat height: 815 mm
• Fuel capacity: 18.5 litres
• Curb Mass: 226 kg / 230 kg (ABS)
• Complies to EU emission limit EURO 3
• 2007 Colours: Candy Lime Green, Ebony Black, Atomic Silver
• 2008 Colours: Pearl Wildfire Orange, Ebony Black, Metallic Ocean Blue
• 2009 Colours: Candy Lime Green/Metallic Diablo Black, Candy Imperial Blue, Metallic Diablo Black

Common Complaints

For some owners the mirror stalks are not long enough and, as a result, do not allow for a full view to objects (including cars) directly behind the rider.

All Z750 produced a lot of vibration from the running engine transfered to brake handle. This causes a problem commonly referred to as "fairing buzz". On this model motorcycle, the buzz tends to be most noticeable around 6000-8000RPM, above an indicated 75mph.

Vibrations are also very noticeable in the stock mirrors, so much that many riders claim that the mirrors are useless once you enter the base vibration range of 5000RPM until high RPM. There have been numerous attempts to get around this vibration while maintaining the stock mirrors. As of yet, Kawasaki has not announced any plans to fix this. A proposed fix from some is to replace them with mirrors from the Buell XBR12 Firebolt.

Another complaint from some more experienced riders is the front suspension, which holds the bike back whenever the road is either bumpy, or the rider is riding fast. Most either upgrade the fork internals or replace the forks from another bike (normally USD units)

External links

• Kawasaki Z750 review Road tests of both the old and new shape Z750
• Kawasaki Z750S Owner's Association]