Ever since the Z1000 bowed out in 2021, there’s been no liter-class naked bike in Kawasaki’s portfolio. Yes, we know the Z900 comes dangerously close to the liter displacement, but it’s still a middleweight motorcycle and marketed as one, too. Likewise, the ZH2 exists, but again, that’s the Frankenstein of the naked world, courtesy of its supercharged powerhouse.
Now, though, it appears Team Green is ready to whip up a new liter-spec Z for model year 2026. The confirmation comes from the brand’s filings with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). This would sit above the Z900 and take on bikes like the new Honda CB1000 Hornet. Let’s dive in.
A New Kawasaki Z1100 Is Coming For The 2026 Model Year
The CARB filing lists a new ‘ZR1100HT’ under the existing 1100 range comprising the Ninja 1100SX, Ninja 1100SX SE, and the Versys 1100 SE. Here, ‘ZR’ is the term used for Kawasaki Z bikes (Z900 is ‘ZR900F’), and 1100 suggests the displacement, thus confirming the Z1100’s arrival. There is a slim chance it could be something totally different, but we all know Kawasaki rarely has such surprises for us.
The Upcoming Z1100 Will Feature A Punchy Inline-Four Engine
Also confirmed in the CARB filings is that the Z1100 will boast the same 1,099cc inline-four engine. We’ve seen this engine in two trims so far: 134 horsepower/83.2 pound-feet on the Ninja 1100SX and 133 horsepower/82.5 pound-feet on the Versys 1100. Out of the two, the former seems like the ideal way for the Z1100. It’d be a switcheroo of sorts since the first Ninja 1000SX was based on the previous-gen Z1000.
If so, the Z1100 would sit between the usual middleweight and Japanese liter naked bikes. It would be clear of the 117-HP Yamaha MT-09 and 128-HP Triumph Street Triple RS while being short on the 150-HP Suzuki GSX-S1000 and the 147-HP Honda CB1000 Hornet. Interestingly, the CB1000 Hornet SP sold here is capped at about 130 horsepower, which would help the Z’s prospects.
Kawasaki Z1100 Expected Engine Specs
|
Capacity |
1,099cc |
|
Layout |
Inline-four |
|
Power |
134 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
83.2 LB-FT @ 7,600 RPM |
|
Transmission |
Six-speed |
Kawasaki Could Debut The 2026 Z1100 In A Couple Of Months
Judging from Kawasaki’s usual launch trends, the Z1100 could debut in a couple of months. Once here, the pricing will play an integral role in determining how it performs in the crowded naked bike segment. We expect it to cost around $12,000–a couple of grand more than the $9,999 Z900. That would be a competitive MSRP, which shouldn’t be too hard to achieve given the parts sharing. While we wait for more details, we suggest you stay tuned to TopSpeed for all the latest updates.
Kawasaki Z1100 Rivals
- Suzuki GSX-S1000
- Honda CB1000 Hornet
- Yamaha MT-09
- Triumph Street Triple RS
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