Certification Data Reveals Juicy Details Of Kawasaki’s New Inline-Four Motorcycle

Not long ago, we told you Kawasaki is whipping up a new streetfighter to take on the liter-class segment. While we could just confirm the name back then, we finally know some of its specifications now. These are courtesy of official homologation data (sourced by Motorcycle.com) from across the pond in Europe, and some of these things are perplexing. Let’s dive in.

The Upcoming Kawasaki Z1100 Will Produce Under 140 Horsepower

Look at the Japanese liter-class naked bike segment, and you’ll see that over 150 horsepower is the norm today. The Suzuki GSX-S1000 starts things off with 150 ponies, the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP promises 155, and the Yamaha MT-10 has 163 horsepower. But the homologation data confirms the Z1100 will severely lack here. That’s because it will borrow its inline-four engine from the Ninja 1100 without any changes.

That means a peak output of just 134 horsepower and 83 pound-feet. Not only is it much lower than its rivals, but it is also dangerously close to Kawasaki’s own middleweight naked, the 123-HP Z900. To make matters worse, the Triumph Street Triple RS–another middleweight–promises similar peak power (128 horsepower). The only thing that could help the Z1100 make a case would be its understressed nature and mid-range punch. The claimed top speed lies at 153 miles per hour, meanwhile.

Kawasaki Z1100 Engine Specs

The New Z1100 Weighs Less Than The Ninja 1100 But More Than Its Rivals

The documents also tell us about some dimensions. We now know the Z1100 tips the scale at 487 pounds wet. Although less than the Ninja 1100, this figure makes it heavier than the 472-pound GSX-S1000 and 465-pound CB1000 Hornet SP. Not to mention, its overall power-to-weight ratio would also be the worst among its peers. Elsewhere, the Z1100 has the same wheelbase as the Ninja, albeit with a shorter length and height. These suggest the underpinnings are largely shared between the siblings.

Kawasaki Z1100 Key Dimensions

• Weight: 487 pounds
• Wheelbase: 56.7 inches
• Height: 42.7 inches
• Length: 80.9 inches

The Launch Of The New Z1100 Seems Around The Corner

With type-approval and homologation documents already filed, we can’t help but think the Z1100’s launch is right around the corner. Once out, expect the naked bike to sell for around the $12,000 mark. This would give it a competitive position in the segment while also slotting it in a safe place between the $9,999 Z900 and the $13,699 Ninja 1100. Let’s just hope Kawasaki makes sure the moolah is justified in other ways since peak power certainly won’t be its USP. Fingers crossed!