KAWASAKI Z1R - KZ1000 Motorcycle Parts: What can one really say about this motorcycle? Many consider the Z1R to be the bike that started it all. The Z1R KZ1000 is what black sabbath is to heavy metal. The foundation of a class of bigger motorcycles of the era. On top of that, they were certainly popular. Everybody has seen one. Many people got their start in motorcycles by hearing the howl of this bike's engine with a 4 into 1 Kerker header with an open baffle. Many on the sidelines after seeing this bike saying to themselves "I have to get me one of these things". The bike was another "Widow Maker".
The KZ1000 started an all out war between motorcycle manufacturers to build the faster high displacement machine. Surely the Z1R forced other bike makers to come up with bigger and faster machines in later years. Like the GS1100E for example. Kawasaki reliability started to set another standard in motorcycling that forced other bike makers to really get their act together. Even now in 2009 you will occasionally see old KZ1000's on the road still churning away. Wish I could say the same for many of the old Suzuki's of the day.
The KZ1000 - Z1R is the original Muscle Bike
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