Engine to frame bolt sheared at 80mph when cornering.
Back tyre blow at 80mph (flint stuck in tread). (Not a mechanical fault, just very exciting).
Main fuse blew (lights went out) at high speed on winding country road (heart stopping).
Wheel rims were chromed steel. Chrome flakes punctured inner tubes until I epoxyed the inside of the rims.
An easy machine to ride at any speed either in town or on the open road.
Quick (in its day) and very reliable.
Indestructible engine, although the frame snaked a bit at very high speeds when cornering.
60 in first, 90 in second and 110 in third, but I bottled out at 124, London to Portsmouth in 50 minutes.
Tyres, chains and sprockets lasted up to 8000 miles if you didn't wind the throttle open too hard.
My friend has one of these, he's not used it for around 4 years now though, he just uses his Yammy Diversion.
We had a problem with heat as I remember, and it's been sat around now so a lot of the chrome has looked better, but still a sweet and nice sounding bike, just don't know why he doesn't get rid if he's not gonna use it.
I had a Z1000J1. Fantastic bike. Oodles of power.
Reliability excellent.
Couldn't make rear tyre last more than 3000 miles.
Frame and handling greatly improved over A1 model.
Managed indicated 140mph on speedo. (doubt if accurate).
Wish I hadn't sold it.
"1980" THE BIG BLACK BEAST - Kawasaki Z1R MK11. A review from from Down-Under - Perth, Australia.
I have STILL got my Z1000R MK11 after 27 years of FUN, & I've got another 45 years to go; all these year's SHE has never disappointed ME - EVER.
I bought it in 1981 with 2700km on it, & still looking & smelling brand new. It was built in 1980 & only 11 months old when I first saw it, and I just had to have it. It was love at first sight as I bought it right there and then.
I'll never forget that 1st ride as I rode it home from the shop where my mate worked as the mechanic? I had been looking for a Z1R Mk11 for a year before I found HER. THERE'S NO other bike is THAT COOL, My mate "at the Bike Shop". He had called me that morning to tell me that it had just come into the shop ASAP as a trade - Had just come in & to get my ass down there before it goes.
Without question it is the best bike I've ever had the pleasure to ride. It sounds incredible & rides so well. It's so bloody quick it could eat just about anything on the road up to about 1995 with just a couple of carby tweeks "29mm Smooth-Bores & Tin-Gate 4 into 1".
I had a good 14 to 15 years of extreme fun. At 100mph with a steering damper on the forks you can take both hands off the bars & it just sits so smug & tight on the road, that you can just steer it with just your body weight, as it sits dead steady on some of my favorite long winding roads around W.A.
Well that's my 2 cents worth, THE Z IS A LEGEND - I'll be Keeping my Z1000R MK11- until I'm 88 or older. As long as I can still ride her, I'll still be having FUN out there..
All the best, Neil.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Model Year 1980
First year of ownership 1981
Most recent year of ownership 2008
Acceleration marks 9.5/10
Roll-on Performance marks 9.5/10
Handling marks 9/10 "Needs a couple of tweaks"
Braking marks 9/10
Reliability marks 10/10
Comfort marks 10/10
Dealer Service marks - It's Never been Back to the Shop
Running Costs (higher is cheaper) 9/10
Distance when acquired 2712 Km
Most recent distance 86300 Km
Previous motorcycle Z650
Head Turning Appeal & Appreciation 10/10
Date of Entry 4th June, 2008
I've got Z1R 2 as well. Same story... pleasure to ride and still turns heaps of heads.
Had the motor rebuilt at 100,000ks. All original bar the new Vance and Hines 4 into 1.
I've got the bike forever or till I die, which ever comes 1st.
It was great reading your story. I ride it daily.
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