When we first talked about the return of Kawasaki’s big-bore naked, all we had to go on were emissions documents and a whole lot of speculation. Now, thanks to fresh certification data out of the Netherlands, once again brought to light by Motorcycle.com’s Dennis Chung, the Z1100 is no longer a rumor—it’s a confirmed reality.
And this time, we get to see some specs and hard numbers.
Let’s start with the most important bit: the engine. As expected, it’s the same 1,099cc four-banger shared with the Ninja 1100 and Versys 1100. Peak output is an adequate 134.1 horsepower at 9,000 rpm—identical to the Ninja’s figure, and a smidge higher than the Versys’ 132.8 horsepower. While torque isn’t explicitly listed, we can assume it mirrors the Ninja’s 112 Nm (82.5 pound-feet) at 7,600 rpm.
Top speed? Certified at 247 kilometers per hour (153 miles per hour), just under the Ninja’s 251 kilometers per hour (156 miles per hour). That gap makes sense—no fairings means more wind resistance, after all. Still, it’s comfortably faster than the adventure-touring Versys 1100, which tops out at 226 kilometers per hour (140 miles per hour).
Where the Z1100 claws back some advantage is in weight. Tipping the scales at 221 kg (487.2 lb), it’s noticeably lighter than the Ninja’s 235 kg and far trimmer than the Versys’ 255 kg. That said, it’s still on the heavier end of the naked bike spectrum—Suzuki’s GSX-S1000, for instance, is listed at 472 lb wet. But Kawasaki’s been here before: the old Z1000 also weighed 487 lb, so this might just be the new norm for Team Green’s streetfighters.
As for the frame and geometry, the Z1100 shares the Ninja 1100’s 56.7-inch wheelbase, hinting at a shared frame. But it’s not a clone. The Z is shorter overall at 80.9 inches, though it’s also wider at 32.5 inches—likely due to a broader, higher bar setup that’ll offer a more upright and relaxed riding position. The height is listed at 42.7 inches, lower than the Ninja’s 46.9-48.2 inch range thanks to the latter’s adjustable windscreen.
All this paints a clearer picture of what to expect: a muscled-up, no-nonsense naked that ditches the electronics overload of the Z H2 in favor of raw performance, refined ergonomics, and street presence. We’re still waiting on an official reveal, but based on what we know, the Z1100 looks like it’s shaping up to be a worthy heir to Kawasaki’s Z throne.
Source: Motorcycle.com
