Let’s face it: the liter-class naked bike scene hasn’t exactly been buzzing lately. Sure, the Yamaha MT-10’s been holding it down, and Suzuki recently gave the GSX-S1000 a fresh coat of paint. But overall? It’s been a bit quiet. That’s starting to change, as Honda’s releasing the new CB1000 Hornet and now, Kawasaki's getting ready to bring back some serious muscle in the form of a new Z1100.
Yep, the Z1000’s spiritual successor is officially on the horizon. It’s been a few years since Kawasaki quietly pulled the plug on the Z1000, a bike that never sold in huge numbers but definitely made an impression. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie, had a brawny 1,043cc inline-four, and didn’t rely on superchargers or fancy electronics to get your heart pumping. Just raw, old-school power with killer styling.
Now, thanks to new documents from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), we know the Z nameplate is coming back in a big way. The document lists a model coded ZR1100HT—clear as day for Kawasaki nerds that this is a new Z naked—and groups it with the upcoming Ninja 1100SX and Versys 1100. All three share a 1,099cc inline-four, which already makes about 134 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque in the sport-tourers.
That means we can expect the Z1100 to land somewhere in the same ballpark, but with a wilder edge. It'll surely be less fancy than the Z H2, but likely more substantial than the Z900. Think more aggressive tuning, sharper chassis geometry, and styling that hopefully channels some of the Z1000’s iconic Sugomi look, just with a modern twist. We’re also expecting all the goodies: IMU-based traction control, cornering ABS, a TFT dash, and maybe even cruise control and ride modes, if Kawasaki wants to keep up with the Joneses.
So why does this matter? Because it just might signal a shift. After years of brands downsizing to middleweights, the Z1100 marks a return to the big, naturally aspirated naked bike—something that feels visceral, physical, and unapologetically mechanical. It’s a sign that manufacturers are still listening to riders who want performance without the extra fluff, and that there’s still room in the market for a liter-class bruiser that’s all about the ride.
The timing honestly couldn’t be better. Honda’s back in the game. Yamaha and Suzuki are still swinging. And Kawasaki? Well, if the Z1100 delivers, it might just steal the show. After all, there’s still a big crowd out there who just want a no-nonsense naked bike with real power, street presence, and a bit of edge.
Let’s hope this one doesn’t just look mean, but rides like it too.
Sources: California Air Resources Board, Motorcycle.com
