My Z1000 Sport Touring Edition...

[Rembrant]

Ok, winter blues....meh...

Been workin' on the old Z1000 lately, gettin' her all geared up for what I hope to be an epic 2010 road trip....all dependent on the summer work schedule...as always...lol.

Anyway, I picked up a used Ventura luggage system for $100 clams, which is nice as it gives me some extra carrying capacity, and a rack for an aux fuel jug...lol. Also installed a set of Powermadd hand guards, a Ram mount and cradle for my new Nuvi 550, and a set of engine crash/stunt bars which I plan on mounting a set of highway pegs on.

I already had the Oxford Heaterz grips, so now my hands should stay toasty warm. I also picked up a Fuzeblock FZ-1 (not installed yet) and a full waterproof Firstgear TPG outfit.....I am almost ready to roll...lol.

I know the old Z1000 doesn't have many fans, but I thought I'd post up some pics anyway. Cheers

[st2sam]

I know the old Z1000 doesn't have many fans, but I thought I'd post up some pics anyway. Cheers

Very nice! Whats not to like, you've covered all the bases, with all the correct farkles.
Just think, in a couple a months you'll be able to ride!

[Rembrant]

Hehe, thanks st2sam,

I absolutely love this bike....it's my thrid Kawi in a row now. Anyway, it's not exactly a sport-tourer, but the least I can do it kit it out for the type of riding I want (and need) to do with it. Anything to enhance the experience eh?....lol.

Hopefully, in 2011, I'll be able tp pick up a more touring oriented machine....no definite plans just yet, but something between a Concours-14 and a V-Strom...lol. I'll have to figure out exactly what my riding plans for the next few years will be.

Then, I'll strip all the extra stuff off my Z1000 and it will become my local backroad burner for those more "spirited" Saturday rides....lol.

Cheers man,
Rem

[MadMax96]

I've always been a fan of the Z1000 - even with the funky OEM pipes.    Looks like you're ready to put some miles behind you.  Those Ventura setups are nice, but I've always thought they were a bit pricey.  For the price you got yours for, you can't go wrong!  

Is that a red Z in the background there?  

[Rembrant]

I've always been a fan of the Z1000 - even with the funky OEM pipes.

Hehehe, yeah, I'm really surprised at how many people actually like the stock "pickle-fork" pipes on the first gen Z1000's. I still have mine...lol, the full stock system is on a shelf in the garage...it has about 2 miles on it...lol, I installed an Akro 4-into-1 system when the bike was brand new.

Those Ventura setups are nice, but I've always thought they were a bit pricey.  For the price you got yours for, you can't go wrong!

Unfortunately, the Z doesn't have much in the way of luggage options....although Hepco & becker makes a hard case kit that is not only expensive, it's just way to big and bulky for me. I have an Elite Seat Sak from Luggae Locker that is fitted for my stock rear seat, but it's not very big. I did look at buying the Ventura system brand new, but it was going to cost around $600 plus shipping IIRC. A hundred bucks for a used set-up, I couldn't really turn it down. 

Is that a red Z in the background there?

Yeah, that's a red '04 Z1000 that belongs to a friend of mine. He stores it here for the winter, until he gets his own garage or shed, etc.

[nevinfs327]

Very nice Z.  I always liked these and really enjoyed the '08 I demo'd a couple of years ago.  The only flaw I found in the machine for sport-touring use was the seat and you seem to have taken care of that nicely with what looks like a comfy place to park your butt for a full day.

[j1mmyj4m]

I love everything about the older Z's except for the vibration.  A friend and I switched for a day and I was blown away by the amount of numbness I had after 300 miles.  Fun bike otherwise.

[duceduceexplorer]

i like the z's alot! and i think you got this one all set-up to rock

[sammyseaman]

I love everything about the older Z's except for the vibration.  A friend and I switched for a day and I was blown away by the amount of numbness I had after 300 miles.  Fun bike otherwise.

 

[Rembrant]

Very nice Z.  I always liked these and really enjoyed the '08 I demo'd a couple of years ago.  The only flaw I found in the machine for sport-touring use was the seat and you seem to have taken care of that nicely with what looks like a comfy place to park your butt for a full day.

Hehehe, yeah....I was kind of a non-believer in the Corbin seat until I bought one....lol. It's not perfect, but it's much better than the stocker.

[Mach VIII]

A work of art there Rembrant.  

I've always liked the Z1000's - even the stock exhaust on the 1st gen's.  Still trying to make up my mind about the looks of the new Z - from some angles I really like, others I'm not sure.

Anyhow, nicely done.  Any more wind protection available through aftermarket screens?  I know the tall ones aren't cool looking, but they're easy enough to swap out and it could be installed just for those longer trips.

I'm curious, what is the name of the color for your bike?  Is it the Candy THUNDER Blue, or the Candy PLASMA Blue (or something else yet)?  I've got an '02 ZX-12R that is Candy Thunder Blue and I'm wondering if a front fender off a Z-1000 or ZX10 might be made to fit as they're a bit sportier looking.  Would be nice if it was color-matched already.

[Rembrant]

A work of art there Rembrant.

Thanks man!

Anyhow, nicely done.  Any more wind protection available through aftermarket screens?  I know the tall ones aren't cool looking, but they're easy enough to swap out and it could be installed just for those longer trips.

There are a couple aftermarket taller screen options for the first gen Z1000, I think Givi, Puig, etc make them. However, they're really only a few inches taller and don't offer much better protection....at least I haven't seen any rave reviews...lol.

I'm curious, what is the name of the color for your bike?  Is it the Candy THUNDER Blue, or the Candy PLASMA Blue (or something else yet)?

My Z1000 is the Candy Flat Raw Plasma Blue....2006 was the only year it was offered on the Z1000....actually....it was the only color available on the 2006 Z1000...lol. I was also offered on the '06 ZX-6R/636. The 'other' similar color was the Candy Plasma Blue, found on the 2005 ZX-6R and maybe some others....it is really just the same base coat as the flat, but with a clear coat.

I've got an '02 ZX-12R that is Candy Thunder Blue and I'm wondering if a front fender off a Z-1000 or ZX10 might be made to fit as they're a bit sportier looking. Would be nice if it was color-matched already.

Ok....I'm really going to confuse you here....lol.

The front fender on my Z1000, as pictured, is not the original Z1000 fender...lol. I installed a set of 2006 ZX-6R/636 forks, and '06 fender, which was a color match for my bike. It's a common upgrade on the first gen Z1000, which adds the radial mount calipers, adds compression damping, and rebound damping on both forks. The stock Z1000 forks only have rebound damping on one fork, and no compression damping.

The stock front fender on the first gen Z1000 is a one piece unit that Kawi 'stole' from the 2003-2004 ZX-6R/636. (So, they don't have the black side covers like mine does now).

The only other Kawis that came in the Candy Thunder Blue, that I'm aware of, were the 2004 ZX-6R/636 and 2004 ZX-10R, but they are completely different fenders. So, if you're looking for a color match to yours, with the black side panels, the only one would be the 2004 ZX-10R. I think the front fender on the 2004 ZX-6R/636 would likely be the same as the one you currently have now.

Hehehe....I'm not sure how clear all that is....lol, but I hope it answers your questions and isn't too confusing??...lol.

If there's anything else I can help with on that stuff, just holla....I'm always glad to help!!

Cheers man,

Rem

[Mach VIII]

That is VERY helpful!    Thanks so much.  I'm in no big rush with this project, but at least now I can narrow my search.

[jfurf]

NICE. Love it.

I'm considering buying a used Z1000 for my next bike and I found yer thread. Good work!

I'm considering the Z1000, alongside FZ1, VFR and Bandit. I'm leaning toward the Z because the majority of my riding is urban commuting (warfare) and I like the idea of dead-reliable, lightweight, flickable machine.  

[Rembrant]

NICE. Love it.

I'm considering buying a used Z1000 for my next bike and I found yer thread. Good work!

I'm considering the Z1000, alongside FZ1, VFR and Bandit. I'm leaning toward the Z because the majority of my riding is urban commuting (warfare) and I like the idea of dead-reliable, lightweight, flickable machine.  

Hey, thanks for the reply....little bit of a delay in me getting back...lol..life is hectic sometimes...lol.

The first gen Z1000 is not the perfect motorcycle by any means, but in the bang for buck, and fun factor categories, it's bang on!. In typical Kawi style, it's a bunch of leftover and stolen parts from other bikes...but it works, and it is relaible....I've seen some high mileage, and hard ridden, machines.

If you're like me, sick of the sportbike postioning, but still want something to have fun on, this is it...and they're cheap too.

I'll pick up a proper touring bike in the next couple years, but I'm still keeping the old Z1000 as my "play" bike...lol. I've never had a motorcycle that I liked so much....and haven't gotten bored with.

[rauchman]

Nice setup!!!  My wife rides a 2003 Z1K in black/red and she tours on hers as well.  I have to show her some of the stuff you've hooked up to yours.  You have some really good ideas there!!!

Nice job!!!

[magnacurt]

That's a pretty sweet bike.  I just picked up a 2003 Z1000 and am looking for a few parts.  What brand are your crash bars and steering damper?  Also, have you done anything to tame the vibes in the bars?

Thanks,

Curt

[Rembrant]

That's a pretty sweet bike.  I just picked up a 2003 Z1000 and am looking for a few parts.  What brand are your crash bars and steering damper?  Also, have you done anything to tame the vibes in the bars?

The steering damper is the Hyper-Pro RSC in black. The part numbers are listed on the Hyperpro website, and I ordered it from SuperbikeSupply.com (Brad & Mary). I think it was around $420 bucks....not cheap, but it does work well.

The crash bars were from Germany (Ebay.de) and I have since sold them....went to a new home in Texas...lol. If you want the details, or link on how/where to get them, let me know and I'll dig it up for ya. I don't speak/read German, but I can find them on Ebay with a little searching...lol.

Haven't done anything to tame the vibes on mine, in fact, I actually removed my bar end weighst to install mirrors, so I likely made them worse...lol. Anyway, I do have a set of Oxford Heaterz heated grips which are fatter/softer than the oems, so I think they help. Also, if I'm wearing my cold weather gloves (Firstgear) I find the vibes don't bother me at all. If I have my Alpinestar leather gloves on, the vibes bother me a bit at first, but then I get used to them as the day goes on. I think, overall, I've just gotten used to them, or desensitized to them...lol. I just did 4000 miles in one week, and my hands didn't bother me at all, so I must have gotten used to them.

I hope you enjoy your Z1000. I absolutely love mine!! If there's anything else I can help with, just holla!! Cheers;)

[quarter pounder]

Ride on Dude!  If that is whats comfy for you, then ride the wheels off it.  I am more comfortable on bikes like that.  I didn't like all the extra weight and big ol fairing of the ST bikes.  

I've done a couple long hauls on my ZRX (4400, 6600, 5200) and loved it.   I had it set up similar to yours...here's a pic.
cockpit view...GPS, XM

[drew95gt]

Nice Z1000, I am a huge fan of the Z bikes.