It had to happen. Following the stunning success of the Z1000, Kawasaki just had to bring out the Z750, a middleweight naked sports bike that will slash insurance premiums but still deliver that adrenalin rush whenever you wind open the twistgrip.
It may not be as sexy as the Z1000, but this bike has a personality all its own thanks to a combination of responsive power and lightweight handling. Class-leading engine performance comes from a 748cc liquid-cooled in-line four with electronic fuel injection. The cylinder head features re-shaped intake and exhaust ports, a modified combustion chamber and adjusted valve angle to suit the reduced bore size.
Based on the Z1000 engine, the powerplant delivers creamy torque over a broad rev range so that you can make the best of the six gears. The 34 mm throttle bodies with dual throttle valves and fine-atomising injectors give instant cold starting, smooth throttle response, excellent fuel economy and low exhaust emissions. A large, Z1000 radiator eliminates the need for an oil cooler.
Streetbikes need the muscle look if they are going to hack it. So Kawasaki have hidden the fact that the frame is an old style steel cradle by fixing plastic covers to the lower part of the engine. This makes it look like a beam frame, the same trick used on the Z1000. The stiff, box-section swingarm helps to reduce chassis flex and contributes to the bike's excellent road-holding qualities while the right way up 41mm fork delivers a supple ride and excellent steering feedback.
The rear gas shock features four-way rebound damping and seven-way preload adjustment for a smooth ride and excellent road holding qualities.
Simple twin-pot callipers squeeze the speed out of the twin 300mm front discs. A single pot caliper and 220mm disc steadies the back end.
The wheels have six "H" cross-section spokes, a design pinched from the Ninja ZX-10R. Unlike the big Zed Thou, the 750 gets an oval end can at the end of its stainless pipework instead of natty double twin cans. The header pipes of the four-into-one system joins pipes one and four, and two and three to give smooth throttle response at all rpm.
Seat height is 815mm, but the narrow saddle and slim tank means that getting your feet on the deck isn't such a stretch for short riders. The compact bikini cowl is standard, and there is an optional single-seat cover if you want to make the Z750 look a bit hard.
