Kawasaki 1300
Encyclopedia
The Kawasaki Z1300 was a water-cooled six-cylinder
1300 cc Kawasaki
motorcycle
that was manufactured between 1979 and 1989.
before presentation in 1978.
Due to its weight
and the high purchase price, as well as high fuel consumption, these models did not sell very well, especially in Europe
. Despite that, the Z1300 became known for its smooth well-running six-cylinder engine
. When it was released its output in excess of 120 h.p.
led to new laws in Europe limiting horse power.
This model release led to the term "superbike" due to its horsepower and size. Six cylinders, water cooling, and shaft drive were all cutting edge technologies when this model was introduced. What made this motorcycle special is that all these were standard equipment when it was released. During the 10 years that it was sold, the model was switched from carburetors to electronic fuel injection
and its suspension
was upgraded to air systems front and rear. Although the injection system was installed primarily to improve fuel consumption, even with no other changes to the motor, maximum power jumped to 130ps@8,000 rpm and maximum torque
to 11.8 kg-m@7,000 rpm.
In the U.S., the model was equipped with a windshield
, suitcase, and a redesigned frame. This new model was called "Voyager". In Europe, the traditional model was still available. The last 200 models (built in America as all 1300's were), built in 1989, have been called "Legendary Six", and were equipped with a special logo on the fuel tank
to show that to the public. After a twelve-year production run, Kawasaki's first and only liquid-cooled six-cylinder engine bowed out in 1989 after 20,000 KZ1300/Z1300s and 4,500 Voyagers had been produced.
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
1300 cc Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
that was manufactured between 1979 and 1989.
History
The Kawasaki Z1300 was manufactured in several models referred to as Z1300, KZ1300, ZG1300 and ZN1300. Originally planned as a racing motorcycle, it was turned into a touring motorcycleTouring motorcycle
A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although any motorcycle can be used to tour with, manufacturers have brought specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders...
before presentation in 1978.
Due to its weight
Weight
In science and engineering, the weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity. Its magnitude , often denoted by an italic letter W, is the product of the mass m of the object and the magnitude of the local gravitational acceleration g; thus:...
and the high purchase price, as well as high fuel consumption, these models did not sell very well, especially in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Despite that, the Z1300 became known for its smooth well-running six-cylinder engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
. When it was released its output in excess of 120 h.p.
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
led to new laws in Europe limiting horse power.
This model release led to the term "superbike" due to its horsepower and size. Six cylinders, water cooling, and shaft drive were all cutting edge technologies when this model was introduced. What made this motorcycle special is that all these were standard equipment when it was released. During the 10 years that it was sold, the model was switched from carburetors to electronic fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
and its suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
was upgraded to air systems front and rear. Although the injection system was installed primarily to improve fuel consumption, even with no other changes to the motor, maximum power jumped to 130ps@8,000 rpm and maximum torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
to 11.8 kg-m@7,000 rpm.
In the U.S., the model was equipped with a windshield
Windshield
The windshield or windscreen of an aircraft, car, bus, motorbike or tram is the front window. Modern windshields are generally made of laminated safety glass, a type of treated glass, which consists of two curved sheets of glass with a plastic layer laminated between them for safety, and are glued...
, suitcase, and a redesigned frame. This new model was called "Voyager". In Europe, the traditional model was still available. The last 200 models (built in America as all 1300's were), built in 1989, have been called "Legendary Six", and were equipped with a special logo on the fuel tank
Fuel tank
A fuel tank is safe container for flammable fluids. Though any storage tank for fuel may be so called, the term is typically applied to part of an engine system in which the fuel is stored and propelled or released into an engine...
to show that to the public. After a twelve-year production run, Kawasaki's first and only liquid-cooled six-cylinder engine bowed out in 1989 after 20,000 KZ1300/Z1300s and 4,500 Voyagers had been produced.