Kawasaki Z 750 S 2005 — Specifications

It arrived in 2005 with a sense of déjà vu, but with something extra. The Kawasaki Z 750 S is the story of a hard-core roadster that wanted to freshen up its looks for the road. Take the explosive base of the Z 750, add a fork head and a rear end styled like the ZX-10R, and you get this hybrid proposition at €6999. The idea was simple: retain the soul of a 748 cc engine producing 110 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, while offering a bit of protection for slightly longer journeys. On paper, the maneuver seemed logical, almost obvious.

On the saddle, the first sensation is one of reassuring familiarity. The steel frame and the inline four-cylinder engine with 73.5 Nm of torque are those of the naked version. This engine remains a delight, with a well-defined character that starts frankly from 5000 rpm and spins with a Kawasaki rage beyond 8000. That's where its advantage lies over smaller competitors: it has plenty of punch, pulls without forcing, and you're not constantly chasing the next gear. Compared to a pure roadster, this Z 750 S gains versatility without really losing its bite.

But this transformation into a “road-going” machine has its limits. The small fairing and its screen provide correct protection up to 150 km/h for a rider of average height, that’s undeniable. The position, with a raised and close handlebar, relieves the wrists and invites long distances. Yet, the magic doesn't work as immediately as with the naked version. It seems a little wiser, a little less incisive when entering corners. You have to solicit it, tease it to make it reveal its playful soul. And in the rain, forget about it: the fairing lines direct the water straight onto the knees. A small detail, but revealing of a conversion in half-tones.

Who is she for, ultimately? The rider who wants the character of a sporty roadster without the drawbacks of a naked bike on the highway. The one who is looking for a reliable used Kawasaki Z 750 S and more comfortable than the base model. It’s not the ultimate bike for the grand tour, the seat remains hard and the passenger footrests are poorly positioned, but it cheerfully crushes the miles on back roads. In 2006 or 2007, its evolution was minimal, confirming this recipe. Today, a test ride on a Kawasaki Z 750 S might convince you: it’s a characterful machine that attempted a compromise, with its strengths and weaknesses. Not perfect, but devilishly endearing.