Kawasaki Z 750 2011 — Specifications

What if the roadster wars were also being fought in the mid-size category? Kawasaki, with its already well-established Z 1000, launched an offensive on another front in 2007 with this new Z 750. The principle is simple: offer the aesthetics and aggressiveness of the larger naked bike, but with a more accessible engine. For around €7699 at the time, it clearly targeted those who were intimidated by the liter bike but refused to compromise on aesthetics.

Its look is straightforward. It borrows almost entirely the silhouette of its big sister, with that single double-outlet exhaust pipe that serves as a signature. The differences are subtle, with standard calipers and a less massive swingarm, but the essential is there: a visual presence that doesn't go unnoticed. The engine block, an inline 748 cm3 four-cylinder derived from the legendary ZX-9R, is the other major argument. Kawasaki promised more torque in the mid-range and better availability for this generation, with a power output of 106 horsepower at 10,500 rpm. It's an engine that can be civilized but reveals its true nature, sparkling and spirited, when asked.

The chassis has been seriously revised to handle this liveliness. The steel tubular frame benefits from a lateral reinforcing bar, and the 41mm inverted fork replaces the old conventional fork. With an announced weight of 226 kg fully fueled, it’s not the lightest in its class, but this mass is well managed. The 155 mm ground clearance and the 815 mm seat height give it a static aggressiveness that translates into great stability in dynamics, especially in tight turns.

This 2007 Z 750 positioned itself as a credible alternative to other mid-size roadsters on the market. It offered a high-end-like aesthetic package, a reliable and lively engine from the sport world, and a robust chassis. Its target audience? Riders looking for a naked bike with character without crossing over into very high displacement, or those considering a used Kawasaki Z 750 today for a first large roadster. Compared to its contemporaries, it focuses on image and sporting heritage rather than extreme lightness. Its major drawback may be its weight, which can seem considerable when maneuvering for a beginner, but which is compensated by excellent stability once underway.

It’s a machine that marked its time, and remains an interesting reference in the history of the Kawasaki Z 750. For a test ride of a Kawasaki Z 750 today, it demonstrates that the recipe for an effective roadster lies in a balance between a responsive engine, a rigid chassis, and aesthetics that immediately make you want to ride.