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FZ6 Vs Z750
FZ6 Vs Z750
ROAD TEST
K
AWASASKI is and urban terrorists. middleweight 600s, so we’ve
trying to cover a With a price tag of only pitched it against a variety of
lot of bases with £5500 the Z750 has got a lot machines.
the Z750. At one of people to please. It has got First up is the current king of
end of the scale to be easy and unintimidating the all-rounder 600 class, the
the firm sees the to ride, but still exciting when FZ6 Fazer. Next we paired it
naked 750cc roadster as you want it to be; flexible in with the Ducati Monster 800,
novice-friendly enough to town but flickable down your to see how it fares in the style
attract first-time big-bike favourite B-road; and also stakes. And finally we put it
buyers. But its aggressive look good enough to draw a up against its big brother, the
styling and near-150mph crowd. Z1000. See how well it takes
performance is also designed The Z750 is competing with on allcomers over the next
to pull in back-road thrashers musclebikes, commuters and four pages...
telescopic forks
WIDTH: 780mm
90%
PROS ● Strong usable motor ● Howling exhaust ● Quick steering ● Comfortable riding position
CONS ● Unrefined suspension ● Lack of wind protection
Fazer 600?
Is it a better
all-rounder
than a...
I
F you’re after a practical From any gear, at any speed, you wheel of the Z750 gives a
everyday middleweight bike, get usable punch. And as the feeling of weightlessness that
the Fazer is the one to beat. revs rise the gruff exhaust note belies its 186kg dry weight. It
With an alloy beam frame, R6 turns into a wail. feels tiny, lithe and chuckable.
motor and a sporty edge, the The Z750’s sleeved-down Steering is light and on the
all-new Fazer has moved the Z1000 motor makes 94bhp at quick side of neutral – the Z can
budget 600 class forward. the back wheel compared to the be levered on to its side quickly.
It is comfortable, quick and as Fazer’s 89bhp and makes it at In slow and medium-speed
happy on a Sunday thrash as it is lower revs. While the Fazer rider turns it inspires confidence,
commuting on Monday morning. tap dances on the gearbox, the helped by sticky Bridgestone
Kawasaki has pulled the same Z pilot can just use its bulging BT012s. The unadjustable forks
trick it did with the ZX-636 – torque curve. and pre-load and rebound
adding a few more cubes than Both bikes top out at over adjustable rear shock soak up
the competition. The big-bore 140mph. But the Z750 lacks the bumps, but push hard in a
motor means the Z750 is able wind protection above 100mph. bumpy corner and it will start to
to pull harder than the Fazer, Keep the motor spinning and wallow and weave.
everywhere, all the time. the Fazer will eat up A-roads. It’s Cornering is more cultured on
Roll on the Fazer’s throttle relaxing too – the quiet motor the Fazer. Turn-in is slower,
from low speed in top and you’ll combines with a half fairing that thanks to sports-touring BT020s
THE Z750 may have a 150cc hear a rumble from the airbox deflects most of the airflow. and everything is more precise
advantage but the Fazer makes but not much else. On the Z750 Turn on to a B-road and things and measured. For fast road
up for it in the bends you’re met with instant drive. change. Sitting over the front riding it is an excellent tool and
JANUARY 7, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 19
ROAD TEST
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
Is it wilder
than a...
DUCATI’S Monster
overshadows the Z750
when it comes to cafe
culture clout
V
ISIT Milan or Rome and you’ll see looking bike, but without the trick the traffic, the Z750 is in its element. gear. The Z1000 starts to pull away and as
DESIGNER’S stacks of Ducati Monsters jostling suspension and Buck Rogers pipework With suspension that soaks up bumps second gear is engaged, the front lifts
OPINION with Vespas and Fiat 500s. But
riders also spend a lot of time posing
of the Z1000, the Z750 is
overshadowed.
at low speed, light controls and a head-
up riding position the Kawasaki makes
again. 60mph comes up in 3.02 seconds
– that’s as quick as a GSX-R1000.
WE spoke to renowned designer outside pavement cafes on this Italian Outside a local cafe, it’s the Monster the Monster seem agricultural. Gear Things are a bit more controlled on the
Martin Longmore, whose creations style icon. that people look at. Ducati was recently selection is crucial on the Ducati – load 750, but not much slower. The slightly
include the Audi TT and the latest From the clean naked looks and air- voted as one of the coolest brands ever the engine with less than 3000rpm more docile power makes it easier to
Aprilia Mille, to find out what he cooled motor to the triangulated beauty among the non-riding public. showing and it’ll shake like a Massey launch. It hits 60mph in 3.44 seconds,
thinks about Ducati’s style icon of Ducati’s trademark trellis frame this is Cruising through town, it’s the blood Ferguson. Combined with a lack of only just off the pace of the 1000.
versus the new Kawasaki Z750: a bike to be seen on. red paintwork and the low rev throb of steering lock it means the Kawasaki is As the speed builds and the riders tuck
The Z750 lacks the visual drama of the Ducati that turns heads, but the more useful within the city limits. down flat on the tank to take advantage of
DUCATI M800ie the Monster. It might have a tailpiece Kawasaki is the bike of choice when it If you want crowd pulling power then it what little wind protection there is, the
“THE Monster 800 can be and tank of origami creases and comes to riding. Around town it is simply has to be the Monster. The Z750 gets gap begins to widen, but it’s still close
described in two words: upswept curves, but it lacks the ‘look at superb. Short shifting and using the pushed into the shadows but it makes a enough that a missed shift could tip the
Mechanical purity. It is the me’ clout of the Duke. It’s a good- wide bars to flick the bike in between better town bike. balance. 100mph comes up in 6.02
definitive naked bike and epitome
of Italian style. But it’s not overly
styled. Like many successful OVERALL LENGTH:2100mm
DUCATI M800ie SPECIFICATION:
products it has spawned many Engine: Four-stroke 803cc (88 x
£5995 otr RAKE:24°
FUEL: 48mpg, 15 litres, 160 miles 66mm) 4v V-twin. Fuel injection.
imitations and generated cult Available: Now. 24 months’ Six gears
status.” unlimited mileage warranty, Chassis: Steel trellis
HEIGHT: 1020mm
835mm
one year’s roadside recovery. Front suspension: 43mm inverted
OVER SEAT: 1770mm
455mm
KAWASAKI Z750 New for 2004: Unchanged 855mm Rear suspension: Single shock
with progressive linkage, adjustable
“THE Z750 is an aggressive and from previous year for pre-load only
charismatic looking bike. It follows Insurance group: 14 (of 17) Tyres: 120/70x17 front, 160/60x17
Info: Ducati UK, 0845- rear
the look of the Z1000. The biggest 1222996 Brakes: 2 x 320mm front discs
visual loss is the double-barrelled with four-piston calipers, 245mm
WEIGHT: 179g (394lb) rear disc with two-piston caliper
exhausts used on the Z1000. But
TRAIL: 94mm
the sculpted tank and steep rear
end accentuates the machine’s WHEELBASE: 1440mm
82%
PROS ● Style in spades ● Low seat height ● Unintimidating riding position ● Sounds like a ‘proper’ Ducati...
aggressive stance perfectly.” CIRCULAR digital dash started out on
CONS ● Lacks the power of the other bikes ● Vibes at low revs mean that it is difficult in town ● More costly
ZX-6R and is now on Z750 and Z1000
JANUARY 7, 2004 MOTOR CYCLE NEWS 21
CONTINUES ON PAGE 23
seconds on the 1000, 7.28 on the noticeable on the road. The Z1000 has steering on the 750 is lighter and more
750, making the 750 just 1.26 seconds massive roll-on power, which accurate too, especially at low speeds.
slower to the three figures. understandably the smaller capacity The budget brakes on the Z750 help
Above 120mph the sheer power of bike can’t live with. But the 750’s spot- it stop quicker than the four-pots on
the Z1000 shows. It howls through the on gearing means that snappy the Z1000. The sliding calipers lack
quarter mile in 10.8 seconds, while the acceleration is always on tap. initial bite, but pull on them hard and
750 takes 11.6, at which point it is The Z750 is easier to ride quickly on the Z750 will stand on its nose as
travelling 9mph slower. the road. The power of the 1000 motor easily as anything. The 750 pulls up
Top speeds on naked bikes like these overwhelms the short but softly sprung from 70mph five feet sooner than a
aren’t very relevant, unless you’re built chassis on bumpy roads. The big Z Z1000.
like the Terminator, but they do shakes its head and wobbles and The Z750 may lack the insane rush
highlight just how close the 750 and weaves when pushed hard, especially of the Z1000, but for most of us the
the 1000 are. The Z750 hits a genuine on standard suspension settings. gap between the two is close enough
145mph, while the 1000 sees 155mph The Z750 doesn’t offer the massive to make shelling out an extra £2000 a
– not a huge difference on naked bikes torque that lifts the front wheel in the really tough decision.
that offer very little wind protection. lower gears on the 1000. It’s still ● Thanks to Planet Bikes for the loan of
The difference is slightly more exciting to ride, but never scary. The the Z1000. Contact: 0116-244-2000.
830mm
WIDTH: 770mm
nothing but
500mm Rear suspension: Single shock with
New for 2004: Unchanged
rising rate linkage, adjustable for
from previous year pre-load only
Insurance group: 16 (of 17) Tyres: 120/70 x 17 front, 190/60 x
Info: Kawasaki UK; 01628- 17 rear
bike insurance
851000 Brakes: 2 x 300mm front discs with
four-piston calipers, 245mm rear
WEIGHT: 198kg (437lb) disc with two-piston caliper
TRAIL: 101mm
WHEELBASE: 1420mm
86%
PROS ● Mad, mad power ● Bags of low-down grunt ● Looks hard as nails ● Good around town
CONS ● Back roads can tie it in knots ● Brakes could be better ● Can scare as easily as thrill
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ROAD TEST
FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
PERFORMANCE
TOP SPEED
MORE power and a tiny Z750 144.83mph 21.30sec
frontal area means the
Z750 beats the Fazer FZ6 140.85mph 21.50sec
though the rider has to lie
Z1000 154.65mph 19.00sec
flat on the tank. The
Z1000’s extra bhp means M800 129.02mph 22.50sec
it rules the runway.
Top speed Time to reach top speed
120
THE Z1000 shows its true power here – although it
seems to be masked by tall gearing. The Z750 beats
the Fazer everywhere and has the flattest torque curve
of the lot. The Ducati is torquey but fades early on.
100
PEAK POWER PEAK TORQUE
Kawasaki Z1000 - 118.2bhp @ 10,000rpm - 65.5ftlb @ 7600rpm
Ducati Monster 800 - 69.2bhp @ 8000rpm - 47.9ftlb @ 6250rpm
80
Kawasaki Z750 - 94.6bhp @ 10,250rpm - 48.8ftlb @ 8000rpm
Yamaha FZ6 Fazer - 89.9bhp @ 11,500rpm - 41.9ftlb @ 9600rpm
60
40
nothing but
bike insurance
bhp/
ftlb
20
0
RPM 2000 4000 6000 8000 10,000 12,000 14,000