Kawasaki Z1-R

FOR MANY FOLK, THE LAUNCH OF Kawasaki’s first big inline, four cylinder motorcycle, the Z1A, gave a new and unapproachable style, presence and stature that far outshines any of the later models, with the added side-effect of also retaining the greatest value.

Of course, just because a certain bike is the first model of a range doesn’t mean that it is the best. And while the Z1 was the first big four-stroke production bike from Kawasaki, not only did it come at the end of a long and tortuous path for the Kawasaki design and production teams, it also began a long line of ever-improving air-cooled inline fours from the Japanese manufacturer, that continued on into the 21st century.

Had Honda not launched the single overhead cam CB750 in 1969, the Zed series could