2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 Specifications

Name: 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000
Brand: Kawasaki

Naked bike • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 Overview

For 2015, Kawasaki offers the Z 1000 as a naked bike motorcycle with 1043 cc on tap. The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 is built around a V2, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 11.8:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 77 x 56 mm. Out on the road, the Z 1000 delivers 111 Nm @ 7300 Revolutions of torque. In everyday use, the 2015 Z 1000 tips the scales at 220 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 815 mm and spans a 1,435 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 19 kg heavier than the average naked bike in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 spec sheet below.

2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 compared with other bikes in the Naked bike category

Measured against other bikes in the Naked bike category in our database (up to 1666 models, one entry per model), the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 comes out as follows.

With 111 Nm, the Z 1000 has the joint 137th highest torque of 1318 bikes in the Naked bike category, 64% above the category average of 67.5 Nm.
Engine displacement of 1043 cc is larger than that of 1371 of the other 1665 bikes in the Naked bike category.
Only 226 of the other 1310 bikes in the Naked bike category have a taller seat height than the 815 mm of the Z 1000.
Narrowing the field to the 543 models within five model years of it, the torque of 111 Nm is higher than that of 439 of the other 542.

Versus the 2014 model

The figures we track are unchanged from the 2014 model: peak torque, wet weight, displacement and seat height all match.

2015 Z 1000 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Strong front braking: The double disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
ABS fitted: With ABS on board, hard braking on a damp or gravelly surface is far less likely to end in a locked wheel.

Considerations

Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the Z 1000 comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Valve clearance checks

Valve clearances on Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)-equipped engines like the Z 1000's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.

Brake disc and pad wear

Double disc with floating discs and Optional ABS up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by 41 mm inverted fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability up front and Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged, with stepless rebound damping and preload adjustability at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Chain final drive on the Z 1000 means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.

Frame & chassis check

The Twin-tube, aluminium chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The Z 1000's 220 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.

Z 1000 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 with its 1043 cc naked bike should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 11 years old, this naked bike is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept Z 1000 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the Z 1000's 1043 cc v2, four-stroke - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With an 11.8:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the Z 1000's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

Valve clearance service

There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if a Z 1000's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.

2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 have?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 1043 cc of displacement.

How much does the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 weigh?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 weighs 220 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much torque does the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 produce?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 produces 111 Nm @ 7300 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.

Is the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 has a seat height of 815 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.

What brakes does the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 have?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 uses double disc with floating discs and Optional ABS at the front and single disc with Optional ABS at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 use?

The 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 190/50-ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

Kawasaki Z 1000 Spec Evolution

The Kawasaki Z 1000 was produced across 15 model years (2004-2021). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2004	2006	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Max Power	127 hp / 92.7 kW @ 10000 rpm	127 hp / 92.7 kW @ 10000 rpm	127 hp / 92.7 kW @ 10000 rpm	127 hp / 92.7 kW @ 10000 rpm	101.5 kW / 138 hp @ 9600 rpm	101.5 kW / 138 hp @ 9600 rpm	101.5 kW / 138 hp @ 9600 rpm	101.5 kW / 138 hp @ 9600 rpm	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Wet Weight	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	221 kg / 487.2 lbs	220.0 kg / 485.0 lbs	220.0 kg / 485.0 lbs	221.0 kg / 487.2 lbs	221.0 kg / 487.2 lbs	221.0 kg / 487.2 lbs	221.0 kg / 487.2 lbs	221.0 kg / 487.2 lbs
Dry Weight	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	205 kg / 451.9 lbs	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	198 kg / 436.5 lbs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Engine Detail	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder.	Reed valve.	-	-	-	-	-	-
Engine Type	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	V2, four-stroke	V2, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke
Top Speed	248.0 km/h / 154.1 mph	238 km/h / 148 mph	238 km/h / 148 mph	238 km/h / 148 mph	239.7 km/h / 148.9 mph	239.7 km/h / 148.9 mph	239.7 km/h / 148.9 mph	239.7 km/h / 148.9 mph	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Seat Height	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in	815.3 mm / 32.1 in.	815.3 mm / 32.1 in.	815.3 mm / 32.1 in.	815.3 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.	815 mm / 32.1 in.
Fuel Capacity	18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal	18.54 litres / 4.90 gallons	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal	18 Litres / 4.8 US gal	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 US gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 US gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 US gallons

Key Specifications

Engine

V2, four-stroke

Power

Not recorded

Torque

111.00 Nm (11.3 kgf-m or 81.9 ft.lbs) @ 7300 Revolutions

Top Speed

Not recorded

Weight

220.0 kg / 485.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons

Full 2015 Kawasaki Z 1000 Specifications

Colours Green/Black, Black/Grey, Orange/Grey

Ground Clearance (in.) 4.9 inches

Ground Clearance (mm) 125 mm

Seat Height 815 mm / 32.1 in.

Wheelbase 1,435 mm / 56.5 in.

Height 1,055 mm / 41.5 in.

Length 2,045 mm / 80.5 in.

Width 790 mm / 31.1 in.

Fuel Capacity 17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons

Wet Weight 220.0 kg / 485.0 lbs

Max Torque 111.00 Nm (11.3 kgf-m or 81.9 ft.lbs) @ 7300 Revolutions

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.0 x 2.2 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 77.0 x 56.0 mm

Displacement (cc) 1043.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 63.64 cubic inches

Engine Type V2, four-stroke

Fuel Control Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)

Fuel System Injection. 38 mm x 4 (Keihin) with oval sub-throttles

Compression Ratio 11.8:1

Engine Lubrication Forced lubrication, wet sump with oil cooler

Ignition Digital

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Wet multi-disc, manual

Final Drive Chain

Gearbox 6-speed

Primary Drive X-Ring Chain

Frame Type Twin-tube, aluminium

Suspension - Front 41 mm inverted fork with stepless compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability

Suspension - Rear Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged, with stepless rebound damping and preload adjustability

Rake 24.5°

Trail 104 mm / 4.1 in.

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 12.2 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 310 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 9.8 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 250 mm

Brakes - Front Double disc. Floating discs. Optional ABS.

Brakes - Rear Single disc. Optional ABS.

Tyres - Front 120/70-ZR17

Tyres - Rear 190/50-ZR17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.