In motorcycle parley, "Let's get naked," doesn't mean take your clothes off. It means that on "naked" bikes you simply can't have more fun, even if you were to discard all your clothes. In all seriousness, the term "naked" actually relates to sport bikes with a more upright riding position that are without lower fairings, and that allow a view of the bike's frame and mechanicals.

I rode Kawasaki's Z1000 as an alternative to the Kawasaki Ninja ZX 6R normally used as the track bike for Keith Code's Superbike School. I tried riding the ZX 6R, but I proved to be proportionately dysfunctional -- my elbows and knees conflicted during attempted maneuvers. I was luckily reassigned to the Z1000 naked (the bike, not me) for track instruction. Despite the higher displacement from the Ninja-inspired motor, the Z1000 was ergonomically friendlier to my anatomical makeup.

The Z1000 first appeared on the scene in October of 2003, and has been the recipient of modest refinements since. Color is perhaps the major alteration -- last year, the Z1000 was available in Passion Red and Lime Green (Kawasaki's racing color). For the 2005 model year, it is available only in Raw Titanium. Power still comes from a 953cc DOHC inline four-cylinder motor fitted with linerless cylinders, digital fuel injection fed by four 38mm throttle bodies. Dry weight is kept to a low 437 pounds, thanks in part to the unique high-tensile steel diamond frame construction. Keeping the rubber down are 41mm hydraulic inverted cartridge forks in the front, while aft, a bottom-link UNI-TRAK rear suspension provides sport bike handling attributes. In fact, the overall Z1000 package offers up sport bike performance, but with a super-naked bike image.

Styling wise, the Z1000 leads off with aggressive-looking twin projector-type reflector headlights and a bikini fairing and mini fly screen. Following is a sculpted tank, twin stainless steel mufflers on each side (4-into-2-into-4), a kicked-up tail section with a reversible rear-seat cowl, LED taillight and tire-hugging inner rear fender. The minimalist rider saddle is positioned in between. Not much padding here folks -- fortunately, there are aftermarket seats that elevate the comfort level considerably. Some riders have issued concerns about handlebar vibration associated with the use of the engine as a stressed frame member, which is also a correctable quirk. I personally failed to notice any such vibration, assuming that any shaking was related to the fear factor during my initial track school session. Gauges are all digital, including speedo, tach, temperature, odometer, trip meter and clock.

The Z1000 that served as my steed for the Superbike School lists for $8,499, with freight and dealer set-up, bumping the amount another $400-$600. My school ride was finished in Passion Red (not available for '05).


SUMMARY: The Kawasaki looks incredible. How does it handle? Depends upon who is on board. After riding other Kawa models on the street over several days, I was encouraged to participate in Keith Code's Superbike School. Actually, I was pressured heavily to take part, or risk losing all measure of dignity, so I agreed to suit up in full track gear following the classroom session and hit the road racecourse at Infineon Raceway (it will always be Sears Point to me).

The first exercise consisted of: leaving pit lane; shifting up to fourth gear as soon as possible with no more shifting allowed -- up or down, and absolutely no use of brakes, except for an absolute life-threatening emergency. I did OK on the no more shifting part, but life-threatening emergencies seemed to be in the eyes of the beholder. From my perspective, starting downhill into a reverse camber turn with a decreasing radius constituted such an emergency, so I cheated and feathered the front brake, hoping that nobody would notice. No such luck, as my instructor (there's one assigned to a pair of students) roared effortlessly alongside shaking his head "no" to my cowardly action. My next transgression occurred in a chicane just before the turn 11 hairpin -- I realized that I wasn't going to make it in an upright position. Rather than be chastised for using the brakes or downshifting, I opted for a shortcut through the weeds (hey, a couple of pros had done it the day before when racing); another no-no according to the chief instructor.

Bottom line, by the day's end, I learned a lot as I gained confidence and control. I don't think I ever topped 100 mph, but it felt good anyway, and the Z1000 was certainly capable of more than I could muster in terms of courage. It is powerful, well balanced, fun to ride and pretty darn comfortable, despite the thinly padded seat.