Kawasaki Z1100 Revived As New-Gen Model With Bigger Engine; Will It Come To India?

Kawasaki Z1100 Revealed: Kawasaki has revived an important nameplate, the Z1100, expanding its litre-class Z supernaked range. For 2026, Kawasaki has equipped the Z1100 with mechanical and hardware components similar to the Ninja 1100 SX, while dressing it up with a 'Sugomi' design inspired by the older Z1000. 

Kawasaki Z1100: Engine

Powering the Z1100 is a 1,099cc, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine derived from the Ninja 1100 SX sport tourer. The engine, paired with a 6-speed gearbox, is tuned to develop the same 136bhp at 9,000rpm and 113Nm of peak torque at 7,600rpm. However, the motor's gearing has been tweaked to enable more relaxed cruising at highway speeds.

Kawasaki Z1100: Hardware

Even the main frame is the same aluminium unit, suspended by fully adjustable Showa units. The standard Z1100 features a Showa setup, while the top-spec SE gets a Showa front fork and an Ohlins S46 rear monoshock with remote preload adjuster.

The SE's top-notch braking hardware includes Brembo M4.32 callipers and steel-braided brake lines. The standard version, on the other hand, makes do with Kawasaki's Tokico radial callipers. Having said that, disc brakes are larger 310mm units compared to the Ninja’s 300mm discs. The tyres are the familiar Dunlop Sportmax Q5A from Z900.

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Kawasaki Z1100: Display, Electronic Aids

The 5.0-inch TFT dash on the new Z1100 has also been borrowed from the latest Z900. The display is Bluetooth compatible, enabling access to navigation, music controls, and SMS/call alerts. It also manages 3-level traction control, wheelie control, a bidirectional quick shifter, cruise control, dual-channel ABS, two power modes (Full and Low), and four ride modes (Rider, Sport, Rain, and Road). 

Kawasaki Z1100: Design

Although it shares the same Sugomi design with the Z1000, the Z1100 is marked out by a new undercowl, a revised headlamp, wider handlebars, and a single exhaust muffler. The standard variant is offered with an all-black colour, while the SE comes in a grey paint scheme with green wheels. 

Weighing 221kg, the new Z1100 is 14kg lighter than the Ninja 1100SX sold in Europe. It has an 815mm seat height and a 125mm ground clearance.

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Kawasaki Z1100: Will It Come to India?

Kawasaki currently retails the base Ninja 1100SX in India. While there is no confirmation, we expect the standard Z1100 to arrive, if Kawasaki plans to. If and when launched, it will rival the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP.