FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction

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May 16, 2022 11:55 AM AEST
Kawasaki celebrate 50 years since the release of the iconic Z1 with four special edition motorcycles.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction

As far as iconic motorcycle models go, the Kawasaki Z1 is right up there with the best of them. It’s a nameplate that’s endured through the decades, too, and in 2022 reaches a significant milestone of 50 years since its introduction. A 50th Anniversary is worth celebrating, and Kawasaki have done exactly that with the release of four special edition motorcycles paying tribute to the golden anniversary.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
Australian allocation of the 2022 Kawasaki Z900RS 50th Anniversary has already sold out.

In Kawasaki dealerships since late March, the quartet of 50th Anniversary models are based on the current Z650, Z900, Z650RS and Z900RS models, so if your tastes run to modern supernaked or retro sports styling, there’s a bike to suit.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
Finished in the same colour scheme as the Z900RS, the 2022 Z650RS 50th Anniversary was still available at time of writing.

Both the 650s are LAMS-legal, too, so you can start your motorcycling journey on something very cool.

Special colours and identifying badging feature on each of the four, and while the 50th Anniversary models will not be a numbered series, production and availability will be limited.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
2022 Kawasaki Z900 50th Anniversary in Firecracker Red.

Get ‘Em While you Can

Of the four special edition 50th Anniversary Kawasakis released, the Z900RS has already sold out and availability of the rest was very limited for the Australian market at time of writing, so act fast if one strikes your fancy.

Given their special edition status, all these bikes carry price premiums over their regular equivalents, but it’s only a few hundred dollars in most instances. See your Kawasaki dealer for the latest pricing and availability on all 50th Anniversary models.

To see more on the Z650 50th Anniversary, click HERE

To see more on the Z900 50th Anniversary, click HERE

To see more on the Z650RS 50th Anniversary, click HERE

To see more on the Z900RS 50th Anniversary, click HERE

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
2022 Kawasaki Z650 50th Anniversary features a paint scheme inspired by the GPz1100 from the 1980s.

A brief history of the original Z1

Back in 1967, Kawasaki started developing a 750cc four-stroke four-cylinder model that would be a world away from the screaming three-cylinder two-strokes they were known for at the time.

Internally, the four-cylinder project was known as ‘N600’ but acquired the code name ‘New York Steak’ as a reference to the American market that Kawasaki hoped to crack with the bike and that the upcoming model would be the “premium” item on their menu.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
All of this year’s 50th Anniversary models feature a special textured seat finish (2022 Z650 50th Anniversary pictured) that’s unavailable on their non-Anniversary equivalents.

Development was well underway when Honda released their CB 750 at the 1968 Tokyo Motorcycle Show, taking Kawasaki by surprise and forcing a rethink of their plans.

Being merely similar to the Honda just wouldn’t do, so the N600 team decided to increase capacity of their bike to 903cc and ensure it also produced more power than the CB 750.

As the engine would be the heart of the New York Steak project – and the measure by which most people would judge its success – development was intensive and it wouldn’t be until early 1970 that the big four was considered finished enough for chassis design to commence.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
Chrome pillion grab rail, seen here on the 2022 Kawasaki Z650RS 50th Anniversary, is a retro styling feature applied to two of the four 50th Anniversary models.

Styling development started in approximately late 1969, with a brief of ‘Slim, Sleek and Sexy’, as well as ensuring the all-new Kawasaki four-cylinder creation wouldn’t be confused with one of their existing triples or mistaken for a Honda.

By 1971, prototypes were ready for testing, initially in Japan, then the USA. Problems were identified and fixed on all the prototypes, which were known as ‘V1’ models due to their engine and frame numbers. When production began, a ‘Z1’ prefix for the engine and frame numbers had been instituted and the introductory colour schemes of Candy Brown and Orange, and Candy Green and Yellow had been finalised.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
Colour scheme on the 2022 Kawasaki Z900RS 50th Anniversary mimics the ‘Jaffa’ brown and orange that was one of two paint options available on the original Z1 from 1972.

The new Kawasaki’s official media preview was in June, 1972, but interestingly, the public launch for a model designed with the American market at the forefront was at the Cologne Motor Show in September, 1972.

Mere weeks later, the first Z1s were in Australia and would rapidly become a favourite with riders and racers.

FEATURE - Kawasaki Z 50th Anniversary models - introduction
First Australian units of the Z1 arrived just weeks after its global public unveiling in Germany. Photo: Courtesy of SIBBB.

Original Kawasaki Z1s featured prominently in iconic ‘70s Aussie movies Stone and Mad Max, and would win the Castrol 6 Hour production bike race for four years in a row from 1973.

Evolving through Z1A and Z1B variants, the Z1 would be superseded by the Z900 in 1976, with the larger capacity Z1000 and Z1100R variants following before the liquid-cooled GPZ900R replaced it.

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