1977 Kawasaki Z1-R Motorcycle Road Test - 9-Page Vintage Article

Description

1977 Kawasaki Z1-R Motorcycle Road Test - 9-Page Vintage Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
• THE VARIANT CONCEPT IS SIMPLE ENOUGH: USE WELL-DEVELOPED,
time-tested fundamental components and adapt a broad-appeal
model to a particular slice of the market by making alterations in the
basic motorcycles appearance, specification and often perfor-
mance. Whether the variant is a success or a failure depends on
the quality of the base components, the accuracy with which the
needs of the market segment have been anticipated, the clever-
ness and quality of the variant’s distinguishing components, and
the degree to which the manufacturer can convince potential
consumers that the "special" really is special.
The reasons for building variants are straightforward they can
come to life quickly in response to the rapid formation of new and
different market segments: they can be knocked out comparatively
cheaply, since the development of the expensive fundamentals
(chassis and engine) has been seen to: and they can fill the voids
which occur between the introductions of all-new models, or
model lines.
The Kawasaki Z1-R is the fourth significant big-bore ’cafe" or
"sport" variant in recent years. BMWs R90S was introduced in
March of 1974. the John Player Replica Norton arrived in Decem-
ber of 1974: and the Harley-Davidson XLCR. first seen in June of
1975. was available in dealerships as a 1977 model. All except the
J.P. Norton have been successes, and the Norton might have too
had not Norton-Triumph been in severe trouble at the time of the
Replica’s introduction.
Although variants are clearly less
expensive to produce than brand new
models, they are still financially ris-
ky By definition they arrow in on a
the maximum paint job.
But what makes you
love it is this: beneath
the surfaceJi’s a Z-1.
and we all know
what that means...
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