Touring Motorcycles
1981Kawasaki Z 1300
19 fields on record
The 1981 Kawasaki Z 1300 is a heavyweight touring bike designed for riders seeking smooth, refined long-distance cruising. Its liquid-cooled 1285cc inline-six engine delivers calm, linear power with minimal vibration, making it ideal for highway miles. The shaft-driven Z 1300 became legendary for combining luxury cruising comfort with innovative six-cylinder engineering rarely seen in motorcycles.
- Capacity
- 1285.0 ccm
- Engine
- In-line six, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Wet weight
- 322.0 kg
- Seat height
- Not on record
Know it? Add it → - Power
- 99.0 HP (72.8 kW) @ 8000 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built as a grand touring flagship, it prioritizes smooth, powerful, shaft-driven cruising over sporty back-road antics.
- Built for
- The inline-six engine delivers a uniquely smooth, turbine-like power delivery with a distinctive exhaust note that defines its character.
- Not ideal for
- This is not the bike for riders seeking light, flickable handling or any off-road capability.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Engine
- Capacity
- 1285.0 ccm
- Power
- 99.0 HP (72.8 kW) @ 8000 RPM
- Engine type
- In-line six, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.3075 HP/kg
- Bore x stroke
- 62.0 x 71.0 mm
- Compression
- 9.9:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Valves per cylinder
- 2
- Torque
- Not on record - add it
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
Performance
- Top speed
- 217.0 km/h (134.8 mph)
Dimensions & weight
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Dual disc
- Rear brakes
- Single disc
- Front tyre
- 110/90-18
- Rear tyre
- 130/90-17
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1285 cc | 1285 cc | 1285 cc | 1285 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 27 L | 27 L | 27 L | 27 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Kawasaki Z 1300?
The 1981 Kawasaki Z 1300 has a Capacity of 1285.0 ccm (78.42 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Kawasaki Z 1300 have?
The 1981 Kawasaki Z 1300 has a Power of 99.0 HP (72.8 kW) @ 8000 RPM.
How many gears does the Kawasaki Z 1300 have?
The 1981 Kawasaki Z 1300 has a Gearbox of 5-speed.
How much does the Kawasaki Z 1300 weigh?
The 1981 Kawasaki Z 1300 has a Wet weight of 322.0 kg (709.9 pounds).
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