1973 Kawasaki Z1 right side
T wo issues ago in Kiwi Rider we featured the Honda CB750 . When it was unveiled in 1969 , it was generally considered to be the first Superbike . There are of course many who believe that the Brough Superior SS100 , a Vincent or two , a BSA or Triumph 750 triple of the late 1960s , or the Norton Commando , deserve consideration for the title . The fact is the term Superbike didn ’ t become a common term until around the launch of the CB750 . The machine was so advanced compared to what else was on offer , the title first Superbike was embraced with enthusiasm by most , and not without good reason .
BEYOND THE SUPERBIKE Having entered that era it is difficult to overlook what came next . Just three
years later Kawasaki responded with what some believed was a trump card , the 900 Z1 . With the title first Superbike already taken , it was crowned the King . Opinions differ as to whether or not one model had anything to do with the other , but it seems obvious they did . When Kawasaki was close to releasing their claim to be the first Superbike , Honda spoiled the party . Kawasaki had a 750 version of the Z1 almost ready to go , but when the CB750 was launched in a blaze of publicity , which would be very difficult to match , Kawasaki had to do something other than launch another 750 . When the 900 Z1 was launched in 1972 , it in no way demolished Honda ’ s claim to be the first Superbike . It did , however , change the direction in which the Superbike market was about to go .
KIWI RIDER 73