Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC - [1979] Review and Comparison including Similar Bikes, Alternative Bikes, Performance Specs and Technical Information.
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Performance Review: Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC - [1979]

Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC - [1979] image

Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC - [1979]

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Figures & Specs Summary:

  • Edition: Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC
  • Year: 1979 | Type: Touring
  • Engine: 1286 cc (78.4 ci) 8 Valve
  • Engine Type: Boxer | Cylinders: 4
  • Engine Stroke: Two | Valve Config: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: Carburettor
  • Cooling: Liquid | Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Transmission: 5 speed | Manual
  • Drive: Shaft
  • Wet Weight: 322 kgs (709 lbs)
  • Dry Weight: 297 kgs (654 lbs)
  • Power: 120 bhp (89 kW) @ 8000 rpm
  • Torque: 85.5 lb-ft (116.0 Nm) @ 6500 rpm
  • BHP Per Ton: 372.6 bhp
  • Torque Per Ton: 265.8 lb-ft
  • 0-60 mph (96.6 kph): 9.9 secs
  • 0-100 kph (0-62 mph): 10.1 secs
  • Top Speed: 139 mph (223.6 kph)
  • 1/4 Mile (Est.): 13.36 secs @ 115 mph
  • Frame: Steel
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Kawasaki Z 1300 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC is the 5 speed | Manual version and was first brought out in 1979. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1979 Suzuki GSX 1100 SX Katana Prototype and the 1980 Suzuki GSX 1100 E.This particular Kawasaki Z 1300 has a 1286cc Liquid cooled, Two stroke, Boxer Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders and Carburettor.

Norton Commander Rotary - [1991] image

An alternative Boxer engine, Touring style motorbike includes the Norton Commander Rotary - [1991]

The 1979 Z 1300 shares its Boxer engine and Touring style configuration with the likes of the 1991 Norton Commander Rotary and the 1990 Norton Commander Police. Alternatively, if you're looking for other bikes which share the Z 1300's Touring style with a similar size of engine then how about the 2005 Honda ST 1300 Pan European Police Bike | 2005cc.2016 Honda ST 1300 Pan European | 2016cc.

Power and Torque:

Weighing in at 322 kgs (709 lbs) this makes the Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC in the same weight category as the 2024 Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing Tour Auto or the 2022 Yamaha FJR 1300 20th Anniversary Edition, give or take 50kg.

Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC SE - [2025] image

The 1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 shares the same bhp with the Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC SE - [2025]

In terms of power the 1286cc 8 valve Boxer 4 cylinder engine produces 120 bhp (89 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC SE [123 bhp (91 kW) @ 9500 rpm] or the 2025 Kawasaki Z 900 DOHC [123 bhp (91 kW) @ 9500 rpm].

The DOHC Two stroke unit throws out torque of 85.5 lb-ft (116.0 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it alongside motorbikes of similar performance figures such as the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm] and the 2025 Yamaha Tracer 9 Triple [68.5 lb-ft (93.0 Nm) @ 7000 rpm].

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Kawasaki Z 1300 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

Yamaha XJ 900 R Seca - [1983] image

The 1983 Yamaha XJ 900 R Seca has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the 1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC.

The 1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC has a Power to weight ratio of 372.6 bhp per ton and 265.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1979 Z 1300 competing with the 1983 Yamaha XJ 900 R Seca [397.5 bhp\ton] and the 1984 Yamaha XJ 900 R Seca [397.5 bhp\ton].


Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby, then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance is Torque. Factor weight into the equation and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Kawasaki Z 1300 generating around 265.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other motorbikes have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1985 Suzuki GSX-R 750 F [290.8 lb-ft per ton] and the 2009 Suzuki Boulevard - Intruder C 109 RT SE [289.2 lb-ft per ton].

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.9 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.1 secs, this makes the Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC similar in acceleration to the 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE (9.9 secs) and the 1986 Suzuki GSX 750 ES (9.9 secs). This Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC also competes in terms of 0-60 mph and 0-100km/h with the 2018 Honda CB 250 R Neo Sports Cafe (0.0 secs) and the 2020 Norton Superlight SS (0.4 secs).

Norton Dunstall 750 - [1966] image

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC and the 1966 Norton Dunstall 750

When talking about the performance of the 1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.9 secs @ 115 mph. Bikes with a similar performance down the quarter mile can be found in the 1966 Norton Dunstall 750 (11.9 secs) and the 2003 Yamaha MT-01 Prototype SOHC (11.9 secs).

Top Speed:

The 1979 version of the Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC has a maximum speed of 139mph.

Honda CBR 650 R - [2024] image

Top Speed of the 1979 Z 1300 equals the 2024 Honda CBR 650 R

If maxing out your bike on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster at the top end than the 1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 DOHC then how about a 2024 Honda CBR 650 R (150 mph) and the 2024 Yamaha XSR 900 GP JDM (150 mph).

Related Links:

1979 Kawasaki Z 1300 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Kawasaki

Bike Comparison


Performance Figures & Specs:

Choose a Bike Make for a List of More Performance Figures and Specs.




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More Kawasaki Models:

Edition:

A1 250

AR 125

AR 50

AR 80

BJ 250

BR 250

EL 125

EL 250

EL 252

Eliminator 400

Eliminator 500

EN 400

EN 450

EN 500

ER-4

ER-5

ER-6

EX 250

EX 400

EX 500

F9 350

FX 400

G3-SS

GPX 250

GPX 400

GPX 600

GPX 750

Gpz 1000

Gpz 1100

Gpz 250

Gpz 305

Gpz 400

Gpz 500

GPZ 550

Gpz 600

Gpz 750

Gpz 900

GTO 125

GTR 1000

GTR 1400

H1 500

H2 750

KDX 125

KDX 175

KDX 200

KDX 220

KDX 250

KDX 400

KDX 450

KE 125

KE 175

KH 125

KH 250

KH 400

KH 500

KL 250

KLE 250

KLE 400

KLE 500

KLR 250

KLR 600

KLR 650

KLV 1000

KLX 125

KLX 230

KLX 250

KLX 300

KLX 400

KLX 450

KLX 650

KMX 125

KMX 200

KR 1

KR 250

KRR

KX 500

KZ 1000

KZ 1100

KZ 650

Ninja 1000

Ninja 125

Ninja 250

Ninja 300

Ninja 400

Ninja 650

Ninja 7

Ninja H2

RMX 250

S1 250

S2 350

S3 400

SL 250

Versys 1000

Versys 650

Versys-X

VN 1500

VN 1600

VN 1700

VN 2000

VN 250

VN 400

VN 500

VN 650

VN 750

VN 800

VN 900

W 250

W 400

W 650

W 800

W1

W2

W3

Xanthus 400

Z 1000

Z 1100

Z 125

Z 1300

Z 200

Z 250

Z 300

Z 305

Z 400

Z 440

Z 450

Z 500

Z 550

Z 650

Z 750

Z 800

Z 900

Z H2

Z1

Z2 750

Z7

Zephyr 1100

Zephyr 400

Zephyr 550

Zephyr 750

ZG 1000

ZG 1200

ZG 1300

ZL 1000

ZL 250

ZL 400

ZL 600

ZL 750

ZL 900

ZN 1300

ZN 700

ZN 750

ZR 1100

ZR-250

ZR-7

ZRX 1100

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ZX 900

ZX-10

ZX-12

ZX-14

ZX-25

ZX-4

ZX-6

ZX-7

ZX-9

ZX-R 250

ZX-R 400

ZX-R 750

ZZR 1100

ZZR 1200

ZZR 1400

ZZR 250

ZZR 400

ZZR 600


More Bikes:

Bike Figures:

Yamaha TZR 250 R

Yamaha TZR 250 R
Engine Capacity: 250cc
Top Speed: 115 mph
Power: 45 bhp


Yamaha MT-125 Single Cylinder

Yamaha MT-125 Single Cylinder
Engine Capacity: 125 cc
Top Speed: 87 mph
Quarter Mile: 19.8 secs @ 0 mph


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Quarter Mile Time
11.9 seconds
14.5 seconds

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