Starting from a base in Estapona on the coast near Malaga, the group had an initial product briefing and then set off along the A7 coastal road finally turning inland on the famous A397. Renowned as one of the finest roads in Europe, the A397 climbs gradually towards the scenic town of Rhonda and comprises a series of complex corners linked by straights and long sweeping curves.

As an initial chance to experience the stunning new Z1000, this road was perfect and the comments at the first of three photographic locations were very positive.

After only a few kilometres, the riders all agreed that the clean sheet design exhibited some very positive attributes. Chief among the early comments was praise for the riding position and general ergonomics of the new bike. With a new aluminium beam style chassis, it is now possible to make a far narrower riding position and create a more sculpted tank – both of which go a long way towards an ideal riding position and good rider confidence.

On to Rhonda and lunch with the sun making a welcome appearance. With the sun on their backs and a twisty road before their lunch stop, all the journalists enjoyed the A397 and Z1000 in equal measure. Confidence in the response and feedback from the front end was a point of universal praise, so too the overall feel of the brakes and particularly the initial bite of the four pot radial mounted units.

Over lunch the discussion centred on the styling of the radical new design and the idiosyncratic features of the bike such as the induction noise and the forward canted attitude of the machine… almost as if it was a panther about to strike. The summary of opinion was that the uncompromising looks of the Z1000 was “typically Kawasaki”, not a bland bike, but a machine with real Kawasaki character and presence.

One short photography session after lunch and the journalists had a free ride back to Estapona and time to collect their thoughts over a ribbon of perfect tarmac stretching for 70+ Kilometres. The feeling upon their return to the hotel was that the Z1000 has pushed the Supernaked bar even further and repaid the confidence in the initial brief to design the new machine “from the ground up”.

With strong endorsement from journalists of differing heights and physical size, the sheer number of potential riders that the new Z1000 will appeal to seems, on first evidence at least, to be vast. Certainly as a machine to create yet more interest in the iconic Kawasaki brand, the Z1000 appears to be ideally equipped to extend its reign.