To my eye the Kawasaki Z1-R was one of the best looking sport bikes of the late 1970s. The bike established a reputation as a fast, decent handling machine with a bulletproof engine. Note that the ad copy claims the 1015cc engine pumped out a 90 horsepower, edging ever so close to the magic 100 HP mark. While those were huge number for a production motorcycle in those days, the modern-day equivalent, the Kawasaki ZX-10R, produces nearly twice the horsepower of its generations removed predecessor.
A 1978 ad for the Kawasaki Z1-R. To my eye the Z1-R was one of the best looking sport bikes of the late 1970s. The bike established a reputation as a fast, decent handling machine with a bulletproof engine.
Rider Files 
I returned from Aschaffenburg Germany after a 3 year Army hitch and would “hang out” at “Chicks Kawasaki” in Sullivan, Indiana. Don Chickadaunce the dealer was a super nice guy sold me the Z1R for about $2800.
I put over 80,000 miles on it trouble free. Sold it when I started working at Honda of Terre Haute in 1981.
The Z1R and the Terre Haute street roadrace “Taking it to the Streets” got me involved in WERA and AMACCS.
Still a great looking bike !
Steven Holmes
Retired
American Honda Motor Company
Irvine, CA
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Wow, 80,000 miles on a Z1R. That’s probably close to a record in itself. I agree with you about the looks of the bike. It just looked like it was meant for business and that business was going fast.
Thanks Steven
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