2026 Kawasaki Z1100 Revealed in Design Filings
Not much has changed from the Z1000
We’ve known that Kawasaki was preparing a new Z1100 for months now, first when we came across signs of it in emissions filings in May, and again a couple of weeks later when we dug up initial specifications filed in Europe. Thanks to new design filings, we now have an idea of what the 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 will look like.
This month, Kawasaki filed a new design with the European Union Intellectual Property Office
for a motorcycle that appears to be the new Z1100. To be more specific, the design is for a new lower fairing for a motorcycle, shown in grayscale with everything else shaded in pink. For the sake of clarity, we’ve edited the illustrations to remove the tint and improve contrast.
If the design looks familiar, that’s because it should be, as it closely resembles the look of the Z1000 last offered in North America in 2016, and for a couple of years longer in other markets. Some may find that slightly disappointing, but it comes as no surprise, considering Kawasaki also stuck with older designs when it updated the Ninja and Versys from the 1000s to 1100s.
The headlight, tank, radiator shrouds, and mirrors all look similar to the older model, as does the frame, which is shared with the Ninja 1100SX and Versys 1100. The engine also looks similar to the other 1100s, as does the exhaust system which now ends in a single silencer on the right side instead of the twin double-tipped silencers on the previous 1000 models. From our previous reporting, we know the engine will be the same 1,099cc Inline-Four as the Ninja 1100, claiming 134.1 hp at 9,000 rpm and 82.5 lb-ft. at 7,600 rpm. In real world testing, we do know that the 2025 Kawasaki Ninja1100SX SE put down 124.6 horsepower at 9,200 rpm and 77.4 lb-ft of torque at 7,600 rpm on the MO dyno. It remains to be seen if any model-specific changes will impact those numbers.
The lower fairing has gill-shaped openings, and a more horizontal shape than the previous design. Looking from the front, we can see how the new design covers more of the front of the clutch and crankcases. We can also see how switching to a single exhaust affects the overall width of the Z1100.
Apart from the new lower fairing, the new design features a small flyscreen, new LED turn signals, and the new front fender design employed on the other 1100 models. Behind the flyscreen, we see a TFT display, a feature that is far more commonplace now than when we last saw the Z1000. Judging by its shape, it appears to be the same unit offered on the recently updated 2025 Kawasaki Z900 SE and not the one used on the Ninja 1100SX.
Kawasaki has had the new Z1100 brewing for a while now, and we’ll have to wait just a little bit more before the official announcement. Expect to see the 2026 Z1100, as well as a Z1100 SE variant at EICMA in November, if not earlier.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Cmon kawi really down on power even 134 will barely put 100 to the wheel
.. really falling behind ..even the antique suzuki motor in their gts ans gsx 1000xs is making 150...forget about can ams and beemers triumph and yamaha all leaving you in the dust hp wise
To reflect on David's comment and others here, Kawasaki has always been known in the motorcycling world as the leader in power output. At least through the 52 years I've been riding. They don't seem to be as interested these days. Unless you get into the H2 series of their current offerings. I'm a dyed in the wool Kawasaki fan owning presently owning 4 of them, but I would love to see them producing liter class machines that are at least competitive with the other brands.