Sugomi Awakens: The All-New 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 and Z1100 SE Land in the UK
The Supernaked segment has a new king, as Kawasaki officially pulls the covers off the highly anticipated 2026 Z1100 and the premium Z1100 SE. Proudly taking their place at the top of the naturally aspirated Z family, these new machines embody the aggressive 'Sugomi' design philosophy, blending visceral street-fighter attitude with cutting-edge electronics and a powerful, enlarged engine.
If you’ve been waiting for the return of the big-capacity Zed, your patience has been richly rewarded. Here is everything you need to know about the new flagship street warriors.
The Powerhouse: New 1,099cc Inline-Four
At the heart of both the Z1100 and the Z1100 SE is a newly optimised 1,099 cm³ in-line four-cylinder engine. Borrowing knowledge from its Ninja and Versys 1100 siblings, this powerplant is expertly tuned to deliver exhilarating street performance.
The new Z models produce a potent 134 hp (100.0 kW / 136 PS), with the increased displacement specifically targeting better low-to-mid range response. Kawasaki has revised everything from the camshaft profiles and valve springs to the final gear ratios, ensuring that every twist of the electronic throttle delivers a strong, addictive surge of torque, peaking at 11.5 kgf·m. This is a machine built for raw, real-world thrill on the UK's roads, not just peak numbers on a dyno.
Sugomi Reborn: Design and Dynamics
The Z1100 duo are instantly recognisable thanks to their fierce 'Sugomi' styling—the Japanese concept that captures the intense aura or energy of an object. The aggressive design features:
- Fierce LED Headlights: Providing an intimidating stare.
- Aggressive Under-Cowl: New shape with fins that reinforce the street predator image.
- Ergonomics: The chassis is built around a highly rigid aluminium twin-tube frame. Crucially, the handlebar position is updated, now 22mm wider and 13mm further forward. This subtle change gives the rider better leverage and provides a lighter, sharper feeling to the handling.
Technology: A Full Suite of Rider Aids
Kawasaki has equipped both the standard Z1100 and the SE model with a comprehensive electronics package, ensuring this performance is entirely controllable:
- IMU Integration: A 6-DOF (degrees of freedom) Inertial Measurement Unit facilitates sophisticated rider support systems, including KCMF (Kawasaki Cornering Management Function), KTRC Traction Control, and KIBS (Kawasaki Integrated Braking System).
- Seamless Riding: New Electronic Throttle Valves (ETV) offer precise control, enabling the standard fitment of Cruise Control and a latest-generation dual-direction KQS Quick Shifter for lightning-fast, clutchless gear changes.
- Connectivity: The rider is greeted by a crisp 5” all-digital TFT colour instrumentation display, featuring turn-by-turn navigation and integrated Smartphone connectivity via the Rideology the App.
The Special Edition: Stepping Up to the Z1100 SE
For the rider who demands the absolute best components, the Z1100 SE arrives with key performance upgrades straight from the factory:
- Premium Braking: The SE model swaps the standard monobloc calipers for high-end Brembo monobloc calipers matched with Brembo discs and further enhanced with steel braided brake lines. This provides peerless stopping power with sharp, direct feedback.
- Öhlins Suspension: Handling refinement comes courtesy of an Öhlins S46 rear shock absorber. This high-specification unit provides a plush, controlled ride and can be fine-tuned via a convenient remote pre-load adjuster, making adjustments easy whether you are riding solo or with luggage.
With the new Z1100 and Z1100 SE, Kawasaki has not just revived a model name, they have redefined their position in the Supernaked hierarchy. Combining the signature inline-four roar with advanced electronics and aggressive styling, the legend of the 'Big Zed' is ready to continue.
