I've noticed more and more people are jumping on the Z1000 bandwagon, especially the newer generation Z. Is it my imagination or is there a growing popularity for our beloved hooligan machine?

Is our best kept secret no longer a secret?

I voted yes, but I don't think they'll ever be as common or recognized as SS bikes. I'm fine with that! I think the price has a lot to do with it too.

State side maybe the secret is out and the nakeds will become far more popular then they are at the moment. Add to this the love it/hate it B-King and the new Honda CB 1000R.In Europe however we've know about it for a long time gigidy gigidy

They definitely are. Most dealers didnt even get a 2008 Z1000 this year, so I was hoping that I wouldnt see another one around after getting mine. Seen two already this year. Dammit! Nakie bikes are slowly catching on.

I wouldn't say bandwagon. I've been interested in the Z for a long time. Just waited long enough for one with the right miles and price. In regards to the new generation? I actually like the 1st gen and kinda glad the new came out since it lowered the values of the older ones.

I am seeing more naked, (brand new/new riders), every day it seems like here in LA. It definately because of the gas and the lower price/less scary looking sport bikes.

Originally Posted by iBuchon

I voted yes, but I don't think they'll ever be as common or recognized as SS bikes. I'm fine with that! I think the price has a lot to do with it too.

This is how I feel. Most riders that are already on SS bikes tend to stay on them. Those that aren't though who are looking to get in to riding can generally be persuaded with just 1 ride on a Z (or any nice naked).

I voted no...because there seems to be alot of 03-06 Zeds for sale, though there does seem to be a decent number of buyers for the 07-08 models. SS and cruiser bikes are still most common in my area...very few naked bikes.

I have seen a few GEN I Z1K's around and there is one GEN II 07 I have seen in my town, but other then that I am the lone ranger LOL! My bike was at the dealer for a long time. The one local dealer said they have never sold one and the one they have will not seel so they all use it as a demo bike.

It's funny, but when I got my 2006 Z brand new, there weren't too many others posting here about their new purchases. But recently, I see more and more newcomers posting about their new 07-08 Z's, which kind of makes me feel good that ALL Z's, no matter which generation, are getting into the hands of riders. My biggest fear is that Kawasaki will discontinue the Z1000 for the US market like they did the Z750. Instead, I am hoping beyond all hope that there might be a true ZX-10-based Z1000 or even a Z1400.

I don't know if the numbers are any higher. All the dealerships around here got exactly one Z1000 and when it sold they did not order any more. There are 2 white 08's and 2 black 07's sold in this area and I have not seen any of the other 3 on the road (I own one of the black 07's). But there are a lot of bikes in this area (I hang with about 75 other riders) so I may just never see them around. But I enjoy my uniqueness among the other riders and don't mind not having another one in our group.

I have seen 1 03 Z in my area, but with that said, almost every rider loves the look of my bike, so it would make sense that people are open to purchasing one. And they are cheap in comparison to other 1k bikes. I want our bike to stay a secret, I love the originality. So basically when peple are slaubering over our bikes, we should just speed away and let them wonder what that beast of a machine was!

now that the second gen is out i see more of them

I know the dealers around here only stock one, if any. I also know that if the dealers had a Z back when I bought my first (new) bike, I may have went home with one. Instead I got a ZX-10R. But I caught wind of the Z and have loved it since I found out about it. I finally bought one this spring.

I've only seen one other 2007/2008 (black 07) in Madison, and just saw a gen1 today. That's about it. Nobody else has them around here!

There are 3 Z's in my area.....1 Orange beast (mine) and 2 blue ones. One of the blue ones is 1/2 totaled and the other my buddy just bought. We have a fair bit of FZ1's which I stomp on my daily trip to work!!!!