“This article expresses my personal analysis based on publicly available automotive data, official teasers, and industry reports.”

You roar down a city street in India on a bike that doesn’t whisper—it growls. That’s the feeling with the new 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 (2026 model), now officially launched in India. Priced at Rs 12.79 lakh (ex-showroom), it’s not just a premium machine—it’s a statement. 

What the 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 Brings to the Table

The Z1100 comes packing serious credentials. Under the hood sits a 1,099 cc inline-four liquid-cooled engine producing about 136 bhp and 113 Nm of torque.

Its chassis borrows from the sport-touring sibling, the Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX, giving it a tuned performance edge.
On the tech front: 5-inch TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, 5-axis IMU, ride modes, traction control, bidirectional quick-shifter, and cruise control. That’s big for a naked bike in India.

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Why the Price Feels Right in 2025’s Market

At Rs 12.79 lakh (ex-showroom), the Z1100 undercuts one of its major rivals, the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, by a fair margin. 

In the context of 2025 trends, litre-class naked bikes are becoming more accessible in India while retaining elite performance. This launch gives riders a chance to reach that league without crossing into the stratospheric price zones of exotic imports.

If you were waiting to step up from a mid-sized bike, this could make sense now.

Styling & Emotion: The Z Family Returns

The styling carries the aggressive “Sugomi” DNA of the Z series: twin-pod LED headlamps, sharply sculpted tank, upswept tail. 

As a rider, there’s something deeply satisfying about sitting astride a bike that looks purposeful. It isn’t just transport—it feels like armour for the road.

If you’ve felt underwhelmed by “premium” naked bikes that play it safe, the Z1100 brings back some attitude. Personally, I feel its arrival injects fresh excitement into the Indian high-performance naked category.

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Limitations & What to Watch For

According to Autocar India, no bike is perfect. For one, the heavier kerb weight of ~221 kg (as referenced in the specs) means it won’t feel feather-light when navigating tight traffic.

Also: Indian market gets only the standard variant — the higher-spec “SE” version (with Öhlins, Brembo, etc) isn’t offered here yet.

Maintenance, insurance, and servicing for a litre-class Japanese inline-four might cost more than typical bikes. Riders should factor that into the ownership cost.

Lastly, pricing is ex-showroom — on-road cost in your city will be higher.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who loves the visceral thrill of a bike, wants modern features, and isn’t afraid of a premium price tag, the 2026 Kawasaki Z1100 is a strong contender. I feel it strikes the right balance between wild and usable: you can ride it daily, yet it won’t hold back when the road opens up. For me personally, this launch reignites my interest in litre-class nakeds in India. And in 2025’s motorcycle landscape, that’s something worth celebrating.

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Disclaimer: The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or brokerage companies, not US News Weeks. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

Source : Autocar India & BikeWale - 2026 Kawasaki Z110