Bike Match

2010 Kawasaki Z1000

Two fantastic bikes, both four cylinder streetfighters. One costs twice as much as the other, but is it twice as good? The Kawasaki Z1000 goes up against the MV Agusta Brutale 1078RR in this Bikematch and the results have suprised us all.

They both look like angry hooligans but that’s where the similiarity ends. The Kawasaki Z1000 is a universal bike capable of doing anything. It has a sit back and relax feel about it with a simple accessibility that makes you feel like you’re part of the bike. The Brutale, in complete contrast, is all aggression and quite a handful to tame. It’s like getting on a rodeo bull and kicking it in the testicles. It’s exciting to ride and fills you with adrenalin but it feels like a caveman on steroids compared to the Z1000′s far less demanding needs.

Looks-wise, everybody I talk to seems to think the Brutale wins hands down. Its a close call but I tend to agree. The Brutale just looks more of how a real motorcycle should look. Stylish, aggressive and quite bold. The Z1000, while being a great looking bike, is just trying too hard to look, well…hard.

In an ideal world, where budget is no barrier, is the Brutale really worth twice as much as the Z1000? While the bikes are completely different in character, owning a Brutale is a more exciting prospect, but wouldn’t it be better to spend half the money on a Z1000 and spend the other half on the finest suspension, tyres and running gear you can get your hands on? Probably not. It still wouldn’t look, sound or feel like a Brutale. However it would let you customise the bike to your exact requirements and allow you to balance ease of use with excitement.

As a pure streetfighter, the Brutale gives you more of the stuff that we ride bikes for…spine tingling excitement and sheer exhilaration. But in the real world, the Z1000 makes more sense. For half the price, it’s a do-it-all bike that still gives you that punch in the adrenal gland when you feel you want a bit of a thrill. For me, it’s the Z1000 (although with the money you save, maybe a second hand Brutale?)