Over 125,000 units sold in Europe since 2004 and, in the first half of 2010, the registrations are clear with a second place that reaffirms the goodness and the balance of the project. But if improvement is a continuing goal to Akashi, it is also true that the maturity of the Z750 and the desire to distinguish the most demanding customers has led the Japanese manufacturer to support the standard version of the new Z750R presented today – no coincidence – at the workshops Milanese known tuner Romeo Ferraris.
Attractive and always well chosen, the design of the Z750 gets with this “R” highly targeted upgrades intended to make it even more aggressive, while differentiating it from the standard model. Aesthetically, the front, the “R” proudly presents a new fairing with composite structure, while the equipment has received a slight update of the graphics with an “R” that dominates the center of the analog tachometer, as for the standard model, the LCD display is equipped with speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, water temperature, fuel gauge and clock.
Also in terms of design on the new Japanese naked find a brand new front fender, turn signals smaller mirrors and a premium two-tone color of the shell, embellished with a decorative gold-colored stripe. The ergonomics is then improved through a modified handlebar grips and shorter and more positional outside of 7 mm.
To satisfy the most discerning customers, who have always loved the balance of the Z750 standard but often would have preferred a different response of the fork and a stronger braking, Akashi engineers got their hands at the right points of Z. If the engine is the famous 4-cylinder DOHC 4-valve, 748 cm3, capable of delivering 106 hp, the same can not be said of the rest of the components, here the “R”, nobly enriched.
The new swingarm pressed aluminum, lighter, replace the square steel tube of the standard model, while the inverted front forks and 41 mm, just like the one mounted on the Z1000 (my 07/09), is also adjustable and rebound damping. The rear suspension remains Uni-Trak, but this exhibition also offers a separate nitrogen tank, was also amended the 2 mm rod of the suspension (174 to 172 mm), with the aim of improving the initial action and absorption.
More than a few similarities with the big sister of 138CV. In particular, the braking system of Z750R boasts four-piston front calipers combined with radial double petal disc 300 mm 6 mm thick (compared to the 4.5 standard), while the front brake master cylinder is actuated and the radial tubes are coated steel for the rear brake.
Not yet popular and desired as it deserves, especially in Italy, the braking system with ABS is of course also available for Z750R (optional) with a specific calibration careful, as stated, the sporting ambitions of its customers.
If we were in front of the first of many “R”, the objective of the Japanese manufacturer to offer a higher quality and attention to detail prices definitely lower than those of the “DIY” is commendable, and in that sense, other competitors have already begun to take its first steps, even if more light, as Triumph with the most evil of its Street Triple 675 or the BMW F800 Chris Pfeiffer Edition. Nothing has yet been defined on the price of this Z750R though, considering this and lists the components of competition, compared to 7,690 euro for the 750 standard, if the “R” even slightly exceeds the 8,000 Euro, the game would be worth the candle.
