Aiming for the world’s best quality and performance motorcycle, Kawasaki Heavy Industries put all stakes on one card and finally released the long-awaited ZI, in 1972. With the release of the W1 in 1966, and the 500SS MACH Ⅲ in 1969, Kawasaki strived to establish their “BIG BIKES”, yet failing to overcome the “Wall to the World” resulted in only moderate sales numbers.

Therefore, Kawasaki initiated the development of an even more powerful, 750cc DOHC straight four-cylinder, flagship model, yet in 1968 Honda launched the CB750Four (K). With Honda being one step ahead, the surpassed Kawasaki Team changed its plan to build a motorcycle exceeding Honda’s CB750 by far, the Z900 Super Four (ZI).

Ultimately, managers and engineers making the right decisions and consequently aiming for a world-beating product led to the birth of the hugely successful ZI, which became the cornerstone of today’s Kawasaki motorcycles. Even today, it can be said that no bike exceeds the legendary ZI. Half a century after its launch the most amazing motorcycle in the world still shines.