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The Kawasaki Superbike Series Z1000R and Z1100R were born when Team Kawasaki rider Eddie Lawson won the 1981 and 1982 American Motorcycle Association’s (AMA) Superbike Championship. The racing competition, created in 1976, featured modified stock bikes and was a means to “promote the street legal products of motorcycle manufacturers.” After Lawson’s 1981 win, Kawasaki used his “mean green machine” as the model for their new street bike, which continued through the next year with the Z1100R model. Though sales never hit high marks, this iconic Eddie Lawson replica bike remains a popular motorcycle in the biking community with its signature lime green base with blue and white strips. Some of these first Eddie Lawson replica models are highly valued by collectors with a limited edition series of racing bikes listed in the six figures.
The author offers a comprehensive look at these two Kawasaki models in a well-researched, easy-to-follow work. Oehl has done a phenomenal job putting together a very detailed look at these two models. Filled with hundreds of images that include everything from all compatible engine parts to various decals to the series’ different speedometers, the book provides information that all enthusiasts will appreciate. The author’s love for motorcycles is evident in the meticulous attention to detail provided in this work. Even non-riders will appreciate Oehl’s desire to contribute a vast amount of information to the motorcycle enthusiast. The author intends to continue this series and “cover the history of the Kawasaki superbikes in eight volumes.” Those with an interest in motorcycles or with friends and family who are enthusiasts will find this a notable addition to their book collection.