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Found this on the 1979 Z1300 specs webpage. Although the XS1100s aren't mentioned by name, we know what they are talking about...
and "not so comfortable?????"
There is no noticeable power band as such, just one turbine-like surge right up to the 8000 rpm mark. This corresponds to 135 mph in top gear, although a few more mph can be extracted if you risk running into the red sector of the rev-counter. Acceleration is certainly in the top bracket with a standing-start quarter-mile time which just reaches into the 'elevens'. There are one or two bikes which are faster but they are a fair bit lighter and not quite so comfortable. Another pleasant surprise is the machine's fuel consumption which is quite low and always on the good side of 40mpg. The instrumentation and switchgear of the bike are just what you would expect of a Japanese bike for the 1980s, and they are just about perfect for the job. The Z1300 has a large comfortable saddle which makes long-distance touring very comfortable indeed. It is hard to say just how big bikes will get before the trend to 'bigger and faster' stops, but critics should not dismiss the new Kawasaki as the ultimate unmanageable monster. It is in fact smooth, fast and easy to ride and an interesting step in the development of the powered cycle.
and "not so comfortable?????"There is no noticeable power band as such, just one turbine-like surge right up to the 8000 rpm mark. This corresponds to 135 mph in top gear, although a few more mph can be extracted if you risk running into the red sector of the rev-counter. Acceleration is certainly in the top bracket with a standing-start quarter-mile time which just reaches into the 'elevens'. There are one or two bikes which are faster but they are a fair bit lighter and not quite so comfortable. Another pleasant surprise is the machine's fuel consumption which is quite low and always on the good side of 40mpg. The instrumentation and switchgear of the bike are just what you would expect of a Japanese bike for the 1980s, and they are just about perfect for the job. The Z1300 has a large comfortable saddle which makes long-distance touring very comfortable indeed. It is hard to say just how big bikes will get before the trend to 'bigger and faster' stops, but critics should not dismiss the new Kawasaki as the ultimate unmanageable monster. It is in fact smooth, fast and easy to ride and an interesting step in the development of the powered cycle.
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