Kawasaki introuced the kz900 motorcycle in 1973. Four years later they introduced the kz1000. The original 1973 Kawasaki Z900/Z1/Z-1 was the first Japanese motorcycle with four cylinders, dual overhead cams and 903 cubic centimeters (cc's). It was one of the most powerful motorcycles produced up until that time. And even though its quarter mile times and top speeds were grossly overestimated, actual numbers were impressive enough to earn the bike the nickname “The King.” In 1977 a Z1000 ridden by Reg Pridmore became the first Japanese bike to win an AMA Superbike national when it took the victory at Pocono Raceway. In 2003 Kawasaki introduced a completely revamped 30 year anniversary edition of the Z1000. It used a modified motor from the Kawasaki ZX-9R, and was bored out by 2.2 mm resulting in bigger displacement, more low-RPM torque, and only a slight power loss of 4bhp from the original ZX9 lump. In 2004, Kawasaki released the Z1000's smaller brother, the Z750. In 2007, Kawasaki re-defined the naked class with an improved version of the previous model as far as mechanics go, and Kawasaki went wild with this one stylistically. The Z1000 is also known as the "Z," "Zed," and "Z1k."