Thread: Kawasaki Z800

http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Mrbr...g.html?filters[user]=139519767&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps49e78d99.jpg

http://s30.photobucket.com/user/Mrbr...g.html?filters[user]=139519767&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0

Very nice.

What pipe is that?
Slip on or full system?

How does the wife like riding pillion?

Hi,

It's a Yoshimura R-11 Full System.

The wife hasn't been on the back yet.....Thankfully.

Had this bike out yesterday with friends on a KTM 1290 superduke, BMW HP4 but didn't feel like I was under powered too much. This is pretty quick bike considering the weight.

I am still drooling over the Z800 and if I still am in October, I may just have to purchase one.

^

You also need to check out the Yamaha FZ-09, Rick- it's a bit more money at 460K, but it's a pretty cool bike.

A good bike but nowhere near as sexy looking as the Z800. It also didnt get as good a review as the Z800 (MCN, Fast Bikes etc) I spent a few months checking out the Z800 and I didn't see one bad review. Probably the only bike in class to go for is the Triumph Street Triple as its about 50kgs lighter..but I think it's nearer 700,000 THB. Do the math..

I agree....and if had 600,000thb that's what I would have bought too.

There's some nice after market parts for both Zeds by a company called Rizoma, they make for other bikes too. Quite expensive but give both bikes added looks.

^

Says the guy without a bike...

What's the problem with bigger and more expensive? You seem to favor that perspective as well- of the bikes tested in the video, both the Limey bike and the MV are considerably more expensive than either Japanese bike in LOS, so I'm not sure what your point is...

I'd rather have the Z1000 than the Street Triple- I'd rather have the Street Triple than the other bikes in the video (unless price is a consideration- I'd probably buy the FZ-09 and throw 60K into it if I was actually spending my money- it needs an ECU flash and some suspension components to make it a winner)- of course, I actually ride and have some real-world basis for my opinion...

Originally Posted by FailSafe

so I'm not sure what your point is...

The Kwaka comes out of the test comfortably higher than the new Yamaha.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

What's the problem with bigger and more expensive?

Nothing, if you're getting better value. Lots, if you're paying more for bigger, but it's not actually as good. Been buying any beer at US sporting events recently, Captain America? You went for the big $7 beer didn't you?

^

Yes, in one test- forgive me if I don't hang my hat on it...

You know nothing of 'value' as far as bikes are concerned (actually, you know nothing at all as far as bikes are concerned)- the Z800 is probably the best current buy in LOS at the moment, which I've noted previously- the FZ-09 is a great addition and is 250K cheaper than the Street Triple, and only needs a few components to step up in performance if you want a triple but don't want to buy the Triumph due to the price gouge (it's not 250K better), and it's worth checking out in the sub-500K category.

Check out last month's FZ-09/Street Triple comparo in SuperBike magazine- they really liked the Yamaha, and said it only needs a couple tweaks to match or surpass the Triumph.

I also don't drink, so I haven't been buying beer at any price lately.

Their final conclusion- the Yamaha is built to a fairly low price-point, but it can be sorted for way less than the (LOS) price difference between it and the Triumph.

I rode with several Z800s (among many other bikes) last month, and I've got a pretty good idea of how they perform- a sharp eye could probably spot my 14R in this pic:

Bang in the middle of the pic, trying to hide

And I agree that value for money and coming in at under 400k the Z800 is prob the best deal there is to be had out there.

I'm just looking for something a little more race/track orientated.

^

The R6 would be a great call- it won't be cheap, of course, but it's a stellar middle-weight.

I agree there, the R6 is a great bike. I had a K10 and It's probably one of the best bikes I've had. Now living in the sticks I needed something more practical, and that's where the Z800 came in. Never owned a naked bike before so took a bit of getting used to (my last bike was an R1) but I am now loving it, after a few mods of course...

Originally Posted by FailSafe

sharp eye could probably spot my 14R in this pic:

Is it the black one in the middle?

Originally Posted by Jesus Jones

In England yes, as the prices are similar. But in Thailand, the Kawasaki is an absolute bargain in comparison which makes it a better bike.

True. The taxes in Thailand do change the stakes a lot. &, by the same reasoning, at nearly 100,000 baht more, the new Yamaha would be a very strange by over the Kwaka...

^

Not if you want a triple, which a lot of people do- I realize you don't get it, but the FZ-09 is actually a pretty special bike, and- while it does come up short is some areas next to the Street Triple- it doesn't take much to improve the handling to the point where it's about as good, and it will still be 200K cheaper (as well as faster).

The main drawback for a lot of people with the Z800 is its curb weight (I'm used to heavy bikes so it wouldn't bother me, but it's a big concern for most riders)- the nearly 40kg it gives up to the Yamaha is huge.

There will be a large number of FZ-09s sold this year.