Kawasaki Z300 + New Biker q's

Freelanc3r

Freelanc3r

Freelanc3r

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Joined
10 Dec 2005
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1,540
Hi all,

Just booked my CBT and theory test for the end of this month and I'm quite excited. Been driving for 5+ years and decided to finally do my bike license. Going to be booking in for my A2 DAS if all goes well with CBT and theory.

Currently looking at getting a Kawasaki Z300 for my first bike, I'm quite tall at 6ft2 and think the slightly more upright riding position and visibility would suit me. Sat on a few ninja 250's and they were comfortable too but this bike just stands out for me.

Opinions and any advice for a newcomer?

Thanks :)

kawasaki-Z300-picture.jpg
 
Not tempted in getting a bigger bike and restricting it? They do a z800e I believe.

How old are you?
 
TripleT said:
Not tempted in getting a bigger bike and restricting it? They do a z800e I believe.

How old are you?
Click to expand...

I don't think they would restrict the 800, but I had the same question in my mind. Why not get something bigger? They tend to have more leg room or just room to fit you in general on the bigger bikes
 
TripleT said:
Not tempted in getting a bigger bike and restricting it? They do a z800e I believe.

How old are you?
Click to expand...

I'm 22.

Just thought it'd be a good starting bike as I will only be riding at weekends / when on annual leave due to work commitments so progress may be a tad slow.

What bigger bikes would you suggest? I love the naked look like the z300 and KTM duke's etc.
 
MowyTone said:
I don't think they would restrict the 800, but I had the same question in my mind. Why not get something bigger? They tend to have more leg room or just room to fit you in general on the bigger bikes
Click to expand...

They do a Z800e, the e means it's slightly lower power so it's able to be restricted for A2 people the full fat Z800 can't be restricted.

Z300 is fine it's just that if in 2 years time you want to do your full test you'd then have to buy a new bike, if you got a Z800e you could then just unrestrict it.
 
TripleT said:
They do a Z800e, the e means it's slightly lower power so it's able to be restricted for A2 people the full fat Z800 can't be restricted.

Z300 is fine it's just that if in 2 years time you want to do your full test you'd then have to buy a new bike, if you got a Z800e you could then just unrestrict it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendations.

How do you about restricting a bike? Is it easy to do?

Quite new to all this just researching and soaking up as much info as poss atm.
 
Modern bikes are typically just a plug in ecu "thing" under the seat. I know the suzuki gladius is like that. Very easy to remove and refit basically ;)

Just if you're buying new (which I'm guessing you are or nearly new at least) you might as well get something that lasts as you'd take a big hit in value int he first couple of years.
 
Ah I understand now ;)

Yeah i'm looking at buying reasonably new. A lot of people have advised me against doing this for my first bike due to dropping it etc... I like to think i'd be very careful with my new machine. Ideally want to buy a bike that's gonna last me 2-3 years at least. Normally stick with my cars for quite a long time so don't see why I'd be too different with bikes.
 
It's not even the whole dropping it thing, my first big bike is 11 years old this year and I'd still be absolutely gutted if I dropped it and did any real damage.
It's the massive depreciation as soon as you take it away, a lot of people buy a brand new bike take it out a couple of times in the summer and then decide to sell it with next to no miles on but they've already taken that grand or 2 hit and you're basically getting a bike that's just nicely run in.
 
These 300's are a great way to start biking - I'm glad that they are reinvigorating this sector.

Too many people jump straight on 600's and above and don't learn the basics (and pure joy!) of thrashing a smaller bike to maintain momentum. They are still plenty fast enough, you just have to work them harder.

MT3 is another one to look at.

Re price / newness, just buy what you want and can afford. No point taking advice from other people who will have different budgets and priorities. When I was on a limited budget I bought bikes 5 - 10 years old. These days I tend to buy new. I haven't had any real issues with either, but newer bikes generally feel a lot tighter and nicer to ride. Mostly due to a combination of technology process and fresher suspension parts.
 
Get a bigger bike, I'm not sure if you would like the Z800e... that thing weights a tone and is smaller than MT-07. :o
 
Sagalout said:
Too many people jump straight on 600's and above and don't learn the basics (and pure joy!) of thrashing a smaller bike to maintain momentum. They are still plenty fast enough, you just have to work them harder.
Click to expand...

That's a really good point, the most fun I've had on bikes is ragging them to their limits by doing so you get to explore and improve your own abilities. I'm glad I spent a lot of years on smaller capacity machines I think it's made me a better rider.
 
Sagalout said:
Too many people jump straight on 600's and above and don't learn the basics (and pure joy!) of thrashing a smaller bike to maintain momentum. They are still plenty fast enough, you just have to work them harder.
Click to expand...

But 600s are exactly for that, thrashing about full throttle to maintain momentum :p
 
If you're thrashing a 600 at its limits you're doing well over prison speeds.

A 600 is only 2mph off a litre bike around the TT these days.
 
They are till you rag the hell out of them,they lack the torque

But I think a 600 cc is perfect size machine whether a new rider or experienced,trouble with those 300cc's is they cost a lot more that a used 600cc and you'll end up want a faster machine anyway
 
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