Z800 opinions

sharpygsxr

sharpygsxr

sharpygsxr

Soldato
Joined
11 Mar 2008
Posts
3,217
Location
Norn Iron
Got a test drive booked for the new Z800 on thursday (13th). Just so happens to be my birthday that day as well :)

245k46g.jpg


As im currently on a Fazer8 i realise its more of a sidegrade than an upgrade but ive just loved the look of the bike since i first seen it.

Anyone own one here? or been on one enough to give an opinion on it.

Im guessing it will have a few more bhp than my fazer, more sporty riding position etc, all depends what i get as a trade in price for my current bike as to whether ill change or not.

Always seems the way with me, get through the winter on my current bike and first sign of spring and im out lookin for a new ride :)

Love it in that matt black finish however i normally find it sacrilegious to consider Kwaks in anything but green :)
 
the weight of it is actually one of the plus points for me as one of my biggest gripes with my Fazer8 is that it feels like riding a 125 its so light.

My bike before the Fazer8 was a Tiger 1050 so im used to a heavier bike and they just feel more planted and ironically more stable than the lighter bikes.

My Fazer8 is 2012 so im not sure what they will offer as a trade in price, have a rough figure in my head that they will need to cross before im even tempted so it all depends how much they want to shift the new bike and how quickly they think they could shift my Fazer (which is mint)
 
2nd test ride out on the Z800 today took it out for a good couple of hours.

Dealer is offering me a decent part xchange on my Fazer 800 and Kawasaki are doing interest free on the 2014 models so seems like ill be going for it.

Just need to sort out the finances and see what extras id like on the bike.

Sorry for the crappy pics camera phone :p

55feo4.jpg


el2009.jpg


General impressions compared to the Fazer 8

+ a lot more torquey than the fazer, seems great for commuting.
+ motorway riding wasnt as bad as i expected, the little screen the test bike had seemed to make a big difference and cruising along at 70ish wasnt a problem
+ the extra weight compared to the fazer is a big plus point for me, bike seems very well balanced

- riding position is a lot sportier than the fazer, i expect ill be having sore forearms and numb fingers for the first few weeks till i get used to it
- was finding a few false neutrals when downshifting, not sure if thats an issue with the test bike i had or a known issue.

Need to do a bit of juggling around and see how the finances would look, im probably lookin at £3k on top of my trade in for the z800 so its in the ball park i expected.
 
Last edited:
not interested in the z1000 really, have no need for that much power.

That bike is only a demo one which i was on but id definately get a fender extender as well as a radiator grill cover.

Would also prob get the fly screen and rear seat cowl.

Wouldnt be in a hurry to change the exhaust as it has a nice sound to it.

As for the MT-09 havent had a test ride on one of those but its not really been on my radar.
 
the main reason i wanted to change from the Fazer 8 was it just feels too light (im a pretty big guy 17st) and coming from a 1050 tiger means im used to the heavier bikes.

Hows your experience of the Mt-09, every vid i watch of them shows guys lifting the front wheel (not a plus point for me), they also seem to be a bit bitpicky about the throttle response and suspension.

Going by the MCN tests they rate Speed triple > Z800 > Mt-09 , again speed triple too light for me had a ride on one of those a year or so ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom