Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

WIndscreen looks good, I liked the Rizoma slightly better but wonder how effective the Rizoma would be

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Actually it was done a day before our last ride to Bhigwan.


Sent from a mobile phone

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

I saw couple of Bikes parked in the garage at Kawasaki showroom in Chennai. Are you getting yours anytime soon. They had the cardboard covers over them, couldn't make out what models have come..saw quite a few...5-6

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Karthik ,
Mine is in showroom right now . We are waiting for registration to be done by friday/saturday. I will ride it from monday perhaps. Just ordered the radiator protector (aluminium) from UK.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

So, I was correct then . Congrats Doc. I am eagerly waiting for your pics..Make sure you are with him while taking the snap

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

I asked them to deliver the bike to my house by van with 0 on the speedo s they agreed

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Does that mean, you asked them for a reset on the speedo...or the bike was never tested on the track for inspection ??

Also, I would love to see it person :P

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Actually i just meant that i wanted to ride the bike out of my house. Surely will inform you -)

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Congrats doc. Please post pics and initial impression. All the best and ride safe.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

The SHINOBI



My Story so far:

I got my first two wheeler in 2004.Ten years ago. A Honda Dio. I became an XBHP member in 2006. I have been always fascinated by cars and bikes. Bikes more! I work in automotive design field.
It was a long and ardous way to where I am today. Very hard and intense times led to this. I thank my parents for sponsoring my higher education. Without it I could not have afforded a superbike.
As an Xbhpian, my first bike was P220 DTSFi. Had it for five years. It had its fair share of good and bad moments. Good more. It was a first attempt at a faired bike by Bajaj. It was a good bike nevertheless. Sold it in 2012.
My profession deals with designing of cars and bikes. We have to be very sensitive to curves and lines on the cars. The only way forward in this field is by making newer shapes and volumes. It thus makes me very sensitive to styling of motorcycles.
As with so many of us, my first preference was sportsbikes. I used to follow bike racing from the days of Fogarty, Hodgson, Bayliss, Rossi, etc. Sportsbikes are a pure form of motorcycles. Pure sculptures shaped by its purpose. Fastest bikes on the planet. And so I wanted a sportsbike! I have been obsessed by sportsbikes for a long time. Wanted to buy one as soon as I could afford it. Got myself an old, used CBR 600RR for some time. The experience was an eye opener! Rather than enjoying my ride, I was always bothered about the safety of the bike. Everyone on the road bothers you. Everyone wants to touch the bike. A sportsbike should be only ridden on tracks. Road riding is an injustice to it. You can never truly enjoy a sportsbike on our roads. There is this feeling of being choked. India[or rather Pune] is not yet ready for a supersports bike. That is when I was won over by the charisma of a super-streetbike!

I had the Daytona in my sights. But the pricing killed the deal.
One thing led to another and I got my Z800 alongwith my old friend Niranjan Vaidya. We were having a discussion for a long time. Some part of me wanted an old R1. Some of me wanted a streetbike. This was a big big issue for me. Tried a Yamaha FZ1 for reference. Thanks to my friend Vishwas for the ride.The experience was very unique. And I was slowly being turned into a streetbike guy.

6 months later on a super streetbike: I am loving it! The Kawasaki Z800 is a very logical motorcycle. It is not as upright as Yamaha FZ1. It is a bit sportier streetbike,with lower handlebars. Street sports as Kawasaki calls it. And much more agile than FZ1.At 800cc, it is a fine balance between apocalyptic power of the litre bikes and the efficiency of 600s. An inline four cylinder engine is a legacy of the Japanese motorcycle industry. The big metal engine block, mounted between your legs is a legendary piece of engineering. I have experienced the power of some big bikes. Namely Kawasaki Ninja ZX14R Yamaha R1. That has created an everlasting impression on me. Nothing comes close to that kind of motorcycles! This is no different. The first time I tried a bit of aggressive riding was a humbling experience. This bike has steel frame instead of twin spar aluminium like the sportsbikes. Other than cost cutting and big weight,this makes the bike quite robust on the road. This reminds me slightly of the Enfield attitude. A big bulky mass of steel rolling down the road. This makes it quite stable. I feel the front shocks are super sensitive. Even the smallest of bumps can be felt softly on the handlebars. Might need to adjust the setting. The engine power delivery is sweet. It is not scary like a Z1000! That bike will not give you any time to think when you wring the throttle. This Z gently zooms away [gently is a relative term :P]. It has that typical superbike acceleration. The ability to speed jump on the road. As soon as you see an empty patch, just twist the throttle and it will zoom right in the desired spot. ABS brakes ensure a good stopping power. The handling is quite sharp for a wide streetbike. Not pinpoint sharp as a sportsbike but it will not dissapoint you. The gearbox is a bit notchy one. As I found out,lower rpm are not suited for rapid gear changes. Every gear must be engaged at a specific rpm. Had two false shifts so far. With a loud voooom :P That was a bit embarassing. My friend NV says that is because of non-adjustable clutch lever. Kawasaki should give an adjustable lever like on Ninja 650. The top end of this motorcycle is mad rush! Thick torque flowing from the engine! It is a bottomless pit of power! And endless wave of torque! I have dared to ride her to 180 kmph till now! Have to check it with the windscreen. Might do more!
The cons in this bike might be the weight. It is heavy to manouver around at low speeds. Reversing with two feet down is a concern. I am 5.8 and find it a bit difficult. After 6000 rpm the engine has a small rough patch. At around 7.5k it smoothens out again.
This bike is meant to be ridden on city streets. A big city that is. It might not be perfect for touring due to it's hard seat. But give her an empty city at night and she will make you smile! A perfect street muscle bike! More updates later.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Very beautifully written and i loved every bit. Ok for me im planning to get the bar risers 36mm( i need to see by actually placing a wooden block of 36 mm and see if the cables have no problem reaching correctly or settle for 20 mm. I may settle for GPR or SC project . that s it for me . will add a rizoma or puig after i hear the reviews. Im 5 11 so height may not be an issue, but a suspension lowering kit is available for 5 K in Malaysia or 10 K in the UK. I would buy the UK one as the mettalurgy is better in european region. ( i know this fact from the horses mouth ie some of my patients are from steel industry and they told me how the steel from germany can last double the time ) and custom seats are available from http://www.shad.es/en/shad-world/pro...ar3modmotr111/

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Very well summarized satya...take it out for touring , u will be even more pleased. Bike is absolute fun on the highways.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

tommorow along with my z800, my two friends are getting registered a 800 and 1000, 2 others are getting the ninja 1000, zx 10R and one more i getting the zx 14(all registrations tomorrow). All the bikes in the showroom are now sold . I found our bcos another friend wanted a zx 14 so i called the owner and he told me that the existing bikes have been sold ! This shows that Kawasaki has captured the hearts of many buyers though a late entry

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Thanks for the info, I visited the showroom yesterday and had a test drive.
An Awesome experience.

Have applied for loan now waiting for an update on the same.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

ifthi have you applied two loans
For both z800 and street triple?
Read the same in the street triple owner ship thread of hifisharu. Anyway congrats.