Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Many congratulations !!! Z800 is definitely one of the best looking naked street, very good choice. Wishing you a happy ownership of this mean beast

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Congratulations NV sir!!! I hope you clock more mileage on this bike that your ninja

Btw eagerly waiting for your ownership report and initial impression before i seal the deal.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Congratulations to you guys!
Happy riding

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

So with the bike finally decided, it was time to book the bike. I approached SNK Bajaj at Wakdewadi to book the bike and I must say, they run a professional outfit. I deposited a cheque for the booking amount and was informed that the bike will be ordered once the entire amount is paid. All this while, I was expecting the bike to be delivered in a month's time. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised to be told that it would take a scant 10 days to get the delivery of the Z.

I might have done a small dance in my head when the figure of 10 days was told. Next big thing was to arrange for the loan and I trust Vishwas (intended) with his ability to rattle off numbers and interest rates. Viswas is a rare breed who usually knows the bank interest rates, credibility, processes, hassles, challenges and nut twisting points. Another xBhpian (Viper) had gone in for a loan from IDBI for his Bonnie a few days back. So, it was decided that the loan would be from IDBI Bank.

There is a branch which is located close to my residence and so, I took all the documents and went in to IDBI and walked out with a Demand Draft exactly 3 days after submitting my documents. Please note that out of the three days, one day is employed for verification of the residence and office address. Since auto loans are disbursed locally, the decision is local and hence the faster turn around time. On top of that, the interest rate of 10.25% is competitive. The EMI that works out was in sync with Vishwas calculator (Vishwas has already attached the excel calculator with his FZ1 thread).
All in all, the loan process was smooth and there were no issues/hassles or challenges.

It was with tremendous excitement and anticipation that I approached the showroom on Friday, 9th May 2014. On depositing the DD, I was told that it would take 10 days and the delivery would be on 20th.

The next 7 days were torture. Eyes would constantly glance at the watch and wish that this day would be over at the earliest. In the office, meetings became unusually long, hours went by slowly and in general, that week passed at its slowest best.

Then, one fine day on 17th May 2014, I received a call from the showroom to deposit the address and PAN photocopy for vehicle registration. This could only mean that the bike was here and that the delivery would happen soon. Jumped around with joy, called up my family and a scant 30 minutes later, I was in the showroom with all the necessary documents.

I was told that the bike is here and I could see it if I wished. That was the icing on the cake. I could see if from some distance as the area was for authorized people only. I requested for delivery on Monday, 19th May 2014 and was told that it is possible.

If the last week was slow, the coming Sunday was slowest. I could not sleep, eat or drink as the only thing on my mind was my Z800.

19th May 2014 finally dawned and I crawled out of the bed with the same Z800 in my thoughts. Went to the office and attended the same for the first half. Second half, I ran back home, grabbed my family; mother, wifey, son. Drove all the way to the showroom.

I have nothing but praise for the way SNK Bajaj operates and the delivery of my Z800 has been a pleasurable experience. Many thanks to the showroom guys (if they are reading this) Aarzoo, Alok and last but not the least, Satyen Karandikar (owner of SNK). A big thank you to all of you.

I have always believed that biking brings together friends and forms timeless bonds. A few of my friends who are more family; Vishwas, Vipin and Satya were there at the delivery time. A short pooja followed by congratulations and it was time to start the engine. The first person to start the bike and sit on it was my son, Aarush and for that reason, it will always remain a special bike to me.

Next Post: Riding Impressions and the first day.

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Thank you!

Thank you GT! Initial impression and ownership report coming up.

Thank you! Yes, the Z800 is surely the best looking naked bike out there. Perhaps the reason why I selected it over the Triumph!

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Lovely updates.. and heartiest Congratulations for owning the beautiful machine.
Keep the flow of the updates consistent please.!

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Congrats NV sir !!! Real happy that our group has now another Z800 in the kitty. I guess it's party time tomorrow.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Congo NV sirji !!! Seems like Xbhp pune is turning into Ninja family

Sent from my Lenovo P780_ROW using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

[MENTION=11065]niranjanvaidya[/MENTION] Congratulations on an incredible buy. The IDBI bank loan was the most amazing and surprising experience among all my deals with banks. Must have been a similar experience for you I guess.

Happy motorbiking!

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

The bike was delivered with around 5 liters of fuel. If the fuel indication starts blinking, the fuel is below 5 liters and mine wasn't blinking. First things first, needed to get some fuel in.

On inquiring about the type of fuel to be used, I was told that 97 is the best when available, however, some users have reportedly tanked up with regular fuel. The general thumb rule is to fill in fuel from a reputed and known pump which is reliable on the quality aspect. I reckon Shell should be the best. However, I decided to fill in "Power" from the pump opposite the agriculture college. The short drive to that pump takes one through the underway and I thought it would be a good opportunity to hear the sound.

Turn the key and the console does a neat priming routine. The tacho is vertically stacked and for people used to analog tachos, it may take time to get used to it. Apart from the speedo, odo, tachometer, fuel level and clock, some other useful bits are also displayed. Thumb the starter and the engine wakes up and settles into a fast-ish rhythm and slowly settles into that typical inline four humm. The clutch is heavy (initially) and the brakes take time to bite. For new owners, please note that it takes time for the brakes to start biting and the power is addictive..a lethal combination to run into a faster braking vehicle ahead.

Starting off, when I went inside the underway, the enclosed walls amplified the exhaust sound and boy-o-boy, does it sound well. The exhaust note is deep bassy and extremely non offensive. Controls are light, clutch is progressive, brakes are good once they start biting well. The running in period enforces a 4K RPM limit initially.

I filled in Rs. 1100 worth of Power and the tank was full which pretty translates into 12 liters @ 90.XX per liter.

The bike has tremendous presence and rarely did anyone not notice it yesterday. On getting a slightly open road, pushed it to 4K RPM each gear to see around 80. The bike heats up and the fan does cool it down fast. However, the heat thrown is enough to cook your thighs. Handling-wise the bike seems neutral and turns pretty well.

One feedback that I definitely wanted to share is the way she tackles bad roads. In one of the reviews online, the reviewer said that the weight of the bike gives it an advantage on bad roads and he is 100% correct. The bike handled bad road patches near University circle and canal road so very easily.

I took her out for a spin on the airport road at night and this was a very pleasing experience. I feel this is a decision made correctly and at the right time. This bike was possible thanks to a lot of factors, my wife and mother in particular.
My wife pushed me into the Z800 and had agreed for the Z1000 as well else I would have gone the 650 way. My mother has always been supportive of my biking and this is a very important part in any biker's life; to have support.

As I parked it next to my Ninja 250 and the Duke, my mind wandered to my pre college days almost 20 years back when I first saw a superbike and vowed to own it someday. Dreams do come true.

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Thank you Viper! Yes, IDBI was an amazing experience and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who wants a fast auto loan. Coming for the G2G tomorrow? It's gonna be one heck of a G2G for sure; Do get your Bonnie with you.

Thank you Aman! Kawasaki family is more like it. Hopefully the to-be-launched R25 and the RC390 will see to it that many others upgrade too.

Thank you! Party time and thank you for offering to host us

Thank you Rachit! Will surely post more pics after this weekend.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Many many congratulations NV

4 Z800s in G2G ...Awesome.

And yes, with R25 and RC...the parking lot of Roopali will have a new look

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Hearty congratulations NV. The Z series is surely one heck of a set. N wishing you a lot of safe and happy miles.

Sent from my Lumia

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

We will get to hear lots of cylinders tomorrow then.

I will have to buy the R25, completely determined. Really happy with the specs.

It will be a bit unfair to you if I be the host of the party. I will rather join the party and bask in your happiness.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Hiha!!!! Here it goes!




Too much going through my head right now! Will post details later!

[MENTION=11065]niranjanvaidya[/MENTION]: what an insanely pleasant string of events!

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

congos! both of you guys.. live your dream!
i remmbr you rooting for the supersport bikes! but you gave in man to this beast of a naked! congrats again!

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Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Beautiful bikes. Love the picture with the little kid...he seems more delighted than everyone else.
Congratulations and Ride safe.

On Triumph vs Kawasaki, I will say this....the stock Triumph suspension for the Daytona as well as the Street Triple is definitely on the stiff side..and will require you to have it set up for your weight and liking...but on the plus side, the Triumphs handle like a dream out of the box. I am still running my Daytona with the way it came setup from the factory. Its definitely stiff and jars your spine if you go over a pot hole...but the handling is telepathic. The Kawasaki will definitely have a more plush ride compared to the Triumph. Very impressed with the range of Kawasaki's offering in India. Almost the entire portfolio is available. Top Marks to Kawasaki.