Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

I have actually made an excel sheet for the same![emoji14]The Kawasaki management in Pune has recently been changed (hardly 2 months back) the owner at the dealership is quite responsive, just doesn't provide a test ride because of company policy. (Still trying to score one, but till then trying to figure out as much as I can from ownership experiences) The service interval is half of what Street has, costs almost the same.

The guys at Triumph dealership are a friendly lot and accommodating. The service station too has good reviews amongst the owners.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

I have zero issues riding the Z800 in traffic. My second bike is a D200 so I know how it feels to switch between the two.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

The more I research, the more I'm leaning towards the Z with lower price, higher power and also shorter gear ratios.
I'm just concerned about the weight aspect now.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Go for it, Z800. After a while you won't notice the weight. It's a good package for sure from a cost POV. And as you mentioned the dealer is better than the previous one.. There is no reason not to get it.

Trust me, you will adapt to the weight. Some minor tweaks to your riding style and you should be fine.
Cheers!

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

I agree with what Odeen said .I got used to the weight pretty quickly. Real value for money bike over all.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

@paradoxx

Even I have short listed Z800 and ST. Will buy a new bike once I return to India. I am also from Pune and 5,11

I am edging towards Z800 due to its looks and power though I am also concerned about the weight. Also I recently heard that most ST have engine stalling issues which researched if you are considering ST. Btw whats the current on road price of Z800 in Pune ?

@Z800 owners : What is FE of Z800 in city conditions

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True


A lot has happened in last few months. Kawasaki showroom shifted it's ownership to Khivraj Kawasaki in Pune.

[MENTION=26835]paradoxx[/MENTION]:I am a bit skeptical about Triumph India's servicing and after sales.
For the Z,there is no problem with weight unless you want to ride it in a sporty manner. The weight is only felt when you want to do some fast left-right switching in corners. Otherwise there is absolutely no problem. And I think you will get a test ride at the new showroom. For the braking, read further.

Kawasaki had conducted a training program for superbike owners. Training us personally were Mr. Shigeto Nishikawa and Ashwith Shetty. He is a jolly person and very eager to impart knowledge.
Our training consisted of throttle control,braking and turning. Which helped me a lot! I can easily see a difference in my riding skills. I experienced this right after. This braking technique configured my brain to do much better than before. The distance to zero has improved a lot! Short distance turning has also improved greatly. Now I can turn my bike into my parking without touching my feet down! We discover the true potential of the bike after this training. Nishikawa San said this is training they give in Japan for big bikes licenses. He is an expert rider himself!


Bajaj Auto Pune





Slalom test

Nishikawa San toys with the Z1000

After the training my chicken strip has reduced :P

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

The new dealership will only give test rides in events and not otherwise.
I was told about the workshop and saw the videos also at the showroom, impressive stuff!

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Hey!
I'm sorry I totally missed your post, saw it today.
The on road price of Z 800 is 8.18 in Pune.
For me also only the weight is an issue. Being 5'10 I can plant my feet properly on the ground, so that shouldn't be a problem for you.
A lot of ST3 are facing stalling issue. I was told by the dealership that they have received a 21 pointer checklist to see to the issue. But owners have reported issue even after that.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

[MENTION=10505]nitrosatya[/MENTION] [MENTION=11341]Hyperion[/MENTION] [MENTION=46089]djay99[/MENTION] [MENTION=11065]niranjanvaidya[/MENTION] [MENTION=70393]Sourjya Guha[/MENTION]
Any of you using the bike regularly in city? How practical is it for the same?
Thanks in advance

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Ok, so if I am not wrong, there are a few girls who ride the z800 as well. Pretty well known too. Now, don't get me wrong here, nothing taken away from them. But it just goes out to show how easily the bike can be managed.
Work on your stance and you should be fine.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

No no, not just the riding part. I mean usage in city as in everyday things like parking it, leaving it parked, people messing with it, heat in traffic, tight roads in the interiors and all that.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Leaving it parked / people messing with it HAHA....

Not sure if any superbike can be left in India without proper physical security.

Last Sunday, my head just blew out of annoyance. In a matter of an hour had to shoo away 3 people from sitting and fiddling with the bike. Of which one guy just got totally in my head.

Then there's this constant row of people who want to race you or try to catch up to you. Usually I just leave them be...

If the Chennai heat isn't torture enough, then constantly people who cut you in the signal to question the same thing over and over and over again- what bike, how much, milage kitna. Happens at almost every signal

And so far there has been 1 car and a motorcycle who were looking at me and rammed the vehicle in front

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

I wouldn't suggest using it as an everyday bike. I'm not saying its not possible to do so,its just a little inconvenient depending on where and in what conditions your 'regular city use' is.

The problems that immediately come to mind is heat in (only in really bad traffic) and finding safe spots to park the bike. Two things to think about while parking is whether it is Likely to be fiddled with like teezam rightly said and. The other thing to think about is whether you'll be able to back it out of that spot considering the slightly taller seat and much heavier weight of this bike. I usually make sure when I park that either I reverse it in the parking spot or I can ride straight out of it.

Re: Kawasaki Z800 - Dream Comes True

Unfortunately all this is part and parcel of having a bigger bike. You just cannot park that thing in a regular free for all parking space.
I don't use my bike everyday. It's not practical in Bombay traffic. We have a basement parking at work. But by the time I come back to the bike in the evening, I know people have fiddled around with it. This is something you will have to live with as people usually do not have any respect for some one else's property.