Thank you for your inputs but..

I am still confused between Z800 and Triple. Again as you mentioned it is heart v/s head dilemma.
The looks/presence of Z800 is what making me incline towards the Z800 but practically S-Triple wins. Per my calculations S-Triple is pocket friendly compared to Z800.

S-Triple v/s Z800 - (Purely my opinion)

1. Fuel
S-Triple run's well on normal fuel where as Z800 requires 95 octane or atleast Super which is 10-20 bucks more per liter of fuel.
S-Triple can be refilled at any place. Even remote places no need to worry.

2. Service Interval
Service Interval of Z800 is 6000kms against 10000kms of S-Triple. It is a good 4000kms difference. 3 (Triple) :5 (Z800) ratio which again can be heavy on pocket with Z800.

Are you sure about the fuel part? As far as i know, the compression ratio in striple is higher than z800(12.xx vs 11.9). So if striple is fine with regular fuel, z800 should also run fine right? I had discussed the same with Bangalore Kawasaki Guys and was told that Kawasaki has told them that regular fuel works fine.
He also told that because of this, the service interval was changed from 10k to 6k.

Yes surely we can change the damping for the suspension but that wouldn't lower the height. Will just make ur ride handling more customized as per your need. I got it done towards softer side as to me, riding my bike over bad patches and for longer kms distances turned out to be a huge pain.
The stock suspension settings are on a harder side, as far as I can say for myself.
And the seats cushion doesn't help a lot. So either you get a gel seat strapped or get accustomed to the stock seat and ride feel.

First service tht I got done at 800 kms costed me Rs. 6000. Oil change, Filter cleaning and rest of random checks. No complaints reported and attended as such and was done with the service under 4 hrs.



1) What made me choose Z800 over Striple... hmmm.. basically nothing related to the bike, it was the callous attitude of Triumph Pune that time which made me shift my interest from Triumph to Kawasaki. I was a huge fan of Striple as I had ridden Street Triple in US once and it was a bomber. SO I was totally into this bike, however, the laid back attitude of the Triumph Pune about providing me with the details of availability of the model, tentative time of delivery, actual On Road price, at the time I was lookin to make a purchase did make me change my mind for z800.
Also, I was hugely skeptical to go for an absolutely new player in Indian market after the fiasco of Ducati. Huge brand name but huge disappointment for all current owners and potential buyers.
Considering what type of services Triumph will be able to provide me during their early days was also deterring factor for me. So I wanted to wait, let Triumph settle down with all good and then take a call to be an owner.

2) Have not ridden Striple for test ride so cant comment on the comparison. However, as a standalone, the clutch of z800 is lill hard on wrist in crawling traffic. The bike being heavy will add to the pressure on your wrists and they can get tired very quickly. (Subjective to all)

3) Short gearing does not affect much while you are riding in the city. You hardly get any stretch to red line your bike. Its punchy and can pull you up in any gear so as to say. On the highways, it starte getting a lill viby post 6000 rmp around 130 kms/hr.
Personally, what I feel is that the engine of z800 is so refined and smooth that I dont fell like revving it very hard or do red lines all the time. There is a smooth range of around 4000 rpm where one doesnt feel like going hard on throttle and its a superbly cruising speed. Nice sound, adequate feel and comfortable ride.

4) Z800 is a fantastick machine and I absolutely love it. However, I will mention some points that I learned as an owner.

a) z800 stands out hands down as far as street presence is concerned. Its meaty, muscular and very aggressive. So, looks are a huge plus going for z800.
b) z800 is heavy. So plan accordingly and be ready to do sme forearms if you have to move it around a lot in your parking lot. I take huge precaution while parking my bike as I dont want to park it at awkward angles on slopes. I am 5'8" and I tip toe my bike most of the times. So if you are not getting a foot grip and have to balance or maneuver around, it would need some effort.
c) z800 stock seat is slippery. and with pillion, its becomes more than the bike that you have to manage.
d) striple would be def lighter and hence more agile. Dont forget, no matter what, striple is the MiddleWeight World champion and is a landmark that envies every other product in its class. Since its lighter, it would be easy on your posture and wrist. I think only an owner can emphasize more on this front.
e) Seats on striple are more plush and comf then the stock onces on z800
f) striple gives you option of colors to choose from and the lime green looks total drool in flesh. I wish, z800 had color options too.


both bikes are great and I adore both of them very much. just that it was kawasaki that was destined to be in my garage and not a triumph. May be if things were diff back then whn I was looking for a purchase, I would have had a bonnie or striple with me. However, no remorse and I am more then happy with z800. It gives me that great sense of satisfaction that nothing in the world does.

To end on this, I will share an advice when I was in total dilemma about what bike to choose from. He said "Go for a bike that brings an ear to ear smile to your face every time you look at it, ride it and set the wheels roll. Even if your other choice is parked right next to you, you should not feel an iota of sec thought of .."Aaah.. I wish if I had chosen this..." Something that doesnt make u get sleepless by the thought of making a second level choice."
So, think very clearly and go for the any one of them only when your heart is convinced. Its an irony tht god has put head over heart for humans, which tends to get lost into logic, had it been other way around, world would have been a much happier place to live in for all.

Happy riding..

cheerz
ride safe and ride hard...

there is no requirement to have Octane 95 as i rode the test bike on Sunday and put the normal Shell unleaded fuel.. so as logn as you have good stations and good fuel, it should be an issue....i have booked one for myself on Sunday and should be getting the bike in 10 days... i have ridden both the Street and the Z800...the Street is a beautiful bike no doubt but to shell out 9L for 675 machine made me think twice... i vouched for the inline 4 as a long term investment and teh fact that it is a good city bike.. i took it for a good 20-25KM and didnt find any issues.. mind that i owned a N650R prior so there was some things i would say is not the best.. N650R was a class apart in terms of comfort, touring, pillion riding for long trips... but the pain of the underbelly exhaust was the only thing i felt was a drawback...The Z800 is not the best pillion riding bike esp for long rides but we can get custom seats available which can help... i took the test ride with pillion and the only negative was the seat not being too comfy.. and yes the height being an issue...I am 5'7" but i never felt it was a problem going through traffic.. you just need to know to control your bike which may take some time.. i had initially struggled with teh 650 but later it was like riding on an activa through traffic..The gear box is smooth and yes no vibes that i can complain off... the bike is heavy no doubt but not when yo start riding it.. the power manages to stabalize teh weight as far as i could feel it..the Street was not as comfortable in city riding when i compare it to teh Z... and i would be using the Z for city riding as well so all this made me go for it...

Can you give some more inputs why Z800 is more comfortable in city that Striple or why Striple was not comfortable?

i would say the gear shifting is more clean and soft also since the Z800 is short geared, you can ride at 20-30 speed even in 3rd gear.. i even started the bike off the 3rd gear and i never felt any knocking as such.. this was something i tested after i read teh reviews on the same.. the ST is def lighter and nimble but i did find teh gearing bit more hard .. this was my opinionand again i didnt ride is for as long as the Z800 so i felt it wasnt as smooth as the Z800....

the other factor is just from my exp of riding teh 650... its a heavy bike (211KGs) 20 odd more than ST but when you ride the 650 in city traffic, it feel so light.. i felt the same with teh Z800 ...

Kawasaki is doing a big test ride event in Delhi

https://www.facebook.com/events/1451176508493113/

The link is not operational. Can you share the venue details and also how to reach there?

Kawasaki is doing a big test ride event in Delhi

https://www.facebook.com/events/1451176508493113/

Hi friends,
Had been to Keerthi Triumph Bangalore yesterday for availing test ride of Street triple & had a bad experience with their team. After asking for a test ride they said they provide test rides on saturday only after an appointment. Upon requesting they said they will not provide TD even if i talk to Keerthi motors owner. This could be one-off a case but i did not feel good when they said If you want a test ride, take an appointment and come back next Saturday. They did not even bother to take down my number. It looks like this attitude is a result of good sales.

Next thing i did was to visit Kawasaki showroom in Indiranagar and had a good experience over there. Had a good time talking to their manager paul and sales executive chetan. They explained all features of Z800 and even provided a test ride of Z800. I am impressed with this bike's city drive ability. Its a looker and looks huge - like a proper super bike and engine/exhaust note is very sweet. Power delivery is predictable as well. I never felt that it weighs 230KG when moving. I am 5 ft 8 in and was tip toeing most of the time.
They even offered me a highway ride today and boy o boy it was amazing. Bike pulls cleanly and i was even able to hold on to 40KMPH in 6th gear.
It costs 9.62 Lacs in Bangalore where as Street triple costs 8.92L. Paul suggested me to take a test ride of street triple after Z800 and then decide. I am inclined towards Z800 and will decide in this week.
Booking amount is 80K and wait period of 30 days but they assured me to deliver within 30 days time frame.
Any other thing you guys suggest me to check when taking a TD of ST?

I was also told that there is a price hike of 3% effective today (25 August 2014).

I am more inclined towards Z800 but want to try S-Triple before deciding. Main reason being weight of bike and pillion comfort.

Price hike is a surprise. I am visiting them this afternoon for test riding ST. Will update thread once i am back.

Though Z800 is heavy, it masks it very nicely. You will feel its weight when you are trying to park bike or else on the move you will not notice it much. I did ride in congested traffic in HSR layout and it was easy to ride. Clutch is on heavy side but sales exec said it will loosen up over time.
Slipper clutch was a boon when down shifting at higher revs. Adjustable suspension for rebound damping is another positive point. Z800 also has ride by wire throttle