Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

That's a nice short review vijith. Please post some pics of your Z. How many KM did you cover and what accessories have you installed? Lets catch up some time.

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800



Sure, DJ...

completed 2000KM on the Z .... 1200 - Touring and 800 City riding

Avg fuel is 17 as per the meter in city but goes to 20.5 on highways....

Got my first service done at 1000, details as below:


Motul 7100 10W40 - 3220 (4L)
Coolant - 172
Chain Cleaning & Consumables - 337
Oil Filter - 550
Gasket - 53
Paid Service - 3146


Next service check is when the odo touches 6000KM but no oil change is required.... as per the manual and teh service head, we can change it at 12000KM but a check is required to see how the oil is and if it needs any replacement at 6000KM


Nothing much to complain about as the bike didnt have any issues.. just idling was a bit low and was adjusted.. after teh service did a good 600KM ride.. part of it was a 20KM off roading and the Z handled it smoothly... i was a bit scared if i may drop the bike as the big machine was too heavy on the slushy roads towards the homestay thanks to the previous nights downpour... luckily, i survived...


After 1600KM, it was freedom to open the throttle beyond the 6K RPM.. and it can screem.. i managed to touch 197 on a dead straight road but heavy crosswinds and i had to slow down. I didnt find any heating issues even after riding teh bike continuously for 150KM at a good 150-160 speed...


hitting 2000KM, i have no much complains as of now.. the bike hardly has any issues that i can notice... the brakes are pretty solid.. 100-0 in no time... Pillion comfort again.. not much of an issue but looking at some alternative rear seat which can be more comfortable...


as of now..


Need to get the windscreen
a good rear seat..


in few months, planning to get the Akrapovic Slip on...

some pics that was taken of the rides and otherwise.. the one with the Duke and the slushy road was passed by the Z...

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Awesome pics and writeup Vijith. Please keep this thread updated with more pics and your experience.

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Very nice pics Vijith and also well written, I read the turning radius is 9.8 feet which is as much as Yamaha FZ1 which is 9.5 ft .Its actually not too bad. Long back i went to a riding school in the US. Here i was surprised that they taught me how to take a U turn as they believed slow speed control is everything. Only then i knew that the front brake has no value in a U turn ! Anyway im out of touch and will go all over again !( but would come back very soon)

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

You may try tribo anti slip seat cover which seems good option. Its available for ~16 GBP.

KAWASAKI Z800 2013 TRIBOSEAT ANTI-SLIP PASSENGER SEAT COVER ACCESSORY | eBay

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Well, I have been following the thread for a few months now but this is my first post here.

I was one of those who had all but decided against the Z800 and chosen the Striple because of the weight advantage, the rave reviews and, in spite of being slightly underwhelmed by the test drive of the Striple, the lack of test drive for the Z at that time !

Then the Triumph fiasco happened. As soon the mishap was confirmed, I had decided against the Striple. They might have tried to put a lid on or made an honest attempt to please the customers but I wouldn't fall to a brand that could do what they did and then follow it up like they did.

Since then, I have been following the Z800 developments, videos and threads everywhere. All the reviews all around seem to be raving about everything about it save its 231 kg weight. I would use the bike like a commuter and a tourer. Bangalore traffic from BTM via outer ring road to belandur for office in office hours and the occasional 100 to 300 kms rides on a few weekends. The weight always put me back as, I thought, commuting would be a pain..until today. I did a test ride and was astounded by the ease with which you can drive the Z in the traffic. 100 meters in and I was able to slice through the traffic like a hot knife through butter. The U turn radius, the 231 kgs was never felt. I was pleasantly shocked. I could do 30kmph on the 6th. I wondered if a gear change was ever needed on this beast. I came back to the showroom and talked about the details and the colors etc with Mr John. I was way too happy and satisfied and also got a glimpse of how the green Z looks, which is jaw dropping. I started to wonder whether it was the excitement that is making me feel better about the bike than it actually is. So I asked and John, was kind and courteously unlike the guys at Keerthi Triumph, gave me the key. This time I concentrated and tried to find the negatives. Tried to crawl at 12 15 KMPH on 3rd, start on 3rd, sudden braking, hard braking on the rear only, cut through smaller gaps in traffic, let the engine run at lights to check if it steams me. It still came out with flying colors. I could not spot anything wrong with it. It was quite and refined at lower RPMs (I hate a growler that lets everyone know "I am driving a big bike' ) but it did the trick to the ears at higher RPMs . It tried to pull your arms off your shoulder if you press on. It slices the traffic. It stops on a dime. It can cruise at 30KMPH without any sense of struggle. It runs on 91 octane just fine as per John. There was one negative that I could finally spot when I stopped the bike, it was the position of the side stand and its a tad bit difficult to get it on the stands. I went off it, smiled and, as my heart was going crazy happy, I had chosen my next bike

Soon !!! Very Soon !! ' The green one, Please !'

Another highway test drive might be on my way soon too !!!

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Agree to most of your points. I own a Z800 and have covered over 2.5K KM.
Z800 has abundant low end torque and hence you are able to do 30kph in 6th gear. Take it to 8K+ RPM and its a different machine. You will be pushed back and exhaust sounds very loud. Rev limiter will kick in at around 12.5K RPM.
Though it is easier to ride in city traffic, b2b traffic may cause pain in wrist since clutch is on heavier side. Try taking another ride to see if this is applicable in your case.
For touring you may have to add some padding to seat (its hard) and add handle bar risers. I get over 20KMPL on highway rides, so its fuel efficient.

Also i would suggest you to use 97RON if you buy a Z. Though there is no knocking if 91RON is used, manual recommends 95RON. Sales executive will say that no problem if 91 is used but they will never give this in writing (nor Dy MD of kawasaki india did).
A few guy's comment about Z800's ability just looking @ paper figures (mainly weight) without riding it. I suggest them to talk only once you ride. Street triple is a good bike but 79PS @ 9.15L (Don't argue whether we can use all 79 horses or not.)

All the best. Let's go on a ride some day. I stay in JP Nagar.

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Point noted about the 97 RON petrol. Was wondering why they were suggesting 91 happily when everything else suggests 95 RON. Though, AFAIK, a lower octane would only make your engine produce lesser horses and causes no harm. Anyways that is for later.

About the clutch stress on hands. I ride a R15 now and, obviously and expectedly, it is tighter than it but I did not face any kind of cramps. Maybe because I always ride with a decent leather gloves. I remember finger stress when I test rode the Striple but I didn't wear this glove then. Also it is much easier than the Striple to let go off the clutch to start off.

True that about weight as most of the comments seem void to me after today's drive. I am 6 feet so height was not an issue either.

Yup sure, lets catch up sometime. I am at opposite J P Nagar :P, N S Paliya in BTM 2nd Stage.

Do you Kwacker guys have a group or something ? John from the showroom told there might be a test ride to Kolar coffee day next week.

Also, there is a ZX 14 R at the indira nagar showroom that has been sold to someone. Quite a monster !!!

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Yeah true that engine produces less power but i fill up 97RON when ever it is available else mostly shell super.

Sure. I usually ride towards hosur road (short ride) as that's best road in vicinity.
I am not aware of any kwacker group. I guess we need to form a group (if it is not done).
Showroom guy's organize a weekend ride where in they offer test rides of various kawa bikes and we get a chance to meet khivraj service head & other folks. I was invited last time they organized it but could not attend. Will try attending this time.
What is the current On-road price? Cheers!

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

I have heard good things about Shell Super in spite of being normal petrol too.

Yeah, there might be showroom ride next sunday to Kolar coffee day for, like you said, test rides. As per Mr John, he would invite me if that is the case.
~969000 (830000 ex show room) and might increase by around 4K in a few weeks. how much was it when you got it ?

Also, I saw a green Z800 in N S Paliya at around 1030 in the night. Coincidence since that was the first one I saw on the road and on the same day, I had ridden it as well. Or maybe I was hallucinating or the signs from higher powers

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

You can join kawasaki z 800 India owners club in FB , it's new though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

I paid 9.62L with zero-dep insurance from hdfc ergo. Overdrive & Zigwheels reported today that Z800 is cheaper by 55000. I believe OTR Blr will be below 9L and this is mouth watering price IMO.

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800


Brilliant news A good news on a bad day !

Kawasaki Z800 Price Slashed By Rs 50,000 In India - Overdrive

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800

Read it is valid only till March 2015 on Motorbash. After March it is not certain. IMO at current price point it doesn\'t make any sense to buy ST over Z800.

Re: Test drive Kawasaki Z800


Odd response from Kawa, Indiranagar. Said the price is now OLD OTR - 50 K = 619000 INR odd and that the offer is valid till Jan 2015 only (Thought it was March 2015). I thought the Ex showroom prices have gone down by 50K odd and not the OTR. Even magazines are only quoting decreased ex-showroom prices from Pune and Delhi only !

Anyone has more info about Bangalore prices ? The showroom didn\'t sound convincing to me and seemed like he was talking with half information.