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2014 Kawasaki Z800 has joined our family on 8-9-14.
Story so far.
My dad got me a Hero Honda CBZ in 2003 when i was studying engineering. I was very happy with it as it was big and powerful. Met with an accident in 2007, sold it off and bought a car. So i am out of biking scene since 2007. Buying a big bike was a dream even though i could afford one because of other priorities (mainly house purchase). I was in Mumbai in 2011 and one fine day itch to buy a bike started. Initially started thinking of Pulsar 220, later Duke 220 and then Ninja 250. Got news that an all new Ninja 650 will be reaching our shores and started waiting for it. Had been to Probiking showroom to book it but could not as my name did not appear in initial lottery list. Dropped N650 plan and decided that it will be an Inline 4 cylinder bike for me because of sweet exhaust note.
So booked a Kawasaki Z800 from Bangalore Kawasaki dealership on 2-September and got it delivered on 8-September. Quick delivery IMO given that average waiting period is 3 to 4 weeks accross india.
Options considered:
I had a budget of 10L and only option at this price point were Triumph Street Triple (Sounds like I4) and Kawasaki Z800.
On a saturday visited Keerthi Triumph showroom for availing test ride of ST. Sales executives welcomed me and upon asking for TD of ST, an executive said they do not give TD on saturday without a prior appointment. Uponrequesting he said that even if i talk to keerthi dealership owner, he will not provide me TD. He did not even did not bother to take down my number. I was disappointed as i was not expecting such treatment when i am paying over 9L for a bike. I got in to my car and reached kawasaki showroom. I was greeted and Paul (store manager) answered all my queries and later handed over key of Z800 for test ride. It was a good experience after triumph fiasco.
Z800 test ride:
Instant reaction after looking at Z800 is WOW. Has amazing street presence. It looks like a proper big bike (big deciding factor for me after I4 engine). Very creamy smooth engine, nice gearbox, good throttle response and very usable power delivery. Rode it in bangalore crawling traffic and it was easy to ride. Heavy weight bothers when parking but on road you never feel that its a heavy bike.
Kawasaki store manager suggested me to test ride ST before i decide. He also arranged another TD next day on HSR layout road. All in all a very good experience and i felt worth investing 9.6L on this machine.
Thought to ride ST before i decide and reached Keerthi showroom after calling up Jaikant. Was handed over keys of black ST which had quick shifter and arrow exhaust installed. Rode it for around 8 KM and i felt its a good bike. But head and heart had already decided that it will be Z800 for me.
Booking Experience:
Made booking on 2-Sep by transferring 80K. Chetan (Kawasaki Sales executive) was very helpful and answered a lot of my queries.
On 6-Sep, bike reached bangalore and i did a PDI on 7-Sep. All was well and made a full payment on 8-Sep morning and got it delivered on 8-Sep evening at 6PM. I had to visit dealership to get the bike delivered. A big thank you to bangalore kawasaki team for quick delivery and for a pleasurable experience.
Bike was delivered with tank full of BP speed petrol.
Ride to home was 15KM in peak office hours and had joy riding it. On way back to home, had to answer a lot of question from fellow motorists - kounsa company ka bike hai, kitna cylinder, kitna CC, imported hai kya, kitna paisa etc etc. I was surpised since no body asked kitna deti hai.
Headed to a ganesha temple and got pooja done. My wife and kid were in a taxi and we reached temple together. Couple of scooter owners looked less interested in their new scooters after i reached there on my Z800.
My observations:
Pros:
* Creamy smooth Inline 4 Engine. 115PS Power and 83NM of torque.
* Ergonomics are comfortable with a typical street-fighter stance.
* Looks futuristic. It looks big and has that muscular image.
* Top notch quality as expected from CBU bike manufactured in Japan.
* Smooth shifting 6 speed transmission with close ratios. I can do 140KMPH in first gear and 40KMPH in 6th gear.
* Ride quality is supple and she tackles bad roads in a smooth manner.
* Clutch is getting lighter as i ride more.
* Powerful brakes which are getting stronger as i ride more.
* Heat from engine is bearable. So no problems for me.
* ABS - A huge plus for me.
* Grippy Dunlop Sportmax tires.
* Ride by wire throttle.
* Slipper clutch.
* Very easy to ride in congested city traffic.
* Well priced for a CBU import.
* Has got immobilizer
Cons:
* Bike is heavy. This is evident when parking but i never feel it when on the move. Was about to fall a couple of times as did not rev it properly when turning.
* Green-Black combo colour has killer looks. Don't know why Kawasaki did not bring it to india.
Have ridden 220KM till date. Average fuel efficiency is 16KMPL which is decent IMO. Real time fuel efficiency shows up between 24 to 26KMPL when riding at 85KMPH in 6th gear (4K RPM).
Planning to fill her up with 97 Octane this weekend to see difference.
Other points:
* AGV Sport perforated full leather jacket
* DSG Phoenix riding glove
* Cortech latigo Air Boots
* Xena disc lock
Accessories bought:
* Tank pad (Kawasaki dealership will provide it as a freebie)
* kraftwerk bike cover from planetdsg.com
* Ordered R&G frame sliders from Performance racing store
Accessories/parts planning to buy:
* R&G Radiator guard
* R&G Fork protectors
* Paddock stand
* Two brother exhaust
Reaction of family members:
* Wife is happy and always reminds me to ride with in limits of my skill
* Daughter (2 years old) is happy and told neighbours that 'pappa bada bike.. boom boom..'
* Parents are not happy and wanted me to buy a big car like an octavia/jetta. They think like aam junta. For 10 lacs you can buy a city or verna.
* In-laws are very happy that i bought my dream bike.
That was a brief sharing of my experience and living with my dream machine. Everything about this bike is awesome, one of the most satisfying experience IMO when spending close to a million.
Time for some pics
Story so far.
My dad got me a Hero Honda CBZ in 2003 when i was studying engineering. I was very happy with it as it was big and powerful. Met with an accident in 2007, sold it off and bought a car. So i am out of biking scene since 2007. Buying a big bike was a dream even though i could afford one because of other priorities (mainly house purchase). I was in Mumbai in 2011 and one fine day itch to buy a bike started. Initially started thinking of Pulsar 220, later Duke 220 and then Ninja 250. Got news that an all new Ninja 650 will be reaching our shores and started waiting for it. Had been to Probiking showroom to book it but could not as my name did not appear in initial lottery list. Dropped N650 plan and decided that it will be an Inline 4 cylinder bike for me because of sweet exhaust note.
So booked a Kawasaki Z800 from Bangalore Kawasaki dealership on 2-September and got it delivered on 8-September. Quick delivery IMO given that average waiting period is 3 to 4 weeks accross india.
Options considered:
I had a budget of 10L and only option at this price point were Triumph Street Triple (Sounds like I4) and Kawasaki Z800.
On a saturday visited Keerthi Triumph showroom for availing test ride of ST. Sales executives welcomed me and upon asking for TD of ST, an executive said they do not give TD on saturday without a prior appointment. Uponrequesting he said that even if i talk to keerthi dealership owner, he will not provide me TD. He did not even did not bother to take down my number. I was disappointed as i was not expecting such treatment when i am paying over 9L for a bike. I got in to my car and reached kawasaki showroom. I was greeted and Paul (store manager) answered all my queries and later handed over key of Z800 for test ride. It was a good experience after triumph fiasco.
Z800 test ride:
Instant reaction after looking at Z800 is WOW. Has amazing street presence. It looks like a proper big bike (big deciding factor for me after I4 engine). Very creamy smooth engine, nice gearbox, good throttle response and very usable power delivery. Rode it in bangalore crawling traffic and it was easy to ride. Heavy weight bothers when parking but on road you never feel that its a heavy bike.
Kawasaki store manager suggested me to test ride ST before i decide. He also arranged another TD next day on HSR layout road. All in all a very good experience and i felt worth investing 9.6L on this machine.
Thought to ride ST before i decide and reached Keerthi showroom after calling up Jaikant. Was handed over keys of black ST which had quick shifter and arrow exhaust installed. Rode it for around 8 KM and i felt its a good bike. But head and heart had already decided that it will be Z800 for me.
Booking Experience:
Made booking on 2-Sep by transferring 80K. Chetan (Kawasaki Sales executive) was very helpful and answered a lot of my queries.
On 6-Sep, bike reached bangalore and i did a PDI on 7-Sep. All was well and made a full payment on 8-Sep morning and got it delivered on 8-Sep evening at 6PM. I had to visit dealership to get the bike delivered. A big thank you to bangalore kawasaki team for quick delivery and for a pleasurable experience.
Bike was delivered with tank full of BP speed petrol.
Ride to home was 15KM in peak office hours and had joy riding it. On way back to home, had to answer a lot of question from fellow motorists - kounsa company ka bike hai, kitna cylinder, kitna CC, imported hai kya, kitna paisa etc etc. I was surpised since no body asked kitna deti hai.
Headed to a ganesha temple and got pooja done. My wife and kid were in a taxi and we reached temple together. Couple of scooter owners looked less interested in their new scooters after i reached there on my Z800.
My observations:
Pros:
* Creamy smooth Inline 4 Engine. 115PS Power and 83NM of torque.
* Ergonomics are comfortable with a typical street-fighter stance.
* Looks futuristic. It looks big and has that muscular image.
* Top notch quality as expected from CBU bike manufactured in Japan.
* Smooth shifting 6 speed transmission with close ratios. I can do 140KMPH in first gear and 40KMPH in 6th gear.
* Ride quality is supple and she tackles bad roads in a smooth manner.
* Clutch is getting lighter as i ride more.
* Powerful brakes which are getting stronger as i ride more.
* Heat from engine is bearable. So no problems for me.
* ABS - A huge plus for me.
* Grippy Dunlop Sportmax tires.
* Ride by wire throttle.
* Slipper clutch.
* Very easy to ride in congested city traffic.
* Well priced for a CBU import.
* Has got immobilizer
Cons:
* Bike is heavy. This is evident when parking but i never feel it when on the move. Was about to fall a couple of times as did not rev it properly when turning.
* Green-Black combo colour has killer looks. Don't know why Kawasaki did not bring it to india.
Have ridden 220KM till date. Average fuel efficiency is 16KMPL which is decent IMO. Real time fuel efficiency shows up between 24 to 26KMPL when riding at 85KMPH in 6th gear (4K RPM).
Planning to fill her up with 97 Octane this weekend to see difference.
Other points:
* AGV Sport perforated full leather jacket
* DSG Phoenix riding glove
* Cortech latigo Air Boots
* Xena disc lock
Accessories bought:
* Tank pad (Kawasaki dealership will provide it as a freebie)
* kraftwerk bike cover from planetdsg.com
* Ordered R&G frame sliders from Performance racing store
Accessories/parts planning to buy:
* R&G Radiator guard
* R&G Fork protectors
* Paddock stand
* Two brother exhaust
Reaction of family members:
* Wife is happy and always reminds me to ride with in limits of my skill
* Daughter (2 years old) is happy and told neighbours that 'pappa bada bike.. boom boom..'
* Parents are not happy and wanted me to buy a big car like an octavia/jetta. They think like aam junta. For 10 lacs you can buy a city or verna.
* In-laws are very happy that i bought my dream bike.
That was a brief sharing of my experience and living with my dream machine. Everything about this bike is awesome, one of the most satisfying experience IMO when spending close to a million.
Time for some pics
But awesome ride! Someday I will earn enough money to fulfill my dreams like you 
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