Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Green Menace Approved.

Cheers!
VJ

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Decision Process


I am not going go much into details of my history except that I have wanted to own a proper SBK for quite some time. In recent years, I saw that coming closer and closer to reality. In pursuing this I have always had support from my wife and parents and I am very lucky in that.


I had pinned a lot of hopes on Triumph after they had announced their initial round of prices a few years back. However, they turned out to be too good to be true. Alas the Daytona was way off the price it was initially projected at. I really liked that bike. Kawasaki launched Z800 in early 2014 at a very very tempting price. I decided to check it out but was disappointed as Kawa wasnt offering test rides and also Z800 was available only in black .


Soon , there was news that Triumph is opening a showroom in Pune. So decided to give their offerings a try. Test rode the Striple and Daytona. I had heard a lot of good things about Striple so went in with a lot of expectations. But somehow wasn't able to connect with the bike. Then I rode the Daytona and I absolutely loved it. I decided I would stretch by budget a bit and got a Daytona 675 (non-R). When I was for price and finance details, the Triumph officials noted my email and promised to email me the information.I never received an email from them. Also, found the showroom staff to be particularly standoffish and sometimes outright rude. I finally decided to wait out the coming monsoons , save up and go for a Z800 even though I hadnt test ridden it. This was based on a bit of internet research and some other "sources".


Meanwhile, Kawasaki followed up with me about my interest in Z800. Although they didnt offer test rides, the staff was quite friendly. I booked a black Z800 end of August. After booking, the showroom guys allowed a test ride. I decided to take a small slow ride through the compound. I want to see the low speed handling and weight of the bike. I had no problems whatsoever. I paid down most of the amount but decided to opt for a loan for the remaining amount to keep some liquid cash with myself. My loan was financed by IDBI with an interest rate of 10.5% fixed.The process was fairly quick and I had approval and disbursal in 4-5 days. I was to get the delivery in 10-12 days.


However, as my delivery was about to fall in the inauspicious "Pritu Paksha" my mother asked me to postpone it if possible. I wasnt to keen on it and as we all know , the wait is a torture.However, given all the support from family, I decided to accede to their request.I informed Kawasaki that I want to delay my delivery to 25th September. They agreed and it was all set. The countdown had begun.



Serendipity


The 25th was drawing nearer. I keep myself busy in office and by watching Z800 ride videos on loop . A week before my delivery , I went to the showroom to submit some paperwork. While I was there, the sales staff asked me if I would want to change by black to green. Without a thought , I replied with an emphatic "Oh God, Yes!". I expected this to be followed up by demands for additional payments or extended delivery period. But she just said , "Done." and thats it.


I was completely overjoyed.

Delivery


Finally 25th Arrived, the big day. Took the day off from office. All excited called up the showroom only to be told that they cant deliver today. What a bummer! Every additional second was a torture and now I had to survive another day. I still decided not to complain as they had been accomodating enough with my colour change. I cancelled my day off and chose to work from home. The next day dawned. To be honest, I was skeptical about getting delivery today as well. I called up the showroom and again got a vague answer about delivery today. My frustration was growing, finally after many painful hours I got the call. The bike was here. I gethered my stuff and left immediately.


Showed up at the showroom just as they were unpacking the bikes.It takes some time for them to get to my bike. First is a Limited Edition ZX10R in a Lime Green/ White livery. Looks stonking. Next up is a Z1000 followed by another. I have to say, Z1000 is quite something. Its easily the best looking bike in the Kawasaki line up and I am traditionally a fan of faired motorcycles. Just looking at it, I get thoughts already of cheating on my Z800 :-).


Anyway, finally they get to my bike a 2015 Candy Flat Blazed Green Kawasaki Z800.










After a small pooja, they hand over keys, manual, papers and a small gift. Unfortunately, there is only 3-4 litres fuel in the bike. So the first target is finding a good fuel station. I push the bike outside the slippery looking floor until I am on the driveway. Thumb the starter and the motor comes to life with the beautiful inline-4 hum. As soon as it settles down, I roll off. The bike feels weird and weavy. Strange, I didnt feel this in the test bike. Its 6:30 PM on a weekday and there is very very heavy traffic out. I am very gingerly as I make my way through traffic. This was going to be baptism by fire for the bike. I unreasonably curse at anyone who dares come close to the bike.
Finally reached a HP fuel station , tanked up on a HP Power. The rest of the ride was a very slow crawl through traffic until I finally reached home. I had made it safely :P

Initial Impression


I didnt have any trouble riding through the traffic. Nor did I face any problem with the clutch. It was smooth and just right. The brakes , however, felt wooden. Perhaps because they were yet to set in. As expected never faced any knocking on the bike in heavy traffic. I was ensuring I was always in the right gear, didnt want to lug a new engine even though it is more than capable.




Riding Impressions


I had the whole weekend to myself. The plan was to get through as much of the run-in as possible. On Saturday, rode mostly on highways keeping the bike below 4K except on occasion. On Sunday, I did a longer ride and also rode through some small broken roads and check how the bike performed. I have completed ~450kms (less than I expected to cover over the weekend :-( )


Here are my impressions:


1. The bike is big and heavy. Earns you a fair amount of respect out on the road. Not once did I get bullied by any car drivers. There was one occasion where I was overtaking a vehcile when a Innova kept honking constantly. I was rolling


along in 5th, I opened the throttle slightly (not even whack it open) and there was surge of power and inline-4 music. Within seconds, I had lost the Innova from my RVM.


2. Even after 400 kms on the bike, the brakes havent improved much. They have great stopping power but the feedback is very poor. I need to see if adjusting the lever improves this in anyway.


3. The ride quality over bad roads is very very good. Relative of course to other big bikes.


4. The seat is hard but not as hard as the one on RC 390


5. Love the stock exhaust sound, its not particularly loud (but louder than any normal bike) but it has a very refined sound. Need to see if there is anyway to make the stock slightly louder.


6. Seating position is just perfect. No aches whatsoever after riding in all sorts of conditions.


7. The bike as expected attracts a LOT of attention. The green colour scheme is just something else. I cant think how I could have booked the black.


8. I havent used RON 97 fuel yet. Just filled up Power once and after that normal fuel. I havent noticed anything odd with the bike's behaviour.


9. I have gotten an Average FE of 21 kmpl. I expect it to go down once the run-in is completed. I would be happy to have a range on 200 km on this bike.


10. The RVMs were fairly useful considering this is a naked.


Now for some real pics


















Console



The Distinctive Double-Zed Tail




Green Preload Adjusters look really nice




The rear suspension spring gets the green treatment as well



Patterned Footpeg might offer good grip in the wet



Some nice hooks to fasten your luggage when touring

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Congratulations! the Z800 looks stunning in the green/grey colour combo!! The first post of this thread is very well put together.
What speeds does the Z800 do at 4-5k rpm (run-in period) in top gear??
Wishing you many happy miles ahead on the Z800

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Thanks man. It does about 80 kph in 6th gear.

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Many congratulations Hyperion. Z800 looks gorgeous in Green colour. I got my Z800 (black colour) delivered last month from Bangalore dealership. Its manufactured in July 2014. Are there any difference between 2014 and 2015 Z800?
Enjoy your ride and ride safe. Since its a heavy bike, just make sure you rev sufficiently when taking U turns. She is a blast to ride on open roads.

Also you guys from Pune are lucky as it costs 8.8L & also you have good roads with scenic beauty nearby pune. I paid over 9.6L in bangalore.

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015


Thanks djay99. Your ownership thread gave me something to read about while waiting out the delivery period
As far as I know, the differences are only in the colour scheme. Will look it up and let you know if I find anything else.

Bangalore is not short on scenic beauty either

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

many many hearty congratulation brother,,,,, it is such an accomplishment to buy indeed such bike and ride it as per ur wish,,,, u just been blessed by Almighty thank Him for ur happiness,,,,

Bike is just so stunning,,,, man it cd be attracting hoards of ppl when ever u wd be parking it,,,, some wana feel it some sit on it,,some to take pictures ,, such a stupid pain it wd be i guess,,,

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Nice! The green looks cool! Though I am happy with my black too!
After first service she opens up more! The car thing happened with me also. I was cruising at 80 and this Innova was honking.I just rolled side by side with Innova and cracked open the throttle! The Zed just went supersonic! And the Innova never was seen again. This is very insulting for car guys. They just stop chasing us.
How did you manage an average of 20? Mine is not showing anything above 17!

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Thanks Lone Wanderer . It surely does attract a hell lot of attention.

Thanks Nitro The average is for 20% city, 10% country roads and the rest of it on highway. Was your usage similar? I am doing nothing more than just following the runin with the occasional blast to 120.

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

This green color is looking so attractive, congrats on your purchase

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Congrats on the acquisition. Ride safe

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Congratulations [MENTION=11341]Hyperion[/MENTION] and the Colour looks fantastic

Sent from my C2004 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015


Thanks a lot, guys!

Re: Mean Green, Kawasaki Z800 2015

Completed 1000 kms. Booked an appointment for first service on the weekend.
So far things have been good. I can open it up to 6000 RPM now. The acceleration is just unbeatable by pretty much anything else on the road.

Even riding constantly at 100-110 I have gotten an average of 21 plus which is very very good. This includes short bursts upto 150, riding at 60-70 on bumpy village roads.