Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

This might be slightly OT

Hi guys,

Back in June before the price cut of the Z900 was announced, two of my friends and myself stepped into the Kawasaki Chennai dealership to enquire about the Ninja 650 and the Z650. But both of them did not like it too much and went ahead to buy a Triumph Street Twin and T100.

I could buy one only in December 2017/Jan 2018. After sitting on the Z900 and getting a feel of it in the showroom, it was instant love. But I had to wait. They told me the test-rides will begin only in August/September. So I began waiting for the test-ride.

In the first week of October I called them to know if the test-rides commenced for Z900, they said not yet, and told me they will intimate me when it begins. I felt very bad and wondered, how is it that a motorcycle launched in April 2017 still did not have test-rides till now?

Yesterday I called them again and to my utter disappointment they told me no Z900 test-ride vehicles were allocated for them, we can expect one in Jan or February.

I was keen on the Z900 that time and still am. After I saw the launch in EICMA 2016 and seeing how they improved upon the Z800, I was very eager for them to launch it here. But the initial full-kit pricing was a deal-breaker but post the price-cut it's the most user-friendly class 950cc VFM machine you can buy if pillion seat is not a bother.

But this tremendously lackadaisical attitude of the Chennai dealer is troubling me to put my money here. Please enlighten me on the reputation of the Chennai Kawasaki.

My experience has been the complete opposite in Triumph Chennai, very customer friendly. I've test-ridden the new Street Triple, Bobber, almost within a month of launch. The owner is a close friend of one my friends, and since two of them are already into the Triumph brand, I can safely buy one from there.

I love the Z900 and the upcoming Z900RS too, what is playing spoilsport is the Chennai dealer's attitude. Please share how your experience with dealership has been so far.

Cheers!

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Hi Guys,

I just got my Z900 Gray ( first gray in TN) delivered on friday.
Oh man, this is a beast.. flickable and great power right in a flick.
Rode it for 500kms yesterday, upright position is a plus and its not even tiring, I felt windblast after 120kmph, I need to get a windsheild.
the ground clearance is a bummer, I scraped once in a speed breaked and skipped a beat.
Gearing is smooth and need to get used to it.. Same gearing ratio as KTM.

Overall, Its a beast.

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Hey bro, I just got mine delivered from JMB Coimbatore, Its the same dealer in Chennai. my experience was damn good, Coimbatore dealer (Mr. Surya) is super responsive and put in all his efforts to deliver the bike. I booked in July and I had this long waiting period due to RTO approval in tamil nadu and gray color was not in stock. I would say its worth it. I had visited chennai dealer first, they had the z900 in display long back in April. In south, Kochi and CBE there are no test drive bikes yet. As of now, the coimbatore dealer has two Z900 in stock I guess. may be you can reach them and check.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Wow, you've waited for nearly five months, you have loads of patience man, but now it's worth it. Good to know your joyful first impressions. Please post some pictures to liven up the thread.

This sure is a beast, but a more mature, gentleman type of beast if we can call it that. I found this Puig windscreen seems to reduce about 36% windblast from stock.




That's nice to hear that the Coimbatore dealership has been very courteous. If something advances from my side I shall keep in touch in this thread.

Congratulations on your new ride and wishing you pleasurable mile munching.

Cheers!

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

[MENTION=92730]ady2k[/MENTION] ... Congrats!
Ride hard. Ride safe.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Congratulations.
Upload a picture. Makes the thread more engaging.

You will get the hang of the various aspects of the bike as well as where the bike is likely to scarp as you continue to ride.

Hoping you have a memorable association with the bike.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Have covered over 40,000 kms on my current Gen 2 and over 50,000 on my previous Gen 1.I do extensive touring.
No coating or anything. Just a regular shampoo wash followed by wax at home.
Paint and shine is holding well . Just avoid parking in direct sunlight for extended periods.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

It would be splendid if you updated your thread on xbhp. Those of us who don't own one, would love to know the journey of your Busa. TIA.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Oh thats great.. I guess will avoid coating.
Thanks a lot. sure will do avoid parking in direct sunlight.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

[MENTION=58594]leech[/MENTION] - You are right. It has been long since I have updated my thread. Have been very erratic when it comes to coming online. Also, riding has taken a back seat for last few months. On the lookout for an adventure tourer.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Guys would like to know the cost of spares and service mainly for the Z, also service interval, if my finances click, I might be very tempted to purchase the Z but the heavier weight and slightly lower ground clearance compared to the competition is putting me off, my other options are the truimph street triple S or RS, obviously rs being a good 3-4 lakhs higher because of the tech you get , and the MT 09 which is slated to launch next year priced with the RS.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Firstly, I strongly suggest you try taking your prospective bikes for a test ride. That way you will know what works for you.
Get in touch with your local biking groups and talk to people who ride those bikes. Sit on them and generally get a feel of the bike.
As for service, the Japanese bikes are fairly reliable and would not pose any problem as long as you regularly service them. Of course if you drop or crash it there is no end to the expenses that might pile on. The Italians are known to be finicky and the brits also occasionally have their share of eccentric tantrums.
A regular service is not expensive. A few thousand is all that is going to cost but eventually learn to do your own service.
Service intervals vary but generally 4 to 6 months or 3 to 5 thousand kms which ever is early. I service my bike depending upon kms so sometimes it's only once a year.
Long story short... Don't push your self to buy the bike coz the real expenses start after you buy one.

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Congrats [MENTION=92730]ady2k[/MENTION].I took the test drive at cochin dealer ship last week.Although it was a short spin,absolutely liked the character of the bike.Hope you are going to put a detailed review ..Wishing you a wonderful ownership...

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Amazing motorcycle. But very sceptic about the service, availability of spares etc. can anyone elaborate? This is the only reason i am leaning towards a street triple

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

Same here, kawasakis shortage of spares and cost of servicing is what is pushing me away, I'm also considering the new Mt 09, cause yamaha have revised their prices for 2018 and the new R1 is 21lakhs. The street triple I'm still a bit held up whether to go for the S or RS, do I need soo much tech? Time will tell .

Re: Kawasaki Z900 -

This conundrum exists because the Z900 in spite of being a CBU retails at a very VFM Rs.7.68 lakh ex-shwroom undercutting it's rivals significantly.

The new Street Triple S has marginally better suspension by Showa right out of the gate. I really loved the way it soaked bumps like a Versys, during multiple test rides. The stock damping is so good for our roads. But the flaw I see in Street Triple is, it opens up like a rocket only after 7000 rpm. This is where z900 even though cheaper trumps it with tons of low end and mid-range grunt, and peaks earlier too.

I was reading from another international forum, where an experienced rider mentioned that after riding for forty years, he places only two machines very close to his heart, one being the Hayabusa, and another being the Z900. The versatility of Hayabusa is legendary, and he feels only the Z900 comes close to it in terms of this character!

The Street Triple RS on the other hand is a very precise track tool which can be enjoyed to it's full potential only on track days, but also can be tuned for road riding. It enjoys a premium and exclusivity with it's pricing.

But the Z900 enjoys an exclusive character by it's very being. It's pricing, engine size, and zero electronics, offer a very unique experience never before seen in this segment, and that's why it has won the hearts of many intermediate and expert riders world over. So eagerly waiting to get my hands on one!

If Kawasaki India can slowly offer similar Triumph level of customer service, there will be many new takers for their explosive new line up!