Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Query approved!

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Congratulations Amit for deciding over to take the next step.
I have had similar options around 1.5 yrs ago but then there was no option fr TnT or Ducati. I had to fiddle with the options of StreetTriple and z800.
I would try to put my bit for the 800 here. Have ridden 821 but refrain from commenting anything for the comparison as an expert as that was a short ride.

About the z800

The Goods -

-To me, it looks really aggressive and hooligan from any angle. If Ducatis are like supermodels dressed in Red flowing gowns, then Kawacker is the wild Japanense Manga ***** thats balances its sexy lines and tattoed arms with a sword in her hands, right there to go for the kill. I think you wd get the difference.
-It might be heavy, but it is damn quick and no sec thoughts about it.
-It has the appearance of a litre class naked. Shes masculine at the right parts and dsnt look timid or an 800 cc parked next to other lt. class nakeds.
-Cheapest InLine 4 that you can own... and that says it all.
-Here in Pune, servicing had been satisfactory for me till now. (have done ~18k kms just to say a figure) No major hiccups and bike has never ditched me out on the highway. No matter what weather or 1 up/2 up.
-Not many z800 are available in used bikes market and that tells a lot as not many owners think of that they have made a wrong choice. Many n Many of my friends are content with the performance of the bike over all.
-The new color schemes look afresh. Havent seen them in flesh.

The Doubtful -
Would not say the Bads but thats the way it is

-Heavy. If you are going to ride a lot in mumbai snails pace traffic and are not used to of riding heavy bikes, its going to hurt. (Its diff then riding an Enfield)
-Forward lean stance. I have a CBR250 as well and initially I found its forward rake a little intimidating. But you can get used to of it with time.
-Strictly Not for touring. Unless you arent crazy enough to put saddles and pillion on the bike and drive to Jaisalmer. (As I did in 2014 Dec.) But again, it doesnt make it a touring bike. It would be your judgement.
-UnComfortable pillion Seat. I use an additional Gel Seat over the stock to make it worthy of longer rides.
-Slower you go, heavier it becomes. And very diff to maneuver if parked on a slope. So park and move wisely.

These are the few good and can live with them points for z800 that I could precisely put here.
I rode an 821 once and it immediately would appear louder. So if you are going to use an in helmet communication device as Sena/Interphone/Scala, it would not be much efficient. Or you need to have great noise isolation from the helmet.
821 def looks exotic, exclusive, and desirable. And is loaded with tons of gimmicks.
However, before making a choice, I would recommend you to evaluate, how many buttons from that menu are you ever going to click.
Unless its just for the sake of being there, save the mullah, and get z800. Spend the savings on your touring and fuel.

Benelli has got some issues in Pune with their smaller bikes. So No comments on the same. And I guess, 899 doesnt have an ABS as well.

Think well and good luck for your new one.
Cheerz..
Shashvat

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

If you are looking for a motorcycle to put a maniacal grin on your face every time you throw a leg over it, the Benelli it is. I doubt if we have any long term reports of this bike though in India. We did ride it around India for 10000km and we had no problems whatsoever with the 899 and that was a thoroughly abused media bike. But it hasn't been around for as long as the Kawasakis.

The Z800 is a practical, no nonsense motorcycle which does its job well. A bit too well if you may say. A lovely bike, but it didn't do anything for me! Doesn't excite the rider.

Looks are subjective and i couldn't care less how a motorcycle looks!

The Ducati i haven't ridden.

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Well thank you for your input . The 899 does clicks the looks and performance boxes for me .I had visited the benelli guys a few days back . I was informed there are some aftermarket abs units available for bikes . Want to know if there is really any such thing and can it done to the 899 and as well as if anyone can help me know if the maintaince and relaibility of this bike is anywhere near the kawasaki

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am getting an upgrade only for my weekend fun . Even my cbr and re500 are used only on weekends but having utilized their power for some 4 years now i want to move up the band . And for me the louder the better , i use a leo vince cobra on my cbr . For me the outmost prefrence here would be standout look . Being pampered by the superb abs of cbr its like cant really imagine biking without abs . Giving you an option what would you choose z800 , m821 or 899 without budget issue

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

I would go eyes closed with Z800 and add an SC project.

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Disclaimer: I've neither ridden any of these bikes nor have experience of any high-end motorcycle, but I still bothered commenting on this one coz your dilemma sounded similar to mine a while back (only on a much lower budget!!! )

Anyway since you're getting a bike which looks & feel & experience matters the most then the decision principle is simple, put both bikes side by side & see what appeals to you more. I did this with the GT & The KTM, believe me once they were together it was clear which one I wanted, coz to me performance or numbers or features mattered less than how it felt to be looked at & which one I'd prefer to be looked on, then it did not matter which one had the most bang for bucks or better sales & service or performance or abs!! What mattered was if I had both bikes in the garage which one I'd put my legs over, On which one I'll stand out from the crowd & get a once over by others, which I'd enjoy more...simple!!!

In your case if you can put the bikes together great, else try what I just did - put similar pics of the bikes side by side & imagine if you owned all there which one you'd love to put your legs over, caress your hands over. This is purely personal opinion... yes all of them are probably great motorcycles but I'd choose the ducati any day & every day even if I had all three, but then I choose a GT over a KTM so that's just me!!!

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Not sure about the after market ABS unit, in the next couple of months Benelli is launching ABS versions on all its products. Maybe you can wait or upgrade then.
In terms of reliability they are giving 2 + 1 years full warranty. Unlike Kawasaki, everything including suspension and electricals are covered under the warranty. And the 899, 1130 engine components, suspension are Italian made not done up in China.

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I am going through the same dilemma, but have zeroed in on the 899 and in a day or two will put down the payment for the bike. Still haggling over the cost.

In a nutshell-

1. Ducati 821 if you have the budget (for me it was out of reach), however horribly no service network...

2. Between Kawasaki z800 and TNT 899- I chose the TNT 899 for the following reasons( yes, am haggling for a new TNT at the price point figure of a z800). You can get a better deal with the TNT since they are trying to move existing units to make room for the ABS version.

The Z800 has a very refined engine, smooth as silk. Very predictable and easy to ride.
The con's are- (if you want to do multi day trip or tour) the bike gets impractical as you cant have luggage (period) no saddle bags nothing...
Can't have a pillion even for short day trips


The 899-
Design / looks speaks for itself
You will have to be conscious trying to keep the engine under 4k in city traffic (would probably get used to it in a week)
Long distance / touring is absolutely possible and the ride position is also comfortable
Better service network and available in most cities
Most important stuff- The side mounted radiators does a fantastic job of keeping the heat away from the rider, hardly crosses 90 degrees and in Chennai heat, after riding in neck to neck traffic for over an hour didn't feel a thing. This is a super huge plus
Cons-
Engine noise at idle is like setting off a generator, not pleasant in any ways
No ABS, but breaking is still good

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Are u sure about the abs things ?? Because thats the only thing setting me off . I can wait for like 4-5 months if the abs version is anywhere close to reality . Budget is not a issues . 899 is worth all the penny for me . The looks is worth it .
Just one more question : being a dsk operated brand, is the after sales and service quality poor just like the hysoung ?

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Well i agree and totally share the same view . The bike should make one feel special but then ABS does matters a lot to me . I know what these machines and our indian road conditions are capable of and getting a bike is differnt thing and maintenance is all together a different scene and it is another of my major concern . And i really liked your idea .

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899


Look up the DSK CEO's speech; he's the one who said it and there are some articles posted in the web around the same. Once its released the option to upgrade must be available. It looks like they are developing their in house ABS as against going with Bosch to keep the costs down.

WRT service I can't comment, their sales team have so far been the most accommodating compared to Kawasaki and Ducati. I know one chap who has a Benelli in Chennai a 600i he's satisfied with service. He cracked the swing arm and twisted the rear wheel in a crash and got the bike fixed in 2 1/2 weeks. Which is decent enough time for a SBK.

WRT the the 899, 1130 am told that most unusual parts usually have to come from Italy while some come from China; the ones from Italy takes about 10 days to arrive in Pune from where its shipped to respective dealerships. And if its an issue, they make adjustments by pulling parts from assembly line to prevent delays. (This is what am told)...

I would have loved to go with the Ducati, but budget and lack of service network is a major minus..

There's something very mechanical about the 899, smooth isn't a word to be associated with this machine. Its thrilling, not easily predictable, keeps you on your toes (but then am getting back into motorcycling nearly after 8-9 years)..... it doesn't behave like the honda's and the kawasaki's. There's something about it that words can't explain. Maybe its not everyone's cup of tea. You will clearly feel the difference after being in a z800 or even a 600i saddle (its a yamaha derived engine) and hop onto the 899... Definitely something to be felt and experienced...

One thing for sure, the bike will make you work for it and will be rewarding at each turn. This is from my 3 rides each around 30 mins to an hour or so...

In the last ride, i wanted to test out on city peak hour feasibility, it maneuvers well for its size. Had no issues with its weight (but then again am 6 foot weighing 100 kilos), the turning radius for U turn is a bit on the higher side...

The saddle requires slightly better cushioning, the mirrors and headlamps require an upgrade and so does the clutch levers which by default are non adjustable..
For all that I love about the bike.... still there's something I feel it to be missing and something else drawing me to it. Otherwise would have finalized the purchase last week itself.

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

So if i purchase a 899 without abs can it be upgraded to abs later ? Upgraded as in it will be fitted with abs system ? Looking up for your ownership post on the 899 . Made my mind for getting an upgrade in late april or early may this year

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

In most cases (with other SBKs), you cannot successfully retrofit an ABS system. Too many parameters to consider, this being an electronic component and not just a mechanical one.

Re: Z800 or Ducati 821 or Benelli 899

Well after months of research and test rides ive decided to get myself a ducati m821 by may this year ,3rd week to be precise , just one question , someone in the recent blog quoted about the reliability of the brand ducati ? I mean is it still questionable even after their re launch ? May i have an experienced input on this issue . I know they are not as hassle free as japnese counterpart but is it really something worrying about specifically about the monster 821