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**xBhp** · 05-22-2019, 12:29 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Thread approved.

**Dandamudi Mohan Krishna** · 05-22-2019, 06:14 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

In between the bikes you have selected I would pick the Z800 without even second thought, simple reason no replacement for displacement. Its the most powerful of the three , my second choice would be CBR then Benelli.

But that being said I would recommend doing test ride before making a decision reason being it will give you a clear picture about what you like.

**hgps** · 05-22-2019, 06:24 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by Dandamudi Mohan Krishna View Post

In between the bikes you have selected I would pick the Z800 without even second thought, simple reason no replacement for displacement. Its the most powerful of the three , my second choice would be CBR then Benelli.

But that being said I would recommend doing test ride before making a decision reason being it will give you a clear picture about what you like.

Going for preowned route means i don't have luxury of test riding these bikes. only 2 major concerns with Z800 are its heavy weight for my intended usage (2up in city 50% of the time), and Possibility of engine damage with RON91 fuel.

**rachitkdogra** · 05-22-2019, 09:18 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by hgps View Post

Going for preowned route means i don't have luxury of test riding these bikes. only 2 major concerns with Z800 are its heavy weight for my intended usage (2up in city 50% of the time), and Possibility of engine damage with RON91 fuel.

If pillion comfort is a criteria, than CBR650F is the best option.
Also I dont think Z800 feels that heavy ride to in city vs lets say any other comparable bike. I am also not sure what you mean by possible damage to engine with 91RON fuel. Kawasaki themselves recommend 91 in India.

Here is my tip, don't get too bogged down by the reviews.
Go to the showrooms and ride the test ride bikes to get a feel for the bike. Will also help you benchmark the used ones you will be riding before purchase. Get the one which you feel most connected with.

CHEERS!!
Rachit

**hgps** · 05-23-2019, 11:38 AM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by rachitkdogra View Post

If pillion comfort is a criteria, than CBR650F is the best option.
Also I dont think Z800 feels that heavy ride to in city vs lets say any other comparable bike. I am also not sure what you mean by possible damage to engine with 91RON fuel. Kawasaki themselves recommend 91 in India.

Here is my tip, don't get too bogged down by the reviews.
Go to the showrooms and ride the test ride bikes to get a feel for the bike. Will also help you benchmark the used ones you will be riding before purchase. Get the one which you feel most connected with.

CHEERS!!
Rachit

Thanks for your reply Rachit, have been following your thread ever since you bought your CBR650F, most informative CBR650F thread for sure. I never knew Kawasaki recommends RON91 on Z800, had seen a sticker on fuel thank that anything below RON95 will severely damage the engine.
Why i am concerned about the weight is because CBR250 is the heaviest bike i have ridden so far. It feels heavy sometimes but i can manage just fine. I am concerned about possibility of dropping 231KG Z800 with my wife onboard and hurting her (am I overthinking?). Z900 makes a lot more sense here with its CBR650F like kerb weight but its way over my budget.
Local showrooms are not allowing any test ride right now. Even if they did, both CBR650F and Z800 are now replaced by newer models. I won't be able to get the exact same feeling i am looking.

**Deathwing** · 05-23-2019, 11:53 AM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Also the Z900 has a very low ground clearance soo if u have a plan to take a pillion, have a watch on that

**Dandamudi Mohan Krishna** · 05-23-2019, 01:23 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by hgps View Post

Going for preowned route means i don't have luxury of test riding these bikes. only 2 major concerns with Z800 are its heavy weight for my intended usage (2up in city 50% of the time), and Possibility of engine damage with RON91 fuel.

I think this has been answered but here's the thing you should take test rides, if you can't get one from showrooms then you can make a weekend trip to places like Delhi , Bangalore etc where you can rent these bikes and try them for half a day so that will get you much bigger picture. It may sound bit extreme but you're paying 5+ lakhs you don't wanna have any doubts or regrets after spending the money.
In my personal experience I have changed my mind many times just after test ride so for me its the most important part in bike selection.

**Deathwing** · 05-23-2019, 05:45 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

I'd like to add another thing, the Honda is cheaper and easier to live with. The average cost of service is like 4-6k and chain sprocket cost is 5-6k just to give you a brief idea. Kawasaki is much more expensive btw.

**rachitkdogra** · 05-23-2019, 08:40 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by hgps View Post

Thanks for your reply Rachit, have been following your thread ever since you bought your CBR650F, most informative CBR650F thread for sure. I never knew Kawasaki recommends RON91 on Z800, had seen a sticker on fuel thank that anything below RON95 will severely damage the engine.
Why i am concerned about the weight is because CBR250 is the heaviest bike i have ridden so far. It feels heavy sometimes but i can manage just fine. I am concerned about possibility of dropping 231KG Z800 with my wife onboard and hurting her (am I overthinking?). Z900 makes a lot more sense here with its CBR650F like kerb weight but its way over my budget.
Local showrooms are not allowing any test ride right now. Even if they did, both CBR650F and Z800 are now replaced by newer models. I won't be able to get the exact same feeling i am looking.

Thank you for your kind words brother!!

Yeah, Honda and Kawasaki both recommend 91 RON even for their litre class bikes. Their fuel tanks also say above 95 RON only. I have tried to discuss this in details with Honda guys, but never got very satisfactory answer. They say, you will get issues in bikes like loosing compression etc with 97 RON. Maybe it is India specific fuel quality issue, I am not sure. I am using 93 RON.

At slow speeds or when taking U-turns or pushing these bikes, all of them feel very heavy and scary. But once you are at move, I think you generally dont feel the weight that much. Also, whatever you will buy, you will get used to it, you will learn to maximize its use.

Between Z800 and CBR650F, in my opinion weight is not that big of a difference. The difference is in being faired and not faired and the riding position. Unfortunately what works for you in this case is something that only you will be able to find once you ride.

I think you should maybe start with test riding the used bikes that you are considering then. Any friend who owns a bigger bike? If yes, take him along for his advice if the bike feels ok. You might not be able to judge it riding it first time.

Best of Luck!!

Rachit

**i_rock098** · 05-24-2019, 12:32 AM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Are you getting second hand z800 in your budget of 5L? A quick glance on olx shows 6.5L as the cheapest one.

**hgps** · 05-24-2019, 11:52 AM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by i_rock098 View Post

Are you getting second hand z800 in your budget of 5L? A quick glance on olx shows 6.5L as the cheapest one.

Not in 5L but i can see many in 5.25-5.5L bracket.

Originally posted by Deathwing View Post

I'd like to add another thing, the Honda is cheaper and easier to live with. The average cost of service is like 4-6k and chain sprocket cost is 5-6k just to give you a brief idea. Kawasaki is much more expensive btw.

Incase i went for kawasaki, I'd stick to aftermarket parts for sure. OEM chain sprocket costs 42k AFAIK. Buying CBR650F would mean I won't have any hassle of importing such parts.

Originally posted by rachitkdogra View Post

Thank you for your kind words brother!!

Yeah, Honda and Kawasaki both recommend 91 RON even for their litre class bikes. Their fuel tanks also say above 95 RON only. I have tried to discuss this in details with Honda guys, but never got very satisfactory answer. They say, you will get issues in bikes like loosing compression etc with 97 RON. Maybe it is India specific fuel quality issue, I am not sure. I am using 93 RON.

At slow speeds or when taking U-turns or pushing these bikes, all of them feel very heavy and scary. But once you are at move, I think you generally dont feel the weight that much. Also, whatever you will buy, you will get used to it, you will learn to maximize its use.

Between Z800 and CBR650F, in my opinion weight is not that big of a difference. The difference is in being faired and not faired and the riding position. Unfortunately what works for you in this case is something that only you will be able to find once you ride.

I think you should maybe start with test riding the used bikes that you are considering then. Any friend who owns a bigger bike? If yes, take him along for his advice if the bike feels ok. You might not be able to judge it riding it first time.

Best of Luck!!

Rachit

None of my friends own a big bike. I guess TD is the only way to know how i would manage weight of these bikes

**hellgate** · 05-24-2019, 09:53 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Out of all the bikes that you have shirtlisted, my vote goes for the CBR 650F as mainatining it would be easier for you.
I have owned Kawasaki and its maintainance will be on the higher side.
A normal service which includes bike wash, chain clean and lube and oil and oil filter change costs around 8-10k. Parts availability is another pain. Kawasaki SVC has stock of the most basic parts.
From what I have heard from fellow bikers who have switched from Kawi to Honda, part availability is way better, atleast in Bangalore.
DO NOT get Z900 as there is next to no pillion seat. Home ministry will be not be happy to say the least. Z800 fares marginally better for pillion comfort as compared to Z900.

I am in the same boat as you are. Planning to buy something by end of August 2019. Below is my list:
1. N1000 - 2017 and up as it has major changes. Very good pillion comfort.
2. CBR 650R - need to TR and see how commited the seating position is. Pillion comfort should be good.
3. Z800/Z900 - Pillion comfort goes for a toss. Need to get gel seat or air cushion seat.
4. Triumph - Street Triple or Daytona.

**hgps** · 05-25-2019, 10:38 AM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Originally posted by hellgate View Post

Out of all the bikes that you have shirtlisted, my vote goes for the CBR 650F as mainatining it would be easier for you.
I have owned Kawasaki and its maintainance will be on the higher side.
A normal service which includes bike wash, chain clean and lube and oil and oil filter change costs around 8-10k. Parts availability is another pain. Kawasaki SVC has stock of the most basic parts.
From what I have heard from fellow bikers who have switched from Kawi to Honda, part availability is way better, atleast in Bangalore.
DO NOT get Z900 as there is next to no pillion seat. Home ministry will be not be happy to say the least. Z800 fares marginally better for pillion comfort as compared to Z900.

I am in the same boat as you are. Planning to buy something by end of August 2019. Below is my list:
1. N1000 - 2017 and up as it has major changes. Very good pillion comfort.
2. CBR 650R - need to TR and see how commited the seating position is. Pillion comfort should be good.
3. Z800/Z900 - Pillion comfort goes for a toss. Need to get gel seat or air cushion seat.
4. Triumph - Street Triple or Daytona.

I will be doing basic oil/filters/brake pads/chain lube etc myself (have been doing DIY with all my bikes, no faith in ASC). But still, considering i will be paying EMI for the bike as well, spare parts availability and cost is a major concern.
Wish i could afford a CBR650R or Ninja 1000. Street triple is a tailor made bike for my requirement but reliability concern and lust for inline four is keeping me away from it.

**hgps** · 05-27-2019, 12:24 PM

Re: Preowned superbike for 5-5.5L

Just curious, How much a 2008-2013 CBR1000RR fireblade cost in used bikes market? I can increase my budget to 6.5-6.8L if i wait till august. Wanted to see if it'll fit my budget then.

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