My Cafe is two yrs old and I have only two gripes: the 'twitchy' throttle and the seat height. For the throttle, I swapped out the throttle tube and that helped some, only some, and yes, that throttle make slow speed maneuvers more challenging. For the seat height, am 5'6, I had the dealer installed a Brock's lowering kit when I bought it, but I would say am in the minority when it comes to that gripe. My other bike is a 1998 Buell S1 and the Cafe takes more efforts to maneuver compares to the S1. On the technology side, going from the S1 to the Cafe is like the P-51 to the F-16. Overall, and excellent review of the Cafe and I agree with you that the Cafe is a complete motorcycle. I will be keeping my Cafe until I cannot ride anymore.
Hey there! Thanks for watching! I had a friend replace the throttle tube and he said it was a world of difference. Probably my favorite motorcycle I've owned so far!
Only thing I hate is the chain. I clean and lube it after every ride because if I don’t shifting feels clunky. Do you have the same sensation? I use gear oil not wax.
No, The gear box is fine for the most part except for the 1st to 2nd shift can feel clunky at times. For the chain; I've been using Motul Chain Paste. It's a little thicker than the lube and wax I'd been using from Maxima. It also doesn't come off in the rain or at least not as much as the regular. A carry over from my dual sport days. I clean/re-apply about every 300 miles or whenever needed.
To get a better and louder sound out of these fishtails, Remove the connectors of the servo motors for the flap control and replace them by the servo buddys by revzilla. And its even not to annoying for the environment. Nice review!
Got a nice 2019 with only 5500km 3 months ago.. I'm at 85k now.. this video perfectly describes what I've experienced so far. Excelent review! Greetings from Uruguay
Here's a question from a new owner. Did you use exactly 4 quarts with the filter? I'm asking because I bought a 2019 Z900RS Cafe with 2k miles, and there was no owners manual. I'm working on getting one, but until I do, I want to change the oil and want to do it right. Great video, thanks!
Congrats on the bike! At the end of it I ended up using all 4qt's. What I like to do tho is fill it up at about 3.5qt's or so until the middle of the glass. Run the engine, check the level, then top off if needed to a little past the mid mark. Just depends on how thorough you are with the drain process.
I'm guessing the DJI is on your chin mount. What setup is on your handlebars? I was thinking about grabbing the insta360 x4 because it captures everything all at once but not sure i want something so "gimmicky" or cartoon looking, thoguhts?
My front camera is the older 360 One R. You can select a more linear look instead of the warped globe thing everyone does. The X4 is what I would get if I had to purchase one today.
@@JesseMoto I would get a standard action cam like the Action 4 or GoPro before investing in a 360. The image quality is nice but falls apart in less than Ideal conditions. Plus the images always have that "sphere" look. IMO it functions better as a B cam.
Like your take on the motorcycle. I have the 50th anniversary version. I wasn't thrilled with the seat at first but have since realized that if I sit up tall in the seat I can ride a lot longer. I also wish the turn signals had a more retro look and miss not having a center stand.
Thanks! I agree with you on the signals... They're a little put of place. I did mention that in my other review... I would love a center stand on mine.
Nice review and pretty accurate too, cant argue with your comments. I think it's a bike you grow into, you need to give it time to really appreciate it.
Getting one soon, like this week looking at a 2019 both I don't know if I should get it Grey with the green or the whole green and white, both same milage ish, but man can't wait to try it. I heard that if you put it in KTRC 2 helps with the snatchy throttle is that true? If you want to just chill.
Both are great color schemes but I'm partial to a more understated look. The grey one would be my pick. But the green is classic Kawi! Honestly I never took it out of KRTC 1. But I'm pretty sure that's just a traction control thing and not a ride mode. 1 is less intensive and 2 is a little more. I believe many switch to 2 for rain. Cheers!
Nice vid man !!! It immediately told me two things... I gotta wash mine asap lol, and I need to do a 2 year review also. I have the Cafe 2022.. And I have about 4,000 miles on it. Everything you were saying about it being dialed in, straight off the floor is true ! Do that tail tidy tho ! You wont regret it. Videos on my page under SHORTS. Long form vids coming soon.
Hey there, thanks for watching! I gotta do that tail tidy at some point. The 22' with the stripe and 2 tone seat is very cool! Get that review out! Checked out your shorts. Very good photography sir!
One thing that stuck with me the minute I swung a leg over was the cluster. I started on a Vulcan 750 twenty years ago and looking down at that cluster brought me right back. It's so similar. The DNA of their bikes of old is there but with modern sensibilities and it feels like they batted 100 on this one. After a flash, Leo Vince exhaust, a tail tidy and I switched out the side emblems to Z948RS it's pretty much done. You ever catch yourself just staring at it? The look back factor is insane on these. That black and gold is gorgeous. Have a pic of mine on my avatar next to my Honda Fury.
Hey thanks for watching! I know what you mean. The rider view is perfect from the dials to the arc of the fairing. Agree with you on the looks. It's sharp, stylish, retro but understated. A year later it hasn't lost the "look back" factor. The green version you have is a head turner as well, So classic Kawi! BTW nice Fury. Cheers!
So I must have adding about 60 views to this video don’t my tune on my speedmaster. Thank you for your help. Does seem to run better and the dead spot in the throttle that that leads to a snappy throttle has gone. Can you adjust the idle on it or some way?
Anytime. Glad you got it sorted. On the T100 bonneville there's an Idle adjustment screw on the left side of the bike, it's a black knob. Not sure on the Speed Master tho. The other thing you may need to adjust is your TPS sensor. TTP have a recommended spec for this. You can check this when you are connected to the software. Cheers!
So rotating your wrist to activate a feature that allows you to not even have to hold on to a machine that can take you thousands of miles without you having to do anything but sit is burdensome to you. I cant help but wonder if you are the direct descendant of the guy General Patton slapped for being such a little btch in WW2.
I watch your video hoping that you mention something about high speed. I got me the 2024 version just like yours but i am not really happy with it because after 70mph the bike does feel safe. I live here in California and most of my riding is freeway and i dont feel confortable taking the bike above 70. It feels like the front tire is not touching the ground and the wind moves the bike to the side. The bike is 250 miles old and at this point i am king of disapointed.
Hmm... I don't have that problem. I think you may need to set your suspension for your weight. Felt like that on my triumph and that really helped dial in the bike. Also the stock tires are not the best and feel very vague. Lots of guys say after the swap it transforms the ride.
Above 70 just about every bike front feel vague because of speed and wind moving is common.I had SV650 and front was real jittery above 70 as well but didn't feel unsafe.Been riding for 40 yrs sportbikes and cruisers.
The CRF has the same engine but it is detuned compared to the CB. The CB has been rated at about 27.5 hp at 8,300 rpm and 18.72 pound-feet of torque at 6,550 rpm at the wheel by Cycle World and the CRF at 22.7 hp at 8,400 rpm and 16.7 pound-feet of torque at 6,400 rpm, at the wheel by Dirt Rider. The CB weighs in about10 lbs more than the CRF. You WILL LOSE Highway capabilities with the CRF. 6th gear on the CRF is so tall that sometimes you have to downshift to 5th to maintain your speed! Any wind, slight slope, elevation or higher speeds will affect this. Not so much in the CB, since the extra 5 hp, which is 21% MORE than the CRF, will make a difference. How much more would it cost to add that hp to the CRF? At least $1K? For a scrambler, easy/mild dirt road (no deep ruts nor rock gardens nor single track) capability, the CB would fit the bill. Those knobbies at 16:00 on the video, an engine guard, some hand guards and maybe a repositioning of the steering (through a different bar or risers) and footpegs, according to your own body dimensions, would fit the bill. I would just add a small windshield or a larger one that is removable when in the dirt, for those times you are riding on the highway at 75 to 80 on your way to your next off-road ride. And yes, some easy/cheap exhaust/intake mod would help too, maybe gain 1-2 hp, anything helps. And if you are going to try to sell me Honda's Scrambler, well, it is about $1,600 more expensive, weighs in at 107 lbs more (more difficult to handle and or pick up in the dirt or the street for that matter), has only 0.2 inches higher ground clearance (CB300R = 5.9 in, SCL500 = 6.1) and only about half-inch more suspension travel F & R. The extra hp on the SCL is not a big difference as the power/weight ratio is 10.7 for the SCL500 and 11.5 for the CB300R. And the CB300R is more fun on the street than the SCL, which has the main advantage of better passenger accomodations due to the long flat seat. One observation, if Honda would come out with a 350cc to 400cc version of this engine it would be game over for just about everyone else. They would destroy the competition until Kawasaki comes out with a bigger engine (as always).
Love this comment! Lots of great info! The CB was one of the more fun bikes I've owned. Yes I agree a 400 version would be amazing. It was definitely no slouch
New to me, never respond to these postings. I ride a Vulcan and a Scout Sixty to work as many days as possible here in Houston, Texas when the weather permits. 60 miles a day per trip. I could wax pontific about it all but, you are 100% correct about the starter! I got hit for full price on that one because the serial number was 3 digits over the recall. It totally died like, 2 months after warranty and they gave me the finger. The weird color on the speedometer at night. What was in their mind! -- you can't even read the thing! I memorized the notches so I wouldn't go to jail or get run off the road in the HOV lane. 5th gear, I have never, ever, had a problem on my Scout 60 engaging or using any of the gears. Easy solution, get a heel toe shifter. I have problems here in Houston when it is 100 degrees and everybody is driving crazy in their air-conditioned cars but, it has always shifted on target. The suspension, well, you are accurate I definitely agree with your assessment. You should have mentioned the brakes. You really need to give some space when riding, which is always the norm. But my Indian 60 does not have ABS. It is an older bike like it's old-man owner! LOL! I wanted an Indian motorcycle and when I bought it, I knew all the silliness that wasn't being told to me by the dealer. Easy way to communicate, when I'm tired and just just need to get to work-- I ride the Vulcan. When I want to ride and live to ride- I ride the Indian. I guess I am not sure how to put a price tag on that.
Appreciate the watch and the comment. It was a fun bike and I probably should've held on to mine for much longer. You are right about the breaks. Mine was an ABS model. I'm a pretty modest rider so I never had to engage them. For the type of engine it is tho, it's got lots of get up and go and feel that Indian could've done better matched the break and suspension to the peppy cruiser that it is. Ride safe my friend.
Honestly, I've never had the 3 but the biggest difference is the sensor size. That translates into better low light performance... So if you shoot in dim conditions the 4 is the ticket.
I can't get past the limited suspension travel in the rear, no fuel gauge, rpms counted in 50's, not 10's, and without tubeless tires and rims. Too much missing.
Most cruisers I've ridden/owned have the same things you just mentioned. I think the standard version comes with the mag wheels. They're all outfitted differently from the dealer tho. Personally I love it for all the things it isn't. It does everything well. It's exceptional at distance. But most of all it just feels great to me. I admit it is an acquired taste next to the likes of other manufacturers. It gets better and better every time I ride it.
Solution is to pay with your Debit card. No fee. Bought a 2023 R1250 GSA and ended up doing the 600 mile service myself. $46 for 4 qts of Castrol Power1 4T Race 5w-40, a $12 Mahle 619 filter, $16 for a liter of Lubrimoly 75w-90 GL5 and $8 in washers. $82 in parts. A little over 1.5 hours in labor. No other "shop fees". BMW, IMHO, really takes advantage of their customers, with some serious price gouging. So bad, every small job, they bill in .5 hour increments. Shop rates where I live are $200/hr. I got quotes of $400 to $460 for my 600 mile service.
Yes, seems about right. I'll probably do most of it myself in the future if I can dedicate the time for it. I enjoy doing service on my own machines as well.
Definitely not. I rest my feet directly on the jugs tho... When I install some crash bars I may see If I can get some sort of pegs on there. I'm doubtful tho. 🤣
Congrats on choosing the light brah ! #3 drives me crazy. I HATE the Media Mod. I always lost my framing and would have to re-check the framing from the app EVERY SINGLE TIME I had to swap a battery or take the MicroSD out of the cam. Such a crap design.
Hey Bert I’m 36 just picked up the same bike yesterday, going from a sportster 1200 (still own it, great bike) this bike is a new world, very fun. My question is, what is the best way to carry anything? Like a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread? I saw you tied stuff to the back seat? You use bungie chords? Saddle bags wouldn’t look right like my sportster has.
Hey there. Congrats! I use a pair of RokStraps (the thinner ones) hooked to the reflector brackets and the luggage spools. I cinch my bag in an X pattern. Hope this helps!
Have you noticed the clutch/shifting being different from a sport bike? I'm used to slightly feathering it in, but this bike seems like you just need to quickly engage it in. I don't know if it's because it's a dry clutch, but I also noticed I still have to find the sweet spot of releasing clutch and adding throttle to get out of first. I noticed the different ride modes change this as well, which complicates the matter. The other thing is, normally I can tell where the shift point is and where the engine's comfort zone is, but this bike is not easy for me to find. It's there, it just doesn't seem obvious. Just two things I have to adjust to.
I notice that the engagement point out of 1st is a little vague but I got used to it. I find myself loading it/ giving it more gas than I think it needs and feathering the clutch out. When I switch to Rock mode everything is way more immediate and predictable. Overall It doesn't really bother me. I owned an Indian Chief as well and that was the same. I feel It's a combination of the mapping and it being a ride by wire throttle. Funny enough EVERY ride by wire bike I've ever ridden has had that vague feeling out of 1st. As far as shift points; my other sporty bikes like to be higher in the rpm. 3-4K for regular riding. On the Beamer it's happy to lope along in the low 2's. I like to keep it around 2.5-3.5 for regular riding. I've owned a few cruisers and you really have to be intentional with shifting on these types of bikes. My Z900 is so smooth, you can get away with a lighter touch. On cruisers I find the gear boxes to have a longer throw. They also feel more mechanical and clunky, So I like to "pre-load" the shifter before pulling in the clutch. Hope this helps!
@@bertsbike Yeah, it helped a lot. It's good to know that what I was experiencing was normal, because all the other videos just kept saying how effortless it was. Not to say it isn't a smooth ride, I just want to ride it in its optimal range.This is my first non cable throttle, so that info. is nice to know. I did notice as well in the ROCK mode, everything was more responsive. I highly doubt I will ever switch out of that mode. Thanks for the tips!
First, the clunk between 1st and 2nd is so amatures can find neutral. Second, the engine braking seems harsh because you are down shifting too soon at too high of speed and letting the clutch out too fast. Relax and learn the bike. This is a high performance machine, not your 175.
I disagree with you about the clunk design. They have the positive neutral feature for finding neutral. I didn't say I was uncomfortable with the bike, I was just saying compared to other bikes in the same league it has more than the usual engine breaking. Appreciate the insight tho.
Are u still in love with the bike? :) I will replace soon my little honda with a new w800, oder a moto guzzi v7. I can´t decide yet (guzzi has kardan instead of chain) but i like the w800 a bit more. Are there any "strange problems" or are this a "japanese well built bike" ?
I don't have mine anymore. I sold it regrettably. No Issues, just a solid bike through and through. I have ridden an older V7 racer and it was very fun as well. Overall the W800 if one of the best bikes I've ever owned and ridden.
@@bertsbike thanks for your reply! I have already sat on a new w800 und loved it. I try to find a cafe edition, because i like the lamp mask design. Also the v7 Guzzi have actually the "Corsa Edition", which have an old school race lamp mask ;) keep up u good video work, greetings from Germany.
