Having now owned this bike for over 10,000 miles, it's time to look back at what hasn't been good and why I still love it. #Z900 #kawasaki #bikelife #motorbike #motorcycle
Got this bike a month ago and hopefully get my drivers lincens in a few days. This channel have been fantastic for me, thank you for that. Also you have a great down to earth way talking about all this stuff. Thanks and hope to see alot more from you.
The Z900 is an excellent all round naked bike made for the roads in the real world. I can’t think of any bike that I would rather have - at least not without spending a ton of extra money. I even tried the new MT-09 before buying the Z. Maybe I’m just old school, but I care more about how the bike rides and handles than I do about electronics. And the Z900 just felt sharper and more planted. Even took mine touring in Germany for a week. When you spend that much time in the saddle you really appreciate the smooth inline 4 engine, you know “characterless” and all.
I have both the new MT09SP and a Z900. Both great bikes but the MT09 is a tad quicker and sharper handling. Maybe the extra weight of the Z900 and the longer wheel base does make it feel slightly more planted. Can’t say which is outright better but I normally choose the MT09 for a spirited ride.
@@Steve-motorcycles Fair enough. I have to admit that I did suspect that the dealer had forgotten to check the tyre pressure, because it felt like it had too little air in the front - like when you go around a slow corner and the bike is kind of reluctant to straighten out again.
What an honest, down to earth review. I ride the same one, not as nearly many miles as you did, but I agree with everything you said. Awesome bike, and would buy it again for sure. I did install a larger visor from Kawasaki and it helps considerably. A lot of power when you want it, you can do touring, commuting around town, looks a beast, all in one. I never had any problems, runs like a clock. During a winter time, it sat for 4-5 months, first click, turned on no problems. Just an amazing machine.
Hi mate, just stumbled across your video. I have this bike. I found some SHAD soft luggage frames that bolt between the tail tidy and the bike. It's approximately £90 and means you can how soft luggage on it. I've also added the slightly bigger kawasaki screen... its a little better but not night and day different.
of all the kwackers this is the one i like the best..I do miss four cylinders but to be honest I went with a lightweight twin, duke 890r and it's by miles the best road bike I've ever owned..absolutely nuts
Never heard a bad thing about those Dukes! I really need to try one but I sat on an 890 and it didn't feel like my old bones were going to like it so I never bothered. Regretting it now.
Pertaining to accessing the ECU, there's a good number of places in the States that do this regularly, and that includes the Z900. Woolich Racing has software for tuning.
@@evans4you On average (depends on a hundred factors of course) you can restore about 10 hp and about 5 ft-lb. The engine is already capable of that power but the secondary butterflies are programmed to close down at low and high rpm, restricting airflow. It's noise and emissions purposes.
Bought a '22 Z900 black with blue trim last February. Loved it so much, I just bought a '22 Z900RS. Both are a blast. Don't know which one I prefer. At least my brother can ride with me now. RS is more comfy, but I do like the Z's aggressive looks. Even with the radial front brakes , I can't tell any braking difference. Every test says how the RS pulls harder at lower rpm, but again the Z pulls just as strong. I love smooth 4 bangers. Had an MT09 and don't miss it. The stainless on the exhaust is typical. My '19 DL1000 got pretty ugly in 10k miles.Can't see myself selling these great bikes. Thanks for the video.
Thanks, great comments. I'm going to try and get a ride on a Z900 RS very soon, I'm just hoping I don't regret my choice of the Z900. Z9 or RS? I suspect it comes down to which one you like the look of!
@@bikerevz Thanks for the reply Mark. You'll love the sound of The RS.I got hit by a woman last September and broke my elbow and dislocated my left shoulder. That's why the RS bar position is much more comfy. I'm still wired up. But the regular Z seems like a turbine powered little rocket. I know it's not the fastest on the road, but how much do you need? I remember way back when, riding my CBX and thought it was the ultimate. The Z would blow it away. If It wasn't 105 degrees fahrenheit, All my gear would have been on. Live and learn.
@@bikerevz P.S. If you're going to keep the Z for the foreseeable future, check out the Hepco and Becker Sportrack. So important for longer jaunts. Replaces the pillion with a turn of a key. Looks cool and so useful.Return to the puny pillion in seconds.German quality.
My dad racked up over 100K miles on the first-gen model KZ1000. His bike lasted longer than his marriage--they divorced shortly after he bought the KZ. heh
Gr8 vid, mark. I have not yet 2 experience your string of repairs, but keeping them in my mind, thanks. You might want 2 try the integrated lights with your tail tidy, that should allow u to add side luggage. As good as my z900 is, I would never rid my chicken strips on public roads. And of all engine configurations, I still believe the in-line 4 is still the smoothest and vibration free for big bikes. I am already looking 4ward 2 your next 10k review. Ride safe, god bless u.
Thanks Zedi Master. I've been looking at the integrated lights but they aren't legal in the UK (indicators have to be a certain distance apart). OK, so no cop is going to pull you for them but the MOT annual test might be a challenge and if there's an accident the insurance company will use it as an excuse not to pay out. I do like the look of them even so.
I have been riding around on 2019 z900 in the UK for the past 3 years one of the best bikes I have owned no problems at all the only thing was my hands getting frickin cold in winter on my commute sorted with a set of hand guards from Powerbronze I traded it in today for a 50th Anniversary model picking it up in the next couple of weeks
@@bikerevz lol I seem to have bought a rare motorcycle without realising It there are only 50 z900 anniversary models in the UK turns out the one I bought is a performance model It hadn't had the parts put on it yet even the salesman didn't realise until he asked the workshop ! . Just hope that doesn't affect the insurance too much !!
btw what tyres are you using ? I changed the original Dunlops for Bridgestone 016 pro's which apparently people don't rate at all but I have had no probs
I just finished a 3000 mile trip through all the western United States on my z900. The Shad 3P hard panniers were great and held all the stuff I needed, including camping gear. The panniers fit even with my tail tidy (just barely). CRG Arrow mirrors will solve your elbow-view problem while also looking even more Sugomi. The Akra headers are worth the purchase as they both look fantastic and also make the bike sound like a zx10r. The fuelling is even set up so you can insta headers without a flash or a power commander.
I have a 2022 model and trust me , even with the stock tail , I had mud hit the back of my helmet. Looking for some options but cant find any that would work without spoiling the look.
Tough one! I think the Z is smoother, more comfortable, easier to ride and better looking. The Triple is more nimble, feels alot lighter and comes with more gadgets. Good luck with your decision.
Nothing really out of the ordinary. I always watch for unusual Mods like LED strips or straight through exhausts and power commanders that might suggest it had been ragged about! Also 2 X keys, service history, V5 and do a vehicle check for finance and insurance.
I haven't had any of the issues with my z900 that you've had, I'm wondering if it's a UK problem? As dumb as that sounds, because my bike has been unutterbally reliable the whole time I've had it.
Too short of the gearing have to rev up to get any kind of power. Welcome 4 cylinders 1980 style gonna keep mine though. Put too much work in to it. England's tiny roads like isle of the man racing the speed feels like warp speed. Here in Colorado it feels like waking 80mph open spaces around Denver
I can't say that I've noticed anything bad. A few people have commented on the fact that it feels a bit soft which can lead to false neutrals, as opposed to the usual sport bike with a shorter and more defined movement.
nice video mark! You got some really good points both in likes and dislikes! I recently bought one, and I just made the 1000th km so I'm taking it to Kawasaki to do the first service :D I can't wait to hear how it roars over 6000 rpms xD I have the 70kw version downgraded at 35 kw because of A2 (I have yet to be 24 dammit) and it still feels great See you in the next video Mark!
I occasionally ride mine in rain mode, which I think is 55% power and it's not that noticeable until you get right up the revs and it kind of goes a bit flat. 70KW is more than enough to enjoy yourself, take care and have fun.
Great video ! .. I got around 27500 miles on my Z900 2018 :D still runs great ! Seems like there are quite many that have all sorts of "electric" problems with the "newer" models .. I never had any problems with my 2018 but I see lots having problems with traction controle and wierd engine lights on the newer models
Good to know you've done so many trouble-free miles. Hopefully I'm going to get that many without any further problems. Main thing is the engine and gearbox are bullet-proof on these.
The headers really are terrible quality! Ask me how I know haha. Also have to love the lazy way they tried to cover the breadbox with those two chintzy little plastic trim pieces! 😉
Heya Mark iv been watching your videos for a while now while I'm waiting for my licence to be processed. There's a backlog here in Ireland since covid which has given me some time to look for a bike. There's a z900 for sale , its 2018 has just over 4000 km and he wants 7,800 on. There's only a couple for sale and that's by far the cheapest. I would jump on it at that price but the fact it hasn't sold in over 2 months makes me think there's something up with it. He has a quick shifter on it, it's been remapped, billet levels, abs, and full system decated, he says the bike is like new. I don't know anything technical about bike's but the fact its not selling tells me theres something not right with it, any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
Thank you for the comments. I would say to be very careful of this bike. It might be that he loved it and just wanted to do lots of customising but if that was the case then the price would be high. Much more likely that it has been raced or thrashed which makes it a gamble. OK, so it looks like new on the outside but what about on the inside. Time to ask lots of questions and hope you get an honest answer.
Hi and thank you for the comments. The phone mount is a very cheap Grefay, which is less than £20 on Amazon. It has never let me down but I'd be nervous to recommend it and I only use it with an old phone.
great vid mark! i joined the Z club too! the pipe is a beast, nearly 50lbs luckily theres a home grown solution for you! black widow makes a full system for less than 450, probably even less for you since u dont have to mail it to virginia! check my channel for the look and sound of it (i will definitely chase down my oil sensor and grease the piss out of it to avoid that issue!)
@@bikerevz it's been several weeks since i wrote this, the bw pipe works and I saved a lot of weight (50 lbs breadbox) but three quarters of the power you get is always going to be from The flash, so the pipe is basically you get where you pay for, those really expensive ones do add more power, also check out "KB" channel and his hindle exhaust, wow!
Great Z900 review! I am thinking about the front tyre at the end of the video clip. I am not a tyre expert and not sure what brand you have, but the tyre rotation may not be correct.
Thank you for the comments. The front rotation is correct and the new tyres are now on and look similar. It's because the rear wheel needs grip to accelerate and the front needs grip to brake so they kind of work in opposite ways. Loads of stuff on Internet about it but check out the RevZilla explanation here - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7VYOUFCKdms.html
@@bikerevz As I said I am not tyre expert. I love my Z 900 so fair. What I don't like is a seat or saddle, too hard for me and I have to do something about the during a winter.
My z has more power than I'll ever be able to use, putting around with an extra 80+ hp like these hyper nakeds using MAYBE 20% of the power would seriously annoy the crap out of me.
I love my z 900 and did a test on the super duke r 1290 evo and I have to say waw that is te next best thing it’s the z on steroids with better electrics on everything… maybe you’re next to what’s out … k know I do
