Відео

Yes, a paddock stand would have made things a lot easier. However, there was no provision for bobbins, and no space due to the silencers to use a stand with ‘L’ style brackets that sit under the swinging arm.

⁠@@teabrake2562 - yeah, I see what you mean now. I have a Z900RS but I don’t use bobbins with my paddock stand - they are actually less stable / secure than the standard pins and tabs my Pitbull stand provides. Plus, Kawasaki recommends that they be removed when not in use to prevent damage to the muffler and swingarm. That’s an odd clearance problem for a stand - centerstand not really an option either?

@@lancelemay6971 Hi Lance, when I bought the 800 Cafe I ordered the centre stand from the regular W800, however, Kawasaki recommended that it shouldn't be fitted due to size differences in the front wheel between the the two models, as it could lead to extra stress where it mounts (dealer supplied info). I think the 800 cafe had a slightly smaller diameter front and so the bike would lean further forward. Anyway, for my Z900 I have been using an abbstand with the front lift arm to get both wheels off the ground, after an 'incident' with a paddock stand. It's a great system (not portable I grant you) that I'm now happy to continue using. Steve.

Hi there Paul, I appreciate your time on the comments you've been making and thank you for the positivity; it encourages me to keep going despite the lack of views. Perhaps I have a niche market ;-) . In regard to the front discs, Kawasaki UK made a substantial contribution, but I still had to find an equal amount. Still, cheaper than paying for the whole lot myself so I am grateful to them for that. The aspect of maintenance is something I value highly, particularly preventative maintenance, something I wasn't quite so strong on when I was younger...mind you I don't have as much disposable income these days (mortgage), as back then. The road trip reference - yes I did spend sometime in green, and as I have a relative (great grandfather) buried in one of the First World War cemeteries in France, it'd be great to visit there and take in some other sites too. The Z900 is pretty challenging on luggage carrying so that in itself could be an interesting video to make. I hope your 'shiny new tyres' are settling down by now and giving you the pleasure you want from them. I'd be interested to So, take it easy and all the best, Steve.

@teabrake2562 thanks for your nice reply Steve, I liked your reply, well done for serving and u hope you enjoy your road trip and enjoy your time with the bike, my bike is proving to be challenging to say the least, when things either go wrong or you sometimes feel life is against you, but I will sort it,, and drag my 20 plus year bike into the 21,St century kicking and screaming and it will blooming well like it, it blooming well better it's costing enough but will be worth it lol. All the best Paul, and the tyres are working out OK, they are starting to come good.,I had all my brakes rebuild or put new on so it stops in a heartbeat and the engine is stonking and still pulling hard past silly speeds, obviously not that I go over 70 on the road,, humm.🤣.. as for preventative maintenance I wasn't big on that when I was younger to,, I should have been especially with Me dad bollocking me for not looking after it,, but bless him he allways saw me right through life by fixing it with me, probably learnt more with him then at school 🏫.

Hi there, it’s good to know there are different products available out there to meet people’s needs. These rollers all seem to be sturdily built with a potentialy good service life, which is nice to see . Thanks for getting in touch and letting me know.

😂 Thank you Andy. 👍🏼

Hi Paul, the knee is coming on well - thanks for asking. I still use the WD40 chain wax and love it. As for the Avon Spirit ST; the rear still has a good amount of tread after 6500 miles. The front will probably need replacing within the next 700 miles as it's wearing down on the sides. The handling is still very good although there is now some tracking over white lines and poor road surfaces.

@teabrake2562 Good to hear you're on the mend and the wd40 and bike tyres are doing well, many thanks again for the video, tyres have certainly changed alot in the time I been riding with different compounds and tyre construction, so many thanks again and keep up the great videos, I look forward to seeing more of them. Paul.

Hi Paul, thank you for the positive comments. I am going to produce a very short video in the next week about the tyres - basically, some info and my riding style that'll hopefully be useful to others.

@teabrake2562 many thanks for you nice replies, that sounds great about the video you are doing, I got my tyres today so they are inside waiting for my chain and sprockets and clutch jet to turn up to get fitted by the garage at the end of the month., I can't wait.. mind you those tyres are the most I ever spent on tyres ever.

@@paul8161Hi Paul, I’ve just posted a video on my own chain clean and lube routine. I know what you mean about tyres…and my wife has the audacity to complain about new front tyres for the car every 2-3 years. And they’re so cheap by comparison.

Hi Paul, I’ve always got on well with Avon’s so can’t give an experienced opinion against other more expensive tyres. I treat the Z900 as sports/tourer, so it’s not pushed particularly hard, and they do everything I ask confidently. Mine were manufactured in the UK, and so I can’t give an opinion on the new foreign manufactured ones. Is it in France? I’d like to think they haven’t made any compound change, but it’s an interesting point I’ll look into myself when the time comes. Steve.

Also did it three times as it was mentioned

Hi miro288, I pleased this worked for you also. What has surprised me, is the number of people who have had the same issue. All the best.

Hi, I didn’t notice any difference. On long carriageways it still runs at around 59°C in cooler weather and mid 60°C on warmer days, such as air temp 20°C. In town the 900 has always reached 90°C quickly on warm days, even before the guard was fitted.

👍🏼

Hi there, they have covered 6,000 miles so far, and I expect them to reach 8,000 miles (the rear), maybe a little less for the front. I don't ride the Z900 'hard' - I treat it more of a Sports-Tourer. I really recommend them as they are still inspiring confidence. Thanks for looking and I appreciate your time to contact me.

@@teabrake2562Thank you! That sounds great and I think I have found my new tyres! 👍

Update: after few days using it it disappeared

@@bryanherva8312 Thanks for the update. I’m pleased it solved itself.

@@bryanherva8312 That’s good to hear!

أشكرك على الكلمات الرقيقة، ويسعدني أنها كانت مفيدة.

Thanks 👍

That makes perfect sense. For some reason I never did; probably because I was already down on the floor. Haven’t got a logical answer for myself tbh. 😄

hello mate....did you run the bike while on the roller? I do that using a paddock stand but wondered if the rollers could take a bike running....a gently spinning wheel makes it easier to clean and lube too...

@@mwng5186 Hi yeah was fine ..

@@mwng5186 Hi bud, no I didn't run it on the rollers. With the puck under the side stand it felt a bit too precarious.

ok...thanks fellas...all the best...safe riding and enjoy the sun...at last!

Hi Dragor, hopefully you get the issue resolved too. Would you let me know? Thanks for the ‘Follow’ also.

@@teabrake2562Yep it cleared it. No issues 🤟

@@Dragor699Excellent, pleased to hear that 👌🏼

Thanks for the sub!

Yes I do. Given how rubbish the weather so often, if I didn’t ride in the wet the mileage would probably be half what it is.

Thanks for the comment. When clean it I take it right back to the metal before adding the chain wax. Once I’ve more flexibility in the knee I’ll put up a video of my clean & lube process. It’ll probably seem a bit over the top to some though.

@@teabrake2562 yeah a chain and both sprockets is only £30 for my little mt so I don't really bother cleaning it just chain lube 😅 hope your on the road again soon buddy although the weather were having your best in the house with the feet up!

Ha ha. Yes, there are some interesting topics that catch the imagination despite them seeming to be much. Over the years I’ve tried all sorts too of chain lubes; even toothbrush and EP90 gearbox oil back in the 1980’s on my RD250E.

Thanks. I’ve been needing the operation for quite a while. The scar is actually fading compared to what it was.

Hi Jeff, thanks for the words. It really is back to around say 80% after 6 1/2 months. Ta

Hi Sean, thank you for the comment. I’m still impressed with quality of the guard. Despite it seeing some winter use, all the paint remains fully intact, and all looks neat and tidy. All the best, Steve.

@@teabrake2562 Hi Steve thanks for the reply. Did you notice any increase in coolant temperature? Thanks

@@seans8184 Hi Sean, I haven't noticed an increase in engine temperature, and I can be a bit of stickler for these sort of things.

@@teabrake2562 Thanks for all the info Steve.I got mine in the mail and installed last weekend. Very happy with the guard. Glad I went with this one.

Hi RUBIZEN, thanks for getting in touch. They are great tyres and really do transform the bike. As you say, they provide so much confidence. Hopefully the mileage will be good too.

That would be a useful design feature. I have not seen one like that

Hi John, thanks for taking the time to comment. I love these tyres, they improve the bike moreso. As I said in Pt 2, they seem to add 20% to it. Enjoy yours.

Hi Jim, thanks for info. I used Avon's some years ago and always had a very positive experience.

Hi Dave, yes you are absolutely right! I should have added a note that it was easier for me as sometimes the garden is totally saturated, and this is something I do to avoid riding on it.

Glad to hear that!

Sure do mate. 😬 Things are considerably more sedate these days.

Hi there. I looked at the spools option but there was no way to fit them. Even a generic stand couldn't support the swinging arm as the silencers are in the way! I now have a Z900 with spools and paddock stand.

Hi Frank, thank you for getting in-touch. I completely agree with your view on the quality and installation; I'm very pleased with my radiator guard. Regarding the Z900 colour scheme - mine was purchased and registered in 2021, as my dealer had this 2020 green/black model on the shop floor unregistered. Also, we don't have the black and blue model here in the UK, but it looks pretty neat. For 2022 they are selling the green/black again, but now with a green frame in the UK. You guys have more choice of T-shirts on the Kawasaki USA website than we have on the UK one!

I looked at the paddock stand options but no spool options and the silencers were in the way for the generic stand. Have a Z900 now, with spools and paddock stand.

Hi Nick, I'm pleased to hear that - glad to have helped. (I'm certain I'd already replied to your comment but I see there wasn't one from me :-I so this may be a repeat.)

Thanks Andrew, I’m glad you found it helpful.

Thank you Alan. I'm pleased you you found this useful.

Hello Bernard, yes I am still using the original stock Dunlop's it came with. I find them OK, however, they are very prone to tracking irregularities in the road surface. When they need replacing I shall consider something such as the Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 & BT 46. Steve.

Hello Joseph, At 6'2", the stock bars put my weight forward, but I still find the riding position extremely comfortable and relaxed; without any problems even after 100 + miles. Have you ridden a 'regular' W800 to see how the bars feel? My personal issue, is the 'cafe' style seat; after about an hour it is so uncomfortable. I'm hoping it'll continue to break-in. If not I shall look at a regular W800 seat. Thanks for dropping by, and I would be be interested to hear how you get on. Steve.

@@teabrake2562 I have not ridden a street version but I feel that the up right bars give a better road feel, more control. The clubman bars makes the front end feel heavy at times. I need to ride it more and make a decision. The seat and bars luckily are easy things to change on this beautiful machine.

@@josephsperato5645 I’ve only ridden the street at the Dealers car park, but didn’t like the upright position. Years ago I rode GPz900R’s and GPz1100 unintrak. Both had similar drop bars that I loved. Also, I do a lot of cycling, and enjoy the lean forward on those bars too. Like you say, do some more miles and see how you get on with them. Have you a Kawasaki dealer nearby that’ll let you take a regular W800 out? I love mine so much, even compared to the Z900RS I took out for a road-test.

I have ridden the stock clubman bars from the dealership home. For me they would have been ok,when the footpegs were more aft. I have changed the bar to an aftermarket straight bar, similar to the one, that is on the Classic version. Eventhelittlefairingisstillinplace,looking nice. For me riding position is perfect now! I come from 25 years riding Harley Davidsons. For me the w800 Café is no downgrade. Its much more a bike that meets all my needs. Cruising at around 100 km/h with a nice sound. Other tires could improve riding stability. Otherwise a nice bike, maybe a bit too expensive.