+baer The boots and pants were Alpinestars as well. The pants were the Coppers (www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-copper-riding-jeans) and the shoes were the SP-1 shoes (www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-sp-1-shoes). From a comfort and style standpoint the Coppers proved to be my favorite riding jeans to date.
The camera work is on point. Props to the guys/gals who put this review together. Great scripting, touching on everything that I cared to know... visually interesting, and the audio is about as good as I can expect for the in helmet feeds. Nice work.
Hi, I recently bought a Z800 and I want to share my experience.First all of to introduce my self, my name is Konstantinos, I'm 32 years old, Greek and I'm leaving in Cyprus. From 2008 Since March of 2016 I had a Suzuki V-Strom DL650 2007 model and made 72.000 kilometers with it. So I decided to complete change style. From January I started my research on many brands and models, narrowing my choices to MT07, CB650F, GSR750 and Z800. From close I saw only the MT07 and the CB650F. The problem in Cyprus is that you have to imagine the bike you want to buy because the dealers don't have stock and if you want a bike is with order only and deposit. Also if you found a bike they don't do test drives. So I relied basically on web reviews and UA-cam.The MT07 felt on me very light and small comparing to the huge V-Strom. The CB650F had very poor quality materials. The GRS750 was about the same price with Z800 and it was nowhere near on what Z800 was offering.So after all the reviews I read and watched and the specs I decided that the Z800 was the most complete and well build middle range naked bike. My only concern was the weight as I was reading that it is a heavy bike. Anyway I finalized my decision and ordered it with closed eyes.Now time for my review. And what a bike... First to clear about the weight. NO problem at all. Actually is way lighter from what I had used to with the V-Strom. It has exactly the perfect weight I like to fill at the stop, at the road, at the mountains. The handling is amazing. I never felt the same confidence on a turn before. It fills like is on rails. The stopping power is excellent and the rear break is exactly what is needed to control the bike on breaking. The engine has a great amount of power. You can even go really slow with 6th gear on country side and speed up without down shifting. The stock exhaust is a sweet melody. The build quality fills that you get much more than you paid. I'm very pleased with my Z800 and I'm glad that I didn't choose any other bike. I definitely recommend this bike to everyone that wants a middle range naked. Just I would recommend to put the Kawasaki engine guards on as the engine is a little big and in case of drop would be damaged.Conclusion... Well done Kawasaki.
Kon, i have the suzuki gsxs 750 2019 model. I nearly bought a z800 a few years ago. The new suzuki is a great bike. I am glad i have it over the z800. More tech, better power and lightet. All the best👍
+Cman Thanks for the kind words. Good call on the size and weight, I know I discussed weight in the written review (www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2016-kawasaki-z800-review) but I may have missed height. I am 6'3" and weigh in at 205lbs.
Hi all. I purchased a 2016 Z800 about a month ago and I love it! This review was spot on. The stock mirrors are hard to get adjusted so they're actually useful. I plan to get bar end mirrors in the near future. The engine can be a little buzzy when you get it revved up but I like that so no issue there. One thing I do want to mention is the stock exhaust. I actually like and I'm a guy that loves to make bikes louder. The stock exhaust on this bike sounds great especially when you get it revved over 6k and the butterfly valve opens up. Real nice tone, great job Kawasaki. All in all I love this bike.
The most comprehensive US review of the Z800 I've seen to date. Ironic that all the reviews are conducted in California, where the bike is not available (for now).
Love my z800! I’ve had mine for about a year now having previously owned a GSXR 600, the ride is way more comfortable and enjoyable. It’s a forgiving bike as well which I like. You calling the z800 “approachable” is a perfect description for this bike. Great fun
I wonder if the clutch assembly from the 650r would transplant over? Cheap fix to that nuance. Also, I own a 15 650R, and have been eyeing this bike as an upgrade, so I am glad to see a quality review of it. Time to go sit on one at the dealer and make the final judgment.
Wow! Great review, really well thought out and put together. I own a 2015 Z1000 and one of my gripes is not having control over the abs as well lol. The Z800 caught my eye, but it's strange that it's heavier and has a taller seat height thab my Z1000.
Thanks for the review man. Exactly what I was looking for. Super happy to know every bits of advice and information regarding this monster. Thumbs up for the great content!
I've owned this bike for almost 2 years, This bike rides great at cruising speed at around 100KPH+ anything lower than that just makes you notice more of that weight, Stock tires are shit if I must say. After switching to pirellis this bike handles so much better, surprisingly It takes corners pretty good. The seats is fairly comfortable for short distance trips but anything more than a 3 hour ride will numb your ass dead. I weigh just 110 pounds, I have no issues manoeuvring this bike especially at a pretty short height.
+XxKitchenNinjaxX This was not lost on us either. I think what really struck me was the fact that this bike was almost made for Los Angeles. It was a blast to commute through the city, handled lane splitting with ease, and was a fun tool for carving canyon roads. Hopefully Kawi can figure out this "Fiftieth state" dilemma sooner than later.
Excellent review, exactly what we've come to expect from you guys! Where is it putting all that weight? No fairings, no windscreen, no baggage, no crazy BMW-esque electronics. How does a mid sized, naked bike weigh so much? I'm not being rhetorical, I really want to know. Anyone?
+giff74 I wonder how much weight is hiding in that exhaust heat shield alone? More to the point though, if Wikipedia is to be trusted then the z800 is a bored out z750 without much else by way of new engineering. That would imply that the frame, etc. on the z800 is essentially the same as the z750. Which means the frame dates from 2004. I feel like Kawasaki threw this at the North American market just to see if it was worth updating in the future. Shed 80 pounds and this would be a really fun machine.
Had to get a Bagster comfort seat for this bike, looks way better than the original. The akrapovic muffler is just way too big, i'd recommend getting a SC-Project. Enjoy riding in that beautiful weather and country
great and fun bike :) don't let the weight fool you. changing the silencer also helps ;) as for crash protection the original kawasaki frame mounted ones look the best imho, they did a great job on that. and suspension isnt the best, its good but if you are not of the lightest sort youll notice its lacking.
love the look of it.. the weight was unexpected given the rest of the class. I find it so interesting how the naked bike market is so lively given it was dead even just 5 years ago.... Kawi had such a tough time selling Z1000s for a while... now nakeds are the cat's ass.. great review Spurg...
+dafobra I always liked the Z1000 but my big flipper feet never worked with the stock exhaust on that bike. The other thing to consider with something like the Z800 (or other mid-sized nakeds) over the Z1000 (or other larger displacement options) is that for younger riders the insurance rates will be more approachable. I would be willing to make a bet that this has had a hand in the expansion of this market. Regardless, I agree with you, we have seen it boom over the past 5 years.
Its so damn heavy (Z800~231kg // 511 pounds), it weights about 40kg (90 pounds) more than the YAMAHA MT09 and whopping 71kg (158 pounds) more than the KTM Duke 690 (that's an additional person on your seat or about 3 1/2 german boxes of beer, wich are about 40 litres of beer.
Love the review. I'm a long time harley rider. I can get this for 8200 otd. or get the z1000 leftover for a grand more. I'm just wondering if the z1000 would be to quick for someone used to sluggish harleys?
You'd probably be fine on the Z1000 honestly. Just be a little gentler on the throttle to start, and know that you don't have to squeeze the brakes as hard as you do on a Harley! -DrewZilla
It's a cleaned up Z750. That's the reason for vibration at 8000rpm. Z800 just has new brakes, suspension, and 50cc bigger engine. They gave it a little more stroke than the Z750. But the engine is pretty much the same. 7 hp difference between 750 is not that big of a difference.
@Revzilla I ride a KTM Duke 390 and I am looking to upgrade to a middleweight naked. I want a sporty motorcycle with precise handling, light weight, and ABS breaks. Though the Triumph Street Triple checks all the right boxes, the Kawasaki Z800 also comes across as an interesting ride. The motorcycle will be used for commuting. Which one do you think is better?
+Krishnan Ravichandran There is not one that's necessarily "better", it's about which one has more appealing features to match your needs. If you are considering the Street Triple (not the R) you still get a lively triple engine of the "R" but suspension is not adjustable, brakes are a bit smaller, and the cost is still more than the Z800. The Z800's engine is not as exciting right out of the gate as the Triumphs but this helps to make it an extremely approachable bike with an excellent suspension set to excel on the street. While the Z800 sheds its weight when in motion, it's considerably heavier than the Triumph. Both can make excellent commuters with a bit of work (mainly a windscreen for highway speeds). If I were you, I would try and find a dealer to allow a test ride on both bikes. I know that Triumph has an excellent test ride program and I can't imagine if you are a serious buyer that you wouldn't be able to find a dealer willing to allow for a test ride on the Kawasaki. Good luck!
As someone who recently got a 2016 Vulcan S ABS, the Z800 looks a lot like a zippier, sportier mid-range bike from Kawasaki...but basically the same thing, and Kawasaki doesn't seem to give a shit about the weight of these bikes and goes more for comfort and extra styling components, which isn't a bad thing but it makes me wonder why you might want a Z800 over the Yamaha torque sports like the MT-07/09. The Vulcan S makes sense, the Z800...maybe.
Great looking bike at a really aggressive price, but that power to weight ratio is not very good. There is some serious competition in the middle class naked sport category. If I was in the market I would seriously be considering also looking at Yamaha's FZ-09 or a Ducati Monster. Even in the used market, I could get something like a Buell XB12S and have 100HP and 85ft/lbs torque in a package only weighing 395 lbs dry, and only spending around $4k. A used Speed/Street Triple is also a great consideration. Kawasaki needs to make the Z800 a more desirable before I really look at it.
+Stanton Barbas I checked out the Fz-09 and the FJ-09. Bike is built to a price and it shows when you closely. Snowcat's recent experience with Ducati has soured me on Euro trash. Ktm 1050 adventure has some appeal but not brought to NA. Suzuki GSX looks ok , haven't seen one in person yet. Honda Crossrunner not brought to NA. Buell? I want no part in orphaned technology . Still the Z800 being heavier than the Z1000 is ridiculous. But they made the Z800's tank smaller so I guess it all evens out.
Good review, but I can't imagine why I'd choose this bike over any of its competition. Doesn't seem bad by yesteryear's standards, but there are so many better alternatives for the money now.
+SLFYSH fz07 less hp torque fz09 build quality is meh cbr 650f not a streetfighter gsx-s-650s are you referring to the old bandit, the faired bike or the new 750s? The GSX s-750 looks like a good bike, little lighter not as robust no abs or TC, Revzilla trashed it though I think in their review. Though it seems very similar in most specs to the Z800. I think I would be happy with either and would decide based on price and confidence in a given dealer.
+Ben Winterburn I haven't seen a Kawi lately that I thought had superior build quality to anything that wasn't Chinese. If you watch the video you'll notice just about every detail is subpar, and having slightly more torque/hp with the present novelty of being a 'street fighter', or lacking a faring doesn't make up for it. It's a standard bike, with meh or worse weight, brakes, vibration, comfort, power. -What was the good part that was supposed to be so great?
@@SLFYSH well i myself bought a z800 and rode it for quite some time now and i need to say that the vibrations are no problem at all and the comfort on this bike is, at least for me personally, pretty ok as well. I have tested the duke690 and fz07 too and came to conclusion that both are way worse than the z800 in terms of vibrations and overall comfort... Especially the duke690 felt extremely uncomfortable
Loved the review. Its so clear and distinct. But my question is I am like 5.6'' of height. So will I be able to ride this bike? Beacuse it has seat height of 834mm.
our roads are bad, but we have awesome mountain roads. the ride to Julian is awesome and so is palomar mountain. lane splitting is a thing as well. try and stay away from Carlsbad, cops are dicks there.
+Jackson La I think you will be able to find plenty of great roads compared to what we have here in Philly. You mentioned that you are starting in San Diego but never said where you are headed. Around San Diego check out the roads through Palomar Mountain (Hwy 76, S6, and S7). If you are heading up to Los Angeles a great place to start is Angeles Crest Hwy. It's a maintained a bit nicer than some of the canyon roads in Malibu but it's also quite crowded on the weekends. Make sure to grab a burger at Newcomb's Ranch. Let me know how far you are heading north, what kind of bike you ride (Sport, Dual-Sport, Cruiser, etc), and what style riding you prefer (scenic, curvy, urban, etc) and I would be happy to offer up additional recommendations tailored to your preferences. Have fun escaping the cold and snow!
Spurgeon Dunbar Riding from San Diego to Santa Monica but I might ride past for a few more miles. Thinking about renting an Indian Scout from Eagle Rider Rentals. Unless you have any recommendations from places to rent? Go Golden Bears! hahaha
is there any way you can do a comparison with the grom and kawasakis newer z125 i know they have made them for a few years but not for u.s. sale but in 2017 it will be in the u.s. anyway you guys can get your hands on one even the 2016 model that would be awesome to see.all videos ive watched are in a different language.also great stuff im usually always checking your vids when looking for new gear and helmets.which by far scorpion helmets all the way!!
+mark drangstveit Kawasaki just announced the Z125 for the US market, so it would be some time before we'd be able to do a comparison with the Grom. -DrewZilla
+RevZilla yeah i figured but it would be a good review from what ive seen they are very close as far as power.but curious as far as comfort cornering etc. keep up the good work i love the vids
That would probably be the Akrapovic Slip-On and Headers. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/akrapovic-slip-on-exhaust-kawasaki-z800-2016 *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/akrapovic-exhaust-header-kawasaki-z800-2016
+Marlon Davis (Chrome Federation) It probably isn't a good beginner bike. For a beginner bike, you probably want a bike with low power and low weight. Even though it's 500 pounds, it still has over 100hp, so it's still a lot of bike. You're really better off with a Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 300. -DrewZilla
It would be cool to work at Revzilla you guys have glowing reviews as being one of the best places to work although what would interview attire be? Motorcycle jacket and pants or suit and tie?
+zniesmaczony See 4:48 where we specifically call out the Alpinestars T-GP R WP Jacket. We also always link to the gear in the companion article. Hope this helps! -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-t-gp-r-wp-jacket
Cool. I'm sure there are plenty us looking forward to it. You guys always do an objective analysis with pros and cons. A lot of reviews out there just pander to the good things about bikes.
+Hamdan Darwish As far as I know, the 2015 model is the same as the 2014 model, and we've already reviewed the 2014. Feel free to read our review below. We weren't able to shoot video on it, but we think the article is very informative. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2014-kawasaki-z1000-abs-review
Well we just did a first ride review article on the new Z650, so that might help. -DrewZilla *www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2017-kawasaki-z650-first-ride-motorcycle-review
About the upgrades.. what about that ugly ass huge (and quiet) black exhaust! Was surprised to see this video pop up btw. As you mentioned, this bike is already 3 years old here in Europe :)
+krofski The exhaust didn't bother me. I actually thought it had decent tone when you wind the engine up. Personally I prefer an exhaust that doesn't let law enforcement know that I am heading their way. With that being said, I can see why others who prefer a louder set up would want to replace the Z800's can.
I love the song at the begining of this video. Would you please let me know the name of that song? Thank you ^^. Also, nice review and lovely gears that match the bike's color!
Hilarious! @ 5:17 mins in, Spurgeon, I think you need some fuel?!... And you haven't even taken off yet. ha. Good catch. Nice review - concerns about the Clutch lever, rear brake, and no ABS shutoff... DGF.
Kingdom Of Mog He clearly says that he wants to turn it off cause abs doesn't allow him to slide his back wheel... Now, while that is true, you don't slide the back wheel in a turn by braking... unless you don't know what you're doing that is
I think that opinion is always very subjective. The more neutral sport riding position is great for a beginner, but this bike has a ton of power which makes it a lot less forgiving than alternatives. -TeamZilla Chris
Appreciate the reply, I guess I'll look for something else but I was just drawn to it because it looked menacing or something (for a "beginner" I guess that's what it is), makes you look like you have a lot of power on your hands and I guess you do.
The big black plastic muffler cover and weird chevrons on the side of the engine can't be described as anything but gaudy. Much prefer the FZ-09s under slung exhaust and minimalist style. The engine sounds great, but 500+ lbs is pathetic. And is it too much to ask for analog gauges? The gauge cluster at 10:06 looks a thousand times better than one of those cheap gray LCDs that have become ubiquitous. Nice to hear it has a decent suspension, though. That's something the Yamaha's definitely lack.
RevZilla Thanks a lot for replying man. Kind of a shame though as I really like the body type. One more question if you don't mind. I heard that 600cc is not bad to start on as a beginner, would you consider this to be true?
+EpicGamers247 it really depends on the design of the bike and motor instead of raw displacement, I'd say. A Honda CBR600RR is very fast and a risky choice for a beginner, while a Triumph Street Twin at 900ccs would be much more manageable. If you're looking for something with that Z800 sort of style, I'd suggest the CB300F or CB500F, both very easy and forgiving machines.
Ryan Cooper Thanks man. I was recently looking at the CBR300, 500, and even 600, but will honestly probably just go with the Ninja 300 for my first bike and then move up from there.
+EpicGamers247 Not a bad choice at all, particularly if you're into sport bikes -- though I will say that there is only a slight difference between the 300 and 500 level of Honda machines when it comes to how sensible they are for beginners. Both low-key, economical, and not very fast. Known a couple folks who started on a CB500F and X and they did just fine. The 600RR, on the other hand...
Why are you test riding this bike in California when we cannot buy it here? Is there any plans to make the bike available in California? Per Kawasaki website, www.kawasaki.com/Products/2016-Z800-ABS, model not available in California.
+bikerchick siliconvalley You are correct in the fact that this bike is not CARB compliment for the clean air legalities of Cali. I reached out to Kawasaki directly as to the plans for a CARB compliment version and the only information they were able to give me is that no date for a California version exists at this time.
As Laughingstalk said, Ironic that this review was done in CA where this bike fails to meet emissions standards and subsequently is not available! Went to the dealership for a test ride in Orange County and was told to pound sand.
The Yamaha FZ-09 and Triumph Street Triple are likely the lightest bikes in the category at around 400-415 pounds wet weight. This Z800 has a claimed 510 pound wet weight. That's 100 pounds heavier than the Triumph and Yamaha. -DrewZilla
Personally, I use the terms almost interchangeably. However, a streetfighter has more of a connotation of being a stripped version of a supersport or liter bike, whereas a naked bike may just be an upright bike without any fairings. -DrewZilla
I'm loving the production quality! The gear description was a nice touch too. The pants and the boots were left out tough. Great work!
+baer The boots and pants were Alpinestars as well. The pants were the Coppers (www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-copper-riding-jeans) and the shoes were the SP-1 shoes (www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-sp-1-shoes). From a comfort and style standpoint the Coppers proved to be my favorite riding jeans to date.
Spurgeon Dunbar Thanks! I have similar boots (SM-X 1) and they're great. Hope to see more reviews from you!
Check title
baer Check title
The camera work is on point. Props to the guys/gals who put this review together. Great scripting, touching on everything that I cared to know... visually interesting, and the audio is about as good as I can expect for the in helmet feeds. Nice work.
when im not riding my motorcycle, im watching youtube videos of people riding motorcycles.
This is so me 😂😂
Me too
Hi, I recently bought a Z800 and I want to share my experience.First
all of to introduce my self, my name is Konstantinos, I'm 32 years old,
Greek and I'm leaving in Cyprus. From 2008 Since March of 2016 I had a
Suzuki V-Strom DL650 2007 model and made 72.000 kilometers with it. So
I decided to complete change style. From January I started my research
on many brands and models, narrowing my choices to MT07, CB650F, GSR750
and Z800. From close I saw only the MT07 and the CB650F. The problem in
Cyprus is that you have to imagine the bike you want to buy because the
dealers don't have stock and if you want a bike is with order only and
deposit. Also if you found a bike they don't do test drives. So I relied
basically on web reviews and UA-cam.The MT07 felt on me
very light and small comparing to the huge V-Strom. The CB650F had very
poor quality materials. The GRS750 was about the same price with Z800
and it was nowhere near on what Z800 was offering.So after
all the reviews I read and watched and the specs I decided that the Z800
was the most complete and well build middle range naked bike. My only
concern was the weight as I was reading that it is a heavy bike. Anyway I
finalized my decision and ordered it with closed eyes.Now
time for my review. And what a bike... First to clear about the weight.
NO problem at all. Actually is way lighter from what I had used to with
the V-Strom. It has exactly the perfect weight I like to fill at the
stop, at the road, at the mountains. The handling is amazing. I never
felt the same confidence on a turn before. It fills like is on rails.
The stopping power is excellent and the rear break is exactly what is
needed to control the bike on breaking. The engine has a great amount of
power. You can even go really slow with 6th gear on country side and
speed up without down shifting. The stock exhaust is a sweet melody. The
build quality fills that you get much more than you paid. I'm very
pleased with my Z800 and I'm glad that I didn't choose any other bike. I
definitely recommend this bike to everyone that wants a middle range
naked. Just I would recommend to put the Kawasaki engine guards on as
the engine is a little big and in case of drop would be damaged.Conclusion... Well done Kawasaki.
its the true megatron..
Kon, i have the suzuki gsxs 750 2019 model. I nearly bought a z800 a few years ago. The new suzuki is a great bike.
I am glad i have it over the z800.
More tech, better power and lightet.
All the best👍
wonderful review..i just got a z800 2 months back and im loving every bit of it.. its an amazing motorcycle.
IMO Alpinestars does a great job of incorporating hiviz into their gear but not making you look like a road construction worker.
Your review is way better than a lot of the big magazine channels. Good stuff do more bikes and would help to get height and weight of test rider.
+Cman Thanks for the kind words. Good call on the size and weight, I know I discussed weight in the written review (www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2016-kawasaki-z800-review) but I may have missed height. I am 6'3" and weigh in at 205lbs.
Hi all. I purchased a 2016 Z800 about a month ago and I love it! This review was spot on. The stock mirrors are hard to get adjusted so they're actually useful. I plan to get bar end mirrors in the near future. The engine can be a little buzzy when you get it revved up but I like that so no issue there. One thing I do want to mention is the stock exhaust. I actually like and I'm a guy that loves to make bikes louder. The stock exhaust on this bike sounds great especially when you get it revved over 6k and the butterfly valve opens up. Real nice tone, great job Kawasaki. All in all I love this bike.
Boofus, Did you replace the stock seat on your z800? I find mine pretty unbareable after about an hour.
The most comprehensive US review of the Z800 I've seen to date. Ironic that all the reviews are conducted in California, where the bike is not available (for now).
You guys should really do more bike reviews very detailed better than other UA-cam channels that only focus on bike reviews
Awesome job!!
Best reviewers on UA-cam. I love the real life outlook of the everyday average rider style. As usual, very well produced. :)
2022
I have never ridden this bike but, I've been in love with it since 2016.
Been riding this bike since 2016. Absolutely love this beast.
Love my z800! I’ve had mine for about a year now having previously owned a GSXR 600, the ride is way more comfortable and enjoyable. It’s a forgiving bike as well which I like. You calling the z800 “approachable” is a perfect description for this bike. Great fun
im looking at selling my zx6r and getting one of these just not 100 percent sure tho
@@gringostyl did you end up getting it? I have a chance to get a 2018 with 300 miles on it for $6300; I’d be trading my ninja 400 in on it
@@darryl1351 i went with a mt-07 and had sooo much fun and now im on a 2019 husqvarna 701 supermoto and loving it!!!!!
@@gringostyl good to know!
@@darryl1351 did you get one?
I wonder if the clutch assembly from the 650r would transplant over? Cheap fix to that nuance. Also, I own a 15 650R, and have been eyeing this bike as an upgrade, so I am glad to see a quality review of it. Time to go sit on one at the dealer and make the final judgment.
just got my z800 , and it is a wow. Just have to say it drinks a little too much, but loads of fun.
By far the best review of this bike on youtube. Great job guys. Thumbs up!
Wow! Great review, really well thought out and put together. I own a 2015 Z1000 and one of my gripes is not having control over the abs as well lol. The Z800 caught my eye, but it's strange that it's heavier and has a taller seat height thab my Z1000.
Great review. FZ09 nuff said
The monster 821 or the z800 which has a better ride quality especially for a long distance ride? And which bike has an overall better built quality?
Thanks for the review man. Exactly what I was looking for. Super happy to know every bits of advice and information regarding this monster. Thumbs up for the great content!
I've owned this bike for almost 2 years, This bike rides great at cruising speed at around 100KPH+ anything lower than that just makes you notice more of that weight, Stock tires are shit if I must say. After switching to pirellis this bike handles so much better, surprisingly It takes corners pretty good. The seats is fairly comfortable for short distance trips but anything more than a 3 hour ride will numb your ass dead. I weigh just 110 pounds, I have no issues manoeuvring this bike especially at a pretty short height.
i love how they do a new bike press release in a state to where its not available. good job kawi!! same with suzuki with the gsx-s750 too.
+XxKitchenNinjaxX This was not lost on us either. I think what really struck me was the fact that this bike was almost made for Los Angeles. It was a blast to commute through the city, handled lane splitting with ease, and was a fun tool for carving canyon roads. Hopefully Kawi can figure out this "Fiftieth state" dilemma sooner than later.
Excellent review, exactly what we've come to expect from you guys!
Where is it putting all that weight? No fairings, no windscreen, no baggage, no crazy BMW-esque electronics. How does a mid sized, naked bike weigh so much? I'm not being rhetorical, I really want to know. Anyone?
steel frame most likely
+giff74 I wonder how much weight is hiding in that exhaust heat shield alone?
More to the point though, if Wikipedia is to be trusted then the z800 is a bored out z750 without much else by way of new engineering. That would imply that the frame, etc. on the z800 is essentially the same as the z750. Which means the frame dates from 2004.
I feel like Kawasaki threw this at the North American market just to see if it was worth updating in the future. Shed 80 pounds and this would be a really fun machine.
+Jeff Keene or just get a gen1 z1000 for $ 3-4k and get 130+hp, I love mine
Yeah, with the new engine packages triumph is bringing out, would be a tough one to pick over them. Street triple 800.
i love reviews from revzilla,you guys say everything i wanna rear about the stuff
thank you!
Had to get a Bagster comfort seat for this bike, looks way better than the original.
The akrapovic muffler is just way too big, i'd recommend getting a SC-Project.
Enjoy riding in that beautiful weather and country
Ride it with jay,
Where did you get your bagster comfort seat for your z800?
great and fun bike :) don't let the weight fool you.
changing the silencer also helps ;)
as for crash protection the original kawasaki frame mounted ones look the best imho, they did a great job on that.
and suspension isnt the best, its good but if you are not of the lightest sort youll notice its lacking.
love the look of it.. the weight was unexpected given the rest of the class. I find it so interesting how the naked bike market is so lively given it was dead even just 5 years ago.... Kawi had such a tough time selling Z1000s for a while... now nakeds are the cat's ass.. great review Spurg...
+dafobra I always liked the Z1000 but my big flipper feet never worked with the stock exhaust on that bike. The other thing to consider with something like the Z800 (or other mid-sized nakeds) over the Z1000 (or other larger displacement options) is that for younger riders the insurance rates will be more approachable. I would be willing to make a bet that this has had a hand in the expansion of this market. Regardless, I agree with you, we have seen it boom over the past 5 years.
I have a Z800 and I promise you you can't feel the extra weight when you're riding! Absolute quality bike!!!
+Jon Wickens My question is does that extra weight allow for more stability when the electronic speed restriction is turned off?
California looks heavenly to me, my current view is snow !!!
+spystyle You and me both...
Excellent review. Good content and so nice to see so much actual riding - other reviewers could learn a lot from you!
props to your camera crew
Its so damn heavy (Z800~231kg // 511 pounds), it weights about 40kg (90 pounds) more than the YAMAHA MT09 and whopping 71kg (158 pounds) more than the KTM Duke 690 (that's an additional person on your seat or about 3 1/2 german boxes of beer, wich are about 40 litres of beer.
That's why Z's engine and tranny never break. And when you get in an accident, you just replace the plastic parts and keep going.
What a great bike.. Im totally satisfied with z800. Very fun and predictable bike 💪🏻
Are you guys going to review Yamaha's XSR900?
+Edisson Ortega I wanna watch, too.
+Edisson Ortega That's top on our list of bikes Lemmy and I are dying to get our hands on.
+Edisson Ortega Yeah what about the XSR900? Called Yamaha in Cali, no plans to release the XSR700 in the US for 2016..very sad...
Love the review. I'm a long time harley rider. I can get this for 8200 otd. or get the z1000 leftover for a grand more. I'm just wondering if the z1000 would be to quick for someone used to sluggish harleys?
You'd probably be fine on the Z1000 honestly. Just be a little gentler on the throttle to start, and know that you don't have to squeeze the brakes as hard as you do on a Harley! -DrewZilla
Would love to see a comparison with the FZ-09
It's a cleaned up Z750. That's the reason for vibration at 8000rpm. Z800 just has new brakes, suspension, and 50cc bigger engine. They gave it a little more stroke than the Z750. But the engine is pretty much the same. 7 hp difference between 750 is not that big of a difference.
I would suggest tidy tail and a new exhaust as well! (akrapovic imo, without DB killer!)
@Revzilla I ride a KTM Duke 390 and I am looking to upgrade to a middleweight naked. I want a sporty motorcycle with precise handling, light weight, and ABS breaks. Though the Triumph Street Triple checks all the right boxes, the Kawasaki Z800 also comes across as an interesting ride. The motorcycle will be used for commuting. Which one do you think is better?
+Krishnan Ravichandran There is not one that's necessarily "better", it's about which one has more appealing features to match your needs.
If you are considering the Street Triple (not the R) you still get a lively triple engine of the "R" but suspension is not adjustable, brakes are a bit smaller, and the cost is still more than the Z800. The Z800's engine is not as exciting right out of the gate as the Triumphs but this helps to make it an extremely approachable bike with an excellent suspension set to excel on the street. While the Z800 sheds its weight when in motion, it's considerably heavier than the Triumph.
Both can make excellent commuters with a bit of work (mainly a windscreen for highway speeds). If I were you, I would try and find a dealer to allow a test ride on both bikes. I know that Triumph has an excellent test ride program and I can't imagine if you are a serious buyer that you wouldn't be able to find a dealer willing to allow for a test ride on the Kawasaki. Good luck!
MT-09 FTW! I traded in my 2012 Z800 for MT-09 last year. Z800 is already out many years ago. Why didn't it sale in the U.S market until now?
+huang charles That's a great question, though I think you'd have to ask Kawasaki why they waited so long. -DrewZilla
Top Top over the top review!! Good camera, sound quality, rich content..Awesome!
Spurgeon, one query, you mentioned about the rear break being very lousy and inefficient. Anything to help on that part?
+Anuj Kant You could replace the stock brake pads with something with more bite such as some Double-H sintered pads. -DrewZilla
looks like a bike which works for tall guys like 6'3. do you have another recommendation for big guys (naked bike) between 6'3 and 6'5 with inseam 33"
As someone who recently got a 2016 Vulcan S ABS, the Z800 looks a lot like a zippier, sportier mid-range bike from Kawasaki...but basically the same thing, and Kawasaki doesn't seem to give a shit about the weight of these bikes and goes more for comfort and extra styling components, which isn't a bad thing but it makes me wonder why you might want a Z800 over the Yamaha torque sports like the MT-07/09. The Vulcan S makes sense, the Z800...maybe.
Great looking bike at a really aggressive price, but that power to weight ratio is not very good. There is some serious competition in the middle class naked sport category. If I was in the market I would seriously be considering also looking at Yamaha's FZ-09 or a Ducati Monster. Even in the used market, I could get something like a Buell XB12S and have 100HP and 85ft/lbs torque in a package only weighing 395 lbs dry, and only spending around $4k. A used Speed/Street Triple is also a great consideration. Kawasaki needs to make the Z800 a more desirable before I really look at it.
+Stanton Barbas
I checked out the Fz-09 and the FJ-09. Bike is built to a price and it shows when you closely. Snowcat's recent experience with Ducati has soured me on Euro trash. Ktm 1050 adventure has some appeal but not brought to NA. Suzuki GSX looks ok , haven't seen one in person yet. Honda Crossrunner not brought to NA. Buell? I want no part in orphaned technology .
Still the Z800 being heavier than the Z1000 is ridiculous. But they made the Z800's tank smaller so I guess it all evens out.
I am a beginner, so this video answered my questions 😊
Good review, but I can't imagine why I'd choose this bike over any of its competition. Doesn't seem bad by yesteryear's standards, but there are so many better alternatives for the money now.
+SLFYSH
Such as...?
FZ07/09, CBR650F, GSX-S-650S, etc, etc. I think many compare favorably, and any excitement over this one is false.
+SLFYSH
fz07 less hp torque
fz09 build quality is meh
cbr 650f not a streetfighter
gsx-s-650s are you referring to the old bandit, the faired bike or the new 750s? The GSX s-750 looks like a good bike, little lighter not as robust no abs or TC, Revzilla trashed it though I think in their review. Though it seems very similar in most specs to the Z800. I think I would be happy with either and would decide based on price and confidence in a given dealer.
+Ben Winterburn I haven't seen a Kawi lately that I thought had superior build quality to anything that wasn't Chinese. If you watch the video you'll notice just about every detail is subpar, and having slightly more torque/hp with the present novelty of being a 'street fighter', or lacking a faring doesn't make up for it. It's a standard bike, with meh or worse weight, brakes, vibration, comfort, power. -What was the good part that was supposed to be so great?
@@SLFYSH well i myself bought a z800 and rode it for quite some time now and i need to say that the vibrations are no problem at all and the comfort on this bike is, at least for me personally, pretty ok as well. I have tested the duke690 and fz07 too and came to conclusion that both are way worse than the z800 in terms of vibrations and overall comfort... Especially the duke690 felt extremely uncomfortable
Sweet inline 4 exhaust note!!!
Great review!
Awesome review of the bike man! Looking forward to further videos
Loved the review. Its so clear and distinct. But my question is I am like 5.6'' of height. So will I be able to ride this bike? Beacuse it has seat height of 834mm.
+Swapneel Borah You may not be able to get both feet flat on the ground, but that shouldn't stop you. I think you'd be fine. -DrewZilla
Thanks a lot. I need to test ride it before.
What size Bar end mirror adapter for the CRG Lanesplitter mirrors. 7/8ths or 1inch?
7/8" for most metric bikes. 1 inch bars are normally found on Harleys and some Triumph cruisers. -DrewZilla
Excellent production quality
Heading out to Cali next month, Spurgeon. Starting the ride in San Diego. Any things I should aware of that is different from philly riding?
our roads are bad, but we have awesome mountain roads. the ride to Julian is awesome and so is palomar mountain. lane splitting is a thing as well. try and stay away from Carlsbad, cops are dicks there.
+FN 2368 also stay away from i5 and 15-76 to oceanside at 7-9 AM and 5-630.
RevZilla FN 2368 Bad as in? Because Philly (area) are potholes and cinders. Thanks btw!
+Jackson La I think you will be able to find plenty of great roads compared to what we have here in Philly. You mentioned that you are starting in San Diego but never said where you are headed. Around San Diego check out the roads through Palomar Mountain (Hwy 76, S6, and S7). If you are heading up to Los Angeles a great place to start is Angeles Crest Hwy. It's a maintained a bit nicer than some of the canyon roads in Malibu but it's also quite crowded on the weekends. Make sure to grab a burger at Newcomb's Ranch.
Let me know how far you are heading north, what kind of bike you ride (Sport, Dual-Sport, Cruiser, etc), and what style riding you prefer (scenic, curvy, urban, etc) and I would be happy to offer up additional recommendations tailored to your preferences. Have fun escaping the cold and snow!
Spurgeon Dunbar Riding from San Diego to Santa Monica but I might ride past for a few more miles. Thinking about renting an Indian Scout from Eagle Rider Rentals. Unless you have any recommendations from places to rent? Go Golden Bears! hahaha
is there any way you can do a comparison with the grom and kawasakis newer z125 i know they have made them for a few years but not for u.s. sale but in 2017 it will be in the u.s. anyway you guys can get your hands on one even the 2016 model that would be awesome to see.all videos ive watched are in a different language.also great stuff im usually always checking your vids when looking for new gear and helmets.which by far scorpion helmets all the way!!
+mark drangstveit Kawasaki just announced the Z125 for the US market, so it would be some time before we'd be able to do a comparison with the Grom. -DrewZilla
+RevZilla yeah i figured but it would be a good review from what ive seen they are very close as far as power.but curious as far as comfort cornering etc. keep up the good work i love the vids
great review, love you guys!
Which would be the lightest exhaust to put on z800 to drop the weight a bit? Talking about a full system. Thank you.
That would probably be the Akrapovic Slip-On and Headers. -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/akrapovic-slip-on-exhaust-kawasaki-z800-2016
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/akrapovic-exhaust-header-kawasaki-z800-2016
What a cool review! Congrats from Spain ;)
Sweet man!!! Great video edits and review on point!👌🏼💯 covered everything I wanted to know!
Would this make a good bike for beginners, despite the heaviness?
+Marlon Davis (Chrome Federation) It probably isn't a good beginner bike. For a beginner bike, you probably want a bike with low power and low weight. Even though it's 500 pounds, it still has over 100hp, so it's still a lot of bike. You're really better off with a Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 300. -DrewZilla
Hi Spurge, might you be reviewing the new Africa Twin CRF1000L soon? :)
+Asaph Leong As soon as we can get Honda to hand one over!
Review the 2016 Brutale 800 when you can please!
Love the Bike and the Screenplay
It would be cool to work at Revzilla you guys have glowing reviews as being one of the best places to work although what would interview attire be? Motorcycle jacket and pants or suit and tie?
Wear whatever represents you best. -DrewZilla
*rvz.la/ZLAjobs
RevZilla Yo Drew can I say you guys have the fastest shipping I've ever seen? 10/10 will be ordering again.
Very nice Video!
Thx 4 upload!
i will get the z800 in orange on 15th March :)
Have you done a review of the Gsx s 750? Cant find it on your list of videos. Please share the link if there is one.
We have not done a video review of the GSX-S750. Our apologies for the inconvenience. -DrewZilla
Amazing video review thanks guys
Is it still okay to buy the z800 in 2019!!?? If so will i face parts availability issues!!?
Yes, it's still ok to buy the Z800 in 2019. Remember that it was sold for a long time internationally, so parts are easy to get. -DrewZilla
@@RevZilla thankyou
You're welcome! -DrewZilla
fz07 vs 800z which is better for commutes and just all around motorcycle?
The FZ-07 is much lighter and a bit more fun in my opinion. -DrewZilla
Love the jacket. What model is it?
+zniesmaczony See 4:48 where we specifically call out the Alpinestars T-GP R WP Jacket. We also always link to the gear in the companion article. Hope this helps! -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-t-gp-r-wp-jacket
+RevZilla haha what am I, bind or something? thanks!
Are you guys planning on reviewing Victory Cruisers or Baggers?
+Ramon Burgos Perhaps! -DrewZilla
Cool. I'm sure there are plenty us looking forward to it. You guys always do an objective analysis with pros and cons. A lot of reviews out there just pander to the good things about bikes.
Make a review of kawasaki z1000 2015
+Hamdan Darwish As far as I know, the 2015 model is the same as the 2014 model, and we've already reviewed the 2014. Feel free to read our review below. We weren't able to shoot video on it, but we think the article is very informative. -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2014-kawasaki-z1000-abs-review
+Divyansh Dalal 6'3" on a good day 6'2" on a bad one.
shut up you Indian
Thanks for the review one of the best👍👍
Sounds like the rear brake lever just needs to be adjusted? Shouldn't take that much effort to get a reaction.
+John Burley nah, it's really mushy
+John Burley mushy on my 650 too
do also the exhaust and blinkers
PCH...and canyons right near my house....too bad this bike isn't CA legal....
Nice production on the vid....
Thanks for this nice review. I'd like to suggest a review of the 2017 Ninja 650. I need your expert opinion! Lol
Well we just did a first ride review article on the new Z650, so that might help. -DrewZilla
*www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2017-kawasaki-z650-first-ride-motorcycle-review
It did. Thanks!
About the upgrades.. what about that ugly ass huge (and quiet) black exhaust! Was surprised to see this video pop up btw. As you mentioned, this bike is already 3 years old here in Europe :)
+krofski The exhaust didn't bother me. I actually thought it had decent tone when you wind the engine up. Personally I prefer an exhaust that doesn't let law enforcement know that I am heading their way. With that being said, I can see why others who prefer a louder set up would want to replace the Z800's can.
I love the song at the begining of this video. Would you please let me know the name of that song? Thank you ^^.
Also, nice review and lovely gears that match the bike's color!
We don't have the song title at hand, but we get all our music from premiumbeat.com. -DrewZilla
I think addressing the engine sound would be an immediate must. The thing looks great but sounds terribly anemic.
Hilarious! @ 5:17 mins in, Spurgeon, I think you need some fuel?!... And you haven't even taken off yet. ha. Good catch. Nice review - concerns about the Clutch lever, rear brake, and no ABS shutoff... DGF.
ABS?
Slide the back wheel through a corner ?
uwutm8?
I guess you missed everything between there. he wants to be able to turn it off
Kingdom Of Mog He clearly says that he wants to turn it off cause abs doesn't allow him to slide his back wheel...
Now, while that is true, you don't slide the back wheel in a turn by braking... unless you don't know what you're doing that is
+Kid574 how is it supposed to be done then? i'm just asking, because i can't do it myself..
nEEdLzZz It's a simple powerslide that actually starts on the downshift (hard downshift) before the entry point for the coming turn...
+Kid574 i was just about to say you can use your shift control and cold tyres haha i accidently done on on my z800 this morning lol
Would this be advisable for a beginner?
I think that opinion is always very subjective. The more neutral sport riding position is great for a beginner, but this bike has a ton of power which makes it a lot less forgiving than alternatives. -TeamZilla Chris
Appreciate the reply, I guess I'll look for something else but I was just drawn to it because it looked menacing or something (for a "beginner" I guess that's what it is), makes you look like you have a lot of power on your hands and I guess you do.
great video. keep up the great work better than most.
The big black plastic muffler cover and weird chevrons on the side of the engine can't be described as anything but gaudy. Much prefer the FZ-09s under slung exhaust and minimalist style. The engine sounds great, but 500+ lbs is pathetic. And is it too much to ask for analog gauges? The gauge cluster at 10:06 looks a thousand times better than one of those cheap gray LCDs that have become ubiquitous. Nice to hear it has a decent suspension, though. That's something the Yamaha's definitely lack.
Guys, I'm getting a new bike soon, I am not sure whether a Kawasaki Z800 or a Yamaha MT 09? Which one should I get?
MT-09. It's lighter and more powerful. -DrewZilla
You can find holdover z800s for around 6700 right now just an fyi
So would this bike be good for a new rider? Or is 800cc too much?
+EpicGamers247 No, this is not a beginner bike. Consider a 300cc-class bike instead. -DrewZilla
RevZilla Thanks a lot for replying man. Kind of a shame though as I really like the body type. One more question if you don't mind. I heard that 600cc is not bad to start on as a beginner, would you consider this to be true?
+EpicGamers247 it really depends on the design of the bike and motor instead of raw displacement, I'd say. A Honda CBR600RR is very fast and a risky choice for a beginner, while a Triumph Street Twin at 900ccs would be much more manageable. If you're looking for something with that Z800 sort of style, I'd suggest the CB300F or CB500F, both very easy and forgiving machines.
Ryan Cooper Thanks man. I was recently looking at the CBR300, 500, and even 600, but will honestly probably just go with the Ninja 300 for my first bike and then move up from there.
+EpicGamers247 Not a bad choice at all, particularly if you're into sport bikes -- though I will say that there is only a slight difference between the 300 and 500 level of Honda machines when it comes to how sensible they are for beginners. Both low-key, economical, and not very fast. Known a couple folks who started on a CB500F and X and they did just fine. The 600RR, on the other hand...
are you guys going to do a kawasaki Er-6n revieuw?
+Maarten Daems The Er-6n was discontinued in the US around 2011. If Kawi ever brings it back stateside....
Is 6.1feet height s gud to ride this bike or it will b too short?
Spurgeon in the video is 6 feet 4 inches, so you would be fine on this bike. -DrewZilla
We want Z800 back.
Why are you test riding this bike in California when we cannot buy it here? Is there any plans to make the bike available in California? Per Kawasaki website, www.kawasaki.com/Products/2016-Z800-ABS, model not available in California.
+bikerchick siliconvalley You are correct in the fact that this bike is not CARB compliment for the clean air legalities of Cali. I reached out to Kawasaki directly as to the plans for a CARB compliment version and the only information they were able to give me is that no date for a California version exists at this time.
My biggest gripe about this motorcycle is the damn headlight! It looks like a bulb burnout on the right left side of the headlight.
As Laughingstalk said, Ironic that this review was done in CA where this bike fails to meet emissions standards and subsequently is not available! Went to the dealership for a test ride in Orange County and was told to pound sand.
Which manufacturer has the lightest bike in this category?
The Yamaha FZ-09 and Triumph Street Triple are likely the lightest bikes in the category at around 400-415 pounds wet weight. This Z800 has a claimed 510 pound wet weight. That's 100 pounds heavier than the Triumph and Yamaha. -DrewZilla
The original, Z750, looks a lot better than this new Z800 bike. But it was only sold in the Uk/Euro market. :(
what's the diff between naked and streetfighter?
Personally, I use the terms almost interchangeably. However, a streetfighter has more of a connotation of being a stripped version of a supersport or liter bike, whereas a naked bike may just be an upright bike without any fairings. -DrewZilla
how tall is the driver? the motocycle looks a bit to small
Spurgeon is 6'3" (1.9m). -DrewZilla
I can't find it. Is it replaced with the z900?
Yes, it's been replaced by the Z900. It was only available in the US for a year or so but was available for years in Europe. -DrewZilla
Yes, thank you. :)
You're welcome!
great review thanks!
Is it a good beginner bike?
No, it's heavy and has more power than a good beginner bike. I'd recommend the Ninja 300 or Z650 instead. -DrewZilla