Alternatives - Kawasaki Z1000SX

[T5R+]

Motorway traffic is building again, so having crazy thoughts over commuting (65miles mostly motorway).

The Z1000SX appeals. Need help with what else people more experienced than I may suggest as viable options.

Budget approx £6,000 +/-.
Usual helmet and laptop plus storage needs. (Not a fan of top boxes but may need to consider?).

This motorcycle would essentially be a workhorse as lucky enough to have a KTM RC8 and BMW S1000RR for weekend stuff.

[black-k1]

I did 6 years commuting 75 miles each way on a K1300S. Shaft drive, all day comfort, 50mpg, heated grips, electronic suspension, surprisingly good at filtering, laptop/work gear in tank bag/tail pack. I don't think any bike could have done the job better.



for 3 years & 54,000 miles then



for 3 years & 50,000 miles

£6000 will get you a good one with FBMWSH. Get the extended BMW warranty for complete peace of mind.

PS Whatever the question, a top box is NEVER the answer.

[jjones]

Something with a massive tank range, pain in the arse to keep filling up a commuter.

[GriffoDP]

jjones said:

Something with a massive tank range, pain in the arse to keep filling up a commuter.

Yep. But it is getting slightly less painful if you've a local petrol station with pay by app.

Similarly to black-k1 I did several years on two K1300s bikes, though slightly less miles (generally 25 each way, and 45k and 35k each, if I remember). My first 4 years were a road commuting, which I loved on the bike. Last 3 were on the M4 and during their narrow lane roadworks, so after maybe a year I went the back roads instead. For sanity.

Anyway yeah, the K - in my opinion k - is much nicer than the 1000sx, which I've test ridden 2 times I think. More character, whatever that means. Engine feels nicer. But yes indeed warranty is useful as it is a BMW!

I'm now on a GS. If you're a confident filterer then maybe give one a go. Potentially greater tank range (though annoyingly the new owner of my k got the same miles out of a tank as me when we were all out together recently!) I bought mine for commuting then left work though so all I can say is I love it, but it feels a bit wider.

If you want a less easy suggestion: Honda cb500x. It's like a miniature GS with a chain and I think even more miles out of a tank. Also 6k gets a new one I think, or very nearly.

[Stuart Fordyce]

Is it 65 miles each way or round trip? Makes a big difference...

[wa16]

get a triumph tiger and you can roar around

i had an early face lift sx rear shock is poor, lights were poor, now have the ninja version of the sx (as well as the tiger)
rear shock is still poor for me, its a good bike, but it don't think there is really a bad one anymore.

more up to date SX improved a lot, not much to go wrong, there are some bikes with an issue with 4th gear

Jap in line four not much does go wrong

google z1000sx forum for information if you're set on having one

i don't agree with top box comments for me the top box is a better solution than panniers though when loaded it affects handling and pre-load is wound all the way up but that as much to do with the poor rear shock/spring

[T5R+]

65miles each way. Approx 55mies motorway per leg.

Confident filterer (perhaps too much so sometimes ).

Fuel refills is something that had not considered - only once a week with the car but suspect at three times with bike?

[Stuart Fordyce]

130 mile a day round trip. You'll be going to the petrol station every day, which will kill any time saving compared to the car (unless the motorway ends in London). Only a GS Adventure with its massive tank will mean an every other day date with the pumps.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Why would you rule out the Kawasaki, to me it’s always looked a great all round bike.

[Jazoli]

I had one, it was great, and ideally suited to your needs, go for a '17 on touring with panniers if you can, better styling, better lights, cornering abs and switchable TCS, the panniers are really well integrated and use the ignition key, its a great turbine smooth engine.

Recommended I'd rather an out of warranty Kawasaki than an out of warranty BMW.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Honda VFR800 could be something to consider.

[Jag_NE]

I’d be wanting high mpg and reliability, something like an nc750 would be good and with 6k a nearly new bike.

[Far Cough]

The Z1000SX is a very upright bike. I only say this as I used one daily and my lower back felt it ! Over a couple of hours my bum would go numb and my lower back would ache because you sit so upright all the pressure goes straight down. I swapped to a ZZR1400 and immediately the problem went away as there was an element of leaning forward in the riding position.

Not sure if its feasible to get a test ride before buying but maybe worth it. Cannot fault anything else about it though, plenty of low down grunt and easy in traffic. Chain drive might become a bit of a bore during the winter months with regular cleaning nd adjusting

[Lee540]

I did similar journey on Bandit 1250 and before than a Hayabusa. Now however, switched to adventure type bike and won't want to go back to previous riding style.

[KTMsm]

Regarding fuel stations - I fill up a couple of 20L jerry cans when I fill my car and then fill my bikes from these which I find far more convenient as there is generally a queue at my local station

[dreamer75]

I've got a Z1000SX and I absolutely love it. Had it 2 years and just done 10k miles. Doesn't take a top box as standard (I haven't fitted one but some on the forum have), but stock panniers are fine for trips - don't notice they're on there (remember t adjust the rear suspension when luggage is on). You're no wider than your mirrors with them on. Just done 700 miles around Wales. Stock seat or even the Kawasaki comfort seat are not comfy! I've just put a Top Sellerie seat on which is lovely.

It's not a super upright bike, I'm leant forward but not as much as an actual sports bike - I do get aches in my upper back because I'm a bit curved there. If I sat further back on the seat it would be better (I sit at the front) but I'm not comfy there - too far to reach for the bars.

It's also been burning my legs from the cat so I've just put headers on - but not many people have that issue!

Great bike - why are you ruling it out ?

[kingb]

I have just bought a VFR1200f for a very similar job - admittedly the tank is too small so I will have to fill up daily but as everyone says there isnt much out there that wont need that!

I've not ridden far yet but seems like a lovely place to sit.

I looked and rode all sorts, GS, Multistrada in a couple of flavours, Explorer 1200, z1000sx but the Honda felt best and there was a great example locally!

[Kawasicki]

I commute on this semi-regularly.



Now, I‘m not tall, at 5‘9“… so for my height it has a very pleasant riding position. I‘m also pretty light and I find the seat and the suspension pretty comfy.

It has a big tank, great performance, precise steering and fun handling. The brakes are strong but need way more effort at the lever than modern brakes, so some would think they are weak.

It’s reliable, fun and quick. I get nearly 60mpg when I ride it normally.

[Iminquarantine]

Honda Pan European (ST-1300) will just about get you your 2 day, 2 return trip refuelling interval, provided you keep it to around 70 on the motorway and avoid the fuel consumption penalty of higher speeds. 26 liter tank.

It is a heavy bike though so your consumables will be proportionally larger. There are other bikes I'd choose for this particular job though if there is a lot of urban area filtering involved; I've mentioned the Pan due to its huge tank.

Edit: owner's survey of fuel range
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/tank-rang...

Edited by Iminquarantine on Wednesday 11th August 10:13

[black-k1]

There are many good bikes mentioned on here but it is worth checking their practicality/configuration for filtering. Many of the adventure bikes have wide handlebars and non-folding mirrors which can be a frustration if filtering in heavy town traffic. I would guess that at least once per commuting journey I needed to fold in my mirrors to get between the likes of a bus and van to get to the front of a queue at traffic lights. In such a situation, an adventure bike would simply not fit. Would that have made a huge difference to my journey time? Probably not but it gave me the feeling I was still making progress when other bikes would have been stopped.

Iminquarantine said:

Honda Pan European (ST-1300) will just about get you your 2 day, 2 return trip refuelling interval, provided you keep it to around 70 on the motorway and avoid the fuel consumption penalty of higher speeds. 26 liter tank.

It is a heavy bike though so your consumables will be proportionally larger. There are other bikes I'd choose for this particular job though if there is a lot of urban area filtering involved; I've mentioned the Pan due to its huge tank.

I'd be interested to understand what "consumables will be proportionally larger" because it's a heavy bike.