New Bike!

Author
Discussion

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,436 posts

220 months

Tuesday 9th July
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Gone a touch more sensible this time as I have started taking my son out on the back. Delivered Saturday and I've managed a couple of rides so far. I love it! The engine is silky smooth and it handles better than my previous bike (GSXS1000). This is the first bike I've ever owned with a standard exhaust system and it's actually quite refreshing. I don't know how long that novelty will last but for now they will be remaining.

My son is much happier on the back, the last bike he seemed to be permanently pressed against me which made for an uncomfortable ride. This one feels like we could just go for miles in total comfort. It came with the panniers as well which will be mega useful when I go touring.

The only (slight) negative being that it lacks a bit of low down grunt that my previous bike had. I think this was more down to the fact that it had been remapped and decatted where as this is completely bog standard so something I could possibly remedy or just get used to it.




Iamnotkloot

1,590 posts

154 months

Tuesday 9th July
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Nice bike!
I rode one on a Kawasaki demo day; it had a lovely, smooth engine was the standout for me.
Enjoy your riding!

Jazoli

9,214 posts

257 months

Tuesday 9th July
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Nice, I really liked my Z1000SX and would happily have another.

Biker9090

1,135 posts

44 months

Tuesday 9th July
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Nice.

How does the handling differ from the GSXS? I'd have thought the Z would be worse due to weight?

Drawweight

3,103 posts

123 months

Tuesday 9th July
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I like it but the lack of fixings as standard for a top box would put me off.

My wife always feels far more relaxed and comfortable with something to lean against, to the point where she doesn’t really hold on at all.

MDUBZ

925 posts

107 months

Tuesday 9th July
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Nice one, enjoy! I've got a 2018.. can't say I've noticed a massive difference from the after market cans which is a bit disappointing; the cat kills the sound so you're not missing much, although they are quite heavy. As a bike they're a pretty solid package, but I find the screen next to useless on the lower settings and the higher setting creates lots of turbulence at head height at motorway speeds; the mirrors are at the wrong height for filtering ( solved by folding in), but they really are the only downsides I've found so far. Engine could be described as a bit characterless but it's also silky smooth, lots of low down torque and very linear on acceleration so it works well for my commute. I've also added oxford pro heated grips and an evotech sat nav mount for a wireless quadlock mount.

If you fit rear bobbins be carefull they don't foul the standard exhaust on compression, the previous owner left me with only 1 fixing point and a dent in the bottom of one silencer which I missed on inspection. Grrrr.




Edited by MDUBZ on Tuesday 9th July 16:45

black-k1

12,176 posts

236 months

Wednesday 10th July
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Nice bike. thumbup

Waynester

6,418 posts

257 months

Wednesday 10th July
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Here with another ‘nice bike’ comment! thumbup

Love a new bike day me biggrin

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,436 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th July
quotequote all
Biker9090 said:
Nice.

How does the handling differ from the GSXS? I'd have thought the Z would be worse due to weight?
The Z handles better and the brakes are far superior. I'm not sure what the weight difference is but this seems to hold a line much better where as the GSXS was a bit scatty on the limit.

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,436 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th July
quotequote all
Thanks all! You can't beat new bike day, I almost put my Christmas jumper on biggrin

Ridden in to work today in the rain as I was sick of not using it! Regarding the screen, I'm used to naked bikes so this feels like being sat on an aeroplane in comparison.

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,436 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th July
quotequote all
MDUBZ said:
Nice one, enjoy! I've got a 2018.. can't say I've noticed a massive difference from the after market cans which is a bit disappointing; the cat kills the sound so you're not missing much, although they are quite heavy. As a bike they're a pretty solid package, but I find the screen next to useless on the lower settings and the higher setting creates lots of turbulence at head height at motorway speeds; the mirrors are at the wrong height for filtering ( solved by folding in), but they really are the only downsides I've found so far. Engine could be described as a bit characterless but it's also silky smooth, lots of low down torque and very linear on acceleration so it works well for my commute. I've also added oxford pro heated grips and an evotech sat nav mount for a wireless quadlock mount.

If you fit rear bobbins be carefull they don't foul the standard exhaust on compression, the previous owner left me with only 1 fixing point and a dent in the bottom of one silencer which I missed on inspection. Grrrr.




Edited by MDUBZ on Tuesday 9th July 16:45
Looks lovely in Black! My last 2 bikes were Black otherwise I may have gone down that route too. I've ordered an Abba stand as my current paddock stand won't even fit underneath the 5 foot numberplate!

carinaman

22,064 posts

179 months

Wednesday 10th July
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Congratulations. I like the green!

Cool lids. biggrin

These aren't on my radar but the 40th anniversary paint job really appeals so I checked Autotrader and looked at a few reviews. That paint scheme works better than the Firecracker red Z900s that may work in the sunshine.

I am still a bit geeked out about the fact the coolant circulates differently in the ZR motors to help them warm up quicker. It's some feature but it's of doubtful benefit to me as a rider.


Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 10th July 13:00

Biker9090

1,135 posts

44 months

Wednesday 10th July
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8IKERDAVE said:
The Z handles better and the brakes are far superior. I'm not sure what the weight difference is but this seems to hold a line much better where as the GSXS was a bit scatty on the limit.
Odd on the handling. I've read that - apart from the "appalling" rear shock - the GSXS handles very well and the Z is a bit of a boat in comparison.

Time4another

272 posts

10 months

Wednesday 10th July
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Happy New bike day. Excellent choice. The Z always generates good reviews.

Mr Tidy

24,327 posts

134 months

Wednesday 10th July
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Looking great - enjoy your Green Meanie. thumbup

podman

8,928 posts

247 months

Thursday 11th July
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Cant knock the SX, great choice and a classy looking thing. Congrats.

carinaman

22,064 posts

179 months

Thursday 11th July
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If you had a GSX-S1000F, the one with the scooter like fairing, I'd be interested to know how the headlamps compare. I assumed the GSX-S1000F would've had good headlamps but it seems from one web forum they're not.

I rolled a GSX-S1000F back and forth in a showroom in Oct. 2022 and it didn't feel too big or unweidly and felt something more akin to a 600.

Edited by carinaman on Thursday 11th July 15:46

Biker's Nemesis

39,624 posts

215 months

Thursday 11th July
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Congratulations, great looking bike.

Bob_Defly

4,058 posts

238 months

Thursday 11th July
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Congrats, looks great!