Kwak Z1000 from a Yam XJ600n

[Redd]

After having a very close look at a Z1000 on Sunday, my interest has grown and grown to the point where I'm trying to find the money to buy one...but I thought I'd seek out the BCF opinion on the main concern I have.

I'm currently on a Yam XJ600n and have only held my DAS since November. I've done about 4000 miles over the winter in good and bad (and very bad near 100mph winds and horizontal rain) conditions and was on a 125 for 9 months before that. Do you think jumping up to a litre bike straight away is too much too soon ?

That's a jump from 60bhp -> 125 bhp with only a 30kg-ish gain in weight.

Why am I thinking of changing bikes ? Well, I'd like to spend a couple of weeks touring in europe this summer and I just don't think my 600 is the right tool for the job, especially since I'll more than likely be with a GSX1400.
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Professional Uberslacker
2006 Kawasaki Z1000 - Black at the front, airbrushed fade to red at the back.
1998 Kawasaki KDX 200 Enduro project bike

[mr.z]

I do think they are great bikes from all the reviews, they look nice, but i'm not convinced they would be a better touring bike for going arround europe..

For that sort of money i'd buy a cheap pan euro then flog it for what i'd got it for when i'd finished bimbleing about europe.. or zzr1100 if your planing on being silly because they do silly quite well
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[TOM M]

Buy the z1000, it looks sexy in the orange
I saw one a few days ago with a set of race pipes on, i can honestly say it was the loudest bike ive ever heard.

The bike will only go as fast as you let it, imo go for it
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Now owner of a 1200 Bandit

[TOM M]

[Redd]

[alfie698]

Excellent choice, you know you want it mate!

At the end of the day, you are the one in control of the twistgrip, so you will have no one to blame but yourself if/when you loop it!

I'd be more worried about the insurance premiums...
(Just jealous)

Cheers, Alfie
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Ted: "These are small; the ones out there are far away."
Dougal: "I still dont get it, Ted."
https://www.bikepics.com/members/alfie698

[instigator]

My mate from a while back bought one brand new...loved it...but sold it and went back to her beloved tls. Too expensive to run for her apparently!! Dave, how is yours for running costs?

I'd honestly say look for a z750 instead.

z1000 is an awfully nice bike to:

1 - Use as a commuter
2 - Keep outside

Ah dunno gordon. I say it's a bad idea for those reasons. You really want to look at figures...insurance cost...hike in tax...hike in fuel consumption...eats tyres I guess...pillion comfort also?

Don't get me wrong..bloody lush bikes....but..hmm....man I sound like I'm fookin' 40 already. Shoot me.

[Dark]

You'll be alright mate, they're a great bike and a doddle to ride apparently. Prolonged high speeds can be a bit of a pain though, but if your going to tour at calmer speeds it shouldn't be a problem.
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[Redd]

The insurance wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. TPFT was around £300, fully comp £720-£830 depending on voluntary excess.

It'll commute each day, but at the weekend and in the summer it's going to be doing a hell of a lot of miles...especially if I go to Europe for a couple of weeks. Yeah the Z750 might be fine, but if I'm going to blow several grand on a bike then I really want it to be something special. When I had a look at the GSR600 last week, and don't get me wrong it a lovely machine, it just didn't have that WOW feeling I'm looking for.

Tax, fuel, tyres, well you've got to buy them anyway. Obviously I'm not going to buy something I can't afford to run, but I think I'll manage ok.

Keeping it outside, it's a bike, not a baby. It'll have an alarm, a cover, and a chain. If someone is determined to steal it they will anyway and if it turns to rust then that'll be my own fault for not keeping it clean (which I won't).

The bike just felt right, I've already worked out where I could get the money for one too
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Professional Uberslacker
2006 Kawasaki Z1000 - Black at the front, airbrushed fade to red at the back.
1998 Kawasaki KDX 200 Enduro project bike

[instigator]

You sound purty damn determined!!!

Cool, well you sound like you've thought it through anyway. Treat yourself. What sort of prices are they available at?

[Huambo81a]

Go for it mate

I had a Bandit1200 a month after i passed my DAS, not exactly the same power wise 113bhp vs 125, but its in the same ballpark and i had no problems with it. I have found that you gain a natural respect for the machine you are on.

You don't have to use ALL of the power anyway (who can?) its just nice to know its there! Don't get the Z750, theres no point. You will always have in the back of your mind that you NEARLY got the bike you wanted.

Get the Z1000, awesome machines.

And of you are still in a quandry, heres some media to help you along

https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=298858833433634787&q=z1000&pl=true
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Present: 2017 KTM Super Adventure S
Past: 97 Bandit 600 / 05 Bandit 1200 / 03 ZX6-R / 2006 Tuono R / 2001 VFR 800 / 2010 Street Triple R / 2013 Speed Triple S / 2017 S1000XR

[zx636]

I have the 2006 z750 and my brother has the 2005 Z1000.

I use the z750 every day to commute and at the weekends for a bit of fun. A decent commuter it is, also fine for weekend thrashing with friends but a tourer it is not.

I did London to North Wales with my brother, rode the Z750 up and it killed me. anything over 90ish on the motorway and hang on for dear life, and the seat although looks comfy feels like a breeze block after 150 miles.
There is a well known buzz through the bars at around 6000rpm and the pegs at 8000rpm on the 750 and similar problems on the Z1000. both can be sorted somewhat with a power commander. Fuel consumption is staggering to say the least, OK if you are a member of OPEC but push either bikes a little and the mpg will drop way down.
I rode the Z1000 back to London and to be honest the ride is about the same but with more pulling power. Not that the 750 is a slouch.
Both bikes have less than adequate braking and the standard suspension leaves something to be desired.

Neither of these I would suggest for touring.

However, if you want a bike that the 600 crowd will find hard to lose then go for the z1000. Its a real nutters toy on the twisties and the shit rear shock can be fixed by replacing it with a unit from the ZX6r B1, the divey front forks can also be replaced with ZX6 units.
Front brakes can be upgraded using GSXR600 units , not quite sure what year but there is plenty of info on the net.
It also chews chains if they are not looked after and expect to spend a fortune on rear rubber.


Added to all this, there are so many deals on at the moment for Z1000. I saw in Wheelpower a pre reg silver Z1000 was selling for less than I paid for the 750.

Best bet is to go to a dealer, All of them want to shift stock so a test ride should be easy to blag. Make sure the test is on both A roads and somewhere where you can open it up a bit. Be warned however, The Z1000 likes to shake its head a bit just to keep you awake and the front end will go skyward with ease if you are heavy handed with the throttle.

Hope this helps.

[Redd]

Great info, thanks I'm totally psyched up about the possibility of getting one now. I've been in work for hours now and all I've done so far is search for bikes

Currently I'm getting quoted the following for a new one from Perth MC:
£6495
2yrs warranty
first service free (parts & labour + courtesy bike)
3 years 0% finance

Second hand market is more around the £4500 mark.

Not sure how much my XJ600 would get in a trade-in, might just hold on and sell it privately if I can.
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Professional Uberslacker
2006 Kawasaki Z1000 - Black at the front, airbrushed fade to red at the back.
1998 Kawasaki KDX 200 Enduro project bike

[international...]

Hi Gordo,

Don't forget Dunfermline Motorcycles. Similar distance to Perth. Some pretty decent guys in there as well.
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If at first you don't succeed, move the damn goalposts!

[bish777]

the z1000 is only 10 or so kilos more in weight (depending on whether you have a mark 1 or mark 2 divvy) and alot more power. Itll handle much better.

Provided you take it easy with the throttle for a while, it shouldnt present any nasty shocks for you after the Divvy.
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GSXR1100J

[Dave_ZedDragen]

Gordon its a fine bike and it's easy to control and manage.

It certainly does the job for touring fine, and you have great fun whilst touring, I covered just over 4000 miles last summer on mine just touring around the UK.

As for cost's, well it's hardly all that bad and as always its down to how it is ridden and treated. A full tank of fuel (18l) will get me 140 miles if i push it to get the maximum economy, 120 miles just usual on a good run. It can drop to about 100 miles or just under if riden hard etc.

As for the vibes in the bars, ive never really had that trouble, but then i have the R&G barends. Its an easy trouble to rectify and theres a few solutions.
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Dave_ZedDragen - (2005)Z1000

https://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/zeddragen/zeddragensig-1.jpg

[Redd]

*BUMP*

Just bought one, pick it up on Saturday
Z1000, 2005 model pre-reg, candy plasma blue (or just blue).
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Professional Uberslacker
2006 Kawasaki Z1000 - Black at the front, airbrushed fade to red at the back.
1998 Kawasaki KDX 200 Enduro project bike

[Jack_Cheese]

[alfie698]

You lucky boy!
____________________
Ted: "These are small; the ones out there are far away."
Dougal: "I still dont get it, Ted."
https://www.bikepics.com/members/alfie698

[Keen]

[Redd]

I'll post up some pictures when I pick it up on Saturday, but in the mean time, here's the 2006 model in the same colour:
https://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2006models/2006-Kawasaki-Z1000a.jpg

Don't think there's any major differences between the 2005 and the 2006 model. If anyone knows, please post
____________________
Professional Uberslacker
2006 Kawasaki Z1000 - Black at the front, airbrushed fade to red at the back.
1998 Kawasaki KDX 200 Enduro project bike