All Tests – Chronicle of an announced success? – Used KAWASAKI

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Chronicle of an announced success ?

All Tests - Chronicle of an announced success? - Used KAWASAKI

After more than three years of loyal service, the Z 750 has come back to us full of good intentions. Kawasaki promises it even easier, more powerful and more rigorous to continue its career at the top of motorcycle sales in France.. Test !

All the great champions agree: "the hardest part is not to win the title, but to keep it !"However, the Kawasaki roadster has been at the top of motorcycle sales in France for three years with more than 18,500 units sold.

After this real "break of the century", the new Z 750 will therefore have a lot to do to prove itself worthy of this heavy heritage….

A major overhaul

Kawasaki was not satisfied with a slight evolution by retouching the few details that sinned on its Z 750, such as its vibration problems or its illegible dashboard.

The Greens have completely revised their copy, both aesthetically and mechanically. The manufacturer of Akashi was keen to keep the strong character of its mid-size roadster, while making it even easier and more usable for all types of bikers..

A successful design

The new Z 750 appeals in the first place by its design as harmonious as it is aggressive with its claws on the pot and the engine (frame reinforcements, in fact).

If we find the general lines of the previous model, the design is on the other hand much more modern and, above all, less pruned with the billhook..

The roadster sports new radiator scoops, new on the old version. The reworked rear hull and tank seem to want to leap forward in the same momentum. The fork crown evokes that of the old Z, but also sharper.

In addition, this new glittery "lime" livery literally explodes under the Spanish sun. But that lovers of discretion be reassured: the Z 750 will also be available in metal gray or in a very aggressive black color. !

For young and old

Kawasaki seems to have worked a lot to make its Z more accessible to all sizes and all body types. The seat height has been lowered by 15 mm but above all, the saddle is narrower by 40 mm at the level of the tank. This allows the little ones to be able to calmly put their feet on the ground.

The tank, meanwhile, is shorter and narrower, which allows you to hold the bike well with the thighs. As the handlebars have also been raised, the rider’s position is therefore much straighter than on the old model. On the latter, the position, quite villainous, was indeed frankly tilted forward.

In use, this new posture is quite convincing because it is more versatile. The only downside comes from the too sloping saddle which seems to want to reject its rider towards a handlebar placed low … which is not the case! As a result, the Z 750 quickly tans the rear of its driver who stops at least every 100 km to take a break. !

Careful ergonomics

The foot and hand controls are soft and well positioned. Fortunately, the dashboard has been completely changed: the only red counter with its illegible liquid crystal tachometer is over! The new counter is pretty and harmonious while the tachometer is very classy with its metal gray background.

The digital window is well laid out but is a bit difficult to read in strong light. Finally, a fuel gauge makes its appearance.

As for the mirrors cut in point, they unfortunately require to retract the elbows to see something…

The protection of the rider is suitable at legal speeds, but will require to back up on the saddle and lower the head if one wants to go beyond.

Before leaving…

The new Z 750 has unfortunately not improved in terms of its practicalities: it has even regressed altogether !

It no longer offers a location under its passenger seat for any anti-theft device – or even a tool kit! – because the place is taken by electronics … annoying for a motorcycle which will be widely used by city dwellers…

In an attempt to be forgiven, Kawasaki still equipped its roadster with a coded key immobilizer. There are also two loops for hanging turnbuckles under the rear shell which allow a bag to be secured (by also hanging it on the passenger footrests), but with a high risk of scratching the paintwork….

In order not to break its sharp line, the Z does not have passenger handles. But the duo is not a priority for this bike anyway. When troubleshooting, however, it can do so under acceptable conditions: once hoisted on his jump seat, the passenger is better received than what the saddle might suggest..

The passenger’s legs are not folded too much and one manages to stand correctly, the hands resting on the tank.

Curiously, Kawasaki did not take advantage of this redesign to put its 750 under a small regime, on the contrary: the new Z even displays 8 kg more (+12 kg with ABS) than the old model. . That said, the weight is not very disturbing, including during maneuvers with the engine off.

The ideal displacement ?

But the big asset of the Kawasaki roadster, which makes all its charm and personality, is its engine. Thank goodness the Japanese manufacturer refused to join the ranks by developing a 4-cylinder 600 cc roadster. And that‘s good !

Indeed, the displacement of 750 cc is perfectly suited to this engine architecture, which is unfortunately becoming increasingly rare! Besides the famous Suzuki GSX-R, the Z is indeed one of the last mass-market motorcycles in 750. However, it is an engine that offers real driving pleasure: more flexible and torquey at low speed than the 600 cc, it is however less brutal than the 1000 at the top of the tachometer.

We therefore benefit from very pleasant times at the bottom and an angry temperament in the turns. In addition, these engines easily perform all uses: city, duo, arsouille, etc..

Not to mention that this displacement is suitable for the greatest number: the almost beginner biker will not be too afraid if he keeps a cool head, while the confirmed pilot will have a lot of fun.

Full like an egg

Given the cardboard that the Z 750 is doing in France, the engineers at Kawasaki have particularly adapted it to our legislation. They did not seek to gain additional horsepower – which, anyway, would be restricted -, but rather to fill the engine at low and mid revs.

Their effort has mainly focused on the exhaust and electronic injection: if the roadster therefore goes from 110 to 106 hp at 10,500 rpm, it progresses a lot in torque, from 7.4 to 8 mkg at 8,300 ts / min.

A particularly significant gain which greatly contributes to driving pleasure. From 3000 rpm, the engine is very voluntary. It pulls powerfully up to around 7,500 rpm, a speed at which it really gets angry to rush like a fury towards the red zone, like a 600 sports car. This surge of wild horses is accompanied by the angry howl of the exhaust with a typical Kawa sound. !

750 cc of happiness

The engine of the Z bends with exemplary goodwill to all uses. If it likes to be whipped, it can also wind very smoothly and the 4-cylinder accepts to start very low in the towers..

Thus, it is quite possible to cross a village calmly on 6th gear at 30 or 35 km / h, without the mechanics complaining..

Electronic injection is well controlled and generates very few jerks on shutdown or go-around. It is only in town that she hiccups when moving between cars at very low speed, in first or second..

The gearbox has also progressed enormously: no more knitting the selector to find the neutral point. Now the box is precise, smooth and fast. Finally, Kawasaki had the good taste to correct one of the big flaws of the old version: the vibrations! They have been perfectly erased by the new flexible mounting of the motor in the frame.

Less rigid, easier

The bluffing performance allowed by the 4-cylinder of the Z had to be mastered by an efficient cycle part. Curiously, at a time when fashion is rather radicalized, Kawasaki decided to make the framework more flexible. We no longer find the rigid side and "of a block" of the old Z 750, which really gave the impression of driving an undressed sports car.

Be careful, the new Z is no less efficient: it is just easier to handle. It ultimately offers a good compromise between liveliness, handling and stability. On the ultra-slippery and tricky roads around Alicante, made up of blind turns that take pleasure in closing when you least expect it, the Kawasaki has shown its full potential. It also benefits from a good capacity for improvisation and in the event of a hard blow, it does not get up when the brakes are applied on the angle..

Better equipped

The roadster adopts an inverted 41 mm fork which advantageously replaces the suspension of the old model. She works very well and inspires the pilot with good confidence in the nose gear.

The rear shock absorber is softer than before, but provides good traction and a good feeling for the driver, aided in this by the original Dunlop Qualyfier.

The Z 750 has its wheelbase lengthened by 15 mm, which gives it more stability even when the surface deteriorates.

Braking also progresses with better bite and good endurance: the rear disc gains 30 mm in diameter to better assist the front elements that do not attract any criticism..

The new Z will be available as an option with an ABS offered at a reasonable price of 500 €. And during our test, the ABS allowed us to drive sporty without triggering too quickly or inadvertently, despite the very slippery roads..

Not ready to let go of her title !

It is therefore a safe bet that the new Z 750, thanks in particular to its very successful aesthetics, will please as much – if not more – than its predecessor. If we add to this the fact that almost everything has progressed in it except its price of € 7,199 (€ 7,699 with ABS), the competition of 600 roadsters has some concern to be made….

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