All Tests – Kawasaki Z800 Review: the Zest in addition – The Z800 ready for launch

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Kawasaki Z800 test: the extra Zest

All Tests - Kawasaki Z800 review: the extra Zest - The Z800 ready for launch

Kawasaki launches a new Z800 with a more threatening look, a swollen engine and revised cycle part to succeed the Z750 which retires at the end of the year, with an eighth title of best selling motorcycle in France. Is the bet successful ? First try !

The Z800 ready for launch

No sooner do we get back in control of the Kawa ‘that the sore buttock of the day before wakes up immediately. Site’s respect for Z750 users on a daily basis is all the greater, and the same consideration will fall to future Z800 buyers. !

We note in passing the renewed absence of space under the passenger seat: impossible in fact, unless you separate from the tool kit, to embark even a disc lock … While in the at the same time at Triumph, the all new Street Triple can accommodate a U ()! It’s not just in the look that the Zs are uncompromising.

However, the prospect of roaring the 4-cylinder and working the Zed suspensions is enough to put a smile on your face. Moreover, the first point is probably what makes you crack – then hold! – the many clients of Zed.

Discreet at low and mid-speed, the sound of the new silencer will be appreciated by all city dwellers. Lovers of "good fat" will remain, them, on their hunger even by making the needle climb the digital bars of the tachometer beyond 8000 rev / min, and this until the red zone located at 4000 revolutions upper.

If the soundtrack is not intoxicating, the sensation of acceleration remains impressive for a roadster of "average" displacement! The Zed now wakes up a little before 4000 rpm and the boost when passing 8000 rpm is less sensitive: the Z800 pushes at all levels !

Even casually stalled in the last gear, the pilot enjoys good times from 70 km / h. Also, the nice walk quickly turns into arsouille, especially when the road starts to twirl … and dry out !

With a dry tarmac here and there, Site particularly enjoys delaying its braking. The 4-piston calipers of the Z800 (against 2-pistons on the Z750) are still a little shy when taking the lever. It is therefore necessary to pull on the latter to obtain the desired power..

When braking on the angle, there is a certain reluctance to stay on course. The alterations by means of the rear brake being delicate because of a not very obvious dosage, one tries rather to soften its interventions on the front brake and to anticipate the reactions of the motorcycle.

On exiting a curve, the increasingly sustained acceleration ends up damaging the rear axle, especially when the road crumbles. The 83 Nm soon relayed by the 113 horses lose their rigor to the swingarm and its shock absorber: once again, the Z800 tends to deviate from its initial trajectory…

Like the Z750 ("R" or standard), the Z800 therefore cannot claim the title of best sporting roadster. The heavy weight and increased power of Akashi’s new roadster even requires some experience to be managed well..

Remember, however, that for the attention of the next new European licenses, Kawasaki is proposing a "th version"of its Z800. With a maximum power of 95 horsepower (70 kW in the texts), it can be restricted mechanically – and not electronically – to 47.5 horsepower (or 35 kW) while the beginner is the glove…

"No, the th version will not be able to "unbridled" and develop 113 horses thereafter ", warns Antoine Coulon, marketing manager at Kawasaki France. Despite this lower power (and other details, read again), the French subsidiary expects this" light "version of the Z800 to represent 50% of sales of Z800.

"With the same budget of 9000 €, buyers of the e version will keep an envelope in order to personalize their "Zed", as the vast majority of Z750 customers did.", points out our interlocutor.

ABS is only chosen by "20% of customers currently, but this rate will rise quickly: it will be 100% in 2016 !", predict the Greens, in accordance with the latest European texts which will also spell the end of the law of 100 horses in France (read).

By then it is certain that thousands of Z800s will have been registered in France: worthy heir to the Z750, the Z800 brings an additional zest in terms of look, ease and sensations. It is unfortunately accompanied by a price increase and a slight increase in weight….

Will the Zed keep its title of Number One on the French market, and will it "dynamically" beat its competitors (particularly sharp GSR750 and Street Triple 675)? Business to follow in the next market reports, site duels and comparisons of course: stay connected !

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