All Tests – Test Kawasaki Z800: the Zest in addition – The replacement for the Z750

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Kawasaki Z800 test: the extra Zest

All Tests - Test Kawasaki Z800: the Zest in addition - The replacement for the Z750

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 replacement for the Z750

The presentation of the new Kawasaki Z800 this fall had been cleverly orchestrated: from mid-September, the manufacturer of Akashi put online one, then released two weeks later, and waited for the Intermot Show in Cologne for …

Kawasaki Z800: available, colors and prices

  • Availability: mid-December 2012

  • Colors: green, white or black

  • Price: € 8,899 (€ 9,499 with ABS)

The only "wrong note" in the Kawa score: had somewhat shaken up its plans … and simultaneously created a "buzz" on the web: Kawasaki was therefore not really a loser !

On the occasion of the European press launch organized yesterday in Monaco, the Greens’ glass was on the other hand much more than half empty: it is unfortunately under a downpour that European motorcycle journalists discovered the replacement for the Z750….

Fortunately, Kawasaki had planned an additional half-day of testing during which the skies were more lenient. The sun even managed to dry out a few turns, allowing Site to push a little harder on the new "Zed". But let’s start from the beginning…

Landed at the very end of 2003, the Z750 caused confusion in the mid-capacity roadster segment thanks to its "big" engine, its price well placed compared to the 600 cc of the competition, but also – and especially according to Kawasaki – thanks to its innovative design.

After a first year of marketing lodged at the FZ6 / Fazer aspi, the Z750 became in 2005 the best seller in France for motorcycles of "more than 125 cc" and its success has never been denied (to know everything on this "Zuccès Ztory", read our) and our .

By cumulating sales of the first Z750 (2003-2006) and its S versions (2005-2006), then those of the second Z750 (2007-2012) and its R version (2011-2012), Kawasaki reaches a total of 158,674 copies sold, of which a third in our territory alone !

Of course, Site readers – who, as everyone knows, are a little more fortunate than others – already know that this year, the Tmax 530 will become the. But the Z750 will keep its crown in 2012 in the motorcycle category! This is to say if the pressure is important on the shoulders of the Z800, the new Kawa roadster which is about to take over from the 750 in the from mid-December (read).

"The French fell in love with this model", confirms Hidehiko Yamamoto, responsible for the Z800 project at Kawasaki:"they like its look above all, its engine performance and the sensations it offers ". So many assets that Yamamoto San wanted to keep on the replacement for the Z750:" his "Z800 !

Aesthetically, therefore, the new Kawasaki roadster accentuates its image of thick brute: "we have concentrated the masses on the engine by shortening the rear part and the pot on the one hand, and by lowering the optical unit and speedometer on the other", describes Karim Mostafi, spokesperson for Kawasaki Europe.

Perfectly anchored in the lineage of the Z (750 and 1000), the 800 was born under the sign of "Sugomi, a Japanese symbol that represents a person with character and whose power can intimidate", boast the Greens…

Exhibited alongside the Z750 in the conference room, we must admit that the new Z800 gains in presence and gives a nasty blow to the old model! Those who waited for a mini Z1000 will not be disappointed by the look of this novelty 2013, even if the plastic is omnipresent.

Akashi’s men have also made efforts in terms of finishing: the screws of the radiator scoops are no longer visible, the covers are next to the ugly injectors, the cables and ducts are carefully arranged, the indicators are a little more elegant. and the brake master cylinders (front and rear) more discreet…

What changes on the Zed

"The Z800 is an evolution of the Z750, but an important evolution", insists Kawasaki. In order to discover the changes made by the green men on the Zed – or to remind you of them – do not forget to re-read our. You will also find information on the" Z800 th version ", available in 35 kW for the next new licenses. This version was not on the program for this press launch but MNC will try it out soon: stay tuned !

We also note the presence of a single footrest plate (pilot and passenger) which lightens the silhouette of the beast – but increases the bill in the event of a fall -, a saddle dotted with small "Z" logos and, icing on the cake, an LED tail light featuring the split Z of the very last Ninja (read our !

"We realized that bikers pay great attention to the back of their mounts", remarks Karim Mostafi:"and that is understandable, it is the view that the others have once we have passed them !".

All is not perfect on the new Z800, however. On the finish side, the adjustment of the plastic fins on the tank is not flawless, but it is especially on the equipment side that the disappointment awaits…

Indeed, rather than inaugurating an aluminum frame like one found on the big brother Z1000, the Japanese were content to update the steel frame of the Z750R – itself snatched from the Z750. And if the Z800 uses the suspensions of this same R version, it does not, on the other hand, overlook its pretty aluminum swingarm and its radial mounting calipers..

"The two elements you mention there relate to the "R" concept, but the Z800 is inspired by the Z750", Yamamoto San replies."But our evolutions allow the Z800 to be better than the Z750R in every way !", he assures Site.

While one can understand the Greens’ decision to keep the steel frame – after all, the FZ8 with an aluminum frame does less commercially than the Z750 – we doubt that future customers will accept the fact that the The price of the Z800 exceeds by 200 euros that of the Z750R (8899 € against 8699)! Especially since the novelty does not include all the beautiful fittings of the "R"…

Regarding the engine, however, the new Kawasaki should be unanimous: with its 806 cc, the "Zed" once again has the largest mill in the category! "It was the maximum displacement that allowed us to keep the engine-chassis balance.", reveals us again the person in charge of the project … and not to play in the court of maxi-roadsters incidentally !

While in 2007 the maximum power of the Z750 increased from 110 to 106 horsepower – the torque gained a little, phew! -, that of the Z800 now climbs to 113 horses for the free world (and 106 horses in France for).

Naturally, the Japanese engineers also filled the low and mid revs of their roadster, so that the torque and power curves of the Z800 exceed those of the Z750 whatever the engine speed. What distill ever more exhilarating sensations? On the way !

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