Roadster – Kawasaki Z750R Test: Good or Good Deal? – Slight increase in performance

Posted on by admin

Kawasaki Z750R test: good or good deal ?

Roadster - Kawasaki Z750R Test: Good or Good Deal? - Slight increase in performance

Since 2004, Kawasaki has reigned supreme in the mid-capacity roadster market with its Z750. In 2011, Les Verts declined their best seller in a more sporty version, therefore more expensive. First test during its press launch in Spain .

Slight increase in performance

The first kilometers on the Spanish roads are covered at a moderate pace: wet and at times dirty, the surface does not inspire confidence. To make matters worse, Kawasaki fitted the front wheels of our recently run-in test models – 500 km on the clock – with new "slippery" tires. !

Initially, therefore, the angles are limited and we prefer to concentrate on the efficiency of the new braking. The steel sheathed hoses actually make the feeling very direct to the lever: the latter opposes a firm resistance as soon as it is grasped and you have to pull relatively hard to benefit from good power..

Considerate, the Nissin calipers and their four pistons – each one – should therefore not trap urban bikers in an emergency. Equipped with ABS (600 € optional, as on the standard Z), they will even be excellent companions on all types of roads, avenues or alleys..

The rear braking is of the same ilk: linked to the right pedal by an equally reinforced sheath, the rear caliper has seen the diameter of its single piston go from 14 mm (on the standard) to 12.7 mm (on the R) . So do not hesitate to apply pressure on the pedal to effectively slow down the machine..

As the track – finally the superb road – dries up, the pace picks up. The 748 cc 4-cylinder engine is as expressive as ever. Gentle at low speed, it wakes up from 4000 rpm, a speed where unpleasant tingling in the feet appears.

These vibrations are all the more sensitive on the R as its type "Supersport"are completely devoid of gums. We then feel the mill take turns more than on the Z750. After 6000, the saddle takes over and in turn gives ants.

One of the big faults of the Z750 is therefore still present on the R … It is still unfortunate that the vibrations tingle the seat at 6000 rpm: it is at this speed in sixth that the Z750R precisely reaches the 130 km / h on the motorway. Long journeys promise to wear out.

On the other hand side suspensions, we note a clear progress. Paradoxically, while it is a sport-oriented model, the behavior of the rear shock absorber is above all attractive with its comfort. We are less apprehensive about the passages on the retarders at the controls of the R than those of a standard – and all the more so with a standard set by Kawasaki France !

"Only the preload of the rear suspension has been increased on your Z750R", certifies one of the Kawasaki staff members. The choice made by the Japanese engineers to reduce the center distance of the rods by two millimeters is therefore paying off..

We will nevertheless observe that the mechanics had slightly lowered the tire pressures for our driving, so that they heat up more quickly: 2.3 bars at the front and 2.6 at the rear, against the 2.5 and 2.9 recommended … We also gain in comfort.

The new tire fitment is undoubtedly another strong point of this Kawasaki: by equipping its R with Dunlop D210, the Greens offer their roadster behavior that is both more agile and more neutral than that of the Z750..

Unfortunately, all of these changes are not enough to turn the good old bestseller into a sportier Z750 R….

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *