Kawasaki Z750/Z1000 wanted

[Milts]

I'm in the market for a new bike, and looking at getting a Kawasaki Z750 or Z1000. Not rolling in money so looking at the 2nd gen (2007-2009ish?), there's a few on Trademe but they're mostly Kawasaki green or dealership overpriced (IMO).

If anybody has one they're thinking about parting with, get in touch...

Also keen on opinions of Z1000 vs Z750. I want to go to the odd track day, weekend rides, and also commute. Initially I was after a Z1000 but not only are they pricier to buy, they will cost more to run in tyres/brakes/chain etc. Tempted to save some money, go for a Z750 and maybe a suspension upgrade. Thoughts?

[Hitcher]

Initially I was after a Z1000 but not only are they pricier to buy, they will cost more to run in tyres/brakes/chain etc. Tempted to save some money, go for a Z750 and maybe a suspension upgrade. Thoughts?

"Pricier to buy" than what? All second-hand bikes are worth sod all, Kawasaki Z1000s are no exception.

My chain and sprockets are still going well after 52,000km.

I run Bridgestone T30s and the rears last for at least 12,000km, and fronts for at least 18,000km.

Brakes? Again I'm still running the original pads. In case you're struggling to keep up, that's 52,000km and they're still biting well, no signs of disc wear, no squeaking.

"Thoughts?" I think you're misinformed.

[haydes55]

My z1000 was better at almost everything compared to my new bandit. But my bandit is better for rides longer than 6 hours and 2up (which is why I made the switch).

I'd buy another in a heart beat. Sold mine for peanuts ($4500). Rear brake disc had worn, replaced all pads at the time because why not, had a fork seal go after 60,000km and an electrical short that I sorted out myself.

I'm also a fan of the T30s. I originally put on PR3s, but they were horrible, lasted like 6000km front and rear and never gripped well. The T30s saw a track day and over 10,000km before I sold the bike (which I sold with a brand new WoF, rear tire just passed). Only times they ever let go was because of gravel, and after the gravel passed they hooked back up.

Did I mention I think it's one of the sexier jap bikes around? The newer Zs looked even better.

[AllanB]

Used Z1000, I'd be looking at the Honda Predator as well if in that market.

[Milts]

Interesting - cheers for the info. I had heard they would chew through much more in terms of consumables (I know my Triumph 675 went through brake disks, pads, chain, sprocket, and like 4x sets of tyres by 35,000km but that may have been me... and the track days).

Hitcher - which year model do you have?

Good to hear people's thoughts. My current options are looking like:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-890215186.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-975908143.htm
Or there is a green 2009 model (similar to this one: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1003554366.htm) which I think just ended without selling, asking $7k. But IMO the green is fuckugly.

Would very much like a Honda predator. Unfortunately the cheapest is $2.5-3k outside of my budget, which really isn't that flexible.

Have any of the Z1000 riders ever ridden a Honda Hornet 900? I'm curious how 'sporty' they feel relative to one another - I had a hornet 900 and it really didn't do it for me in terms of the excitement factor.

[AllanB]

I'd say the green one would be more than $2k if you were replacing the parts with new and painting.

Those adverts crack me up - he states $2k to fix - wants $4, but thinks it would sell for $8 before the spill (too high) - so he is happy flipping off 2k on his own calcs by not fixing?

No insurance presumably?

Other than paint the rest would be a easy fix taking little of the 'no time' he has.....



That goldish one looks tidy. Shit the Micron can is looong though!

[Ocean1]

Have any of the Z1000 riders ever ridden a Honda Hornet 900? I'm curious how 'sporty' they feel relative to one another - I had a hornet 900 and it really didn't do it for me in terms of the excitement factor.

I've ridden several of both. The Hornet engines all felt bland compared to most of their competition, and the Z has a far more pronounced mid-range punch. Both handle OK insomuch as neither has any serious faults, although as usual both would benefit enormously with upgraded aftermarket suspension. Build quality on the Honda is typically excellent and while earlier Kawasaki's might have left something wanting in that regard the latest crop look to have excellent attention to detail.

[Milts]

Interesting - I found the Honda engine to be OK but nothing too exciting, but the handling felt.... off? Twitchy? Not sure how to describe it. It was fine around town but I felt like at a trackday it would be too unsettled.

Completely agree re the green Z1000 linked above. It might be worth it at $4,500 and if you were replacing all of the relevant parts it would be at least $2k, before the crash it would have been reasonably priced at maybe $7k tops.

The gold one in Northland looks in good nick, but I'm angling for the later model - different suspension, brakes, and looks.

Has anybody ridden a Z750 for comparison?

Say a Z1000 is ~7k, and I can get a Z750 for approx ~$6-6.5k. That then leaves me some cash for either a 636 rear shock, or progressive fork springs and install. Not sure if the trade off is worthwhile or not.

[Ocean1]

Interesting - I found the Honda engine to be OK but nothing too exciting, but the handling felt.... off? Twitchy? Not sure how to describe it. It was fine around town but I felt like at a trackday it would be too unsettled.

Completely agree re the green Z1000 linked above. It might be worth it at $4,500 and if you were replacing all of the relevant parts it would be at least $2k, before the crash it would have been reasonably priced at maybe $7k tops.

The gold one in Northland looks in good nick, but I'm angling for the later model - different suspension, brakes, and looks.

Has anybody ridden a Z750 for comparison?

Say a Z1000 is ~7k, and I can get a Z750 for approx ~$6-6.5k. That then leaves me some cash for either a 636 rear shock, or progressive fork springs and install. Not sure if the trade off is worthwhile or not.

It's certainly true that a Z750 with upgraded suspension would be a quicker, more pleasant and safer ride than a Z1000 without such.

But I'm not convinced a 636 shock and progressive springs would be the best way to go about it. Best you talk to a pro about it.

[Milts]

It's certainly true that a Z750 with upgraded suspension would be a quicker, more pleasant and safer ride than a Z1000 without such.

But I'm not convinced a 636 shock and progressive springs would be the best way to go about it. Best you talk to a pro about it.

Cheers - yeah it might not be the best way, I'll have to look in to it more. But apparently the 636 shock is a direct swap and a pretty common upgrade.

[haydes55]

That northland one is the same year and colour that I had, and the same exhaust. mine was pushing 70,000km though. Sold it for $4500. I found the suspension was shit, til I actually took the time to properly set it up, then it was perfect. The gear box would find a false neutral after 5th if you didn't move the lever far enough, I dropped the gear lever a notch lower and never had a false neutral again.

I've ridden an ex flatmates '07 hornet 919. The suspension was crap the engine liked to be revved more, didn't have the same low Rev punch. But he loved it. The hornet felt lighter to move around, but that didn't make it handle any better, that might have been the tires or suspension not being set uo when I rode it. Sit on them side by side, you'd swear the hornet was 40kg lighter

[Hitcher]

Hitcher - which year model do you have?

It's a 2010 ZR1000B, first registered in 2011. White. Sex on a stick.

[AllanB]

Z100 has hp over the hornet 900 some 15 or so more. Also has 20 odd kg on it.

I owned a Hornet 900 for 8 years - it was great - mind you I'd done the suspension, piped it etc (some thousands ......) . It was a blast then.


Kawker in your price market is good buying.

[Ender EnZed]

If you're looking at Hornets have you thought about a VTR1000? They're a bit older than the Z1000s you're looking at and will get through tyres, chains/sprockets and petrol at a decent rate but they sound good doing it. Not naked but they're don't require much of a crouch, plus they're fairly light and narrow for filtering etc.

There are a bunch of them in your budget in Wellington at the moment. (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&cid=1255&sidebar=1&39=&40=Honda&153=Vtr1000&9=0&9=0&13=0&13=0&24=2000&24=0&51=0&51=0&searchRegion=12&listingtype=0&sidebarSearch_keypresses=7&sidebarSearch_suggested=0)

[Katman]

I can heartily recommend the Z750.

Mine's 33 years old and still going strong.

[Milts]

If you're looking at Hornets have you thought about a VTR1000? They're a bit older than the Z1000s you're looking at and will get through tyres, chains/sprockets and petrol at a decent rate but they sound good doing it. Not naked but they're don't require much of a crouch, plus they're fairly light and narrow for filtering etc.

There are a bunch of them in your budget in Wellington at the moment. (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&cid=1255&sidebar=1&39=&40=Honda&153=Vtr1000&9=0&9=0&13=0&13=0&24=2000&24=0&51=0&51=0&searchRegion=12&listingtype=0&sidebarSearch_keypresses=7&sidebarSearch_suggested=0)

Have strongly considered some of these, I want to take one for a test ride. They're pretty prolific - but also (as you say) hard on sprockets etc, plus since moving from carb'd bikes to fuel injection I'm not sure I want to go back.

Cheers for the details Hitcher - I think that's the model I'm after, if I can find one at a decent price, preferably not green...

[AllanB]

On your budget if you are V-twin hunting there is the good old SV1000. Same traits of the similarly priced rides of the same era - Hornet, VTR, in that they are significantly improved with suspender work.

I'd claim the VTR is of higher quality (Honda) in fit and finish but they both have proven to be utterly reliable and the forums will highlight any small short comings on each model relative to the year. As with most models the later years have any early nits ironed out.

5500 - 6500 will score a very tidy sub 40,000 km SV. They are surprising rev happy motors, the Honda has a broader spread of power IMO.

BUT - both are somewhat older than the Kwackers and the IL4 vs V-twin debate will roll on for years to come.

In you price bracket (mid 6 k) there is a lot of decent bikes available. You can search by year and dollars on TM

[AllanB]

Check this out. Incorrectly noted as a Suzuki ........


http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-1007835944.htm

[Hitcher]

Check this out. Incorrectly noted as a Suzuki

I rest my case about quality used bikes being worth fuck all.

[nzspokes]

Have strongly considered some of these, I want to take one for a test ride. They're pretty prolific - but also (as you say) hard on sprockets etc, plus since moving from carb'd bikes to fuel injection I'm not sure I want to go back.

Cheers for the details Hitcher - I think that's the model I'm after, if I can find one at a decent price, preferably not green...

Ive not found my VTR hard on sprockets. But they like a drink. I went to the VTR as I had a Hornet which bored me silly. VTR is more alive.

Not ridden a Z1000 but would like to one day.