2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX ongoing review

[Kwacky]

It's worth a few quid for breaking.

What I have noticed on the forums (and from personal experience) is that these bikes tend to crash heavy. The frames stand up well but the rest of the bike tends to get badly damaged. Wheels and engines are like rocking horse shit. A second hand engine with over 20,000 miles went for £1,200 recently.

[Monty]

.......... and beyond boring

I quite liked the one I had for a week last year.

I wouldn't have one if it was my only bike. But for commuting it seems to tick the boxes. I'll still be having a sports bike or a naked sports for weekend and summer fun.

There's the 1000cc version as well. I think I'll take one of those out for a test ride.

It's all up in the air at present. I don't think I'll make a decision until Autumn. I might keep the SX and throw the zx6r in the canal.

Surely there's something more fun to commute on, you'd be bored of it in a week. What about a Superduke, you could even fit hard case panniers to that.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... &logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Kwacky]

My Local KTM Dealer told me not to buy KTM for commuting with the miles I do.

[Cav]

You'll never find a swingarm in one piece that's for sure Kwacky! Have you ever flicked it with your nail and heard how delicate it is?

The engine is something that's concerning me, if mine ever goes I would have to get an 07/08 engine as that's all you'll ever find!!

[Perkles]

.......... and beyond boring

I quite liked the one I had for a week last year.

I wouldn't have one if it was my only bike. But for commuting it seems to tick the boxes. I'll still be having a sports bike or a naked sports for weekend and summer fun.

There's the 1000cc version as well. I think I'll take one of those out for a test ride.

It's all up in the air at present. I don't think I'll make a decision until Autumn. I might keep the SX and throw the zx6r in the canal.

Surely there's something more fun to commute on, you'd be bored of it in a week. What about a Superduke, you could even fit hard case panniers to that.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... &logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

KTMs are fecking hard work to ride ,lumpy and snatcy engines,I wouldnt touch one for commuting

[Kwacky]

I appreciate the "it's boring" argument but commuting is boring. There's very little I can do to make it interesting. For 60% of the year it's dusk or dark when I ride. I reckon 40% of the time it's raining and/or cold, so all I want to do is get into work or get home, as quick as I can. 650cc or 1000cc makes no difference at time to travel times for me.

I've commuted on all of my bikes over the years and I know what's important - reliability, build quality, costs to run and weather protection.

If I get a cheap bike to commute on, I have more money for the second bike.

The SX does me fine and I may well decide to keep it. It doesn't need anything doing to it.

[Monty]

Fook your commute! I'm more worried about the fragile bike with irreplaceable parts you convinced me to buy!

[Cav]

I appreciate the "it's boring" argument but commuting is boring. There's very little I can do to make it interesting. For 60% of the year it's dusk or dark when I ride. I reckon 40% of the time it's raining and/or cold, so all I want to do is get into work or get home, as quick as I can. 650cc or 1000cc makes no difference at time to travel times for me.

I've commuted on all of my bikes over the years and I know what's important - reliability, build quality, costs to run and weather protection.

If I get a cheap bike to commute on, I have more money for the second bike.

The SX does me fine and I may well decide to keep it. It doesn't need anything doing to it.

A guy at work has the Versys 650 and loves it - he does countless trips to York from Bristol and says it's the most comfortable he's been on a bike. He also gets upwards of 55mpg out of it (mostly motorway miles for him). He seems well protected from the elements although I think he had a touring kit put on as an optional extra (?!?!).

It's a cheap bike and I don't think he's had any reliability issues so far.

Like you say, less you spend on the boring bike the more you have for the fun bike.

[Kwacky]

Fook your commute! I'm more worried about the fragile bike with irreplaceable parts you convinced me to buy!

I'm happy to sell you a donor bike, two careful owners

[Kwacky]

He seems well protected from the elements although I think he had a touring kit put on as an optional extra (?!?!).

It's a cheap bike and I don't think he's had any reliability issues so far.

Like you say, less you spend on the boring bike the more you have for the fun bike.

The one I posted has the full touring kit on it - heated grips, handguards, gel seat, extra lights, top box, panniers, etc.

The SX is giving me 46mpg when I'm commuting, which I think is good for a big bike.

[Rossgo]

My Local KTM Dealer told me not to buy KTM for commuting with the miles I do.

This does not show me much confidence with how long they think their engines will last for!

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[Kwacky]

It's not that. He said they need a bit more care and attention than the Jap bikes. He also told me that second hand ones don't sell if they've got high mileage on them.

[Rossgo]

It's not that. He said they need a bit more care and attention than the Jap bikes. He also told me that second hand ones don't sell if they've got high mileage on them.

Ahh right I see. To be honest then he sounds like he has given you sound advice then for not going for KTM

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[Perkles]

It's not that. He said they need a bit more care and attention than the Jap bikes. He also told me that second hand ones don't sell if they've got high mileage on them.

Ahh right I see. To be honest then he sounds like he has given you sound advice then for not going for KTM

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the build quality aint that great on them tbh rossgo

[Rossgo]

It's not that. He said they need a bit more care and attention than the Jap bikes. He also told me that second hand ones don't sell if they've got high mileage on them.

Ahh right I see. To be honest then he sounds like he has given you sound advice then for not going for KTM

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the build quality aint that great on them tbh rossgo

That surprises me to be honest thought KTM would be pretty strong quality. How good was your RC8 Perkles?

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[Perkles]

engine out on the open road was a peach ,but in slow stuff it was very snatchy and lumpy,it was comfy and handled well for a big bike.The brakes were amazing (brembo),I thought the suspension was good until I rode my zx10r which would run rings round it handling wise.The gearbox was the worst gearbox ive ever used it was hideous and ruined a track day at donnington for me,it was like a tractor gearbox from the 1940s. The bolts and stuff were pretty crap quality and the anodising was dull,
As you probably have guessed I prefer jap bikes,Im glad I owned one but wouldnt buy another

[Rossgo]

To be honest least you have had the experience of owning one and running one too in the real world and on track clearly it had it's problems which they need to address but I guess Rome wasn't made in a day so maybe in the future they will iron these problems out?!

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[Kwacky]

Cradley Kawasaki haven't got back to me about the Versys so they can feck orf.

[Perkles]

havent brum kwak got one in

[Kwacky]

I've not asked them.

The one at Cradley has less than 1000 miles on the clock and is fully loaded http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... &logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's about £1,500 less than a new one.

Like I said, I'm in no rush.