2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX ongoing review

[Kwacky]

Thought I would share my experiences with this bike and keep a sort of online diary.

I've had it for just under a week now and I'm starting to gel with it. It's quick and handles well for a non-sports bike.

The little features in the dash like current MPG and average MPG are good for letting you know how thirsty the bike is when you're cruising or giving it some beans. I filled up yesterday. I have been getting about 47mpg which isn't bad for a 1043cc bike and a rider who has been testing the throttle .

The suspension is a bit soft but I've come off a zx6r with a firm set up at the front and rear.

The OEM S20 Bridgestones aren't bad. Lots of feedback but they don't seem to warm up too quickly.

The screen is tall but for going to work I might be tempted to get a clip on screen extended to push the wind over my head.

I know there's always the temptation to modify a bike. If this was my only ride then I might make it a bit sportier, but for my needs I really like it the way it is.

[Kwacky]

[Perkles]

tank pad looks ok

[Kwacky]

I'm not 100% sure but I think I'm going to leave it on for now until I find something better. I'm not going to be in any rush to change it.

[Blade]

I know its a very personal thing but I prefer venture shield or plain tank pads.

Sorry but I know you prefer honest answers / opinions.

[Kwacky]

No need to apologise. The plain ones were a lot smaller. I needed something quickly and wasn't sure how this looked. Worst case is I've lost £20 if I decide not to stick with it.

[Blade]

I like the ventureshield tank kits. They show off the tanks paintwork which IMO is always a show point on a bike. Also they have 3 pads in the tank kits so cover where your knees go and it is this area which gets marked more easily than where zips could catch the tank IMO.

This is what I mean, although you can probably get cheaper. Just a suggestion.

http://www.invisiblepatterns.co.uk/shop ... -2011.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Kwacky]

One of the guys on the SX forum has given me the dimension plans for the full kit. I might ask Pitty if he can do me a set.

[Blade]

Sounds like a plan.

[Kwacky]

[D6Nutz]

FWIW I quite like the tank pad.

[Blade]

How you getting on with the big Kwack then Kwacky ?

New bike and decent weather you must be taking the long way home every evening

[Kwacky]

I did tonight.

I'm off to the gym now. I'll do an update later.

[Blade]

Its light till nearly 8pm on an evening now so I reckon you may be late home every night this week due to heavy traffic

[Blade]

Actually why even go the gym, you could have a good cardio workout hussling the big Kwack round the back lanes of brum

[Kwacky]

As much as I would love to stay out I have to get home quick as the kids are on holiday and my parents are taking it in turns to look after them

[Kwacky]

But I did take the scenic route home tonight. I normally work over for a bit to allow the traffic to clear but tonight I was out of my seat at 5 on the dot.

What I can't get over is how silently quick that bike is. She's a big bird and you're sat upright, so it doesn't feel sporty, but try telling that to the engine. It spins up silky smooth and with little exhaust noise you don't notice the speed building up. It's more tourer than sports when it comes to the suspension, which is on the soft and plush side. Hustling it around the back rounds the bike isn't razor sharp, but that simply means a different style of riding. I don't think I've slid my bum over on the seat yet for a corner.

That said I do have to watch my reliance on the quick throttle response. Whilst it might be fun having the front waggle in the air or dropping it a cog to race past an expensive car it's pretty silly to think "I can make that" as you arrive at a roundabout only to realise that was way too close for comfort as a car goes sailing inches behind you

[D6Nutz]

Sounds like your enjoying the bike and the challenge of a different style of riding...

I remember from having the XJR the joys of a powerful bike that had crap all in the handling bag.. Made it all the more fun when you could hustle it round the bends and keep up with a lot sportier bikes

[Kwacky]

To be fair to the bike it's pretty decent on the handling front. Coming off the zx6r means it feels slow and soft. Some of the blokes on the sx forum do track days on theirs so they can't be too bad.

I've not had a fiddle with the suspension yet. I'll leave it as it is for a few weeks, get used to the bike then start having a play with the settings.

[Blade]

Riders are fast bikes just do what riders tell them via the controls.

Was sat behind some adventure bike the other day in some twisties. I think the bike was a Yamaha Super Tenere or similar. He could'nt pull away but I had to ride close to the limit on a much much quicker and better handling bike to stay with him. He had those huge alloy box type panniers on too and I swear they were decking out or millimetres from doing such. Was actually a joy to sit behind him and marvel at his skill and style