2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX ongoing review

[Kwacky]

Z8s are doing alright. Got about 750- miles on them so far. No great dramas, steady tyres despite the cold and wet roads. They've span up a tiny bit but nothing squeaky bum.

I've only been commuting so I've not really given them any stick. Not that I would in this weather.

One thing I have noticed is that they don't seem to get that warm. Not sure if it's the tyre or the roads but they're cooler than I expect when I feel them after a ride.

[Cav]

As for tyre temperature, drop the pressures. I'm assuming you're running 36/42?

I would suggest dropping to around 33/38. This gives you more friction thus more temperature

[Kwacky]

No idea on the pressures, I've not checked them since the hoops were put on.

[Cav]

No idea on the pressures, I've not checked them since the hoops were put on.

.....WHAT?!

They're probably not even close to the correct pressure then.. Definitely check them, guaranteed the pressure will be too high anyway

[Perkles]

No idea on the pressures, I've not checked them since the hoops were put on.

.....WHAT?!

They're probably not even close to the correct pressure then.. Definitely check them, guaranteed the pressure will be too high anyway

you need to do a track day with me and kwacky and see our preparation

[Cav]

No idea on the pressures, I've not checked them since the hoops were put on.

.....WHAT?!

They're probably not even close to the correct pressure then.. Definitely check them, guaranteed the pressure will be too high anyway

you need to do a track day with me and kwacky and see our preparation

Oh dear

[Kwacky]

you need to do a track day with me and kwacky and see our preparation

The Brummie Biking Checklist:-

Does bike start?
Do tyres have air in?
Have you removed all chains/locks?

If the answer is Yes to all 3, you're good to go.

[Kwacky]

They're probably not even close to the correct pressure then.. Definitely check them, guaranteed the pressure will be too high anyway

I'll give it a few more weeks, the pressures will have dropped by then

[Perkles]

you need to do a track day with me and kwacky and see our preparation

The Brummie Biking Checklist:-

Does bike start?
Do tyres have air in?
Have you removed all chains/locks?
what times the cafe open,im starving

If the answer is Yes to all 3, you're good to go.

edited for accuracy

[Kwacky]

The combination of rain, road salt, diesel, cold roads and bags of torque mean that I'm getting some nice slides going in the morning.

[Rossgo]

Always good to go into work with a smile, Kwacky

[Cav]

I bet you haven't changed the tyre pressures yet?

[Kwacky]

That would mean checking them, wouldn't it?

Which means looking for a tyre pressure gauge. Which I know I've got. Somewhere. In fact I've got two, a digital one and an old school one. Somewhere.

[Blade]

Maybe ask Santa to bring you a nice professional quality one.

You can never have to many top quality tools makes working on the bike a pleasure

[Kwacky]

The analogue one cost me about £25. It's a nice piece. Which is why I don't use it, in case it gets damaged

[Blade]

That's my wife's crazy logic.

I buy her something nice and she always says I'll keep it for best .........which is when ?

[D6]

I never check my tyre pressures either. When the bike starts to handle shit, I know they are too low.

I'd seriously consider a decision to purposely lower from recommended tyre pressures. They are set for among many reasons, to be the optimum for water dispersal via the tread pattern.

dropping them for track riding is one thing. Dropping them when riding in all sorts of conditions (on purpose) is another.

[Kwacky]

I'm happy to leave them as they are. I'm still getting used to them because the road conditions are varying so much. I prefer to have the tyres at a constant so I've one less thing to get used to as the weather and temps vary. At least as they stand I know how controlled any sliding is and which way the tyre reacts.

[Blade]

But if your not checking the pressures how do you know there a constant ?

Not a wind up. Genuine question.

[rocket]

Don't do it Kwacky the last time I saw you check tyre pressures it was not a pretty sight. :p