Kawasaki Z800 Quick First Ride Review

I recently got to take this Kawasaki Z800 for a quick spin from Freeman Motorcycles, so that left me with nothing to do other than once again open my mouth gates and let you all know what I think of this bike.
This is a much shorter first ride review, I was only on the bike about an hour, help me think up of a name for this kind of video! :)

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Thanks for watching!

About me!

Bikes: Honda CBF1000 2011
Honda Super Magna Vf750c 1987
Suzuki GSX-R 750 SRAD 1996

Gear: RST textile jacket, pants & boots
Hood Motorcycle Jeans
LS2 Storm & HJC RPHA 11
Gloves: Lindstrad Orbital WP, Knox Orsa Leather Mk 2
Boots: Oxford Continental WP Boots, RST Tractech Evo 3

Electronics: Cardo Packtalk Bold
Gopro Hero 7 Black
DJI Osmo Action
Insta360 One X2
Nikon D3500
Canon M50

The legend that is Chewie! He made me some musica which I love :)

Mental State: I don't own near enough bikes.
#Kawasaki #Z800 #Review

[TheGorillaBiker]

I have to travel for work again soon but hopefully I'll be back riding many bikes soon :) If you ever see a bike in stock in Freeman's you'd really like to see ridden, let me know :)
Did you think I'd ever fit on a Z800? :D

[lunar-firefly]

Ah! 2014 Z800! Very nice! The z series as a whole have been pretty impressive through the years. I'm 5'6, 28 inch inseam and test road the 2019 Z900 last year I think? Fantastic bike. Nearly picked it up. Luggage options are there, but very limited. It's so incredibly agile, and you're spot on with acceleration being just butter smooth. They made a blue and silver version that I was oggling so hard. If I abandon the bimmer, I may look at picking one up in a couple years. Only issue I ran into was, like you, the ergonomics for the hands were a bit rough on the wrists. I think that played more into needing them adjusted for my height rather than there being anything wrong with it. Likely the same for you as well. Thankfully they're easy to adjust. And Kawasaki I've found, is very straight forward when it comes to maintenance, and repairs. They're designed very well.

The look hasn't changed much. Love the style so much. And you're right, the added bits really bring out that more aggressive feel to it. They had a cafe' style for the z900 as well which is gorgeous. Not the one with that curved cowling, but the one with just the single headlight on the front without the cover. Seems impossible to find them though. Not sure if they didn't make a lot of them, or they just sold out. Maybe once things settle down a bit, they'll become more available.

[TheVenom]

Nice review mate. Woefully few reviews on these. I like mine and have had it since last August. Can't wait to get a full summer of riding her.

[stephencartwright]

The surprise was you commenting on the reach to the bars! Yes looks a good machine, just wish the front didn't drop away like that. Not a model I was aware of until this ride. I really do like these random ride reviews. I get bored with the newest latest glitziest reviews. It all gets very repetitive. Another good one !

[harrygibbs]

Ive just bought this bike i was torn between this and a z900 but a 2016 abs very low mileage z800 came up and i did prefer the looks and this video had me sold its my first big bike and i got to say it did scare me the first time i opened her up but i am only 5foot 9 and 76kilo 😂 great review mate 👍

[AQHackAQ]

I've heard this bike has a serious issue with the valve (specifically the exhaust valve) for the non-ABS versions. There are numerous cases of valves being snapped or bent causing catastrophic engine damage, at least here in Malaysia. To mitigate it is to swap the exhaust valves with either the Z800 ABS version (Kawasaki did make this change) or Z750. Weirdly I've never heard or read anyone else outside Southeast Asia even discussing this. So it makes me wonder if it's a climate thing... i.e. hotter vs colder climates.

[deeweeuavp]

Like a mini moto - You'd be hanging on for dear life at speed, 2005 Kawasaki Z1000. With a 6'8" giant on it! Nice bike which had twin scorpion race exhausts.

[eddmelter]

I really like the look of the z900. Never heard of this one!

[adrianhogan]

Solid review as per usual GB no bullshit just honest which is awesome, just wondering if you could do a video on riding safely on irish country roads i live amongst farmers for my sins and the roads are in crap with muck from tractors ... i get nervous tbh when seeing muck streaks as I call them on back roads so what advice would you give ... I trust my tyres but am terrified of coming off as I've had a few wobbles .... most people say steady throttle and don't panic ..do you agree i wonder .... an instructional video if you had time would be great .... I never had a fear when I was younger btw but know im a little older I've to mind myself while still loving being on my bike ( Triumph Explorer btw ) thanks dude as always super videos

[flexfreedom]

Floating along on a nimble carpet! HA. eejit! I do have a soft spot for these bikes. Must get a test ride sorted myself. That brake pedal is a poor enough design is the only flaw. Great video! - John

[WaltersMotorcycleDiaries]

A really cool looking bike in the flesh and it was great to see it on the road. With your height etc I didn't think you would be comfy on the bike but you only know when you ride it eh

[SamAlbright-jr]

Im late to the party but im currently looking into gwtting one of these. Appreciate your opinion.

[theponkster]

That is a nice looking bike with a great howl when you opened it up a bit.

[thetwowheeledintrovert]

I identify with your comment regarding ‘furniture in front’, riding fully faired race replica’s, I find standard or naked bikes a bit off putting to ride due to that lack of furniture.

[cavanhondarider]

The great thing about naked style bikes is the built in speed limiter in your neck muscles 😅As for a test ride, if Freeman still have the Africa Twin 1100 i'd love to get your view on it on our lovely Irish roads.

[Kwakcrazy]

I've been doing my mod 1 & 2 training on a er6n I loved the bike but a tad bit too small & I'm only 6ft 5 so a few inches shorter than you, but I've have purchased a z1000sx which feels a bit bigger I just can't wait to hopefully pass my mod 2 in 9 days time not that I've been counting down the weeks 🤔 more like the minutes 🤣

[garryburns]

Z750 was my 1st bike .I loved riding it but found it a tad small at 6 ft 3 n 18 stone m8

[HippoDrones]

It is funny the struggle you have being a big guy, as it is so alien to me being the opposite! :D

[hachewie]

I love Kawasaki. I've heard power to weight makes the 800 faster than the 900, or was it the 900 is faster than the 1000. Either way, it's faster because I believed so at least for a minute.

[articfps]

how tall are you? i am considering this bike