2016 Z1000 First Impressions - The worst bike I've ever been on?

[@Soysaucemoto]

First of all I own a 2016 Kawaski Z1000. Just bought it 2 months ago and will upload a first 600 miles review soon. This was a good review by Moto Tayls. It's obviously not for him. I gave a thumbs up because it's an honest review. The suspension must be adjusted per rider weight and riding style. When I rode my Z1000 home the first night, it was insanely stiff. I felt every bump and I was ready to ride back about 10 miles in... and have them adjust the sag and everything. But thankful for Google because I was able to find a tutorial on tuning the Separate BPF and rear shock. I found a canyon rider who weighs as much as me with similar settings. I softened the front and rear. For the front: preload 5 turns in, rebound is 4 turns out, compression is 5 turns out. Rear shock is ok but will upgrade if it doesn't soften over time. I set preload to 3 threads, rebound to 2 turns out. I weigh 170lbs with gear. This Z1000 is not plush, but these settings made it a very enjoyable bike in the twisties. Very stable at all speeds leaning between 30mph to 90mph (break in period so couldn't push it). It has a lot of power. 140 HP 80 ft lb TQ with a smooth linear power band from 1000 RPM to 10000 RPM. The gearing is short but it's perfect for my riding. I do canyons and city riding. The brakes do get some getting used to. It does bite hard BUT it also has a really good ABS system. The seat is hard but it's supposed to be. There are $200 firm thick bubble butt Kardashian like seats but this Z1000 is not meant for long rides and comfort. Can you convert it to a sport touring bike? Yes. Go +1 front sprocket, taller and wider Renthal bars, cup holder, comfort grips and a touring windscreen. BUT that's not what it's made for. If you want a comfortable touring bike, then get a real one like the brother... the Ninja 1000. MODS REQUIRED: It does need a steering stabilizer. The head shake is insane on rapid acceleration. MODS FOR KICKS: A fender eliminator to shave some weight. Maybe a dual slip on for sound and weight savings like the Akrapovic megaphone. Aluminum rear sprocket and titanium sprocket nuts to shave rotational mass. But that's about it. Doesn't need a full exhaust or anything. Unless you have $2000 for a full exhuast, fuel controller and cold air intake. But 99.99% of Z1000 owners will never use 75% of the stock power except for straight line riders or pro racers.. PROS: body triangle for comfort, awesome slipper clutch, smooth transmission, linear power band, stock gearing is made for canyon shredders, mirrors are stable, Dunlop D214 sport touring tires are sticky like the Dunlop Q3 and perform well in wet and rain (rode home in the rain and rode wet Malibu canyons). THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER BIKE. A new GSXR600 is more beginner friendly than this. I've owned a 2007, 2009 and 2011 GSXR600. If you want a beginner bike for cheap, get a $5000 brand new or $3000 used Yamaha R3. I owned a 2015 Yamaha R3. If you really want a beginner bike that will not send your ass into a wall in 1st gear, then get a Honda Grom for $2000 used. I own a Grom right now and love it. Go check my KZbin page.

[@dkelli6020]

77BeatsPerMinute wait, the 2016 models come with a slipper clutch? I have a 2016 model and did not know that.

[@sector81]

Bought the 2016 and couldn't be happier.

[@Steves_ADV]

Cool man :) everyone has different tastes but it wasn't for me.

[@miningwayne935]

ok Moto Tayls, heres the thing...im 56yo...been riding 40+ yrs...been a bike mechanic for 35+yrs and have probably owned and ridden more bikes of all sorts than you probably have hairs on your head! if you think my age makes me old and slow, then i hope i see you on the road someday! ive owned my 2017 z1000 for about 6 months and absolutely love it! heres my honest opinion...yes, the suspension is very firm, its supposed to be! but the first thing i did was go right through it and set it up to suit my weight...very important! huge difference and the bike is on rails. yes, it can be a little headshakey under heavy acceleration, mainly due to the steep steering head angle (which is also why the bike is so agile, its supposed to be) so i fitted a steering damper...problem solved! i also fitted a couple of slip-ons which instantly shaved 6kilos and improved cornering clearance quite a lot! the brakes are fucking awesome mate..learn to ride!! yes, the seat is firm, its supposed to be...gives better feel! its not a tourer, its not designed for that! put us both on some nice twisty stuff and ill be all over your r1 like a rash...ive done it plenty of times!! the z1000 is deliberately tuned for awesome midrange and will blow the doors off just about anything out of corners! its only down a couple of horsepower on the gsxs and makes max torque 2000 revs lower than the gsxs...right where most people will ride it! it will hose the suzuki in a 0-100..(if you can keep the front wheel down, lol)..but if youre a straight line, top speed hero...thats fine! if its the worst thing youve ever ridden, then you obviously havent ridden much.. which i strongly suspect! i very rarely even comment on youtube clips..theres an abundance of wankers out there and i just couldnt be bothered! i had to write this because i think your review (which i know is just your opinion) was somewhat misleading and your 10 minute test ride was hardly enough for you to learn the bikes true potential, i would advise anyone to ride them all before buying! btw...i love and have owned many suzukis! stay safe : )

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

Let's bitch about the mirrors that you will replace. Let's bitch about the brakes because you don't understand that good brakes don't require you to put massive pressure on the inputs. Let's bitch about hard suspension. ITS A SPORTBIKE!!! Seat is hard. Well no shit. It's a SPORTBIKE. This dude needs a gold wing. Better yet, get a Cadillac. I hear they're really cozy.

[@Steves_ADV]

Haha ok loser. I ride an R1 and THAT is a sport bike. If you like this bike then that's fine, after a nice long ride you can ask your boyfriend to rub some lotion on your ass when you get home. I personally found the bike to be the worst thing i've ridden to date. It doesn't suit me and that's all there is to it. I recently rode the GSXS1000 and found it to be pretty good.

[@grantsewell782]

just got one . love it . this bloke is full of it

[@surroundedbyice]

I have a 2015 and its the most bad ass bike I have ever owned and I had a cbr, zx12r, zx14, r1 and many more.. this bike is a beast..

[@AJGomez613]

how do you know youre in first gear?

[@robertspruitenburg3897]

i really love this bike. 10.000 fun km's in first year. bought other seat, hate the standard seat, and suspension at the back a litle to hard. front brake very good, rear must worn in first but not really strong.

[@boomerhgt]

I just bought a 2016 Z 1000 it's a fantastic fun bike I'm 60 and should know better but this thing is such a hoot...but hey still interesting to hear what other riders think, sometimes a bike just ain't for you.

[@Steves_ADV]

Age is just a number :) Yep, the bike just didn't do it for me. It's not the end of the world.

[@jj_infotainment]

what more do you expect from a street fighter?.. it's designed for city rides!

[@01phantomx]

I have a new R1 2016 and a new z1000.... I fine the brakes on the z1000 more to my liking. I don't understand this review were you just grabbing hand full of brake all the time?

[@Steves_ADV]

No dude, I've been riding long enough to know when I dont like a set of brakes.

[@nothingtoseehere4902]

Ride by the lake day....I was there. Test rode the cbr1000rr and gsxs1000. I like the look of the z1000 but like you found out, it's a bit hard and has some other issues.

[@richardx4456]

how is the cbr1000rr compared to z1000, been 30kg lighter must make a big difference, i am thinking about these options.

[@nothingtoseehere4902]

The z1000 is quite heavy even though it is a naked bike. The cbr1000rr had great handling, felt light, good power with a boost at 7000rpm. The brakes are linked and were the best brakes I have ever felt. Only problem is that my wrists hurt and my back hurt...all depends what kind of bike you want.

[@richardx4456]

yeah, I like the Z1000, but it is a heavy bike and I am a small person (175cm), fireblade is way lighter, but z1000 is more comfy, lol, I had a look at mt09, it only weighs 170kg, but its not comfy as z1000, I wish cowasaki make a lighter version of z1000, even z800 is heavier than z1000....somewhere under 190kg will be nice! :)

[@EyeForKnowledge.]

Yaren Red It's not a super sport meant for the track. It's a street fighter. Main word here: street. It's only 10LBS heavier than the GSXS1000.

[@richardx4456]

How tall are you btw?

[@eduardofreitas6615]

get a windscreen and you wont feel like youre over the front tire. I own the same bike and I love it.

[@dry509]

What bike would you recommend for the road then? Thanks.

[@Steves_ADV]

That would depend on many factors such as riding experience and type of riding you wish to do.

[@andylee1035]

nice mate !! wow that was fast in getting a jacket, I wish I could get one that fast lol

[@Steves_ADV]

i was pretty lucky lol.

[@andylee1035]

very true

[@grantsewell782]

sorry mate didnt mean to be a smart ass but ur miss leading people, just sold my ducati . and im suprised from going from a $26000 motorbike to a $16000 motorbike how good it is, bikes dont have much back brake these days u only use them in the rain a little bit, the brakes are fantastic, the seat is a little bit hard and adjust the shockes a little bit if you dont weigh much . big fan

[@Steves_ADV]

All good mate and I'm happy you like the bike. As far as misleading people, this video is my thoughts on the bike. I got on expecting to like it but I really hated it, as the title suggests. I have a recent video up test riding Suzuki's equivalent and really liked it bar a few little things. Everyone has different tastes and the videos I post are my opinions. Hope you enjoy the Z1000 :)

[@grantsewell782]

no worrys mate

[@josephrodriguez6054]

I have a Kawasaki z1000 and I love it I can see what you're talking about and like you said the bikes not for you all Riders are different love the video still because it's things that I can pay attention on my own bike thank you very much for posting this now go get that Suzuki that you rode and loved be safe out there and next time change that gear faster LOL just kidding have a good one

[@Steves_ADV]

Thanks mate. :)

[@kernypnp9714]

Get the r edition and swallow your gripes

[@vanjoshualabrador3750]

Many talkshits about that bike. If u dont like it then buy BMW s1000 RR if u can afford.

[@tosstossscoot9381]

Kawasucky?

[@Steves_ADV]

Pretty much :/