Kawasaki Z1000SX First Ride - I Need a Kawasaki

I dropped by Freeman Motorcycles in Clonmel to collect some service parts recently and couldn't resist stealing this bike for a little bit, it was very late in the working day for the Freeman crew so thanks very much for letting me run off with it for a bit! That does mean that this isn't my usual style of first ride video, but I reaaaaaaaaaaally wanted to have a spin on the bike and am glad I did, it improved my mood to no end :)
I do not get paid for these videos and all opinions expressed are my own.
Ad for this bike: www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-fo...
Freeman Motorcycle website: www.freemanmotors.ie/motorbik...
If you enjoyed the video please hit the like button, it pleases the gods of KZbin and then let my videos do well :D Also if you're new here please consider hitting that subscribe button for more bike related content :)
Thanks for watching!
Use code GORILLA10 for 10% off at ultimateaddons.com
About me!
My Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/ie/shop/thegoril...
My Patreon: / thegorillabiker
PayPal: [e-mail]
Instagram: / thegorillabiker
Facebook: / thegorillabiker
Twitter: / bikergorilla
Bikes: Honda CBF1000 2011
Honda Super Magna Vf750c 1987
Suzuki GSX-R 750 SRAD 1996
Gear: RST textile jacket, pants & boots
Hood Motorcycle Jeans
HJC FG-ST Helmet
Richa Gloves
Electronics: Cardo Packtalk Bold
Gopro Hero 7 Black
Rollei 625
Nikon D3500
The magician behind my new graphics : / davidwright_photography
Mental State: I don't own near enough bikes.
#Kawasaki #z1000sx #firstride

[@tattoochef6168]

I watched this last night and it helped me make my mind up and this afternoon I bought one! Thanks mate.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

You're welcome glad I could help :) Am eyeing one up myself currently, have a few options I'm considering

[@tattoochef6168]

@@TheGorillaBiker I followed your Instagram, I'll send you a pic if you wanna post it when the bike is delivered.

[@HavasiP]

Had a Z1000SX as my second bike. Lovely combination of sport and touring. It was the first litre bike I ever tried and I was blown away by the power. Got used to it fast though.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Yeah I was only on it about an hour total sadly but it was properly comfy! Haha you always need more power eh :P

[@maxandandystrips.6541]

I purchased a 2016 1000SX after owning a 2007 VFR800 GEN 6, I didn't think I would like anything as much as my VFR, buy I absolutely love my Ninja 1000SX. I have owned 6 bikes all together and this is by far my favorite. Its very comfy, economical, my GF is comfy on the pillion seat and it is very very quick for a sports tourer.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I nearly bought one since I moved over here it left such a good impression so that doesn't surprise me you like it that much :D I'd love to try one on a track tbh!

[@jonathanwelke]

I'm selling my vfr for one of these also. I hope I'm making the right decision as I love my vfr !

[@stephencartwright5046]

Gushing is the word. You feel better after a ride like that, and so do we. Thank you. Never owned a Kawasaki. Haven't ridden many a very tatty Scorpion 250 my father in law had as local transport around Swanage which just had a piece of pipe for an exhaust. My cousin's Z250c which was his learner bike. Never got a go on his GPz600R before he got taken out at traffic lights in London. They are I always think real value for money bikes. I just don't know why I have never had one. Maybe in the future? They have the Vulcan, Versys range and KLX range here . . . .

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Haha yes indeed :D Ah it's mad how much it cheered me up, glad you enjoyed it :) It's the Japanese brand I've ridden by far the least, no reason why just circumstance I think. Hey, bet it sounded good tho :P Ah that's a pity, I hope he was ok at least? Those GPZs are cool bikes, I like the range of them. They certainly seem so, I'd imagine I'll own one at some point as I work my way through bikes but we'll see. Oh the KLX would be cool for over there would it?

[@justinturner4327]

Great review Fella....Just bought a 2016 model....absolutely love it...brilliant bike!!! 😍👍✌

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks! They're a very nice bike, literally the only thing I'm still unsure about when I meet one is the screen :D Best of luck with it :)

[@jelly_Mtg]

Just waiting to pick up my 2017 bike and watched this review. Never seen any videos before but this was great, a good laugh and informative. Great job.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Ah very nice, congrats on the new bike :) Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jelly_Mtg]

@@TheGorillaBiker thank you, the bike is fantastic

[@GreatEgret]

Great video, brother! Mostly because what you lacked in ride time on this bike, you made up for the joy you expressed while riding it! With the exception of Harleys, I'm one of those that likes the stock exhaust. Especially on the Africa Twin.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks man!! Haha I am always joyful when riding a bike, especially fast ones :) Thanks though, glad I still managed to make something watchableish out of it :) Ohhhh I love the twin with a nice exhaust, that engine is a beauty, but everyone is different eh :)

[@gouppy]

I 👍 agree

[@gouppy]

Man I love your enthusiasm as a biker..your a cool dude...I'm 6'3 and weigh around 280lbs so ya I too check out better fitting bikes...I love that kawi..love your videos bud..keep it up brother 💯✌️

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Haha thanks, I just love bikes :) Yeah you'll enjoy the ones that fit you well a hell of a lot more in my experience :) Thanks man!

[@Banditmanuk]

A great all round sports tourer. I ran it's taller brother the Versys 1000 for a couple of years, totally reliable, smooth engine and probably more suited to really tall folks. Also if that has the pannier fixing system like the Versys, they fit neatly without a backing frame and come colour coded to the bike.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I would say it is! I'd love to have one to try for a while, it'd also be a better shout for a road and track bike than my CBF I think :) I've always heard great things about the Versys. Very likely a bike I will try after the CBF tbh, similar enough design wise. And definitely more suitable for my tallness. Oh really! I must look in to that more :)

[@RunChatLive]

So at 6'6 I'd be better going for the Versys 1000 you reckon? 🤔

[@Banditmanuk]

@@RunChatLive Definitely worth test riding both back to back.

[@pinnaclegaming6019]

Totally agree, the screen is hideous compared to the rest of the bike. I would definitely change that first. As you say mirrors are pretty important and I don't want to spend most of my ride chicken winging, so I'd have to look at after market options. But amazing bike and will be my next one in a few months when I have to finally pass my ninja 650 to the wife who should be passing her test any time soon.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Just didn't fit it very well to me, as would I! I'd say a bar end option would work well and might even clean up the front end then with a nice screen, hard to know without physically seeing it. Oh nice! Best of luck with it when you do pick it up, and to your wife, hopefully mine also learns the auld biking soon :)

[@TheBorderRyker]

That bike is a serious weapon! 🙏🏻😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@TheGorillaBiker]

It's class, I'd have loved to have it for a few more hours to test it properly :D

[@ncarr8497]

Cool review, love Kwaks, you have to try the ZRX! love mine

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks! I've always been a fan but haven't ridden enough of them! I'll do my best :)

[@kevinmarshall8590]

Ive just bought one my first 1000 it give me loads of confidence in the bends, unlike my YZF 600

[@TheGorillaBiker]

They're a lovely handling bike, I would really like to buy one at some point if it made sense. You had a thundercat? I love those. But they're suspension would definitely be lacking in comparison to one of these.

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@TheGorillaBiker I think these are CKD's assembled in Thailand. Despite WSBK and BSB success I hate the Monster Energy marketing. Yuck!

[@steveking8258]

Hi, I have just bought a 2016 z1000sx ABS blind from a dealer. After watching your review I am even more confident in my purchase. Always had kwaks and generally they are fab. Really looking forward to riding it. By the way my only issue from 1st impressions is what to do with the screen. I agree they look shite ! Thanks 😁

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Nice, congrats!! Hahaha there are options out there for the screens that look way better, I've seen a few over the years since making this video :D Best of luck with it :)

[@BIG-K]

Great video. "Colour me impressed" 😄👍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks! Ever since I've ridden this one I've been looking at sportier sport tourers again, bloody nightmare :D

[@xclent1975]

I just bought a 2015 candy lime green and sparkle black with the matching panniers and zero gravity black windscreen… added to my stable of z900rs and Yamaha Raider… it’s a very smooth strong and nimble comfortable sports tourer . It’s a great do all bike … it’s a very capable and beautiful motorcycle

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Congrats on the bike! That's a nice line up to have in the garage, I have a Z900RS myself and would love a Raider!

[@xclent1975]

@@TheGorillaBiker thanks for your channel if you are ever down in San Antonio I’ll let you ride it :) the Raider is a great machine .

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I actually have a friend in San Antonio so I may be able to one day take you up on that :) Thanks!!!!

[@crumblymal8479]

OMG too many out there ta choose was looin around a large Triumph and Ducati shop today there was at least 6 bikes I would want . I am liking the 1,000 RX looks good I think the screen problem is those horn bits at the top they don't really belong .good fun as usual .Cheers Michael : )

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Hahaha if I ever won the lotto I'd be in serious trouble for space I think :P I'd be the same as you, just walk in and I'll have them all please :D Agreed, the bits on the screen are odd, I know they're there to make the mirrors kinda fit in a bit but not mad on it. Thanks Malcolm!

[@crumblymal8479]

If ya get a chance try the Suzuki GSX S 1000 I would like one of them as well : D

[@Backswell]

I bought a 2011 n1k two days ago in showroom condition, absolute JOY to ride,

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Nice! Congrats!

[@Backswell]

@@TheGorillaBiker thanks man, your review was great, not clinical and boring like most

[@TheGorillaBiker]

@@Backswell thank you! I just ride the bikes and talk about what I like 😂 Nothing fancy!

[@RoadsOfOz]

Looks like a great daily rider. Could rack up plenty of miles quite easily on this one.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I'd say it is. Easily man! And plenty of tickets :D A few small mods to this one and it'd be perfect tbh.

[@JayShermanFJC]

If I could put apes and forward controls I would consider it. As for a favorite bike brand even though I have a HD and a Kawi my preference lands somewhere between Triumph and Kawi. With that said I'm also looking at a Honda touring machone for next year.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Haha I wonder how it'd look with apes, that'd be interesting :P I do absolutely love Triumphs stuff at the moment. A speed Triple RR would be high on my list! That's fair enough. Very few do non cruiser style of tourer as well as Honda. Plus they're a Honda so yano reliable as hell!

[@I_hunt_lolis]

I love the stock quad exhaust on these

[@TheGorillaBiker]

They're a beautiful bike. I nearly bought one over here until I found the vstrom I got.

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

That would definitely be a nice bike to have 👍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I think it'd be your type of bike Viper! Lovely for those wide open roads :)

[@loneridar]

fine bike sir great review

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks :)

[@MonkeyButtRides]

Such a cool bike. Yes, ZX10r screen sucks to but they fixed that in 2016. Stock exhausts suck indeed. I'm a fan. Nice first ride review. I'm more like you I don't have a favorite brand per say I mean I own all 4 rice burners at the moment. It just all depends on the time and genre of bike at that time.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I wonder could you retrofit the newer screen to this model too....hmmmmmmmmmm. They do, and are often veeeeeeeeeeeery ugly. Thanks :) Exactly, if I see a bike I like and want I really don't care what brand it is, any brand that makes cool motorcycles I'll be happy to support wither way :)

[@MonkeyButtRides]

@@TheGorillaBiker I considered swapping the 2016 onto my 2015 but it requires swapping the front fairing with the screen and it's a very different wouldn't be a straight forward swap. 2016 was a big redesign year for the ZX10. Kinda like 2021 was, that said I got a killer deal on the 2015, they had a 2016 sitting right next to it but for thousands more I couldn't justify it.

[@louieryan737]

I could be wrong but I think freeman have a kawasaki z900rs I would love to see a review on that bike, love kawasaki my dream bike would be a zrx1200 old school mucel bike 👍👍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

You'd be correct. I literally drool on the thing every time I'm in there it's bloody beautiful. I'll try swing a spin on it 😁😁 Oh nice! Good taste :) That'd be fairly class to be fair!

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Can check my channel, you may like it. :)

[@motogspot]

Your impressed with anything that goes like a stabbed rat 😂😂 I agree, the screen looks like it would snap if it got hit by a bug and the mirrors need a style update, I do love the colour though 😀👍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I won't deny it. Im impressed by almost anything with 2 wheels really 😂😂 The screen actually isn't stock I found out and you can get way nicer ones :) The colour is so so nice :)

[@Z1000sxGuy]

Hi jus purchased one of these but no dealers round me offered test rides but I got to go around the car park at least, the thing is I’m coming from a 1200 triumph explorer an found the z1000sx hard to turn at slow speed (it’s got pilot 4’s on) what’s it like to corner at normal to steady speed if that makes sense I like my twistys I wanted a lighter more sportier bike so I took a chance an I’m awaiting collection worried I won’t be able to enjoy it after reading some handling posts.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

It's maddening when dealers won't let you test ride a bike you want to buy. It'll be more stiff at lower speeds as you don't have the thinner front tyre, wider bars etc. At speed it corners lovely as that's what it's more built for I suppose , I don't think you'll be disappointed once you get out on it, just make sure your suspension is adjusted correctly.

[@Mike_P646]

Great bikes👌

[@TheGorillaBiker]

They are indeed, a definite contender as a replacement to my CBF at some point :)

[@RunChatLive]

Great video thanks. I'm 6'6 and torn between this and 1000 v-strom. Very different bikes but leaning towards V-strom for more round town driving? What do you think?

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks! Personally I'd go for the Vstrom purely for the comfort of it at your height. The Z1000 is definitely more fun though but if it's mainly around town etc definitely vstrom for me.

[@RunChatLive]

@@TheGorillaBiker Thank you! 👍🏻

[@Francismoore-qq7pb]

I was thinking of giving Freeman a shout for an A2 legal bike preferably could be bought alongside a trade in but they have mostly class A licence bikes at the moment I suppose if I asked to get one in they would but that’s big cash moneys that I am not willing to spend. The Kawasaki is such a nice bike I bet whoever traded it in regrets it that was once they’re baby 😁

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Do, tell them I sent you their way, Toddy is the salesman there and he's a gent. Best thing to do would be to call over to him and have a chat tbh they'll find you a bike if you want one :) They might not be able to help within a price range but you'd never know! Haha ah they surely got something else nice :) It was clearly very well looked after :)

[@MattMiss79]

Have you had another go on the Z1000SX since then? Do you prefer it over your CBF 1000? I rode both bike back to back today. My heart says the Kawasaki. My head says the Honda. Who needs that kind of power on the public road. The Kawi is so nimble as well and it just makes you wanna be naughty. Thanks for all your videos. Thoroughly enjoy your content.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I have not sadly, I did neaaaaaaarly buy one when I moved over to the US though. I think overall(and I'm of course biased experience wise) I'd still pick the Honda, it's super solid and extremely easy to ride anywhere and at most speeds. Thanks for watching them and glad you enjoy them :)

[@onthemoney7237]

I’m already to buy one my be a 2024 after January thanks for sharing 👍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Ah nice, congrats and best of luck with the bike :)

[@onthemoney7237]

@@TheGorillaBiker thanks 👍

[@RidingCorners]

Great vid. Thanks. Got my current bike from Freeman actually.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Thanks! :) Oh really? What did you get? A sound bunch in there!

[@RidingCorners]

@@TheGorillaBiker ye indeed. Got a GSA a few months back from Seamus and Toddy down there. Just back from 4500km around the alps with her yesterday. Still in the return home blues.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Ah class :) The right bike to do that trip on anyway! I can't even imagine how upsetting it'd be to be home 😂

[@RidingCorners]

@@TheGorillaBiker don’t talk to me about it after 2 weeks of almost no rain and some of the best riding roads in the world. Getting into the ferry I’ve lost count how many times I’ve contemplated turning around. 😂 When you’re down to the lads tell them that Rodrigo sends his best, they’ll remember me for sure.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

That's how I feel eeeeevery time I come back from a nice warm climate :) I'll be back down soon I'll let them know :)

[@jonor95]

Very nice 👍🏍

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Tis a lovely bike :)

[@jamjarxxx]

Any chance you could test ride the Crossrunner?

[@TheGorillaBiker]

If one comes up I can get my ass on I will :)

[@hachewie]

To be sure I’m not jealous of your shenanadoodling now.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I honestly have no idea what this means 😁😁

[@hachewie]

@@TheGorillaBiker Out gallivanting around on a 1000cc green machine. Nope. Not jealous. Not one bit. BTW, I think Kawasaki make amazing bikes.

[@aeror115]

It’s a reliable and comfortable travel bike

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Good to hear!

[@emmetmcgarrigle3219]

What's a good starter bike for someone who like cruises style bikes

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I don't like the whole starter bike thing tbh, it depends on your height, weight, mental maturity, finances etc. But a great bike full stop is the Honda shadow, if you want something lighter and smaller engine, Honda Rebel 500. Either of them are just good bikes tbh without worrying about the starter moniker :) Or you can go smaller again with the Rebel. There's the Kawasaki Vulkan 650 is class too. Beautiful bike. But like I said it depends on the things I said at the start of this sentence :D

[@emmetmcgarrigle3219]

@@TheGorillaBiker 5,11 80kg but I feel like real rebel or vulcan is too nice of a bike to begin on

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Ah you can get used Rebels right enough usually. A new new vulkan fair enough but the rebels drop well and are easy to fix like most Hondas :) Honestly tho the Honda Shadow is a great bike, and with your height and weight you'd be grand on one I'd say!

[@emmetmcgarrigle3219]

@@TheGorillaBiker not a single rebel 500 on donedeal 😭

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Ah balls, could reach out to a few dealers who might be able to import a used one for you either, or look in Germany for yourself and try sort one :)

[@byDanimal]

"oodles of power" 😆

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Oodles is the best descriptor :P

[@kazawhaki60]

Looks like a nice bike but... Kawasaki Green? Predictable 🤭. Also, hate ruined roads. There are too many roads ruined and obviously Kawasaki all day long 😉

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Hahaha you're only jealous yours wasn't green, errr...I mean isn't...isn't green :D Ah I was genuinely disgusted when I saw that, and there are so so so many stones it'll be ruined for a long while. I'd bet an hour on the thumbscrew they won't be back to sweep it off. You're biased, try something else :P

[@HippoDrones]

I'm not sure what happened with Kawasaki, but their fairing designer needs firing! :D

[@TheGorillaBiker]

Haha I actually really like the bulk of it, also I found out that's not the stock screen so with a nicer looking one that fit with the overall look a bit better I think it'd be way nicer :)

[@HippoDrones]

@@TheGorillaBiker I really don't like their modern fairings and lights.... now if they let us have the ZXR250 then I'd forgive them! :D

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I have weird taste, I know everyone was upset with the new zx10r but I really like it 😂😂 Oh. Yes. I'd even try squeeze myself.on to one of those beauties 😍

[@HippoDrones]

@@TheGorillaBiker be so much fun thrashing it on track... talking of track, am off to Brands Hatch on my Gixer on the 20th! :D

[@TheGorillaBiker]

It would indeed! 😁😁 I saw on the book of faces! I can't wait to see the footage man and see that beast sing 😁😁 Just be bloody careful and don't pull a me on it 😂 I also can't wait for you to see my footage from Bishopscourt :)