Kawasaki Z1000sx Performance Edition 2017 Walkaround

Kawasaki Z1000SX 2017 Performance Edition - owners walk around and modifications

[@m2ugu824]

The buffers are removable. You need to drill 10mm whole to access the fixings and them order rubber bungs from the manufacturer to cover the whole. The sound will be amazing after.

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks for the tip. I never did get round to fixing that. I have now part exchanged it for Kawasaki H2SXSe with the same issue. 😂 So maybe this time I'll sort it.

[@firebladeblogger8063]

Hi why you have not started your bike we missed akrapovik sound

[@petethomas1253]

I really should have although as they were Euro 4 compliant the noise was very gentle. Now have the H2SXSE with the Akro and that isn't much noisier either.

[@RickyJr46]

This was one of the few motorcycles I've purchased without a demo ride. Five miles after leaving the dealership my impression was this: if it was from a European manufacturer it would cost double! Yes, it is that good.

[@petethomas1253]

So true. I traded it in just over a year ago for another Kawasaki. Enjoying the H2SX SE now. Must get round to an owners review of it.

[@daithimurphy1832]

Check your exhausts again the bolt for the baffle is there you just need to drill a hole in the carbon to access it. Head of the bolt is tack welded but comes out easily. Buy 2 rubber bungs to blank the holes. P.s. put tape on the carbon where the holes are being drilled first

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks for the advice. Might give that a go.

[@ed_richards47]

Thanks for the video. Some interesting add-ons there. Just bought my touring version in the green and still running in, (what a pain!!) But very pleased with the set-up and smoothness of the engine.

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Edward Richards. I remember that. It’s such a pain. However after that it just gets better and better. I think the green looks great. I plan to have it detailed soon and bring it up to how looks in this video. 👍 Enjoy your bike it really is a brilliant machine.

[@ed_richards47]

Pete Thomas thanks Pete. I'm looking forward to the end of the running in period and to that end I'm enjoying some nice but slow trips around the south west! Your bike looks great. Thanks again for the video.

[@superbike1]

You have put together a great package which will serve you well. That engine is a peach and at normal revs sounds like a proper bike should.

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks superbike1. I had the benefit of having the 2015 model so I've added everything I regretted not putting on the first time round. It's a great bike that puts a smile on your face on any ride.

[@Zorofun]

thank you so much. I have test ridden and love trying to decide on extras but it's hard when you can't see them properly. engine sliders being the main one. clear as day on this video. ticked all my extras thank you again.

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks Daniel Zorodek I am really glad my post was useful to you. Hope you enjoy your new bike.

[@matthewjackson3034]

Just got the 17 version. With panniers. What kit did u use for panniers? Just purchased a used set of Akros with removable baffles. 😉

[@petethomas1253]

It's the standard plastic film from the Kawasaki official accessories catalogue. It is same pannier film across that is across the new Ninja 1000 and the H2SXSe which I have now. Put on the new bike too. Its definitely worth it.

[@Harlin67]

Waiting for my Burnt Orange Z1000SX for 2 months now, beggars belief Kawasaki do not have enough of them!

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Harlin67. I test drove the orange one. Its a great looking bike. Hopefully you won't have to wait much longer. It will be worth the wait.

[@Jambome]

What's the difference among the three? Performance, sx and Tourer? They sound the same thing to me

[@columkenn]

I asked the dealer this. I think the differences are only cosmetic as such. The tourer gets you panniers, inner bags and sat nav mount over the sx. The performance gets you the akro exhausts and screen, but all 3 are the same otherwise. I will say the black akro exhausts look cool on the green sx. But he says performance is the same so probably not worth the cost. Is a very nice bike

[@chrisw4215]

I’m glad I have watched your video. I’m going to buy this bike soon, but if there is not much difference between stock exhaust and akrapovic I will save a grand. Do you know what is the difference between 2016, 2017 and 2018 model? Except the colour. Thank you

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Chris W. Big difference in the styling between the 2016 & 2017 model. As well as updated electronic rider aids in the form of lean angle ABS and more sophisticated traction control. 2017 model now meets new Euro 4 emissions. Dash is updated with an inverted LCD and gear position indicator as standard. Seat is also slightly lower but wider and way more comfortable. And finally the headlights are much brighter. 2018 model is a colour change only according to my dealer.

[@chrisw4215]

Thank you Pete

[@yesidramirez8635]

Great motorcycle, good video, this bike its my obsession, i ll buy next year, maybe. Hello from Colombia. Thanks

[@petethomas1253]

Hello Yesid Ramirez. I hope you do ending getting one. You will love it. 👍

[@alexthompson6412]

Good to know about the exhausts. Will definitely be erring towards the tourer and fitting my own exhausts!

[@petethomas1253]

Alex Thompson I thought it might be worth pointing it out. I was disappointed ro discover that removable baffles weren't standard. Although my neighbours are probably happier! 😀

[@OnlineHousehusband]

Get my Candy Green in about 3 weeks 😊. Can't wait! Where did you get the hand guards from?? Can you send me the link?

[@petethomas1253]

OnlineHousehusband you are going to have so much fun. The green one looks amazing. Go to powerbronze.co.uk. I bought mine at the MCN bike show directly from Them and their rep he put me off the gloss black in favour of the matt black ones. Enjoy your new bike. 😀

[@Fastliner8]

How do you like the drop protection? I'm looking at the oem's and the puig ones. What would you chose

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Jeroen Dumoulin. I went for the standard OEM. I had the previous version on my 2015 Z1000SX. When I lowsided at Brands Hatch last year it protected the fairings brilliantly. So stuck with Kawasaki on that basis. Prior to that I always purchased R&G. Stock items look good too.

[@twisted_void]

Well that is a bummer, with the exhaust :) Just looked on Kawasaki website. Cannot get performance edition any longer. Only can add bits as extras.

[@petethomas1253]

Hi SovietZekk. If I am honest I don't miss the noise too much but it will be a problem for many. As regards the performance edition; it was only a kit of nice parts bolted onto the standard. So it can easily be recreated - perhaps with the exhaust of your choice now. 👍

[@neilmcnaught3262]

How do you find the MP 4 please? I have the standard tyres and they seem OK, however what's your thoughts. ThanksNeil

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Neil McNaught, It’s the improved grip in the wet and for me the bike turns in much quicker. It’s a personal choice but it felt like a significant upgrade to me.

[@officiallyt351]

Great bike. Where did you source the hand guards from? I couldn't make the name out from the video. Thanks.

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Auckland T3. I got mine from directly from powerbronze at bikeshow at the London Excel. Try www.m.powerbronze.co.uk/searchedproducts.aspx?maketext=KAWASAKI&modeltext=Z1000SX&yeartext=17

[@officiallyt351]

Thanks Pete. Much appreciated.

[@officiallyt351]

Hi Pete, fitted the hand guards last week but having problems with the throttle side as it keeps slipping down. Did you have any issue with fitting or when riding? Cheers Paddy.

[@stdalex]

What is the brand name of the handguards?

[@UneasyRider]

I love this bike. Looks even better with the performance edition! I take everything was an add on? How much did you pay

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks Uneasy Rider. The performance edition includes the tinted screen, akrapovic slip on and seat cowl. I recall that adds about £1k. The other bits and pieces do add up. I think all in it was around £11.8k. I don't regret any of it though but I think there are good deals around on pre-reg bikes. I expect I paid a premium for getting an early one on the day the new registration came out. Thanks for looking. I am enjoying it even more 6 months on. 👍😎

[@jiggery4238]

Nice video. What was the film you put on the panniers?

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks Jiggery. it is the official Kawasaki panniers protection kit. You can find it on their website. It costs £35.95.

[@jiggery4238]

Cheers. The grey is my favourite colour scheme for the 2017 model. I'll be test riding one imminently!

[@richardcook621]

Hi what were the hand guard maker ?

[@petethomas1253]

They were from Powerbronze. They were a really good buy and kept off much of the cold too. 👍

[@ronaldalcazar1353]

nice bike! i have the same bike in green. enjoying it very much. too bad there's no available oem accessories here in the philippines. i need the oem panniers and frame sliders. hope to get them soon!

[@petethomas1253]

Ronald Alcazar so glad you are enjoying the bike. So nearly bought the green ine myself. Good luck with hunting down the accessories. The panniers are really useful and you just hope sliders are never used.

[@MiamiJato]

yup same thing, I bought the slipons not knowing that, I like it quiet anyway, there also easy to sell if you choose...….

[@Sunedosa]

Bought a green one and i love it, it's been really hard locating one here in sweden. Wanted a black one at first but they're sold out and there was just one green left, they claim it was the same nationwide.

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Sunedosa. Glad you are enjoying the bike. Green, Orange or Black they are all great looking machines.

[@Sunedosa]

Idd they are :-)

[@neilvickers2611]

Hi Paul, have you taken a pillion on the bike?

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Neil Vickers. I haven't as yet. However having removed the pillion seat it looks more padded than my previous 2015 version would be my only observation ar this stage.

[@sugarglider7785]

What's the handguard's brand?

[@petethomas1253]

Powerbronze

[@CYOTsNiper]

What clear film did you use on your hard cases?

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Les Laxson. Sorry I missed this. It is the Kawasaki official pannier film. You can get it on their website.

[@JIMWSMITH]

Does it have a quick shifter ?

[@petethomas1253]

Hi Jim Smith. No it doesn’t have one. I haven’t missed it though. I took the bike out on track last week and you can get around fast without one. Be nice to have one but in my opinion it’s unnecessary on this type of bike.

[@frenchiechanel64]

Lovely color.....

[@Sousousou200]

When is the first ride video?

[@petethomas1253]

I've run it in now Rahul Prasad. Will dust off the GoPro and pethaps shoot a twisty route or maybe a trackday at Brands.

[@frenchiechanel64]

Could you start it next time and let us hear the sound!

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks Arnel P. Will do that.

[@VinayKumar-db4qz]

This bike has a catalystic converter so it keeps the bike exhaust sound to a minimal, thus it sounds the same no matter what exhaust you use.

[@petethomas1253]

I'm not sure that's correct Vinay Kumar. The Cat converts harmful Co2 emissions into less toxic gases. The exhaust baffles route the exhaust coming out of the engine through a chamber to reduce noise. So to remove the baffle means more noise.

[@andrewgardiner4752]

Hi You can remove the baffles from these cans I have a 2017 Z1000 R Edition and I’ve removed mine. Remove the cans from the bike and on the inside of the can you will just about make out the retention screw. Drill a 10mm hole through the carbon cone remove screw the remove the baffle. Fill hole with a standard 10mm automotive rubber bung Refit cans to bike Job done

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks Andrew Gardiner. How much better does it sound?

[@andrewgardiner4752]

Pete Thomas sounds a lot better not a loud harsh sound like a sports bike but a nicer deeper tone to the exhaust

[@columkenn]

Nice motor

[@rahamanbashasyed8767]

You should have been revv that throttle, wanna listen to that akrapovic

[@petethomas1253]

Rahaman basha Syed you are right...I really should have. Will have to get round to that.

[@MatNewtonTrio]

Nice bike and like the colour scheme. Shame about the exhaust

[@petethomas1253]

Thanks Mat Newton. All the colours are great this year but you simply can't go wrong with black. The exhausts do still have a nice note but if you want loud they simply won't be for you.

[@MatNewtonTrio]

I've just put some pilot 4's on my Tracer, great Tyres! I'll be test riding this in the next few days.

[@coggie49ify]

The exhaust looks much better then the standard ones Kawasaki fit, they put me off buying.

[@01phantomx]

I made them get me the proper exhausts not the junk euro 4 ones

[@petethomas1253]

01phantomx Glad you spotted it in advance.

[@Sunedosa]

Afaik the 2017 akras are identical to the 2016's apart from the spotwelded baffle. It can be removed but it is a bit of a pain.

[@276sachin]

Pete Thomas Is it not possible to remove the baffle? It will sound tad louder and better I guess than with the baffle.

[@Sunedosa]

The answer to that question is one row above yours :p

[@chrisw4215]

Could you advice how to do that please?