Discussion
Early thinking about what to change my 2007 Sprint 1050 for when the time comes.
Having gone round the houses, the Z1000SX keeps coming back to a good option.
Looking at the 2014-2017 and 2017+ models. Unsure if the extra for the latest model is worth it, however, there are a some good discounts on new models at the moment..so maybe a new model is due next year?
Anyone got one?
Having gone round the houses, the Z1000SX keeps coming back to a good option.
Looking at the 2014-2017 and 2017+ models. Unsure if the extra for the latest model is worth it, however, there are a some good discounts on new models at the moment..so maybe a new model is due next year?
Anyone got one?
I have just recently got one, and I really like it, I've owned everything in the past but the Z1000 seems to be the perfect all rounder, of all of them I'd pick the '17 on model with the IMU and cornering abs, there are some cracking deals on the performance model which comes with Akra's as standard and loses the silly exhausts.
Bear in mind it doesn't have a quickshifter or blipper or even heated grips like most modern sports-tourers have, but its only just over £9k for a proper full size bike, the first and last two are easy enough to sort if you are inclined.
Good bits are the engine and handling, it weighs around 240kg so its no lightweight but I'm no slower in reality on the road than I was on any sports bike, its all day comfy and the riding position is really good, you can just leave it in top gear and the pickup is instant at any speed, the traction control and anti wheelie is also brilliant, you can really pin it over crests and keep driving forwards rather than having to roll off, its also not intrusive at all, the pannier system is also excellent and leaves no ugly racks on the bike when you remove them, build quality also seems really good.
Not so good bits are the clocks which are hard to see in daylight and the OE tyres (S20's) which are awful.
I'd recommend one, they are definitely more sports than tourer and somewhat of a dying breed.
Bear in mind it doesn't have a quickshifter or blipper or even heated grips like most modern sports-tourers have, but its only just over £9k for a proper full size bike, the first and last two are easy enough to sort if you are inclined.
Good bits are the engine and handling, it weighs around 240kg so its no lightweight but I'm no slower in reality on the road than I was on any sports bike, its all day comfy and the riding position is really good, you can just leave it in top gear and the pickup is instant at any speed, the traction control and anti wheelie is also brilliant, you can really pin it over crests and keep driving forwards rather than having to roll off, its also not intrusive at all, the pannier system is also excellent and leaves no ugly racks on the bike when you remove them, build quality also seems really good.
Not so good bits are the clocks which are hard to see in daylight and the OE tyres (S20's) which are awful.
I'd recommend one, they are definitely more sports than tourer and somewhat of a dying breed.
Edited by Jazoli on Monday 3rd June 13:22
I've just bought a new one - they were doing a deal for a "sports tourer" (basically comes with Akras and Panniers and a couple of other bits) and I love it!
Downsides... no centre stand, heated grips are an extra, and no easy way to put a bag on the pillion seat. No cruise control, no auto blipper etc but I've only been riding a year and my previous bike didn't have them either (Tiger Sport). I'm also finding I have to muscle it around tight corners compared to the old bike - narrower bars and less tippy probably. Seat is fine until about 3-4 hours in, then it feels like a plank of wood, but don't they all ?? I had the suspension tweaked to make it less "bobby."
Upsides... engine... gearbox.... low wind noise... looks brilliant... easy to ride (although I'm having to work on turning in for some reason), love it
I hear the new one has better headlights than previously, but I haven't ridden an older one. I've also heard it has a more comfy seat.
I also agree with someone further up, it feels like it needs 7th gear for motorway cruising.
Oh and the sat nav opsition is too low to easily see, but if you put it higher you interfere with the windscreen and/or block your view of the dash.
Downsides... no centre stand, heated grips are an extra, and no easy way to put a bag on the pillion seat. No cruise control, no auto blipper etc but I've only been riding a year and my previous bike didn't have them either (Tiger Sport). I'm also finding I have to muscle it around tight corners compared to the old bike - narrower bars and less tippy probably. Seat is fine until about 3-4 hours in, then it feels like a plank of wood, but don't they all ?? I had the suspension tweaked to make it less "bobby."
Upsides... engine... gearbox.... low wind noise... looks brilliant... easy to ride (although I'm having to work on turning in for some reason), love it
I hear the new one has better headlights than previously, but I haven't ridden an older one. I've also heard it has a more comfy seat.
I also agree with someone further up, it feels like it needs 7th gear for motorway cruising.
Oh and the sat nav opsition is too low to easily see, but if you put it higher you interfere with the windscreen and/or block your view of the dash.
te.I bought a new one towards the end of last year and can only agree with the other comments, it's a cracking all rounder.
I have the sports stuff so the Akra's, seat cowel etc + heated grips. The LED lights are a big improvement IMO. It's a great tourer, just spent a week in Ireland for the NW200 and it was great fun, even loaded with luggage.
I agree the tyres aren't great so will fit something different when these have gone.
It looks much sportier without the panniers and is just great fun to ride.
I think the biggest compliment I can give it is that I've agreed a sale on my 899 Panigale today because 95% of the time I can't make it go any faster (on the road) and the Z1000 just exaggerates how ridiculously uncomfortable it is! I open the garage and yes the Panigale is soooo pretty but 9 times out of 10 I opt for the Z1000 so the ZX7R will have to do the "looks"
I have the sports stuff so the Akra's, seat cowel etc + heated grips. The LED lights are a big improvement IMO. It's a great tourer, just spent a week in Ireland for the NW200 and it was great fun, even loaded with luggage.
I agree the tyres aren't great so will fit something different when these have gone.
It looks much sportier without the panniers and is just great fun to ride.
I think the biggest compliment I can give it is that I've agreed a sale on my 899 Panigale today because 95% of the time I can't make it go any faster (on the road) and the Z1000 just exaggerates how ridiculously uncomfortable it is! I open the garage and yes the Panigale is soooo pretty but 9 times out of 10 I opt for the Z1000 so the ZX7R will have to do the "looks"
I've just changed from a 2005 1050 ST to a 2015 z1000sx (about 500 miles in now)
In every measurable way the Kawasaki is better (with the exception of tank size and that bloody uncomfortable seat!). I've struggled a little to bond with it though, mainly because I've had a triple engined Triumph for the last 10 years or so and I've become lazy with the throttle/gear change.
I don't feel it has as much character as the Triumph as a result and I do find myself missing it but the SX is a great bike. I've just bought an Air Hawk for it and will be setting off on a 1,500 mile ride at the weekend, will let you know how I get on with it.
In every measurable way the Kawasaki is better (with the exception of tank size and that bloody uncomfortable seat!). I've struggled a little to bond with it though, mainly because I've had a triple engined Triumph for the last 10 years or so and I've become lazy with the throttle/gear change.
I don't feel it has as much character as the Triumph as a result and I do find myself missing it but the SX is a great bike. I've just bought an Air Hawk for it and will be setting off on a 1,500 mile ride at the weekend, will let you know how I get on with it.
What tank ranges you getting out of your SX's? The reason I ask is for the last 8 months I've been commuting from Basingstoke to London on a VFR800Fi from 2000. It's perfect for the job but will soon fall foul of the ULEZ, and so I'm thinking Z1000SX.
I've seen some reports say 190 miles, but I really need to squeeze 200 out of it riding economically on the motorway. I'm thinking that if the average is 190, then I might be able to squeeze another 10 miles out of it if I'm not on a thrash.
I've seen some reports say 190 miles, but I really need to squeeze 200 out of it riding economically on the motorway. I'm thinking that if the average is 190, then I might be able to squeeze another 10 miles out of it if I'm not on a thrash.
MarJay said:
What tank ranges you getting out of your SX's? The reason I ask is for the last 8 months I've been commuting from Basingstoke to London on a VFR800Fi from 2000. It's perfect for the job but will soon fall foul of the ULEZ, and so I'm thinking Z1000SX.
I've seen some reports say 190 miles, but I really need to squeeze 200 out of it riding economically on the motorway. I'm thinking that if the average is 190, then I might be able to squeeze another 10 miles out of it if I'm not on a thrash.
I rode to Manchester the other week and managed to get 190 out on the motorway - I didn't manage to get the same on the way back down as it was blowing a gale and pouring with rain so I was in more of a rush.I've seen some reports say 190 miles, but I really need to squeeze 200 out of it riding economically on the motorway. I'm thinking that if the average is 190, then I might be able to squeeze another 10 miles out of it if I'm not on a thrash.
I'd personally not be comfortable trying to get 200 out tbh, the 'remaining range' zeroes out at about 20 miles left which was disconcerting.... Thrashing around I'm filling up around 160-170
I've done 15,000 miles on my SX now across three bike trips. It's generally an excellent all round performer, maybe lacks the character of some bikes but performs very well.
Some people find the seat acceptable, I absolutely hate it - but that can easily be resolved by replacing it with a third party option or getting it modified.
The 2017 model includes some new extras such as LED headlights, upgraded dashboard and an IMU for cornering ABS/TC. The 2016 model introduced a slipper clutch. If you are going to use panniers then I would definitely get the 2014 model as a minimum as the inline pannier mounts are much nicer than the old rack based system on the previous model.
I'm at work at the minute, but can probably give you a bit more detail on my experiences once I'm back this evening.
Some people find the seat acceptable, I absolutely hate it - but that can easily be resolved by replacing it with a third party option or getting it modified.
The 2017 model includes some new extras such as LED headlights, upgraded dashboard and an IMU for cornering ABS/TC. The 2016 model introduced a slipper clutch. If you are going to use panniers then I would definitely get the 2014 model as a minimum as the inline pannier mounts are much nicer than the old rack based system on the previous model.
I'm at work at the minute, but can probably give you a bit more detail on my experiences once I'm back this evening.
CaptainSlow said:
Thanks, I am wondering whether I'll miss the triple engine.
You will. I test rode one when I had a 2008 Sprint 1050. I really didn't like zed. Nothing like the low down grunt, so you had to work it much harder, when it does go. Also some weird handling / steering a low / mid speeds. Brakes weren't an upgrade on the poor Triumph ones either.
It felt like a budget bike in comparison.
Apologies for the thread revival but thought i'd chime in.
I've just bought one of these. a 2016 z100sx ABS which from my reading has the updates to address a few of the shortcomings on the earlier bikes like a lighter slipper clutch, selectable power modes and as the name would suggest, ABS.
What i'm not entirely sure of is if it's got traction control or cornering ABS or anti-wheelie. Not that any of those are show stoppers as i plan on riding this to enjoy riding rather than knee down madness.
My last bike was a ballistic 2003 R1 that was quite simply a missile, there wasn't a corner where i thought i was a racer (i'm not) and leaving corners on the back wheel in 1st was asking for trouble. I eventually ran out of talent at Knockhill on that and called it a day. That was 10 years ago.
Back in the saddle soon, looking forward to enjoying the big for what it is and getting around Scotland on it. Heated grips are fitted where that might be handy, even in July
.
I need to step away from the aftermarket sites, it has those ridiculous exhausts on it and is super quiet but maybe that's a good thing.
I've just bought one of these. a 2016 z100sx ABS which from my reading has the updates to address a few of the shortcomings on the earlier bikes like a lighter slipper clutch, selectable power modes and as the name would suggest, ABS.
What i'm not entirely sure of is if it's got traction control or cornering ABS or anti-wheelie. Not that any of those are show stoppers as i plan on riding this to enjoy riding rather than knee down madness.
My last bike was a ballistic 2003 R1 that was quite simply a missile, there wasn't a corner where i thought i was a racer (i'm not) and leaving corners on the back wheel in 1st was asking for trouble. I eventually ran out of talent at Knockhill on that and called it a day. That was 10 years ago.
Back in the saddle soon, looking forward to enjoying the big for what it is and getting around Scotland on it. Heated grips are fitted where that might be handy, even in July
. I need to step away from the aftermarket sites, it has those ridiculous exhausts on it and is super quiet but maybe that's a good thing.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff