[AbhisheKulkarni]

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

Kawasaki has all the right ingredients to dominate and take over the big bike market in India but has shown little in terms of spine to address issues that crop up at a dealership level(we have some unfortunate examples in this forum). As educated potential customers, lets not restrain ourselves to just writing about it on social media and forums. Let us complain to our local RTO for example. Avoid giving such crooked dealers our hard earned money.

Apologies for responding late to your post, however I must respectfully disagree with the opinion that you have shared.

As a customer intending to do a business transaction with a manufacturer, I feel that it should not be my responsibility to 'fight-it-out' with the manufacturer's representative (the dealer). It's Kawasaki's responsibility to take corrective action against Kundan (the dealer).

If I have to approach the RTO (or any other agency) to complain about the malpractices which are being conducted against me, it would take the pleasure out of the purchase all-together.

I feel the best response to such situations is to not buy the product. If no one from Pune bought Kawasaki bikes without Kundan agreeing to drop the scammy handling charges, the change in the dealership's attitude would be organic and intrinsic.

PS: There is one Pune N1000 customer who raised hell and got the additional amount charged as handling charges reimbursed. It shall surely set a precedent for this particular dealership for prospective customers to ensure justice prevails in the purchase.

[kicksperliter]

[QUOTE/]PS: There is one Pune N1000 customer who raised hell and got the additional amount charged as handling charges reimbursed. It shall surely set a precedent for this particular dealership for prospective customers to ensure justice prevails in the purchase.[/quote]

To set this example, while in my previous post I had mentioned that I had booked Z900 bike at Rideventur Bangalore and argued with the staff on the additional charges levied of close to 21K as RTO charges.

When I stood my ground I am not paying it or else I am not taking the bike. Please note, by this time I hadn't signed any of the bank loan papers or any other documents from the dealer except for the fact of me making a booking amount.

They tried to test my patience and made me wait for close to an hour for their manager to come.

I insisted I am not paying anything until and unless the additional amount against RTO charges are removed.

It came to a point of negotiation and discounted little more than 7K from that.

I was OK in paying the relaxed/reduced amount.

[AbhisheKulkarni]

Originally Posted by kicksperliter

I was OK in paying the relaxed/reduced amount.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

I would humbly request all Z900 owners on the forum to kindly start ownership review threads of the bike.

It would be really helpful for those looking forward to purchase this bike.

[amitg79]

I test rode the Z900 a couple of days back and was floored by it. For starters, it looks properly muscular and gives a great 'sitting in the bike' feel. Despite weighing 210 kgs, it does not feel its weight from the saddle.

I am 5'7" on a good day, so flat footing a near liter class bike is a major advantage for me and does impart a lot of confidence, specially in tight U turns.

The riding position is quite upright and relaxed, and my legs were a bit more tucked up than on my Dominar. Nothing disconcerting, though.

The engine is smooth and has a very refined exhaust note. The clutch was extremely light and you might as well be pulling air. Seriously, the Dominar's clutch feels heavier in comparison.

When riding it, what hits you is the flexibility and refinement of the engine and the perfect throttle callibration. I was puttering about in traffic in ridiculously high gears without even noticing. There is absolutely no jerkiness from the throttle.

I only got a couple of short open stretches to open the taps. After around 6000 RPM, there is a step up in performance and the big Zed starts pulling hard. I mean, really hard. Stupid-grin-inducingly hard.

I had read a lot about Kawasaki engineering the intake note at higher RPMs and it really is there to be heard. It sounds absolutely brilliant from the saddle.

Brakes are great and give a lot of stopping confidence.

Overall, I loved everything. The looks, the low seat height the absolutely brilliant engine and how controllable and flickable it felt in traffic. The pillion definitely gets the worst deal as the seat is small, there are no grab rails (not even as an accessory) and has to hold on to a strap or on to you.

But I'm willing to overlook that. When I do buy this by year end, I just have to ensure I don't take a male pillion on it. Ever.

Price quoted: 9,95,800/- On road. Does include that handling charge thing.

[ironshark]

Originally Posted by amitg79

I test rode the Z900 a couple of days back and was floored by it. For starters, it looks properly muscular and gives a great 'sitting in the bike' feel. Despite weighing 210 kgs, it does not feel its weight from the saddle.

Amit, thanks a lot for the crisp review. Some questions:

1) Is the on-road price inclusive of accessories? If yes, what all accessories?
2) Is there a option to buy the bike without accessories? if yes, then what is the OTR price?
3) How does the bike fare in heat management? what was your experience in traffic?

[amitg79]

Originally Posted by ironshark

Amit, thanks a lot for the crisp review. Some questions:

1) Is the on-road price inclusive of accessories? If yes, what all accessories?
2) Is there a option to buy the bike without accessories? if yes, then what is the OTR price?
3) How does the bike fare in heat management? what was your experience in traffic?

This was the price without any accessories. They said that they had both options of Kawasaki official and other accessories. Kawasaki accessories are more expensive. I did indicate that for this price, if there are no discounts, I would like basic protection such as sliders, fork protectors and radiator guard thrown in. I still have some time to actually buy it, so no detailed discussion on that. I don't have the price details of the accessories either.

During the couple of km ride that I did, on quite a hot day, I felt absolutely no heat on my legs. The cooling system seems to be brilliant as well.

[AbhisheKulkarni]

Originally Posted by amitg79

Price quoted: 9,95,800/- On road. Does include that handling charge thing.

Thanks for the short review Amit.

I can relate with all of your observations. Was it the green/black color TD bike that you rode?

The handling charges are around 40k, so you may want to check if they can provide 40k worth of accessories without any additional invoicing.

If you intend to buy the bike only by the end of this year please note that a refresh to the Z900 is expected as a MY2019 model. Although there is no concrete information regarding what changes might be expected, LED headlights along with a TC system seem like the most likely ones.

Which colours are available and which one are you considering?

[amitg79]

Originally Posted by AbhisheKulkarni

Thanks for the short review

It was a stand-in test bike (the grey with green frame colour) that a customer had lent for a couple of days. Someone wrecked their actual test ride bike and it is being repaired.

Noted regarding the handling charge and I'll try to negotiate for the accessories in the cost of the bike itself.

Any idea on when the MY19 bike is coming? I was planning to book sometime in early October. I haven't read any news on the updated model, but will keep an eye out. I am guessing the TC will add to the price.

Ideally, I would have loved the new red that was launched in Europe and Australia, but if that's not available when I book it, I will go with the Grey / Green frame.

[drive_angry]

If anyone is interested, test ride bike (Z900) is available for sale at Chandigarh Kawasaki at a pretty decent deal. It's not registered yet so the person who buys it will the first owner. PM me for more details. Thanks!

[AbhisheKulkarni]

Originally Posted by amitg79

Any idea on when the MY19 bike is coming? I was planning to book sometime in early October. I haven't read any news on the updated model, but will keep an eye out. I am guessing the TC will add to the price.

Ideally, I would have loved the new red that was launched in Europe and Australia, but if that's not available when I book it, I will go with the Grey / Green frame.

Kawasaki follows a two-year cycle for a model refresh in general, hence the possibility of a new model being launched in 2019.

All if it's competitor's, which include the Street Triple 765, Suzuki GSX S750, Yamaha MT09 & the Monster 821 have TC.

The recently launched Ninja 400 has LED headlights.

Hence my guess that the bare minimum features that could be added to the Z900 would be these two.

If they are indeed going to launch a new model it could be revealed at the EICMA '18 show. So it's a wait and watch as of now.

[ethanhunt123]

I have been the proud owner of the Z900 for 6 months now. I love a lot of things about this bike - but if there was one thing which i didnt like about it - it was the sound. Thanks to the Euro 4 norms - It has a huge CatCon breadbox. And the wise folks at Kawasaki attached the Catcon to the headers - so a simple slip-on exhaust has minimal effect on the sound.

The only option if you want to change the sound - Full System exhaust. I finally took the plunge a months back - got the Akrapovic Headers (locally in Blr), Akrapovic Slip-on (From US), Power Commander V (From US) & BMC Air Filter (Locally). In total - it costed me roughly 1.5L including installation, a couple of Dyno-runs & tuning.

I must say that the character of the bike has totally changed - the exhaust has a nice loud grumble which begs you to revv it hard. With the removal of the breadbox - the ground clearance has improved massively - i used to scrape almost every speed breaker in Blr - but i havent scraped a single time since the change.

And the power :-) The bike has now become a wheelie machine - big improvement in midrange power and torque. All in all - i am very happy with the decision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHbst6foY90

[shan_ned]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

The only option if you want to change the sound - Full System exhaust. I finally took the plunge a months back - got the Akrapovic Headers (locally in Blr), Akrapovic Slip-on (From US), Power Commander V (From US) & BMC Air Filter (Locally). In total - it costed me roughly 1.5L including installation, a couple of Dyno-runs & tuning.

@ethamhunt123 - I guess the dyno graph you have captured is quoting wrong units for the torque. Shouldn't that be in lb-ft ?.

[ethanhunt123]

Originally Posted by shan_ned

@ethamhunt123 - I guess the dyno graph you have captured is quoting wrong units for the torque. Shouldn't that be in lb-ft ?.

Its correct - Kawasaki quotes figures at the crank while dyno checks the figures at the wheel.

[shan_ned]

Originally Posted by ethanhunt123

Its correct - Kawasaki quotes figures at the crank while dyno checks the figures at the wheel.

The max peak torque (@rear wheel) is quoted as 70 Nm (against 98 Nm at the crank). This huge drop from the crank to the wheel is very much surprising. If the peak torque is mentioned in lb-ft (70 lb-ft), then it translates roughly to 94 Nm and that looks more logical (I guess). That is why I had a doubt about the units used - lb-ft vs Nm.

[krishsreedharan]

I took delivery of my Black on Green Frame 2019 Z900 on the 17th of October and currently have done about 400+ kms on the bike. Its been absolutely fabulous so far. Will try to complete and post an initial ownership report soon.