Awe, it’s a beautiful time in motorcycling. Manufacturers are developing bikes for all kinds of people, riding styles and wallet sizes. This morning, June 2nd, 2015, Kawasaki introduced a new mid-level streetfighter to add to its already stellar line up: the 2016 Kawasaki Z800.
If you love the Z1000, but don't like the price or the size, Kawasaki now has an answer. The Z800 retails for $8,399—that’s $3,602 cheaper than the Z1000’s MSRP. We’d assume the Z800 would be a lesser weight than the Z1000, but the Z1000 features an all aluminum frame, while the Z800's frame is steel with an aluminum subframe. The Z800 hits the scales with a 509 pound curb weight, and the Z1000 comes in at 487 pounds.
A slimmed down naked, the Z800 features a 806cc inline four cylinder and KYB 43mm forks along with KYB suspension out back. It's supposedly skinnier than the Z1000 too.
Hot on the heels of the Suzuki GSX-S750 introduced at the end of last year, Kawasaki will sure give them a run for their money.
Competition
Suzuki’s mid-level naked retails at $7,999, while the Kawasaki is slightly more at $8,399. Both bikes share many similarities. We can only assume the Kawasaki will make a little more power thanks to the 50 extra cc's (hopefully a lot more power), and the adjustable suspension is a huge advantage the Kawasaki has over the Suzuki.
Does Kawasaki have what it takes to knock the king off of its throne? Yamaha’s Prince, the FZ-07,583jlsup93
comes in cheaper than all of them at $6,990 with its 689cc parallel-twin and the King FZ-09, comes in right in the middle at $8,190 with its 850cc triple. While the suspension on the FZ-09 has been known to fall short compared to the rest of the bike, it’s supposedly improved entering the 2015 model year.
2016 Kawasaki Z800 Specs
| Engine: | Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, inline-four |
| Displacement: | 806cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 71 x 50.9mm |
| Compression ratio: | 11.9:1 |
| Fuel injection: | DFI® with Keihin 34mm throttle bodies |
| Ignition: | TCBI with electronic advance |
| Transmission: | Six-speed |
| Final drive: | Sealed chain |
| Rake / trail: | 24 degrees / 3.9” |
| Frame type: | High-tensile steel backbone |
| Front tire: | 120/70 ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax D214 |
| Rear tire: | 180/55 ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax D214 |
| Wheelbase: | 56.9” |
| Front suspension / wheel travel: | 41mm inverted fork with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability / 4.7” |
| Rear suspension / wheel travel: | Bottom-link Uni-Trak® horizontal monoshock with piggyback reservoir, stepless rebound damping, adjustable spring preload / 5.4” |
| Front brakes: | Dual 277mm petal-type rotors with four-piston calipers, ABS |
| Rear brake: | Single 216mm petal-type rotor with single-piston caliper, ABS |
| Overall length: | 82.7” |
| Overall width: | 31.5” |
| Overall height: | 41.3” |
| Seat height: | 32.8” |
| Curb weight**: | 509.4 lb |
| Fuel capacity: | 4.5 gallons |
| Color choices: | Metallic Spark Black / Flat Ebony |
| MSRP: | $8,399 |
| Warranty: | 12 Months |
| Kawasaki Protection Plan (optional): | 12, 24, 36, and 48 month plans are available |
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