how does the z1000 compare to the z1000sx

So I went a took a non ABS version (still have traction control) out for a test ride yesterday and I think I might have found a replacement for the fazer and the bandit.

• the z1000 felt firmer than the the FZ1 & the Fazer
• you were perched more forward than the  Fazer ,
• the engine was very smooth like the Fazer  and pulled in any gear ,and when I snapped back the throttle I felt like my head was being ripped off,
• but the lack of fairing at high speeds on the motorway put me off  as I was looking for something that I could tour on , although not exclusively .
• Also Kawasaki were very accommodating in letting me demo 3 off their bikes , whereas others were not .

• Suspension is defiantly better than stock and even better than my uprated front/rear (I have Devilsyam R6 shock & K-tech front springs) and the SX handled the same bumpy stretches of road better than the fzs did. But my 1200/1250 would have been smoother on the same streach due to the softer suspension.
• Yeah I didn't like that, I noticed almost immediately I sat on the bike, I did ask the sales guy if he knew of any modes to raise the bars. On my fazer I have the bars higher than stock with two little bar risers, so the riding position on the fzs is the same as my GSF1200/1250 bikes - and its like the same can be done with the XS - https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?products_id=501
• Ah man that engine it has same the low down power of the 1200, the low down smoothness of the 1250 and the top end power rush of the FZS - just awesome.
• The test bike I ride had a puig aftermarket screen, so while its dosent have the wind protection of the 1200/1250 its about the same or better than my FZS with has a double bubble screen.
• Same here, Daytona in Ruislip were very accommodating, I was honest and upfront about that fact that due to ULEZ I am looking to replace the FZS and that I didnt have any on-bike time with a Z1000SX they were happy to let ride the bike for an hour see below -

The bike I test rode was an  as I wanted to ride a bike that was in the same age/budget range I was looking at, this bike had an aftermarket screen & seat - here are other things I found I liked or disliked about this particular bike and where I have stated a fail this is compared to the FZS -

• The MPG on this bike is stellar, for the test ride I was averaging 51mpg, but would like to hear from other owners to correlate - WIN
• The mirrors do fold in but its no where near as easy as it is on my FZS and GSF - this is because I ride in London and filter half of the time - partial FAIL
• The mirrors are noticeably smaller than the FZS and the ones on my GSF and as they are further forward not as easy to adjust the pods while riding.
• The previous owner fitted a firmer seat - I did not like this at all, after 15mins I was already lifting my bum out of the sit to alleviate pressure (from what I could tell of the stock seat on another bike its softer)
• The gear change action isnt quite as smooth as my FZS or GSF - but that could be this particular bike or how its was treated by the previous owner, that said this bike had only one previous owner and a full service history - the bike maye had a shifter kit on it. partial FAIL.
• The front brake is monster, it has more feel and is more progressive than the FZS, but has even more power than the FZS.
• The headlights on this 2015 model are utterly shit (halogen), so an LED upgrade is a must.. The other issue I do not like is this proclivity of only having one light on, the bulbs are H7 but thankfully there is a dual light mode form The Netherlands for this - so compared stock FZS, the headlight on this 2015 SX is an utter and complete FAIL.
• I have read that the early bikes have a choppy throttle response, the bike I rode was smooth low down, it actually made riding at low speed very enjoyable, i noted to the sales guy I found myself going slower than I thought I was so yeeah, my driving license would love this bike. Its possibly the previous owner got the ECU flashed (this costs about £350), I would have to ride another 2014/2015 to say for sure (I asked the bike shop to get the previous owner to contact me)
• The BT030 tyres are as good as the Avon Storm 3DX-M's I have fitted the the FZS and GSF, but would need a long term test of the bridgestones to have a meaningful opinion. The Avon's have done a 1000 mile on the GSF and 200 on thew FZS and I'am loving them. (the avons have better cornering and smoother ride than Pilot road 2/3 I have had experience off but will never touch again due to the abnormal front tyre wear (front wears out before the rear)
• The petrol cap is a niggle to open, I use the ignition key on my FZS and GSF and the opening is in the middle of the flap on these bikes so its easy and no pressure is needed, but the cap on the SX has to be done from the side so this will cause/add wear to the key and the underside of the cap.
• The indicator button is lower down so will take getting used which after an hour I pretty much had.
• I had the bike in full power and full traction (rain) mode but it was dry and sunny so I didn't see much difference between the SX and my FZS - another test ride is required.
• Under-seat storage has enough room for a tool kit, large disk lock, role of insulating tape and thin rubber gloves. There is no extra  room for a tyre puncture repair kit like there is with the FZS and GSF (a bit of a squeeze) - you would need a little magnet tank bag for the extra's on the SX - so partial FAIL
• Clutch is cable like the FZS but I didn't have any span issues.
• Crash protection on this bike fitment seem to only be mountable directly to the engine, this is a fail in my book. It dosen't allow for any flex on the protector mount, so any impact is transferred direct to the engine/frame. The lowside I had on my FZS showed that the mount plate took all of the initial impact saving the frame and the nylon bobbin then saving the engine - (update) I saw an ZX10 on Saturday evening with frame mounted R&G rfame sliders and it took both a low and high side and the slider looked like they took ALL of the impact force - so if the Z1000SX versions are just as good then I have donwgraded to  a partial fail
  
• As I've not owned a Z100SX I cant say how easy it is to work on, but if all the youtube videos are anything to go by the SX as way more cramped than the FZS - so partial Fail
• Kawasaki has the smallest market share compared to the other 3, followed buy Suzuki, then Yamaha and finally Honda with the largest.
• The bike has NO main stand and there is not even an option to mount one - COMPLETE FAIL.

The obvious choice as an FZS owner is the FZ1, but that's a whole other conversation...

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UPDATE:

I just got stopped in my tracks with regard to this bike as I was told by a mechanic a few days ago and have found several verified instances on line of a serious fault with 4th gear and apparently Kawasaki aren't dealing with this as an official recal but instead silently fixed? the issue on later bikes

https://www.z1000sx.co.uk/index.php?action=search2

Well shit, I was looking forward to buying this bike - so am gonna have to have a chat with Kawasaki UK and see what year it was 'fixed' on...
Found a vid comparing the FZ1-S to the Z1000SX -

I only actually need the left hand rail (seat lock side) but will take the pait if need be. I have tried to find one online in the usual places to with no joy, so figured I would see if anyone on here has one.

It would be preferable to have it in DPBMC (in the UK I think that was on the 2004/2005 models) or galaxy blue (which was on the 2001/2002 models)

thanks.

Does any one know if a motorcycle can be made to be Euro 3 compliant..?

I found this, but there is zero mention of motorcycles- https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/ways-to-meet-the-standards/fit-a-filter

Morning

Does anyone have a baglux harness in galaxy blue for an FZS1000

ta.

I had a low-side last week, and got told by the RAC/Bennetts that the breakdown cover would not recover me in the event of an accident, non-fault or otherwise.

I went ballistic at Bennetts as I was stuck at the side of the fucking road, wear only for the sheer luck - I was half a mile from my cousins garage that I was able to ride over there and leave the bike with him while I source parts. Had I been stuck out in the fucking middle of know where I would have had to paid upwards of £200 to get some no-name cunt recovery firm to recover me back home.

Everyone I have spoken to today has pretty much also said "what the fuck"...

Morning

I'm after a front wheel for a FZS1000 -

• it can either be in poor/average condition but be physically sound and just need a repaint.
• Or it must be in as new condition with no scratches, chips and corrosion. 

I already have a spare rear that been painted, and now just need a matching front.

I think this is a case of the clutch basket fingers needing filling, but in case it isn't I wanted to check here here for suggestions...

I have to have the clutch lever set so that it has next to no free play, having the default 3mm results in very hard to change gears on a semi regular basis. I notice that mostly when I am coming up to a set of lights..

And if it is the old "grooves in the basket" issue, is there a quick and clean way to do this with the backet still on the engine (as in with all the plates & hub removed) and all the spaces around the basket filled with rags to keep the metal fillings out.

or

Is there a 3rd party replacement for the clutch assy that dosen't cost a fortune..?

So have done the electrical tape thing and got bored of the adhesive smearing away from the edge every time I cleaned the visor, so after a bunch of browsing and finding motorcycle specific products like sunax costing way to much for that they do I happened across this idea -

- http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/exterior-styling/anti-glare-fade-in-strip-black

My thinking is I cut a strip 2-3cm from the fade side, and even though its a cling fit secure the ends with some cellotape. And then if the fade side dosent work try the other side.

Afternoon

Just seeing if anyone has one on here before I hit ebay, I am after a rear brake disc for a FZS1000 in good condition (so straight and no ridging).

I am also after a set of disc bolts, having both of the above will make the job I have planned easier.

thanks

b.

Found this -

http://www.madstad.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.843/.f

It dosent look like its available over here, but even if it was its way to pricey @ £280 (found a place selling the triumph version)

So my question is, where can I/we find something like this over here or europe..?

please delete.

So as usual bot the infill and the side panels have started tor fucking crack again (so fucking board of this fucking merry-go-round), nothing on ebay or partfinder so found this cheap and dirty fix that I am looking to do from the inside -

! No longer available

Has anyone tried something like this, if so how did it last..?