Kawasaki is one of the most popular motorcycle brands in the world. This Japanese motorcycle company was established in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It was in 1949 when Kawasaki, or as the company was known back then, Kawasaki Aircraft Company began the development of their first motorcycle engine.
This project went on for three years before it was completed in 1952, and this is the same time when the mass production of the Kawasaki motorcycle engine lineup started. This went on to evolve into the empire that it is today.
Kawasaki has made a name for itself with a wide range of motorcycles that include but are not limited to sports bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, and scooters, to name but a few. One of the most popular and affordable Kawasaki bike lineups is their naked lineup. The Kawasaki Z800 is one of the most popular options for anyone looking for a cool naked sports bike within this lineup.
The Kawasaki Z800 is part of the Kawasaki Z series. This series features four-cylinder standard motorcycles. The Kawasaki Z series made its debut in 1972. The Kawasaki Z800 made its debut in 2013. After three years of production, the Kawasaki Z800 was discontinued in 2016 before being replaced with the Z900 in 2017.
While this bike is no longer in production, it is still in circulation. To give you a better understanding of what this bike has to offer, we will look at our favorite features of this bike. Here is what we love about the Kawasaki Z800.
The Kawasaki Z800 Has A Neat Powertrain
When it comes to Kawasaki, we all love the design and overall style. But the one thing that stops everyone at their tracks whenever Kawasaki announces the rolling out of a new bike is the engine. The Kawasaki Z800 was fitted with a Zed’s liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder engine that is bored out to fit 806 cc. The Bore and stroke of this engine are 71mm x 50.9mm.
The performance of this engine was amped up to 111 bhp at 10,200 rpm. This was higher compared to the 105 bhp from its predecessor, the Kawasaki Z750. This engine was paired with a 6-speed transmission.
The engine mounted on this bike is one of the best sounding engines in its category. The stock setup offers almost smooth vibrations that reduce the noise and harshness of the engine and extra vibrations on the handlebars.
Brakes
When you have a powerful engine, you need something with stamina to stop it even at its peak performance. The brakes on the Kawasaki Z800 are based on the ones used in the Kawasaki Z750R. These tubular brakes are, however, improved to bear the weight and pressure from the Kawasaki Z800 engines.
The brakes on this bike feature an added cast aluminum subframe section that runs down the side of the engine. They are then connected to the front with a tube. This allows for a reduction of the engine’s vibration and an increase in rigidity.
The brakes also feature a double-sided cox-section swingarm that measures 12mm in length. 41mm KYB forks and adjustable rear shocks are fitted to allow for preload and rebound damping. On this bike, the twin-front brake discs are bigger compared to those in the rear. They measure between 300mm to 310 mm, depending on the bike trim you opt for. Nissin's four-piston calipers grip these discs. For extra braking performance, you can get the ABS system that comes as an optional feature.
Design And Style Of The Kawasaki Z800
If you have made an effort to look up the Kawasaki Z series lineup, then you might have noticed the evolution of this bike’s lineup design and style evolution. While the Kawasaki Z800 might not be the most incredible looking or most beautiful bike, it does bear the elements of a modern naked bike.
The overall design of this bike makes a statement of a naked sporty motorcycle but with a twist of a superbike. The most notable feature of the Kawasaki Z800 is the beautifully mounted headlight that undoubtedly makes a statement.
The headlamp’s design is placed in a way that it is pulled backward and upwards to give it a wide twin-pot layout that blends seamlessly with its aggressive angled lines that flow throughout the bike. The mudguards are placed on the front and rear. The front mudguard has a matte finish plastic finish that is fitted to the motorcycle and blended with the decal and styling of the bike.
The paint job on the Kawasaki Z800 has a striking resemblance with its superbike lineup. The matte black paint job gives this bike a distinctive and aggressive style that is undoubtedly what adds to this bike’s overall “bad boy” reputation. If you are looking to get a bike that turns heads wherever you go, then the Kawasaki Z800 is the bike for you.