All-New Z800 2016

Even though the overwhelming majority of street bikes on the rows of the United States are available in three standard classes - the 600, the 1000, and the 1200 - Kawasaki has decided to buck the trend by introducing their new mid-level street bike, the Z800.

And all early indications are that it is going to be the best street bike available in the US, and honestly it isn’t even close.

Initial Impressions

A slimmed down version of the incredibly popular Z1000 from Kawasaki, the “naked” street bike is getting a little brother in 2016 in the form of the Z 800. This bike is technically classified as a street fighter, and boy does it look the part!

Lines on this bike are incredibly aggressive, and while there are touches of Kawasaki neon green throughout, the overwhelming majority of the bike is a black on black pattern that gives it an even more aggressive look. It enjoys a natural riding position, fully adjustable Kawasaki suspension, and a chassis that responds immediately to everything happening on the road.

Built on the same platform as the Z 800 that has been sold in Europe since 2013, this is exactly the kind of “weekend warrior” that people have been searching for – the kind of bike that is a bit more powerful than the 600s but not quite as powerful as the 1000s.

Standout Features

The most impressive standout feature on this street bike has to be the inclusion of the brand-new liquid cooled DOHC 16 valve engine. An absolute powerhouse, this engine is going to push a ridiculous amount of power and torque to the rear wheel of this bike, allowing it to get up to speed in a fraction of the time it would have taken previously. We are talking about going from 0 to 60 in about four seconds or so.

On top of that, the low RPM response has been finely tuned so that you aren’t going to have to worry about fishtailing when you’re trying to really get after it leading up to and on-ramp, and the six speed transmission has a shorter throw while keeping fuel efficiency a top priority.

Weighing in at just 357 pounds, but with a fuel capacity of 4 ½ gallons, you’re going to be able to drive this bike for hours and hours without having to visit a gas station - all with the kind of power right at your fingertips that rivals most high-end street bikes.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a “sandwich” motorcycle that fits nicely between the Kawasaki Z600 and the Kawasaki Z1000, the brand-new Kawasaki Z800 is everything you’ve ever wanted and then some!