[KHP86]

Hello!

I'm picking up my Z650 in black with ABS tomorrow at a local dealership. I'm excited to be back riding after quite some time of inactivity. I used to ride a 2008 GSXR 600 back in 2008-2010.

I hope to learn more about my Z650 and progressively work on my riding abilities once again. I'm planning on doing most of the maintenance work on my bike so some insight from you guys will be of great help eventually. I'm also planning on eventually configuring my Z650 into a touring bike.

If anyone is from Reno, NV it would be great to meet up and go for an easy ride around the city and up the mountains eventually. I'm way past my street "Rossi" days, I'm older and wiser to do anything real risky out on the streets.

I hope to make some good friends from here. :smile2:

 

[Tremonte]

Welcome to the forums! You want info on the Z? Check out my website and YouTube channel listed below. I've been trying to collect as much info and create videos on this bike in particular, to make it easier for people to reference. Have any questions? Feel free to drop me an email, or message here.

Ride safe,
Trem.

 

[KHP86]

Welcome to the forums! You want info on the Z? Check out my website and YouTube channel listed below. I've been trying to collect as much info and create videos on this bike in particular, to make it easier for people to reference. Have any questions? Feel free to drop me an email, or message here.

Ride safe,
Trem.

Thanks for the welcome Trem! Actually your videos helped me in my decision to go for the Z650. I didn't realize you're in this forum! I was really looking for the white model like you have but its seems like they're all out of the white model. I wanted to take advantage of the year end sales and I ended up picking up the last black ABS model available in my area. The black model is actually really growing on me. I already got high visibility gear to offset the dark bike if I ever have to ride at night.

I finally got to take home my Z650 today and it's great!

First observations:
This bike has a lot of low end grunt compared to my old high revving 600CC super sport and I'm loving it. Though on the downside it also has very strong engine braking. This is making low speed maneuvers a little challenging. I guess I now really need to work on riding in the friction zone when doing u-turns and slow speed maneuvers.

Anyway I'm looking to share more of my experiences with you guys!

 

[Tremonte]

The engine braking at low speed does suck, especially in a gravel lot. You have to be careful for sure. That's one major gripe I have, or had toward Kawasaki. If they would have eased up the fuel cut just a bit, you would hands down have a great beginner bike. But due to that overagressive braking, it makes the bike just a tad unstable for those with no throttle control experience. Ever since I added the Rapid Bike, and reduced the engine braking, it's made a huge difference in how the bike acts in tight places, and when fully letting off the throttle. Much more enjoyable. I only reduced it by -5, which I believe is percent.

 

[Shamsul Kamal]

@Tremonte, you plan to change sprocket to give you more acceleration. Interesting how it will effect the engine braking.

Yes, got to use/play with the clutch to smooth out the engine braking.

If slowing down using engine braking, please tap or apply a little front or rear brake so the brake lamp light up

 

[KHP86]

@Tremonte, you plan to change sprocket to give you more acceleration. Interesting how it will effect the engine braking.

Yes, got to use/play with the clutch to smooth out the engine braking.

If slowing down using engine braking, please tap or apply a little front or rear brake so the brake lamp light up

Yeah that is my other concern and thanks for the heads up! I would just add light pressure on the rear brakes whenever I roll off the throttle so that the brake lamps would iluminate.

Unfortunately I haven't gotten a chance to ride again other than my 3 mile ride home after picking up the bike. It's been raining here the past two days. :frown2:

 

[shiast2]

welcome. I am about hr or so away from Reno. Can't wait for the weather to get better so I can put some miles on my bike.

 

[KHP86]

welcome. I am about hr or so away from Reno. Can't wait for the weather to get better so I can put some miles on my bike.

Sorry for the late reply. I just got a chance to ride again yesterday and I'm really enjoying the bike so far! So you live close by? Thats awesome! It's nice to meet another Z650 owner. The weather has been nice the past few days so I'm hoping that you finally got your chance to ride as well.