[TheCelestial]

Just did Pune-Goa-Pune ride on the Good Friday weekend. The bike performed supremely well. The stretch between Kolhapur and Belgaum went by superfast.
The bike was extremely comfortable throughout. Didnt face a lot of issue with windblast while maintaining respectable speeds throughout the journey.
Overall FE was ~20 kmpl.
Didnt stop for too many pictures except at the Chorla ghat.
I was riding along side an RC 390 which kept up pretty well throughout except for the KP-Belgaum stretch.

[v12]

I tried this and indeed there are 2 positions for the handle lock.

The Lock position only locks the handlebar.


The position after the Lock which is symbolized bonny the Hazard triangle is the one where the hazards can be switched on.

[TheCelestial]

Got the Kawasaki OEM Engine Guards installed. They look absolutely fabulous on the bike and are really well made. I got them from WeBike Japan (thanks v12 for the tip) for a decent price.
They cost me Rs. 7348 (including shipping). I had to pay Rs.930 as custom duty.
The bike is doing great and the Odo is currently at 6800. After my wonderful Goa trip, itching to go on a long ride again but will probably have to wait for the rains to pass to do that now.

[v12]

Congrats on the engine guards TheCelestial. The best part of the engine guards (apart from protection) is that they look like a part of the bike and not like an add-on accessory. WebikeJapan has some really amazing and wide range of accessories for the Z800 - and that too at decent prices.

[TheCelestial]

Hi guys,
Its been a while since my last update. :(

Anyway, I am planning to go a longish trip (~3.5k km) on the Z.
My current ODO reading is ~8300 km.

I just want to get everyone's opinion on whether my current tyres will last the trip. I only expect half of the distance to be a high speed ride.

I have attached a picture of my rear tyre here. I hope it provides an adequate idea about the state of the tyre.

[throttleking]

Originally Posted by TheCelestial

I just want to get everyone's opinion on whether my current tyres will last the trip. I only expect half of the distance to be a high speed ride.

Another 3.5k should not be a problem, but make sure to change it after that. Usually these tyres can be stretched till 15-16k but totally depends on riding style. i have seen them worn out completely at 10k as well.

Beautiful bike and nice ownership thread buddy!!

[TheCelestial]

Originally Posted by throttleking

Another 3.5k should not be a problem, but make sure to change it after that. Usually these tyres can be stretched till 15-16k but totally depends on riding style. i have seen them worn out completely at 10k as well.

Beautiful bike and nice ownership thread buddy!!

Thanks throttleking. Yes, thats the plan. I dont want put down 3.5 k on new tyres unless its necessary. Thanks for your inputs.

[james]

Originally Posted by throttleking

Usually these tyres can be stretched till 15-16k but totally depends on riding style.

Wait, WHAT?!?!? Sbk tyres lasting for 15-16k? Ive been riding sbk's since a decade and ive never seen tyres last beyond 8.5-10k even with sane riding without much hard acceleration and braking.

I for one would not suggest using this tyre for the trip. Not only is the tread at the center almost depleted, the thin rubber will make it easier for foreign objects to pierce the carcass. You dont want punctures while touring. Also take into consideration that the tyres ill get ridged with prolonged straight-line highway use. The center portion will wear out really fast.

I suggest replacing it with a new tyre for the trip. Return home, fit back your old tyre and use it till its shredded. Little more effort but it'll give you peace of mind.

P.S. This is my own opinion and this comes from experience.

Cheers!

[Added_flavor]

Originally Posted by TheCelestial

I just want to get everyone's opinion on whether my current tyres will last the trip. I only expect half of the distance to be a high speed ride.

I wouldn't recommend a 3.5K ride on that tyre. I expect steel cords to show up in the next 1 to 1.5K Km. I suggest you to get a new tyre for the ride and keep this to ride in the city if you intend to squeeze out whatever life is left in this.

You don't want to get stranded in the middle of the ride with visible steel in the place of rubber. Definitely not on a Superbike.

[throttleking]

I will go with your experience James. My opinion was based on my limited experience with sbk and what have seen on some bikes, but definitely lighter ones. And as I said I have seen them stretch till 15k and also seen then worn out completely at 10k.

[TheCelestial]

Originally Posted by james

...

I for one would not suggest using this tyre for the trip. Not only is the tread at the center almost depleted, the thin rubber will make it easier for foreign objects to pierce the carcass. You dont want punctures while touring. Also take into consideration that the tyres ill get ridged with prolonged straight-line highway use. The center portion will wear out really fast.

I suggest replacing it with a new tyre for the trip. Return home, fit back your old tyre and use it till its shredded. Little more effort but it'll give you peace of mind.

P.S. This is my own opinion and this comes from experience.

Cheers!

Thanks for your suggestion.

Originally Posted by Added_flavor

I wouldn't recommend a 3.5K ride on that tyre. I expect steel cords to show up in the next 1 to 1.5K Km. I suggest you to get a new tyre for the ride and keep this to ride in the city if you intend to squeeze out whatever life is left in this.

You don't want to get stranded in the middle of the ride with visible steel in the place of rubber. Definitely not on a Superbike.

Agreed. Thanks.

Originally Posted by throttleking

I will go with your experience James. My opinion was based on my limited experience with sbk and what have seen on some bikes, but definitely lighter ones. And as I said I have seen them stretch till 15k and also seen then worn out completely at 10k.

Guys, thanks a lot for your suggestions. Although I believe there is some life left , I agree its not worth risking on such a long trip. I will go in for a tyre change then.

[throttleking]

Celestial please post the price details of the new set once you get it. I am contemplating ER6N or Z800, need some idea about running costs. Thanks

[udainxs]

Celestial,
Did they change the engine oil during the second service at 6000km? Conflicting reports on the matter and yours is the only Z with over 8000 on the odometer

My discussion with the sales folks indicated that oil change is at every 6000km

Thanks!

[Sojogator]

Originally Posted by udainxs

Celestial,
Did they change the engine oil during the second service at 6000km? Conflicting reports on the matter and yours is the only Z with over 8000 on the odometer

My discussion with the sales folks indicated that oil change is at every 6000km

Thanks!

Hey, I am done with my 2nd service too. I did change my oil as an precaution with the amount of riding I do in the traffic and the fact that this is only the second change for my engine.

If one is not subjecting the machine to that kind of abuse, I do not think an oil change is necessary at 6K. Also, the check board at the service center, kasturba road, clearly says oil change is only after 12K. As per my inspection of the oil that came out, it could have easily done a few thousands more for me.

A good indicator is 'feel' of the machine to decide whether to go for an oil change or not. The entire system feels a bit more clunky and rough when the time of the oil is up.

[TheCelestial]

Originally Posted by throttleking

Celestial please post the price details of the new set once you get it. I am contemplating ER6N or Z800, need some idea about running costs. Thanks

I got the tyres replaced to Michelin Pilot Road 2. Total cost to me was 18k for the front and rear set. I just returned from my trip on Sunday. I will summarize my experience about these tyres in a later post.

Originally Posted by udainxs

Celestial,
Did they change the engine oil during the second service at 6000km? Conflicting reports on the matter and yours is the only Z with over 8000 on the odometer

My discussion with the sales folks indicated that oil change is at every 6000km

Thanks!

They insisted, I said no. Then I changed my mind and went in for the oil change as I thought it would be good for a new engine. I did not feel any need to change (from an engine feel perspective) the oil at the second service. Infact, I dont even feel the need to do it now, at the third servicing. I am almost 12k on the ODO now. The bike feels silky smooth.