z1000 to S3

Okay. Here is my dilemma.

I am thinking about trading up from my 03 z1000 to an 06 S3.

Give me the low down please! I need to know if it is going to be worthwhile given that there will be a significant cash injection to trade up.

Firstly let me tell you that there are a shortage of bikes in Oz and it is hard to get a test ride.

I want a bike with more low down torque and a general feeling of more usable power, but not to the point that it is intimidating or too hard core for an average level rider . I am also hoping for Jap reliabilty (or close to it).

Comfort is also an issue. Is there enough leg room for a 6'1" rider and is the seat a plank as per the earlier models? The seat on the Zed was/is a plank......had to buy a Corbin.

All in all I will be basing my decision to upgrade on feedback from current owners and as soon as I can secure a test ride.....Did I also mention that I need permission from the missus :hammer: :hammer:

If any of you forum members have traded up from a Zed I would be especially interested in your comments.

Cheers.

[vinnyf]

Cheers, Dazza,
OK, I've never owned a Z1k, so I can't speak directly to your question (so why don't I just shut up...). Have been riding a UJM for 20 odd years - I had many of the same questions you've posed. Thought my old Suzuki was great because it was like a tractor - torque curve was flat, electric motor flat. Wasn't looking for one of the new breed of super high HP motors that didn't come alive till 8k. More than happy with the low-end grunt on the S3 - pulls strong in 6th from 2k. It's got a ton of power, but you're not coming from a 150cc machine - if you can control your wrist, power delivery is very linear. I'm 6'2", plenty of legroom for me. Seating is always a very personal thing - plenty of users find the S3 seat unusable. So far, my bum has not complained about the S3 seat. Much too early to report on reliability - the Suzuki was like a timex - but reports have been good so far. Yes, I'm a little biased, but I think it's a great bike. Good luck!

[MrZed]

I’m six feet tall & have zero comfort problems on 250 mile rides – plenty of room & easy to move around in the seat. I can’t imagine an aftermarket seat would be a bad upgrade, though. It is quite easy to adjust your riding position in the twisties.

Power is awesome & sure to make you grin – won’t scare you coming from that Kawi – just a different delivery.

I used the upright riding position as a selling point with my better half, but I can’t imagine that’ll work for you coming from the Z1000, though. :wink:

BTW – quit calling your bike a Zed!!! I take offense!!!













Kidding. :-D

[Legman]

Dazza,

I have had many kawasaki's over the years and I test rode a Z1000 when they first came out.....I loved the look of them.
I'm 6'3" and found the Z1000 very uncomfortable, so much so that I decided I couldn't own one.

I have had my 05S3 since June last year and am just about due for my 10,000km service. I rode 650km last Monday from Thredbo to Melbourne, through torrential rain at Khancoben, 39C heat at Wodonga, and a range of conditions for the rest of the trip, and I found the S3 very comfortable.....well suited to my height.

I managed a test ride before I bought the Triple but I know it is hard to find one....none of the dealers want to hold back one as a demo when customers are waiting 2-4 months for the bike they have ordered.

I can promise you that the triple won't disappoint. It has a lot more grunt low down and mid range, and you don't have to rev its **** off to get it flying. I liked evrything about the Z1000 except for the riding position, but the S3 is better in every way, and it has loads of character.....that indefinable thing that Japanese bikes usually don't have.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Hey MrZed you would go well on the Z1000 forum with that member name. I assume you must have had a few kwaks over the years. BTW I lived in southwest Colorado for a short time, you have some awesome riding roads.

Hey Legman. What exactly was it that you found so uncomfortable about the z1000? Just interested to know thats all. For me it was the seat and not quite enough legroom. The local Triumph dealer has pre-orders for 10 S3's and only gets an allocation of two per month....you do the math.....at least that gives me some time to get the cash together.

I agree that the S3 has loads of character, something that simply doesn't exist with jap bikes except some seventies classic stuff.

Jeez I really want one now...........

Cheers

Darren

[Legman]

Dazza, for me it was the position of the pegs and the seat, I was sliding forward all the time crushing the wedding tackle on the tank. Apparently it suits short @rses but all tall guys have the same complaint.

The waiting will be hell,but the reward at the end is worth it.

Cheers

[MrZed]

On 2006-01-19 23:20, dazza wrote:

Hey MrZed you would go well on the Z1000 forum with that member name. I assume you must have had a few kwaks over the years. BTW I lived in southwest Colorado for a short time, you have some awesome riding roads.

HAHA - yes, the name stems from Kawi ownership & kinda stuck. SW Colorado is beautiful. I love the roads here.

[IainG]

Some of the best fun I've had on a bike was on a Z1000. I love them - give me the straight choice between the Z1000 and a Speed triple of the same value and I've have a difficult choice to make.

The Kawa has better performance and you'd be pretty unlucky if anything went wrong.

The Triumph I think has a better lasting finish, sounds great and has more character.

For me, the SP3 gets it on looks.

[1050Pome]

Hey Darren, I test rode a Z1000 when I was hunting a triple. I liked it but found it a bit "soft" and a bit characterless to be honest. I love the looks though with the 4 pipes, 2nd to 1050 in the Nekids I reckon. If you are serious about buying one, I'll let you have a quick spin on mine if you like. We'd need to sort a few things out 1st obviously, but you'd be welcome. Let me know...

Rich

On 2006-01-22 03:21, 1050Pome wrote:
Hey Darren, I test rode a Z1000 when I was hunting a triple. I liked it but found it a bit "soft" and a bit characterless to be honest. I love the looks though with the 4 pipes, 2nd to 1050 in the Nekids I reckon. If you are serious about buying one, I'll let you have a quick spin on mine if you like. We'd need to sort a few things out 1st obviously, but you'd be welcome. Let me know...

Rich

Thanks Rich,

That is a super generous offer. I think the local dealer (Team Moto at Slacks Creek) is getting a demo in very soon. However it would be much nicer to have a look at one without the sales pressure etc.

It wouldn't be a bad thing to take a trip up the coast for a look anyway, and yes we could work something out. I'll email you if I decide to come up for a look.

Really the only thing holding me back is the $$$ to upgrade. I figure I will get about 10-11 K for the zed and will pay in the order of 17-18K on road for the S3. That is a lot of money for me personally.

I just love the looks of the S3 though, I always have. And the reviews on the bike are fantastic.

Cheers.

Darren