I wanted a lightly used zx-25r, light weight, high revving, it would be a fun way to get around the city pretending I'm a sportsbike revving to 17000 rpm while barely generating 50 hp. But there was an even lighter used, newer zx-4rr for the same price. Not what I wanted, but obviously more bike=better.

But then there was a 2014 z1000 in great condition for the same price so I really didn't have a choice in the matter.

I have to push really hard to keep this thing leaned over, my feet feel like they're way too far back, I can't split like I normally do because it's so big, my thighs get cooked, there's literally no reason to leave first gear it might as well be an automatic scooter that likes to do wheelies.

Anyone have any advice how I can make it more comfortable or enjoyable?

A guy laying on a halloween-colored z1000.

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[–] 11 points 1 week ago

Sell it to me and buy that 400, obviously.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    This is not the right bike for you and the type of riding you do. If you bought this at a dealer, you might try seeing if they'll take it back in exchange for the other bike you almost went with. Otherwise, selling it and buying the bike that works better is the way to go.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 week ago

    it might as well be an automatic scooter that likes to do wheelies.

    That cracked me up, thanks for the chuckle.

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  • [+] 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (4 children)
  • [–] [S] 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    So turns out the tires were just a bit low, it falls into turns with very little effort now.

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  • [+] 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (2 children)
  • [–] [S] 1 point 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 child)

    Yeah, now the issue that I've noticed is that the rear brake does basically nothing and the front brake gets squishy with even the moderate riding possible on Hanoi streets, gonna take it to a kawa dealership see if they can figure the issue, maybe replace all the hoses with braided ones.

    The private dealer I bought it from put DOT 3 in while the manual specifies 4 and didn't inflate the tires so I'm not sure they'll be much use diagnosing issues.

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  • [+] 1 point 6 days ago* (last edited 16 hours ago) (1 child)
  • [–] [S] 1 point 6 days ago*

    I don't really have a place to do that. I took it to Kawasaki, they took it for a spin and said I should replace the brake disc, the brake caliper, the barely used 2023 tires, and the entire bike. They did this with no diagnostic or tests beyond the ride.

    Used calipers to check, disc was within spec, then they changed the story to "the previous owner ran it without pads and the caliper left ridges in the disc", but the lines were basically cosmetic, you could barely feel them.

    They claimed to hear rod knock, I didn't hear it.

    So I took it to an independent shop and paid them 80 bucks to spend 2 days looking for problems for me to be aware of.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 1 week ago*

    Thanks, if I can't just get used to it, maybe I'll look at handlebars have the same width as the crash pegs, but slope back a few degrees so I can get more leverage and are a couple inches higher so I can be more upright.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 week ago

    skill issue

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  • [–] 3 points 1 week ago (10 children)
  • [–] [S] 2 points 1 week ago (9 children)

    Groms cost like 4000 USD.

    If you could have a Grom or pay 600 more for a z1000, would you be able to justify the Grom?

    It is kinda insane to me that nobody sells cheap beginner bikes in the US. Honda Waves cost 800 USD new and have a semi-automatic gearbox, Honda cb150 verzas go for 1400 new, the closest you get is the crf150L which also costs 4000 dollars.

    It's like they know there's no alternative so they increase prices to used big bike or car territory. I think lack of accessibility is partly responsible for why motorcycles are so uncommon and aren't considered a legitimate form of transport in America.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 week ago (4 children)

    I actually bought a Grom, brand new, but mostly bc I wanted a fun little bike for my short commute. The insanely awesome mileage (140 mpg) helped as well.

    A large bike never entered the equation for me.

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  • [–] [S] -1 points 1 week ago* (3 children)

    OK, and if you were at the dealership and they had 8x more bike for just 15% more money, you wouldn't be required to buy the bigger one?

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  • [–] 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

    Not at all.

    It all comes down what you want out of the bike. I wanted fun, fuel efficiency, and ease of use.

    Sure, the Grom has a ridiculously low top speed, but it accelerates quickly, stops quickly, and is extremely agile. For riding around town, it's perfect.

    That's all I wanted.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 week ago (1 child)

    It is kinda insane to me that nobody sells cheap beginner bikes in the US.

    Because no one buys them. Beginners buy used bikes.

    Also, do all the math: Grom gas and insurance is the cheapest possible.

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  • [–] [S] 1 point 1 week ago

    You bought a Grom, people want and buy 125s and 150s, despite them costing 4000 dollars. Way more people would buy them if they cost half to a fifth of that like they do over here. The explosion of ebikes is because there has been literally nothing for people who want a small bike or scooter but don't want to pay 4000 dollars.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 week ago

    The leaning over issue is probably tyres, either low pressure or worn out or the wrong (lower profile) size, could also have been lowered, that'll really make it a bugger to turn.

    The width... Buy a 250. But keep the 1000 obvs.

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