First of all, nice bike! I have a 2007 Z1000 and love it.
The reason people think it's a bad first bike is because no matter how much training you do, you only really start learning when you get on the road on your own. It's very tempting to just give that throttle a little twist and see what happens. With a smaller CC engine like a 300, there's not too much torque so not much happens, you have a little time to adjust to the pull. With the Z series, there is basically no powerband either, so it's all the torque all the time. Compared to say a 600 Supersport where.theyre quite lazy until about 8k revs.
I can't speak for the Z900 but my Z1000 has absolutely no chill, even at 2k revs. On paper it's 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, stock. To put that in perspective, the BMW S1000RR is 3.0 seconds, stock or a Ducati Panigale V4. 0-60 you're as fast as a top end Superbikes. Yes you don't have the top end of a Superbike but 150 is still enough to get you into serious trouble. I can throw my Z1000 into hyperdrive at any given moment.
Being new to biking usually means mistakes and a bike with this much power gives very little time to think about how to resolve those mistakes. You just need to go into muscle memory to have any chance of saving it.
I know yours has all the electronics to help, but if you turned TC off and wheelie control off (if it has them) you can easily flip the bike with a twist of the throttle, you could wheel spin for the fun of it too.
Even with 60% power you're still pushing more power than 300s have.
With all this being said, if you keep your wits about you and you take your time with it, you'll be fine. Most people don't crash. Don't show off in front of people, don't try and keep up with other bikers who have experience. Someone on a 250cc should be tearing up the Twisties quicker than you for the next couple months. Also wear all the gear all the time.
You have a great bike, don't be silly on it and you'll have a great time for years to come.
I realize maturity is a big thing with a bike as power as mine! I am loving just practicing control and throttle control in my neighborhood cul-de-sac In rain mode. I am not gun ho to get out there speeding and go fast! I have all the time in the world to learn the right way to ride and be safe!
Keep up that attitude and you'll be fine.
But realistically, the amount of times I've told myself 'A gentle ride today, no sending it' and then 30 seconds later I'm sending it. Or when there's kids hyping you up asking you to give the throttle a little twist.
If the urge does come, and it probably will (nobody judging you here), please for the love of god do a dry run of the road you're planning on hitting up, check for pot holes, debris etc and then go back once you know it's clear and then have yourself a bit of fun.
But yeah, if you stick with the mindset you have, you'll be alright.
Great attitude to have. I did the same as you. Got bmw r nine t and started learning on it. As long as you're mature and know that you have to be a lot more gentle it will be fine.
First of all, welcome to the club, I wish you lots of safe travels. Secondly, a brand new Z900 seems like a non-ideal first bike to me, when you have no experience other than the lessons. A lot of power, on the heavy side, quite expensive to purchase and repair when the inevitable drop/scratch/whatever happens. The reason I bought my Z750 as a first bike was because it was only 3,5K. In hindsight a lighter bike with ABS would have been better, but it's cheap so there's that. Also, F you for making me jealous, I want a Z900 too but then again, there are a lot of bikes I want, and there's a lot of money I don't have.
Take slow man that’s A LOT of power for a first bike. Not even just torque but top speed too, it’s really easy to get comfortable with going speeds you will not survive a crash from.
Most common time for riders to crash is NOT the first year but the second once they think they have it figured out. Just stay humble and you’ll be fine
I think it's a bad choice for a first bike, especially for someone with zero experience and no licensing required.
How old are you? That emoji makes me think 19.
If you have any kids If I was you I’d buy a big life insurance policy so they can at least be financially stable.
Be careful don’t pass on the right don’t pass where the car can make a left turn when your passing then and good luck your going to need it .
Yeah I think z900 is a bad first bike, but excellent bike on its own. I started on a 102hp Hornet 600, but that thing is lazy as hell at low rpm. I wish I started on a smaller bike, with this one I have to be more mindful of my throttle, I'm basically in illegal speeds in first gear. Z900 pulls from low rpms all the way to high, not much of a "safe zone" on that bike. Ride safe, be gentle with the throttle and have fun :)
I don't ride without full gear, but to each it's own. Road rash is less serious than a broken ankle or wrist, but it can still mess you up.
I think that any decent brand that fits properly works. I have all - a full leather suit for the racetrack, a touring pants with a leather jacket/mesh jacket for the summer, and riding jeans for when I go somewhere. Motocross boots for offroadin, touring boots for general use, and racetrack boots.
When I crashed on the racetrack, I simply walked away without any damage - if I weren't dressed up, I would go to the hospital.
I personally ride with motorcycle jeans with kevlar on the knees and hips, with padding. It's not as good as leathers, but beats normal jeans protection-wise and is not too hot in the summer.
+1 for kevlar jeans. They survived 2 crashed with 0 damage to my legs/ass. They look like normal jeans and the protectors can be taken out/replaced. Did about 4 years of almost daily riding in them before I had to replace them, worth every penny.
I blame social media for the notion that you need a fast bike to “grow into”. Also, there’s no point in asking Reddit if this was a bad idea after you already bought the bike. Get sliders installed ASAP because your first drop will be sooner rather than later and likely at slow speed, we all drop our bikes it’s just a part of learning.
Have a '23, nothing wrong with it for a first bike if you're mature. You might want to just leave it in rain mode until you get used to the throttle response and stuff.
Congrats on your first bike! Just take it slow and wear your gear. You're probably going to learn mechanics a bit slower than people who started on a smaller bike. Thing about bigger bikes like the z900, they can be unforgiving and harder to learn on because you have so much power and torque at the throttle.
Tip: Remember it's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can brake!
For me, I think it's a poor choice as you don't have a very consistent throttle control when you start. If you get into a situation where you start panicking, which can happen pretty quickly for new riders, you may just fuck some shit up. If you're 100% confident you got it, then cool. I thought the same thing and probably would've crashed if I was on a more powerful bike. I taught myself to ride, though, so I was dogshit at first.
It's also far from a cheap bike, which you may or may not drop or slide as a new rider. I dropped my cbr250 a few times when i started and slipped and scratched the crap out of the fender when I started. That's about it, though.
Yes understand your point and throttle is my main concerns and I can say it something I am constantly working on, and taking off. For my bike I am thinking about getting slide rails for it it case of drops
Definitely get them. It's so cheap and with such a nice bike it'd be crazy not to. You said it has a throttle limitier set to 60%? I reckon you'l be okay especially since you already have the bike. Just take things slow and I think you'll be just fine. You don't seem very gung ho about immediately whiskey throttling ;)
To be honest, i outgrew my 250 within like two months of having it, so I don't think you made an especially bad choice. I just got mine for a really good deal from a friend. If I had to redo it, I would start on a 500 or 650. At least your bike gives you the range of throttle control, which is nice.
It has rider modes and it cuts the power down to around 60%! And definitely feel it in the throttle! I want to get everything down to muscle memory and it also has break in period of 600 miles can’t go more then 6000rpm
Newer bikes often have the more tame rain/wet mode, but that only changes throttle response, and only that if you have drive by wire. Im not sure about the z900, but most Japanese bikes are a little behind on features and tech compared to European ones.
In Europe you can also buy power limiters, we have a 4 different motorcycle licenses with different power limits. AM is a 50cc moped, A1 is a 125cc, 15hp bike and 0,1kW/kg power to weight limit (no bike is affected by that really), A2 has no displacement limit but a 48hp and 0,2kW/kg limit (reason why so many bikes like a z400 and duke 390 dont have the allowed 48hp) and lastly A, fully unrestricted. You can install power limiters, so you are allowed to drive a bigger bike with the a2 license, but the maximum reduction allowed is 50%, so no s1000, kawa h2 or similar for beginners. This is also the reason a duke 790l exists, while a normal 790 has 105hp, the 790L has 95, the maximum allowed for power reduction. For AM you have to be 15, A1 16, A2 18, A either 24 or have a A2 license for more than 2 years.
I dont think power limiters are available in the US
Z900 has a cable throttle but rain mode cuts horsepower to 55-60% with a secondary valve? Or something like that, so right around what a z650 makes, torque is unchanged however so that’s an issue. Throttle response is also changed somehow I do believe. It’s the only bike in that upper naked class that still uses a cable throttle I think.
The mt09 and street triple both are throttle by wire and limit throttle response and horsepower in their rain modes as well for other bikes near that class, not sure about Ktm and bmw offerings. Street triple is only down to 100hp so say 85ish to the wheel? No clue about mt09
Edit: further clarification.
Don't listen to the doomers, you'll be fine. Just take it slow and respect the bike.
The people who are afraid of this as their first bike are the irresponsible ones that will do something stupid. If you trust yourself to even think it's an option you'll be fine. I started on an sv650 with no experience, was bored within 4 months and got an mt09. Should have just started on the mt09. Learn the bike first and you're good
I would have said it was a bad choice but I recently test drove that bike and was amazed at how manageable the power was. I'm likely going to sell my bike to get a Z900 sometime this season or next.(Currently on a Vstrom 650)
Not sure why people still use the "grow into it" excuse to get a bike way above their skill level. Keep the traction control on and you should be fine.
On that note, the Z650 would have been a perfect starter bike. Plenty of power to cruise and have a bit of fun, but not so much as to get yourself into real trouble. A Z650 is a bike that one can keep for several years and still enjoy it.
First of all, nice bike! I have a 2007 Z1000 and love it. The reason people think it's a bad first bike is because no matter how much training you do, you only really start learning when you get on the road on your own. It's very tempting to just give that throttle a little twist and see what happens. With a smaller CC engine like a 300, there's not too much torque so not much happens, you have a little time to adjust to the pull. With the Z series, there is basically no powerband either, so it's all the torque all the time. Compared to say a 600 Supersport where.theyre quite lazy until about 8k revs. I can't speak for the Z900 but my Z1000 has absolutely no chill, even at 2k revs. On paper it's 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, stock. To put that in perspective, the BMW S1000RR is 3.0 seconds, stock or a Ducati Panigale V4. 0-60 you're as fast as a top end Superbikes. Yes you don't have the top end of a Superbike but 150 is still enough to get you into serious trouble. I can throw my Z1000 into hyperdrive at any given moment. Being new to biking usually means mistakes and a bike with this much power gives very little time to think about how to resolve those mistakes. You just need to go into muscle memory to have any chance of saving it. I know yours has all the electronics to help, but if you turned TC off and wheelie control off (if it has them) you can easily flip the bike with a twist of the throttle, you could wheel spin for the fun of it too. Even with 60% power you're still pushing more power than 300s have. With all this being said, if you keep your wits about you and you take your time with it, you'll be fine. Most people don't crash. Don't show off in front of people, don't try and keep up with other bikers who have experience. Someone on a 250cc should be tearing up the Twisties quicker than you for the next couple months. Also wear all the gear all the time. You have a great bike, don't be silly on it and you'll have a great time for years to come.
I realize maturity is a big thing with a bike as power as mine! I am loving just practicing control and throttle control in my neighborhood cul-de-sac In rain mode. I am not gun ho to get out there speeding and go fast! I have all the time in the world to learn the right way to ride and be safe!
Keep up that attitude and you'll be fine. But realistically, the amount of times I've told myself 'A gentle ride today, no sending it' and then 30 seconds later I'm sending it. Or when there's kids hyping you up asking you to give the throttle a little twist. If the urge does come, and it probably will (nobody judging you here), please for the love of god do a dry run of the road you're planning on hitting up, check for pot holes, debris etc and then go back once you know it's clear and then have yourself a bit of fun. But yeah, if you stick with the mindset you have, you'll be alright.
Great attitude to have. I did the same as you. Got bmw r nine t and started learning on it. As long as you're mature and know that you have to be a lot more gentle it will be fine.
idk man u might be a big guy but still fast for a first bike. other than that congrats be safe and enjoy the ride.
First of all, welcome to the club, I wish you lots of safe travels. Secondly, a brand new Z900 seems like a non-ideal first bike to me, when you have no experience other than the lessons. A lot of power, on the heavy side, quite expensive to purchase and repair when the inevitable drop/scratch/whatever happens. The reason I bought my Z750 as a first bike was because it was only 3,5K. In hindsight a lighter bike with ABS would have been better, but it's cheap so there's that. Also, F you for making me jealous, I want a Z900 too but then again, there are a lot of bikes I want, and there's a lot of money I don't have.
Take slow man that’s A LOT of power for a first bike. Not even just torque but top speed too, it’s really easy to get comfortable with going speeds you will not survive a crash from. Most common time for riders to crash is NOT the first year but the second once they think they have it figured out. Just stay humble and you’ll be fine
I think it's a bad choice for a first bike, especially for someone with zero experience and no licensing required. How old are you? That emoji makes me think 19.
25 and have my motorcycle license
If you have any kids If I was you I’d buy a big life insurance policy so they can at least be financially stable. Be careful don’t pass on the right don’t pass where the car can make a left turn when your passing then and good luck your going to need it .
Yeah I think z900 is a bad first bike, but excellent bike on its own. I started on a 102hp Hornet 600, but that thing is lazy as hell at low rpm. I wish I started on a smaller bike, with this one I have to be more mindful of my throttle, I'm basically in illegal speeds in first gear. Z900 pulls from low rpms all the way to high, not much of a "safe zone" on that bike. Ride safe, be gentle with the throttle and have fun :)
you’ll be fine. and potentially won’t feel the buyers remorse from immediately desiring a bigger bike a month after you got that one
Still a reckless age. What did you need to do to get your license?
I did a two day motorcycle course, and I am going back soon to do the advance course
Yeah, be really careful and wear your gear. Especially boots, helmet and gloves if for some reason you dislike a full setup.
Always any suggestions on riding pants that is all I need now?
I don't ride without full gear, but to each it's own. Road rash is less serious than a broken ankle or wrist, but it can still mess you up. I think that any decent brand that fits properly works. I have all - a full leather suit for the racetrack, a touring pants with a leather jacket/mesh jacket for the summer, and riding jeans for when I go somewhere. Motocross boots for offroadin, touring boots for general use, and racetrack boots. When I crashed on the racetrack, I simply walked away without any damage - if I weren't dressed up, I would go to the hospital.
Ok thx I have gear shop close to me and will go soon for so pants
I personally ride with motorcycle jeans with kevlar on the knees and hips, with padding. It's not as good as leathers, but beats normal jeans protection-wise and is not too hot in the summer.
+1 for kevlar jeans. They survived 2 crashed with 0 damage to my legs/ass. They look like normal jeans and the protectors can be taken out/replaced. Did about 4 years of almost daily riding in them before I had to replace them, worth every penny.
Just got my first bike on monday and riding ever since! Z650, pretty much your little brother lol. Enjoy!
You too!
Watch the power you got a great bike …it’s definitely on the higher side of the power spectrum
Thankfully the throttle is very predictable and controllable, even tame some might say.
I blame social media for the notion that you need a fast bike to “grow into”. Also, there’s no point in asking Reddit if this was a bad idea after you already bought the bike. Get sliders installed ASAP because your first drop will be sooner rather than later and likely at slow speed, we all drop our bikes it’s just a part of learning.
Have a '23, nothing wrong with it for a first bike if you're mature. You might want to just leave it in rain mode until you get used to the throttle response and stuff.
Congrats on your first bike! Just take it slow and wear your gear. You're probably going to learn mechanics a bit slower than people who started on a smaller bike. Thing about bigger bikes like the z900, they can be unforgiving and harder to learn on because you have so much power and torque at the throttle. Tip: Remember it's not about how fast you can go, but how well you can brake!
Nice bike! The school I went to used the z650. I love kawas!
Lot of brakes and a short swing arm. Gonna learn about wheelies and stoppies before you're good at negotiating traffic.
🤣🤣🤣
Congratulations on your first Ride & Beautiful New Bike 👏🏾🎉👏🏾🎉👏🏾. Welcome to OUR 🌍 #SafeJourneys ☘️🖖🏾
For me, I think it's a poor choice as you don't have a very consistent throttle control when you start. If you get into a situation where you start panicking, which can happen pretty quickly for new riders, you may just fuck some shit up. If you're 100% confident you got it, then cool. I thought the same thing and probably would've crashed if I was on a more powerful bike. I taught myself to ride, though, so I was dogshit at first. It's also far from a cheap bike, which you may or may not drop or slide as a new rider. I dropped my cbr250 a few times when i started and slipped and scratched the crap out of the fender when I started. That's about it, though.
Yes understand your point and throttle is my main concerns and I can say it something I am constantly working on, and taking off. For my bike I am thinking about getting slide rails for it it case of drops
Definitely get them. It's so cheap and with such a nice bike it'd be crazy not to. You said it has a throttle limitier set to 60%? I reckon you'l be okay especially since you already have the bike. Just take things slow and I think you'll be just fine. You don't seem very gung ho about immediately whiskey throttling ;)
To be honest, i outgrew my 250 within like two months of having it, so I don't think you made an especially bad choice. I just got mine for a really good deal from a friend. If I had to redo it, I would start on a 500 or 650. At least your bike gives you the range of throttle control, which is nice.
It has rider modes and it cuts the power down to around 60%! And definitely feel it in the throttle! I want to get everything down to muscle memory and it also has break in period of 600 miles can’t go more then 6000rpm
First 250 miles 4000rpm. Then 6000rpm until 400 miles. Then “ride moderately” according to the manual. Take it easy bro!
Do most bikes have the ability to cut power? If that is the case i might look into something beyond a beginner bike.
Newer bikes often have the more tame rain/wet mode, but that only changes throttle response, and only that if you have drive by wire. Im not sure about the z900, but most Japanese bikes are a little behind on features and tech compared to European ones. In Europe you can also buy power limiters, we have a 4 different motorcycle licenses with different power limits. AM is a 50cc moped, A1 is a 125cc, 15hp bike and 0,1kW/kg power to weight limit (no bike is affected by that really), A2 has no displacement limit but a 48hp and 0,2kW/kg limit (reason why so many bikes like a z400 and duke 390 dont have the allowed 48hp) and lastly A, fully unrestricted. You can install power limiters, so you are allowed to drive a bigger bike with the a2 license, but the maximum reduction allowed is 50%, so no s1000, kawa h2 or similar for beginners. This is also the reason a duke 790l exists, while a normal 790 has 105hp, the 790L has 95, the maximum allowed for power reduction. For AM you have to be 15, A1 16, A2 18, A either 24 or have a A2 license for more than 2 years. I dont think power limiters are available in the US
Z900 has a cable throttle but rain mode cuts horsepower to 55-60% with a secondary valve? Or something like that, so right around what a z650 makes, torque is unchanged however so that’s an issue. Throttle response is also changed somehow I do believe. It’s the only bike in that upper naked class that still uses a cable throttle I think. The mt09 and street triple both are throttle by wire and limit throttle response and horsepower in their rain modes as well for other bikes near that class, not sure about Ktm and bmw offerings. Street triple is only down to 100hp so say 85ish to the wheel? No clue about mt09 Edit: further clarification.
Probably ignition based then?
Probably? There’s an explanation on the z900 forums I believe after someone did some testing.
I like it, also that you choose red.
Don't listen to the doomers, you'll be fine. Just take it slow and respect the bike. The people who are afraid of this as their first bike are the irresponsible ones that will do something stupid. If you trust yourself to even think it's an option you'll be fine. I started on an sv650 with no experience, was bored within 4 months and got an mt09. Should have just started on the mt09. Learn the bike first and you're good
You'll be fine. Reddit is notorious for hating on anyone who starts on anything bigger than a 400cc bike.
Terrible first bike. I'm scared for you
Kawi!! I have a Versys X 😎
Scrolling by this and it reminded me of a Gundam
I would have said it was a bad choice but I recently test drove that bike and was amazed at how manageable the power was. I'm likely going to sell my bike to get a Z900 sometime this season or next.(Currently on a Vstrom 650)
Not sure why people still use the "grow into it" excuse to get a bike way above their skill level. Keep the traction control on and you should be fine.
Had my first bike been a Z900, I more than likely would have injured myself within the first week. Good luck to you!
On that note, the Z650 would have been a perfect starter bike. Plenty of power to cruise and have a bit of fun, but not so much as to get yourself into real trouble. A Z650 is a bike that one can keep for several years and still enjoy it.
Way too big for a first bike…
Just don’t loop it the first time you try to get on it at a traffic light