2016 Kawasaki Z800 ABS First Ride Review

Fun, flashy and affordable – those are the buzzwords Kawasaki uses to seduce riders with its new Z800 ABS ($8399). A fresh arrival to American streets (with the exception of California) as a 2016 model, the Z800 slots into the mid-size sport segment that’s currently dominated by Yamaha’s FZ-09.

*Editor’s Note: The Z800 ABS has yet to be certified by the California Air Resources Board, but Kawasaki intends on achieving homologation in the Golden State for 2017.

Imported straight from Europe, the Z800 is powered by larger (806cc) bore version of Kawasaki’s original Z750 (introduced in 2003), which in turn is a derivate of its Ninja ZX-9R – a high-end sportbike popular in the mid to late ‘90s. Although the mechanical architecture is classic, the 2016 machine benefits from all the modern conveniences you’d expect, including fuel-injection, a digital dash, ABS and the sharp, modern styling for which Team Green’s ‘Z’ bikes are renowned.

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