No images available
Tap to enlarge
2017 Kawasaki Z 800 Overview
Kawasaki Z 800 is a naked bike motorcycle, displacing 806 cc. Power comes from an In-line four, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 11.9:1. Bore and stroke come in at 71 x 50.9 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 83 Nm @ 8500 Revolutions of torque. On the road, the 2017 Z 800 tips the scales at 227 kg, carries a 17-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 834 mm and spans a 1,445 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 18.5 kg heavier than the average naked bike motorcycle in our database. The full 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2017 Z 800 - Pros & Cons
Strengths
-
🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
Considerations
-
📏
Tall seat height: At 834 mm, shorter riders will likely be on tiptoes at a standstill - worth sitting on one before you buy.
-
⚙️
Chain final drive upkeep: Budget time for routine chain maintenance - it's cheap to replace but needs consistent attention to avoid premature sprocket wear.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the Z 800 needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Valve clearance checks
With Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve gear, the Z 800 needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from Double disc. Floating discs. - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The Z 800's suspension runs 41 mm inverted fork with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability at the front. The rear uses Bottom-Link Uni-Trak, gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir and stepless rebound damping and preload adjustability. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The Z 800 uses chain final drive, which is cheap to replace but needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks to get a full service life out of the sprockets.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Tubular backbone (with engine sub-frame), high-tensile steel, the Z 800's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
227 kg puts the Z 800 toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
Z 800 - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2017 Kawasaki Z 800, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Z 800 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a Z 800's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the Z 800 needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
Valve clearance service
Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used Z 800 since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.
2017 Kawasaki Z 800 - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 have?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 uses an In-line four, four-stroke engine with 806 cc of displacement.
How much does the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 weigh?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 weighs 227 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 make?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 produces 83 Nm @ 8500 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 has a 17-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.
Is the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 suitable for shorter riders?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 has a seat height of 834 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 have?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 uses Double disc. Floating discs. at the front and Single disc. Single-piston caliper. at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 use?
The 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
Kawasaki Z 800 Spec Evolution
The Kawasaki Z 800 was produced across 4 model years (2013-2017). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2013 |
2014 |
2016 |
2017 |
| Wet Weight |
229 kg / 504.8 lbs ABS 231 kg / 509.2 lbs |
229 kg / 504.8 lbs ABS 231 kg / 509.2 lbs |
229 kg / 504.8 lbs ABS 231 kg / 509.2 lbs |
227.0 kg / 500.4 lbs |
| Engine Type |
V2, four-stroke |
V2, four-stroke |
V2, four-stroke |
In-line four, four-stroke |
| Seat Height |
834 mm / 32.8 in |
834 mm / 32.8 in |
834 mm / 32.8 in |
834 mm / 32.8 in. |
| Fuel Capacity |
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons |
| Fuel Control |
OHV |
DOHC |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
| Brakes - Front |
2x semi-floating 310 mm discs 4 piston calipers |
2x semi-floating 310 mm discs 4 piston calipers |
2x semi-floating 310 mm discs 4 piston calipers |
Double disc. Floating discs. |
| Wheelbase |
1445 mm / 56.8 in |
1445 mm / 56.8 in |
1445 mm / 56.8 in |
1,445 mm / 56.9 in. |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper |
Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper |
Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper |
Single disc. Single-piston caliper. |
Key Specifications
Engine
In-line four, four-stroke
Power
Not published by manufacturer
Torque
83.00 Nm (8.5 kgf-m or 61.2 ft.lbs) @ 8500 Revolutions
Top Speed
Not published by manufacturer
Weight
227.0 kg / 500.4 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons
Advertisement
Full 2017 Kawasaki Z 800 Specifications
Colours
Metallic Spark Black/Flat Ebony, Metallic Spark Black/Pearl Stardust White
Ground Clearance (in.)
5.9 inches
Ground Clearance (mm)
150 mm
Seat Height
834 mm / 32.8 in.
Wheelbase
1,445 mm / 56.9 in.
Height
1,050 mm / 41.3 in.
Length
2,100 mm / 82.7 in.
Width
800 mm / 31.5 in.
Fuel Capacity
17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons
Wet Weight
227.0 kg / 500.4 lbs
Bore x Stroke (in,)
2.8 x 2.0 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
71.0 x 50.9 mm
Displacement (cc)
806.00 cc
Displacement (ci)
49.18 cubic inches
Engine Type
In-line four, four-stroke
Fuel Control
Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)
Fuel System
Injection. 34 mm x 4 Mikuni with dual throttle valves
Compression Ratio
11.9:1
Engine Lubrication
Forced lubrication, wet sump
Ignition
Digital
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Clutch
Wet multi-disc, manual
Final Drive
Chain
Gearbox
6-speed
Primary Drive
Sealed chain
Frame Type
Tubular backbone (with engine sub-frame), high-tensile steel
Suspension - Front
41 mm inverted fork with rebound damping and spring preload adjustability
Suspension - Rear
Bottom-Link Uni-Trak, gas-charged shock with piggyback reservoir and stepless rebound damping and preload adjustability
Rake
31.0°
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.2 inches
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
310 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
9.8 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
250 mm
Brakes - Front
Double disc. Floating discs.
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. Single-piston caliper.
Rims
Dunlop Sportmax tires
Tyres - Front
120/70-ZR17
Tyres - Rear
180/55-ZR17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
Advertisement