Brawny Brute: Kawasaki Z800

Windblast is an obvious discomfort on the Z800 above 100 km/h, which means high-speed cruising can get tiring, but then it’s not cut out for that anyway. It works well as a sporty street bike and is a joy to ride on twisty roads. The bike feels light and agile in spite of its weight since the centre of gravity is low and I was amazed to see how precise and planted it felt in mid-corner. At the same time, it provides a reasonably smooth ride on bad roads and the suspension system allows rebound damping and preload adjustments for further customization.

The downside of my job is that I have to return the test bikes after riding them and, I must say, it was hard to let go of this one. However, you may go ahead and buy one for yourself for Rs 8.77 lakh (OTR, Pune). The Z800 is a rider-friendly and comfortable motorcycle that can certainly make your daily commute much more exciting and can also double up as a sport bike when the occasion demands it. And, of course, it is one of the most affordable big bikes in the country.