z900 as my First Bike

[Its about speed]

I don't see anyone specifying age and maturity as a requisite to mastering a z900.  We're not all born the same in our mental abilities.

My 3 sons and their 3 sons all started the same.

It was BMX for as long as possible starting at 8 years old.
Then a small beater that put a motor and throttle control into the equation.
Then a better faster machine, or, drop the idea and move into a different hobby.

The kids displayed their calling early.

Of the six descendents I spoke of, I have 1, just1,who lives to ride. He's 22, the youngest. He's still racing the local motocross season and developing skills. He sometimes rides his 750 sport bike with 17" sticky tires.

To expect to master a z900 as a first bike is risky, it's your life on the line. It can be done.

[ErAcEr100]

It is very plausible to make the Z9 as your first(second) bike if like you say that you have mastered throttle control on a 125.  It gets you into the game like a rookie quarterback in football.  If you are mature enough to know your limitations and ease out of rain mode, then yea I would give you a pass.   

Even as I typed this, I'm thinking about the ZH2 I I'd like to get in a couple months as my first(fourth) bike, and with all my previous bikes I'm still gonna put that in rain mode and go easy starting out.

[Sylwek]

Originally Posted by xRuohan

I'm currently searching for my first bike and I'm interested in buying a z900. At first, it's not even one of my choices at first because of its excessive power unsuitable for beginners but I read that it has power modes that will restrict its power; specifically rain mode that will restrict its power to 60% (if I understand it correctly, z900 have 125hp power, but in rain mode, it will only have around 75hp) which is arguably suitable for beginners. I think that I can use it as safely as a beginner if I only use rain mode and I think I'm responsible enough to not go beyond my skills. I will probably only use it at full power mode after 5000miles of riding it at rain mode. And from my research, the power delivery of the z900 is smooth.

I know this doesn't matter much, but I have 1 year riding experience on a 125cc bike, so I believe that I at least have the basics down. Is it fine to buy the z900 in my situation?

Hi, I've only registered account to reply on Your question.

First - sorry for my spelling, english is my second language.

I bought Z900 after passing Full licence (  YBR125cc which I spent on bike 3 years -12k miles ) I had a few options, Mt07, CB650R, Trident660 .....  all new but I've chose Z900 because price was almost similar to 600cc bikes.   Also I didn't considered used and older bikes as I know about my inexperience, and the traction control, ABS and good suspension was a must have. 

 I would like to say, if you like it much, just buy it.   Ride with control traction ON.  Rain mode - I can bet that you will change the ride mode after two weeks ( like I did it). Control Traction and ABS is helpful.   Rain mode is  super friendly , engine is more than  smooth.

Sugestion to change your mind:

 Speed and twisties roads, bends -  Bike is agile but for me even after 5 months riding  ( 3000miles)  it happend to go on opposite lane  because of speed...  my inexperience, lack of confidence to grip  tyres. 
If you begin to ride fast - That was happend to me.  After ride  I should be happy and relaxed, but I was streessed, scared aboud tickets..... stressful situations and I  almost decided to sell it and buy something slower like HD or MG.

After 5000miles I learned how to ride normally and now I feel how Z900 is good bike:  quick overtaking, for crowded towns, for travelling, I love ride on my Z900 through London City.

You have to give some time to get used to the bigger bike, power, acceleration
Good luck with your choice.  Ride safe.

[Deny]

I'm 53 and the Z900 was my second bike, but it's been 3 months and 4 days since I first sat on a motorcycle in my life. First bike was a Yamaha MT-03 which I traded in for the Z after exactly 2 months. So I guess I can give you a perspective very close to your own if you decide to buy it.

Things I've noticed in my very short time riding motorcycles:

1. The Z900 is basically as easy to ride as the MT-03, which is a fairly easy to ride motorcycle, but as long as you limit yourself to 3-4k RPM

2. IF you limit yourself to 3-4k RPM, rain mode isn't really that different from any other mode

3. You WILL feel the urge to give it some gas. Make sure it's on a road you know well, on a straight line and with (very) low traffic.

4. Bring a tire pressure gauge to the dealership and release some pressure until both tires are 2-3lbs below spec, it will help while they're new and extremely slippery (100 miles are the bare minimum break-in period). Trust me on this, I've had it fall on my way from the dealership because I failed to follow this procedure;

5. Not specific to the Z900, but your experience driving a car (especially if it's manual transmission) definitely helps with situational awareness and riding through traffic;

6. Even if legal in your state, avoid filtering until you get acquainted with your new Z;

7. IMHO it's really important to understand the physics of a powerful bike such as the Z900, I recommend taking riding/racing courses and if you're on a tight budget after splurging on your new bike there's always ChampU at ridelikeachampion.com, also subscribe to motojitsu on Youtube and watch his videos. Take advice from actual racing pilots and a seasoned motorcycle instructor, there is a lot of misinformation floating around;

[Cruzian3]

Originally Posted by Pharo92

Smaller bikes are cheaper and hurt less when you tip them (financially).

 ^^^ This ^^^  

Pharo92 makes 3 excellent arguments for why you should work your way up to bigger bikes.  The problem with starting out anything is that nobody wants to look like they're just starting out. How many of you rented 195s the first time you went skiing?   

To say it another way... you're likely to be more reserved and take longer learning if you're constantly worrying about scratching your bike.
So if ego still prevails, then at least get the one that you're not afraid of scratching. 

I once met a guy that started off with a ninja 250 and rode it cross country solo.  Then after a year he upgraded to a cbr500.  I think his learning experience was a lot different than most.

[broderp]

Everyone's situation is different, making questions like this hard to answer.

I was 50 when I started to ride "again".  By ride again, I mean I rode a 300-500cc motorcycle like 4 miles total when I was about 20 years old.  Hindsight is 20/20.  I would not have had the discipline at 20 to handle the Z900.

In my case I also have had back surgery, so I needed to get into it gradually.  I bought a new 2019 Z400 to learn and practice on.   I "graduated" to the 2020 Z900 about a year and a half later.  I wanted to upgrade to a 650 sized bike, but the Z900 with the power modes for not much more money made the Z900 a bike I could grow into.  I happen to have a decent amount of disposable income at 50, so that helped as well.

I drove around in "Rain Mode" for several months to get used to the new power, and handling and currently I use the ROAD mode.  I have never used SPORT mode.   

Make no bones about it, if you ride dumb and are irresponsible, the Z900 can kill you.   A first bike this IMO does not make, but I am not you.
 

[MaverickAus]

Originally Posted by broderp

Make no bones about it, if you ride dumb and are irresponsible, a 125 can kill you.

[ras]

Originally Posted by MaverickAus

True story

[zed9]

I see the OP never replied. He either made the right decision or he didn't.

[ras]

Originally Posted by zed9

I see the OP never replied. He either made the right decision or he didn't.

I always knew you were a smart man zed