Riding Modes on z900

[Moto.Maddox]

When I first purchased my Z900, I road it home in RAIN mode just to get used to the bike. 

After I was comfortable with the machine after a few hours, I put it in ROAD mode for the rest of the "break-in" period.

Leaving the service center after the first factory recommended service, I then put it in SPORT mode, and that's where it has been ever since.  I feel a noticeable difference between all of the modes.  Even the KTC difference from 2 to 1 in ROAD vs SPORT mode respectively, changes the behavior of the bike - especially under hard acceleration.

I guess I'll play with RIDER mode at some point to have full-power and KTC off.  It will also be a place for a possible ECU tune if I ever get that done.

[stuartho]

Originally Posted by Yxera

I am used to riding around in sport mode which is equal to KRTC 1. Is it safe to ride to with KRTC off??

Yes.

Of course, how safe depends on your right wrist.

I own the 2017 model which has no power modes and no traction control.

In the past five years of riding there have been exactly two times when I thought it’d be great to have traction control, once when the OEM rear tyre lost grip on a tar snake midway through a corner and the second time in a torrential downpour when the bike aquaplaned. But thanks to the Z’s smooth throttle response and linear power delivery both instances were able to be handled ok.

I’ve never felt the need for different power modes on the Z.

[broderp]

KTRC can save your bacon.  Trust me I know.   

Some call it "wheelie control".  I was making a sharp turn and managed to lay into the throttle a bit too much coming out of the turn while still leaning.  I felt the front end come up, ABS light came on if I recall (it happened very fast) and the next thing I know the front was pushed back down onto the ground where it stayed.  Had it not done this on it's own I would have likely come down hard, full brakes and would have lost control.   After I cleaned out my boxers, I realized what happened.  I tried to do it again in a controlled fashion from a slow speed while heading down an empty parking lot going straight.   Indeed when you feel the weight come off the ground it does it's thing and plants you back down. 

I don't know how to do wheelies, don't want to know so I am so glad my Kawasaki can control this until I get better.  I honestly see no need to use SPORT Mode because of this, but in bad weather the Custom mode with KTRC on the highest setting will be my preferred Mode if I get stuck in rain.

My two cents.