I just want to chime in here because I rode my Kawasaki Z125 (NEW) for two years straight as my main transportation. I kept up on the oil changes doing them every 1K because I had the bike at 8k rpm almost all the time just cruising. I had damn near zero problems. My stator did go out at 30k miles though. Clutch replacement around 20k. Kept the bike til 37k. Started to burn a lil oil but I think I got my moneys worth. Great bike, loads of fun. Btw I’m 180 with gear
Excellent! Thanks so much for the report. Since this video we now have 7 z125s. All running great. I still love the groms but I don’t see a need to buy another.
I was told that the Z was like 2-3 MPH faster then the grom and the Z was built for taller people which you can tell bc the seat sits higher as opposed to the groms flat low seat. Also the groms have oil spinners and the Zs actually have a filter and pump so the Z is better for doing stunts.(just my 2¢) great video man
I rode a Z125 during my MSF course here in TX. I then bought one as my second bike. My wife got the hang of riding mine a little bit, then took her course and ended up on a Z125 during the course too. My personal Z125 had some minor shifting issues (false neutrals, and would drop out of gear from time to time), but I never had to worry about holding it wide open for miles at a time. I ended up trading it in, then I missed having a small bike, so I bought a Benelli TNT135. The TNT is a decent bike, but it doesn't quite fill the Z125's shoes in some ways. I might have to pick another Z125 up some day.
@@leeridefar How did it do on the freeway. I want one to ride for work and I have about a 5 minute freeway jaunt. Not too long so I've been thinking I'd be alright.
@@realjaytruth would go a little bigger honestly. I wouldn't take the z125 on any roads with speed limits over 45. If you want freeway speeds, the best choices, while keeping your bike small and light, would be: Yamaha: MT-3 Honda: CB300R Kawasaki: Z400. I have a Z125 by the way and it's a fun and great in town bike though! Small and nimble with excellent gas mileage.
I just bought a new 2024 Grom. I love it but it's still young with 300 miles on it. I like Kaw. motorcycles and I have owned 3 of them. Honda has a good reputation and I like the style. They put a tach on the Grom but my 2023 500 Rebel does not have a tach, Huh, go figure! I will not mod. the bike because I'm not vain and it does not need it.. Good vid. Thanks.
In the stunt community it’s generally known that a z125 is going to cost alot more to maintain. We break alot of parts tho. Hondas are cheap. A second gen grom frame is under 200$
I'm sure I rode that exact Grom and even passed my MST on it at your school...a few times. LOL :) I know you now have a Duke 200, but do you have the G310R and/or Honda Rebel 300?
You talked about chain wear... but what does break on the bikes? or is it just crash damage, and the occasional clutch or tires? Surprised you didn't mention the Z oil filter vs oil-'spinner'
I haven’t had anything break on the bikes. Other than mirrors, levers, bars, and rear sets. All fairly inexpensive to replace. Grom mirrors are the toughest you can buy and work for both sides. As long has your clutch use is a mid range rev it’ll last. High rev clutch use and you’ll burn through it fast. I should have talked about the oil changes. Good point.
The parts that go out would be a stator, clutch,(plates,springs,basket etc), battery obviously, if you wanna protect it from drops get a subcage with delrons and a cage that sticks out far enough to where your bars don’t hit before the cage😂(my DA) and get some axel sliders and your bike won’t see another scratch. even if you go off the back on a top of 3rd gear wheelie and she tumbles (don’t ask me how I know😂)
ALWAYs Good to see a video by you Lee.! (smiles) You are sitting on a Gold Mine with those 9 Grommies.! You could probably sell them for what you paid for them even after 7-years, eh.? Wow.! Did you just say 20,000 kms on a Grom.!!? Did you buy any of your Babies from Alberta.? Maybe you own one that I use to belong to moi. hee hee BTW: Did you receive the invite that I sent cha.? (high five)
What was the invite for? What did I miss? All of our bikes are bought used locally. I’m sure they still have value but they are pretty beat up! But it’s a Honda so it’ll keep running. Thanks for your kind words.
If you bought them Used, then you never know many one of my Groms ended up in your collection. Even if you didn't buy them in Calgary, I sold a few to Riders in B.C. They might be Beat Up, but have you seen the Price sellers are asking for a Grom these days.! OUCH.! The INVITE was for our Monday evening Canadian LiveStream, be great to have you drop-in and join us Mr. Lee. (thumbs-up)
Lee, I don't think I can send you a link to the LiveStream bcz it starts at 5pm PST on Monday (tomorrow) so there is no video yet. I'm going try to send you a link to the Gentleman (Canadian MotoChannel) that is Hosting it. ruclips.net/user/HarleysDinersRidesvideos
Nope. We taught a few people in their 80s! It’s just really important that you ride a bicycle before taking motorcycle lessons. It really really helps a lot.
I started riding again in my early 60’s after 40 years, I found my balance wasn’t as good and I wasn’t as strong , I bought a Honda shadow 750 and it was to much for me so I went to a 400 Yamaha majesty and now I have a Honda forza 300 , kymco super 8 150 and I just bought a 2017 kawaski zpro 125
Dude. Saying Zed makes you sound foolish. They say Zed in Canada. In the USA, we just say Z. The fact you don't know that, you lose credibility. Plus, it just pisses us off. Smarten up okay. Or just move to Canada!
@@leeridefar there is a little problem, change the neutral gear and the problem is that the motor suddenly dies. and there is actually an electrical fault in the motor.
I’ve got six z125s at the school now and I have not had that issue. Just the idle control sensor. Three of them have had to be replaced and the stock chains replaced (all at 3,000kms)
I just want to chime in here because I rode my Kawasaki Z125 (NEW) for two years straight as my main transportation. I kept up on the oil changes doing them every 1K because I had the bike at 8k rpm almost all the time just cruising. I had damn near zero problems. My stator did go out at 30k miles though. Clutch replacement around 20k. Kept the bike til 37k. Started to burn a lil oil but I think I got my moneys worth. Great bike, loads of fun. Btw I’m 180 with gear
Excellent! Thanks so much for the report. Since this video we now have 7 z125s. All running great. I still love the groms but I don’t see a need to buy another.
If my 125z goes 30k plus miles I'd be so happy!
I was told that the Z was like 2-3 MPH faster then the grom and the Z was built for taller people which you can tell bc the seat sits higher as opposed to the groms flat low seat. Also the groms have oil spinners and the Zs actually have a filter and pump so the Z is better for doing stunts.(just my 2¢) great video man
Thanks Stunter Steve! I still prefer the Z125s too
The new groms have a filter now, just put a deposit down for one
I rode a Z125 during my MSF course here in TX. I then bought one as my second bike. My wife got the hang of riding mine a little bit, then took her course and ended up on a Z125 during the course too. My personal Z125 had some minor shifting issues (false neutrals, and would drop out of gear from time to time), but I never had to worry about holding it wide open for miles at a time. I ended up trading it in, then I missed having a small bike, so I bought a Benelli TNT135. The TNT is a decent bike, but it doesn't quite fill the Z125's shoes in some ways. I might have to pick another Z125 up some day.
Thanks Alex! Good to hear your ownership story of the Z125. I’m interested in that Benelli!
Can confirm the false neutral occasionally. Aside from that it feels like a better, tighter built bike
@@ChrisSmoove77 compared to a grom?
@@leeridefar How did it do on the freeway. I want one to ride for work and I have about a 5 minute freeway jaunt. Not too long so I've been thinking I'd be alright.
@@realjaytruth would go a little bigger honestly. I wouldn't take the z125 on any roads with speed limits over 45.
If you want freeway speeds, the best choices, while keeping your bike small and light, would be:
Yamaha: MT-3
Honda: CB300R
Kawasaki: Z400.
I have a Z125 by the way and it's a fun and great in town bike though! Small and nimble with excellent gas mileage.
I just bought a new 2024 Grom. I love it but it's still young with 300 miles on it. I like Kaw. motorcycles and I have owned 3 of them. Honda has a good reputation and I like the style. They put a tach on the Grom but my 2023 500 Rebel does not have a tach, Huh, go figure! I will not mod. the bike because I'm not vain and it does not need it.. Good vid. Thanks.
In the stunt community it’s generally known that a z125 is going to cost alot more to maintain. We break alot of parts tho. Hondas are cheap. A second gen grom frame is under 200$
Enjoyed your video comparison. You probably already know, the Z125 Pro is back for 2024!
I picked up a 2023 dark blue with gold wheels. I’ve got seven now.
My 7125 chain of 10,000 miles still working fine
I have eight z125s and once I swap out the original chain. They hold up much better. Must be how they are used on the training lot.
Yes they are still making the zpro kawaski 125
Awesome little machine
ruclips.net/video/CzfV11sXPU4/видео.html
I’m buying a 2023 Z in a week so definitely they do.
I'm sure I rode that exact Grom and even passed my MST on it at your school...a few times. LOL :)
I know you now have a Duke 200, but do you have the G310R and/or Honda Rebel 300?
We have all the Groms still! Yes we had a G310R, great bike. Duke 200 is good but quality is a bit of an issue.
thinking about getting the kawasaki as my first bike for a daily commuter would u recommend more than the grom ?
Both would be good. Whatever you can get the better deal on.
Where did you buy the cage?
You talked about chain wear... but what does break on the bikes? or is it just crash damage, and the occasional clutch or tires?
Surprised you didn't mention the Z oil filter vs oil-'spinner'
I haven’t had anything break on the bikes. Other than mirrors, levers, bars, and rear sets. All fairly inexpensive to replace. Grom mirrors are the toughest you can buy and work for both sides.
As long has your clutch use is a mid range rev it’ll last. High rev clutch use and you’ll burn through it fast.
I should have talked about the oil changes. Good point.
The parts that go out would be a stator, clutch,(plates,springs,basket etc), battery obviously, if you wanna protect it from drops get a subcage with delrons and a cage that sticks out far enough to where your bars don’t hit before the cage😂(my DA) and get some axel sliders and your bike won’t see another scratch. even if you go off the back on a top of 3rd gear wheelie and she tumbles (don’t ask me how I know😂)
I have both. Between my bikes, Kawasaki is about 5 MPH faster maxed out on highway.
I thought the Grom would be faster. Good to know!
As a complete disaster while learning how to ride... I resent that remark.
But you’re not a disaster anymore!
Where you get your Crash bars for the z125???
Stunters cage. There are a few makers out there but they are about $300usd
ALWAYs Good to see a video by you Lee.! (smiles) You are sitting on a Gold Mine with those 9 Grommies.!
You could probably sell them for what you paid for them even after 7-years, eh.? Wow.! Did you just say 20,000 kms on a Grom.!!?
Did you buy any of your Babies from Alberta.? Maybe you own one that I use to belong to moi. hee hee
BTW: Did you receive the invite that I sent cha.? (high five)
What was the invite for? What did I miss?
All of our bikes are bought used locally. I’m sure they still have value but they are pretty beat up! But it’s a Honda so it’ll keep running. Thanks for your kind words.
If you bought them Used, then you never know many one of my Groms ended up in your collection. Even if you didn't buy them in Calgary, I sold a few to Riders in B.C. They might be Beat Up, but have you seen the Price sellers are asking for a Grom these days.! OUCH.! The INVITE was for our Monday evening Canadian LiveStream, be great to have you drop-in and join us Mr. Lee. (thumbs-up)
Send me the link!
Lee, I don't think I can send you a link to the LiveStream bcz it starts at 5pm PST on Monday (tomorrow) so there is no video yet. I'm going try to send you a link to the Gentleman (Canadian MotoChannel) that is Hosting it. ruclips.net/user/HarleysDinersRidesvideos
Got it! Not sure I can attend tomorrow but we’ll see
What is your appraisal of the Kawasaki now?
Still my preference compared to the Grom. Z125 is the easier bike to learn on
CAN you be to old to learn how to ride ( 55 yrs )
Nope. We taught a few people in their 80s! It’s just really important that you ride a bicycle before taking motorcycle lessons. It really really helps a lot.
@@leeridefar wow in their 80s ... yes i used to ride a bicycle but stop for a couple of years , thanks for your advice
I started riding again in my early 60’s after 40 years, I found my balance wasn’t as good and I wasn’t as strong , I bought a Honda shadow 750 and it was to much for me so I went to a 400 Yamaha majesty and now I have a Honda forza 300 , kymco super 8 150 and I just bought a 2017 kawaski zpro 125
Never too old man. It’s a great hobby and you’ll make new friends and meet people in the motorcycle community in your area.
@@garyteague4480how are you liking the Kawasaki Z125 Pro?
Zed…zed. That’s where I stopped this video
Dude. Saying Zed makes you sound foolish. They say Zed in Canada. In the USA, we just say Z. The fact you don't know that, you lose credibility. Plus, it just pisses us off. Smarten up okay. Or just move to Canada!
I am in Canada 🤷♂️ 🇨🇦
He's in Canada dummy's 😂
Are you saying zeb 125?
Yes I am. That’s a Canadian accent and how we say Z.
@@leeridefar cool
@@leeridefar I’m not even Canadian but if it’s a singular Z rather than in a word it’s definitely Zedd.
My zed 20000km already now in 2 years..
How have those 20,000kms been. Any troubles? Red flags?
@@leeridefar there is a little problem, change the neutral gear and the problem is that the motor suddenly dies. and there is actually an electrical fault in the motor.
@@leeridefar the screws on the motorcycle body are tight. good engine and very smooth gear change
I’ve got six z125s at the school now and I have not had that issue. Just the idle control sensor. Three of them have had to be replaced and the stock chains replaced (all at 3,000kms)
Worth it though. Students learn of them easier versus the Grom
Z not zed
It’s a Canadian thing to say zed
@@leeridefar I know I'm just picking. Its more of a UK thing. The French actually absued it and thats why its in Canada
@@ruffypoo it’s a usa thing too! So we get all the time.
@@leeridefar only from those that love British shows lol
Please stop saying "zed". It's a "Z".
🫡🫡🫡
спасибо, ждем обзор на этот Кавасаки через 2 года)
Bro it's zee not zed. Ur not British
He’s Canadian, let alone near the French parts. And Canada until the recent century was a British providence. Thus. Zedd.