By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Yamaha MT-09 (RN29-StreetRally) vs Kawasaki Z 800 (ZR A)
Yamaha MT-09 vs Kawasaki Z 800: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll feel the Yamaha MT-09 tip in at the bars the instant you push, and it flicks from side to side without a fight. On the Kawasaki Z 800, those bars want a firmer shove through quick direction changes. Deep in the bend, it's steady and the heft vanishes.
So which one do you buy?
The MT-09 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: MT-09
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the MT-09. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
The Z 800 has the edge if…
Traveling with luggage
A touch ahead: Z 800
For a week away, the Z 800 noses in front. Fit the bags you want before you decide.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The Z 800 costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
MT-09
There's a surge of torque from low revs in the MT-09's crossplane triple, and it keeps charging hard toward the top. Bumps at pace expose the stock fork and shock: the front can't stay settled and the rear pogoes under hard acceleration, most of all on earlier bikes. The intake rasps under acceleration.
Nils rode the MT-09 in 2014 (NastyNils Testride).
Z 800
From low revs, the Z 800's inline-four builds power evenly, then it howls up to a strong peak. The KYB suspension swallows broken pavement.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The MT-09 has the lower wet weight: 414 lb (188 kg) vs 505 lb (229 kg).
- The MT-09 makes more peak torque: 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) vs 61 lb-ft (83 Nm).
- The Z 800 has the larger fuel tank: 4.5 US gal (17 L) vs 3.7 US gal (14 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Big miles aren't where either one shines. You'll be watching for the next rest stop.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Both fall short
Both of these ask too much of a rookie. Spend your first year on something lighter.
On commuting, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
MT-09
What owners say
Strengths
- Thrilling CP3 engine with crossplane character
- Lightweight and agile chassis
- Excellent value for money
Trade-offs
- Snatchy throttle response in STD and A modes
- Underdamped suspension limits spirited riding
- Uncomfortable seat for long rides
Z 800
What owners say
Strengths
- Surprisingly refined ride quality
- Comfortable, all-day ergonomics
Trade-offs
- Heavy weight dulls agility
- Intrusive engine vibrations at highway speed
- Lack of wind protection
- No gear indicator and basic dash
What they cost used
These prices compare a 9-year-old MT-09 with a 9-year-old Z 800.
- MT-09
- about $7,000
- Z 800
- about $5,800
At nine years old, the Yamaha MT-09 sits around $7,000 while the Kawasaki Z 800 lands near $5,800. That's a $1,200 gap in the Z 800's favor. These are estimates from earlier market records, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| MT-09 | Z 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 32.8 in (834 mm) |
| Wet weight | 414 lb (188 kg) | 505 lb (229 kg) |
| MT-09 | Z 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 847 cc | 806 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Inline-four |
| Power | 115 hp (85 kW) | 113 hp (83 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 10,200 rpm |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 61 lb-ft (83 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 143 mph (230 km/h) | 145 mph (233 km/h) |
| MT-09 | Z 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| MT-09 | Z 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 298 mm | 310 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| MT-09 | Z 800 | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Standard (from 2016) | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard (from 2017) | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
