In 1983 I bought a brand new Kawasski Gpz1100 B2. I still have it. Based on it's reliability, quality, beauty and share riding pleasure, I am soon taking delivery of a new z900. My oldest son will inherit the Gpz, my second the z. Both sons will be well served with their classic bikes. A major plus for the 900? No electronic rider aids. Electronics suffer with time so I don't want my son to inherit a parts nightmare.. The South Island of New Zealand is probably the best place in the world to ride a motorcycle. These two bikes are made for this place. The second last sentence is actually an invite to every one of you to come visit and ride with us. You'll never forget nor regret it.
Based on the 1043cc engine block, but lightened crankshaft, smaller bores, same stroke, proprietary head and cams, smaller throttle bodies. Basically the less over-square bore-to-stroke ratio, smaller valves, smaller throttle bodies means higher intake velocities and more midrange torque for the displacement. It's more torque-biased at 948cc than the Z1000 is at 1043cc....if that makes sense. I dug up the specs on the gear ratios. From factory, this baby is set up very nicely. Idle is usually 1200 rpm and that equates to 6.9 mph (11.1 kph) in 1st. Nice and low for good takeoff. At 60 mph (97 kph) the tach is roughly 4,000 rpm in 6th for good fuel efficiency. They chose good transmission ratios which I consider as a consequential part of my own purchase decisions. Had too many bikes with tall first gears and power all squished at the top of revs.
I got my z900 (2017) in September was lucky to get a few weeks of riding in. Can't fault the z900, swapped from a Honda VFR800 (PRE VTECH model). As a vertically challenged rider, seat height is good and riding position is very comfortable. I did find that above 70mph wind buffeting was bad, so I fitted a Puig windscreen - BIG difference! Definitely recommend the z900 - can't get enough of it!
I agree. And I'm so glad Kawasaki decided to focus on the stuff that makes a motorcycle great to ride, instead of dumping a pile of electronics and all the added cost over it. Chassis, suspension, engine, throttle are all super good. More than enough feedback to the rider to determine where the traction limits are. That engine is superb. Smoooooooooth as a baby's bottom. Transmission is super slick. Good gear ratios (my main gripe with liter sized naked bikes) with a low 1st, and good cruising speed 6th. And the tank capacity is 3 liters larger than the MT-09.
I am seriously considering buying this bike. Great Video. I'm also considering the gsx-s 750 and MT09.This is such a tough decision. Which bike would you choose if comfort was very important?
I just bought a Z900 and did a 800km round trip in one day and when I got off the bike I had no pain at all anywhere I couldn't believe it! and it's so smooth and just a pleasure to ride with no electronic bullshit to worry about
I have had mine for two weeks. I can't fault it. About the only thing would be to avoid unsealed roads and very wet weather as the dirt will get in and around everywhere. Lovely power and handling; a good range on a tank; smooth and torquey and great value....get one!!
Very nice machine. I rode the CB1000R. I have a CB500F. Had a 919 Hornet. Had a ZR750. Had an 02 FZ1. So I am glad to see this nice machine. I really like the stock sound without a louder pipe.
Neil Devine Its a great bike, specs of a 1000cc but handles much better. It has had a very good reception so far! definatly agree, The intake sound kinda rounds of the whole bike nicley as euro 4 exhausts are even quieter than last year
It's a ZX10 for the street. Here in America we don't need 1000cc on public roads. Our speeds legally are 75 mph tops. Like a ZX10 it looks sporty. If I am thinking about a sport bike to pose with my sportbike friends, I can get away with riding this and they will even ask me if they can trade so their wrists can get a rest. I rode the first Z1000 when it came out and I could not use the power even remotely. If I wind my CB500 up to 7000 it hauls past any car on the road.
We can get away with ten mph over. The big thing is getting around huge trucks, sometimes three or four, quickly and safely to a more open part of the freeway which the Z900 will be able to do. It's also a great bike for motorcycle night. People will come check it out and talk about it. It also looks like the kind of bike someone would want to take for a ride if it's not theirs. Fun.
Nice review mate, your enthusiasm for the bike come across really well. When you talk about the comfort of a bike it would be helpful, to me at least, if you would indicate what your height, inside leg and perhaps weight is. Cheers.
yeey just what i was waiting for!!! amazing review, loved the vlog! now i really can't wait for my full license... what a beautiful bike! now the Z650 to follow?:)
BigBenMotoVlogs to be honest the z900 is about 40kg lighter then the 1000 and only 60 cc less of an engine. When im on the road I basically beat the 1000's
DAMN!!!!!! that view man!! im sooo coming over to ride ... but yeah the bike its nices looks nice exhaust is over kill sounds nice though good vid man :)
Ace _ Blue _ The exact reason I do my review there, it's not far from the dealer either 🖒Want to hear in person the akrapovic you can get for it! thanks dude
I did some really crazy crap on the streets with my 2011 Ninja 1000, with side cases. That engine, the torque, omg. It's nice to see a detuned 1000 for sale now, for sane people! By the way you're laughing giddy I think you know what I mean.
The z900 was a great ride, smooth, power for days and the intake noise was stunning. I was giggling, i couldn't help it. I was very close at the time trading in my MT-07 for it
whether z900 is worth for money because I have planned to by it and this is my first super bike but before it I had driven only 200 cc bike whether it will suite me to ride in cities
It's a bike that can do a bit of everything, it can ride slow due to its inline 4 and have fun on it on straights! When i tested it it had no issues riding slow even in 5th/6th gear at 30mph.
Pushes the cost up is the main point. The z900 is a very basic dash but a lot of people like the basic look. When i rode the duke 690, it was like have a mobile phone, so many different options and that could potentially put people off
Thanks dude! Yeah its my kinda styling. I don't think i did, the price currently is £8,249, its about £400 more than the mt09. The one thing that i forgot to research up was the price
Not a bad price that mate. I love the colour scheme. If you want requests for test rides mate what about the MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR nekkid!? They look sweet as...
thank you :D This is a more laid back bike due to its an inline four but still tons of power behind it but the mt09 is urgent and wants to kick you off so it would be a very hard decision.
BigBenMotoVlogs ya i get u, as a daily i think the z900 would be more practical & subtle wher as the mt09 is more ov a hooligan & might get u in lotsa trouble yes?
BigBenMotoVlogs haha yes yr right. Mt09 will give many unexpected sudden suprises lol & specially with numerous fractures in my body the z900 will b mor suitable ;D
Jeez that's scary as hell, it's obv by the engine note you're hardly touching the power! Don't you just find this kinda power frustrating? I reckon a Z300 is absolutely plenty of power. I know that road, by the way. it goes up to Trim.
Awesome dude! Glad you enjoyed. was torn between this and the mt09 but the traction control, modes and quickshifter on the mt09 swayed my decision. z900 is still an epic bike though
BigBenMotoVlogs I couldn't believe how smooth it was and comfortable I opened it right out aswel what a thrill and I thought my crf450 was fast haha! Mike wants me to have a ride on the zx1000sx because I'm a lover of the versys aswel he said it's like a combination of both
Same as most new bikes these days. 600miles for first service, 6000miles for second and every 6000 miles after that. Servicing is relativity cheap, depends on where you go. Doesn't need an MOT until is 3 years old so no need to worry about that. Tyres are something you have to constantly check, on my mt07 i have changed the rear once (roughly £100 to change) and the front hasn't been changed yet. Rest of it is cleaning materials, chain cleaner ad lube ect. So the general maintenance is cheap, depends on how much you ride it
Andrea Dt and Definitely would yes. If you want abit more of a laid back bike the z900 is perfect and the sound if amazing! The mt09 is alot more fun and full of suprises
Oh ok i got your point :) Yes the Z900 is "softer" than the MT09, but i have been told that its delivery is almost like a twin or a triple..so i guess is quite fun as well! Thx btw ;)
I own a Mt-09 (just because i did'nt wan't to buy a brand new bike) so i bought the MT and im gonna replace it with a Z900 next year. the MT is super fun (I also own a GSXR750 and an XJ6 Diversion) but i would hate only having a MT-09 and no other bikes, just because it is so lary and playfull. i just can't do everything on it.
Yes, but I prefer straight lines, and the tail of Z900 is just a bit weird to me. I had a 2004 Z750, I was in love with the design, and Z800 reminds me of that design, just more agressive.
ripmax333 not sure on the details, but it's a filter of some kind that goes inside the tank and is about the size of a coke can. Apparently it's needed to comply with Euro 4 and affects tank design as a result.
Oliver Anthony oh now i understand, those bastards put that filter inside the tank so it won't be easy to remove, i think its the same filter that the ducati scramblers had on the earlier models sticking on the left hand side of the engine but everybody removed that pile of crap. I think its what called the evaporative filter.
i would take the Z OFF THAT BIKE and put a s instead ....for shit looking...some people will ride anything today. ......put a picture up of a 1975 z1900 -and one of this bike .then you'll see what i'm talking about,,,,why are we going backwards in design......nice video review anyways ....some of us are worlds apart..
rogue warr sadly it seems that we live in an era were a bike must look like a damn transformer to be cool. I am 35 years old and sometimes i might not feel normal as if there's not a single motorcycle to choose from. It's not that i don't like the tech on these bikes but the design sometimes its too extreme i might like them but i might get easily bored about the looks. I might much prefer a ducati 797 for example they still have a roundish headlight for example and the design is more curvaceous it more pleasing to the eye. But i wish that every manufacturer has it's retro line up, the Japanese manufacturers are too focused with manga style bikes sadly.
News flash. All Motor Cycles are not designed for your taste Rogue warr. Sounds like you are that kind of person that gives everything a "1" in rating you don't like and nothing in between. This bike doesn't look all that different from the z750 or the z800. Did you like them? If not, why are you surprised you don't like this? Feels like they keeping their concept for designing bikes.
Goratchthemule well on your positive note that they are keeping there concept its a good thing for many people, it looks similar to the previous models like z800 z 650 or 1000 so if many fans liked those looks they done a good job not to alter the design. I Take a look at yamaha for example the previous MT 09 wasn't bad at all some of the few modern japanese bikes that i liked, but now the new model the front is fugly.
