I bought a Kawasaki Z900RS SE - Subscribe to follow the adventure! 

Oh, for sure! It's quick, and it may be retro styled, but it's a sport bike underneath! I can't wait to ride mine in the Spring!

Hi Peter, I've put a deposit and waiting on a se edition in Australia. Besides the vlog I'm happy to see that they are still releasing the bike new. My interest might be higher if the bike was delivered. Cheers

@@johnwayne7210 Oh, you're going to love it when you see it! I can't wait to really ride mine! It's still pretty winter-y here!

I rode my 2022 z900rs today February 22,2023 in San Antonio TX 80 degrees and sunshine ☀️this is why I live in Texas great bike sorry you have to wait .

Haha!! Thanks for sharing!! Feel free to subscribe! I'll be getting mine on the road when the snow clears and the salt is gone and I'd love to hear how you're enjoying yours as the weather improves! I completely agree with you about real brakes and a real suspension. I've known people who have driven bikes for years and had NO idea how much better a riding experience they could have on a bike other than their preferred style or generation of bike. Thanks again for sharing!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! Feel free to subscribe! I'm looking forward to getting to ride it this spring and sharing what I think with others, including with other owners. I haven't seen the cafe in person yet, but it should arrive soon. I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like and reviewing it soon!

Yeah, I'm curious to see how things are too. I've had bikes with no wind protection in the past, but I was younger then, and probably in much better shape. I'll see how things are, and continue to report back on this channel. Thanks for watching!

We're in the same boat! Just waiting for the snow to melt! (And the road salt to wash away!) I can't wait to get mine out either. Thanks for your kind words!

Thanks for watching! I'm looking forward to riding it so that I can create some fun content! 🙂👍

That's awesome! I have no connection to the early 70's bike as I was born at the tail end of that decade, but even if you'd take away the style (which I love) you leave a bike that is Sporty (which is important to me) comfortable, and powerful. I love it. I added the Centre Stand, Chrome grab rail, Black radiator guard, and heated grips to mine. I love hearing what other people are doing to theirs! Thanks for sharing! Feel free to subscribe, I'll have a lot more on this bike when the snow clears!

Thanks for watching! I'm hoping that the snow will begin to melt and not keep accumulating now... so I hope to have a lot more videos in the coming months! Hopefully you'll stay connected to the channel until those videos come out!

I found an anniversary model as well. Looking at ordering the ohlins for the rear. Checked pricing on the Brembo calipers and they are crazy expensive!

That's awesome! Here we go with story time. I was going to buy the Ninja 1000SX which is basically the newer version of the Z1000 that you had, but I ended up going with this instead. Also, one of the first bikes that I rode as a 16 year old was my dad's 1979 CB400! All versions of bikes that you've mentioned!

@@PeterLoweOne ahah )) just a coincidence :) Googled 1979 model. Sure it was super exciting to have such motorcycle back than (in fact any motorcycle for that matter). Thanks for sharing the story!

Thanks so much for subscribing! One of the things that I'm hoping to do is to keep the modifications to a minimum. I want this bike to remain "all original" in the sense that it's all Kawasaki, at least for the first year. But I do have a GPS that I'm looking forward to showing on video, and a luggage system that I think is very good for most people, (and proven). So there's a LOT of content to come, including some riding reviews, and a tour of one of the most scenic roads in Canada. Lots to come!!

My dad had a 1997 Honda Nighthawk 750 (CB750) this bike reminds me of that bike in the way it looks, and in one aspect in the way that it drives. That CB750 was an easy to drive 4 cylinder bike, and this one is too. There's a massive difference in the fun factor though. This one can be driven around just as easily and enjoyably, but it can also bring an entire level of sportiness that you could never get in the CB750. This is MUCH faster, is MUCH more fun to drive, and has MUCH better brakes. It's like taking a CB750 and taking all of that comfort and style.... losing nothing and adding so much more. I've started riding this bike now, and it's GREAT. Stay tuned for more videos.

Thanks! It's going to be a fun summer!

Yeah! I love it! It looks even better in person! It's going to be a fun summer! Thanks for watching!

I think what you DON'T like about the look is what I DO like. I like that it looks retro, but has all the modern sport bike pieces. Tires is the only upgrade that I'll be looking at, but to be fair, there's still snow on the ground here, so I need to get out riding before I make a firm decision about whether to upgrade before these wear out, or after. Either way, this bike will be receiving a tire upgrade.

​@@PeterLoweOne I too love the rear end look without the shock. I saw a customized z900 from the 1970s once when I lived in England which had a monoshock with the same look. Also had a supercharger and a deep violet paint job. I wish I had taken a picture-well, I did, in my mind!

Sweet! Someday I'm going to put a call out for people to send me their bikes and I'll compile them into an instagram post or maybe a video. Thanks for watching!

Thanks Jim to your team for making it the best vehicle buying experience I've ever had! We'll definitely have to go for a ride this summer!

I'm going to talk about beginner bikes in an upcoming video. Fast is fun, but fun doesn't always require the bike to be fast. Lots to think about!

Thanks for sharing! It's funny to me because I spend my days pouring over specs and learning all of the technologies, and I thought that I was going to buy a Ninja 1000 because when I looked at the spec sheet, it was something that really had everything I needed. Plenty of power, great tech, luggage, etc. But every time I walked by the Z900RS I liked it more and more, and logically, it didn't make sense... but it's like you say. It feels like home. My first bike was a 1984 model, and my dad had a 1978. There was something simple, and pure about those bikes that just made motorcycling different, and fun. In my head, I still want a modern sport bike, and with the Z900RS that's exactly what I got, but it also spoke to the simplicity of what motorcycling has always been. I had an entire career in the auto industry focusing heavily on the latest technology and EV's etc... and this bike is completely different than all of that, and I think that's why I love it.

I just want to find a way to own this bike and the ZX-4RR!! I have a feeling I'd have to live in my garage if I came home with another new bike anytime soon!

@@PeterLoweOne A work around on that is you tell the wife “it’s for her…”. And for some reason you can’t possibly believe she doesn’t want it… well I guess you’ll just have to ride it… 👍

It is! I love it!

Thanks for sharing your experiences!! I do fear that I'm going to be a relatively young person on this bike. I have no memory of the original Z1 as I wasn't born until 1979. I do remember several bikes from the 80's. I remember the Original Top Gun movie bike as the first bike that I really thought, "Wow!" For me, I've built a career working with the latest and the greatest vehicles, and spent a lot of time working with EV's and studying the ins and outs of those... This bike brings me all the necessary modern things to be fun, safe, and reliable, but it still brings me back to the core of what motorcycling was to me when I first started. That's going to be harder and harder to come by in the future. Anyway! Thanks again for watching! Feel free to subscribe!

I believe they're interchangeable. I don't know for sure, but I could try on Monday. Send me an email to remind me, and I'll look into it. Peter(at)peterlowe(dot)one

Yeah! It's going to be a fun summer!! Thanks for watching! Feel free to subscribe!

Thanks! I can't wait to spend some REAL time riding it!

In Canada, this is the Standard seat height. There is an option for an "Extended Reach Seat" but I don't think that will be exceptionally popular. I'll be talking about luggage and GPS options as the Spring hits. I've also been told that the rear grab rail will be delayed with an undetermined date, so we'll see how long that takes to get in. There will be a lot more content on this bike, and it sounds like you and and I will have plenty to chat about! Hopefully you're subscribed!

Thanks for watching. I've heard that the factory ones aren't as hot as some aftermarket ones, but I did turn these on when the bike was running, and found them to heat up well. I have cold weather gloves that are made for heated grips which offer good wind proofing and insulation on the back of the hand, and limited bulk on the grip side of the glove, so I think just preventing my hands from getting freezing cold will work for me. My experience with aftermarket heated grips is that many of them get too hot to leave on a high level (obviously a better problem to have than if they don't get warm enough) but I think these grips will work fine. They got warm enough for me in my very limited test... but if they aren't up to my standard, I'll make a video, and we'll discuss! As far as a wind screen, I think I'm going to do the majority of my riding season without one to get a real sense of what it's like. I have a major trip planned that most people would say you need a windscreen for, but I want to try to do that trip without, just to see how it goes (unless I give up early, and decide the bike absolutely needs a windscreen). I think I'll be fine without one for a lot of my riding, but, yeah, I'll be looking at options for sure!. For me, I'll want something with a simple installation and removal process. I love the look of the bike without a windscreen, and I wouldn't want it on at all times, I don't think. Thanks for watching!

That's my concern as well. You need the RIGHT windshield, otherwise you can end up making things worse.

Nah this thing doesn't have flaws!! 🙂

I drove the Versys 650 around for years, and I think that's a great engine for most people's needs. There's just nothing to complain about with it. On the Z650RS it's a lighter bike for the engine, and it has the slipper and assist clutch, which I think is great. What moved me to the 900 is the upgraded suspension and brakes. I always tell my family that a motorcycle, to me, is a sports car. I love something like the KLR, but I own a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and an ATV. I don't own something with some real, on road sports capability. The 900 gives that great passing power from 80 to 120 km/h and that's something that I've always enjoyed. I really like every piece of this bike from he engine, exhaust note, adjustable suspension, great brakes (even the braided steel brake lines), riding position, old school look and gauges. There just isn't anything that I don't love... I would have liked a small fairing, but I like the look and equipment of this bike better than the Cafe version... so we'll see how it goes, and if necessary I'll add a small windscreen only for tours, and likely take it off at other times. (sorry for such a long response! I'm excited about this bike!)

@@PeterLoweOne good reasons all round there Pete. Yeah I'm the same, I like the naked aspect and retro look of both bikes. I've been on the freeway with it and the wind is pretty blasty but that's part of it for me. I really like that color you chose too. It's a bumble bee and you can clearly see that cool shock there. The chrome rail at the back will look on point too.

@@jace7541 Yeah, it's funny because I'm spoiled by being able to be around lots of motorcycles every day... for me the colour scheme along with the gold wheels just really made the bike stick out in a crowd of bikes... I just love the uniqueness of it, even though it's just a factory bike. I like the chrome rail because it needs something with the centre stand, it'll also give me a little bit more of an option to tie stuff down without touching paint, and honestly, I think the back of the bike looks just a little modern, and I like that the rail will give it more of that original look, especially to people who don't know it's a fully modern bike.

@@PeterLoweOne I've had people come up to me and say that my bike is a cool old bike. I have fun pointing out how modern it real is. The 900 looks more classic then the 650 so I'm sure you'll get the same and note! Enjoy !

@@jace7541 Thanks! I can't wait to ride it for real! (Winter is long here!)

Honestly, I haven't really looked into them too much. I know that Puig has an option that I could consider. Kawasaki has a very small windscreen. My issue is that I love the look without the windscreen, and I'm very aware that adding the wrong one can create some buffeting and actually make the ride less enjoyable... so we'll see. I may just try to ride out this season without one to see how things get, but who knows! That's the point of filming the journey... we'll see where things go!

Nice! I added the Centre Stand, Heated Grips, Radiator Grill, and I'll be adding the chrome passenger grab rail. I want to keep mind looking as close to the original as possible so I went with some soft bags that I can add without changing the look at all, but I love seeing what everyone else has done with these bikes! Thanks for sharing!

@@PeterLoweOne I forgot to mentiion the grab rail which I consider a must have, too. As for the bags, they can be removed within 10 secs, including the sticks/bars while the tank bag is magnetic. I'm fairly nervous to get hold of my Kawa, a bit like some 40yrs ago with my first bike, a Hercules Ultra 80 LC and 8.5hp.

@@mfkliegenschaften5420 I'll have to check out that system. I used to have a Versys 650 with a number of SW motech accessories, and I was quite happy with them. They make good stuff!

@@PeterLoweOne It's German quality stuff. I've just returned from the dealership and the bags look awesome on the SE. If you want, I can send you a few pics. Let me know where to send to.

@@mfkliegenschaften5420 I'd love that. Send them to peter@peterlowe.one Thanks so much!

Sorry to take so long to reply. I still LOVE my bike I don't think the SE is taller, I think it's just the suspension differences that make the sag a bit different. That can all be dialed. in. There's a lot of talk about the ECU needing to be flashed or not, and here's my take. Some people flash it because their bike has a snatchy throttle, and mine doesn't have that, so there's no need for me to re-map things because of strict emissions regulations etc. The second reason that people flash these bikes is because the engine is actually capable of more power, and a more aggressive tune. My take is, I'll never re-flash it. I like that it has good power everywhere, and I'm never wishing that it had more power. It's just never working hard to make power, it has an aggressive sound under acceleration, but is completely manageable in town from both sound and ride-ability. I didn't buy it to be a supersport bike, I bought it to be a GREAT all rounder, that's fun in real life, even if it's capable of being better on a spec sheet. To each there own, and I don't have an issue with people who want to get more out of the bike, but I like the reliability and the factory tune because it suits how I ride, as a street rider (not a track rider).

So, from what I can tell, the suspensions are basically carry-over from each model. Both SE models have the Ohlins shock in the rear, and the non SE models have the standard shock. The adjustments are the same, and the travel is the same. The bikes weigh within a few pounds of each other, so it would totally make sense if the components were shared. The difference won't really be in the suspension, but in the way power is delivered, and in the seating position. The RS has a lower first gear, and a higher sixth gear, but it also has a 12 percent heavier flywheel, and a lower peak horsepower number. The RS is strong in the mid range, where the Z has more top end power and makes peak horsepower and torque at a higher RPM.

Haha! It's like you never sleep! Which reminds me, I'm supposed to be in bed right now! Also... you may hear me mention how "I really really like motorcycles" a lot as you follow this playlist! Thanks for your support!

@@PeterLoweOne 😄😄I was returning home from playing 3 hours basketball when your video popped up so having a snack and taking a shower before going to sleep too😄😄👍

Nice! How do you like the ride? What are your favourite things about the bike? As far as luggage goes, I didn't want to go with anything that changes the look of the bike. I've got a solution that I'll put on video later that may not be for everyone, but I think it will work very well for my needs.

Nice! I think I'm going to keep this stock. It has the suspension and brake upgrades, and I sort of feel like this is a modern classic as is. I love to see what others are doing with their bikes, but for me, there's something about keeping it factory original (other than the factory accessories) that I love... especially on this retro style bike that calls back to the original. I need a poster in my garage of the original to hang near my bike! 🙂

We all have our own tastes. For me, those polished pipes coming out of the engine make the bike. It's that contrast against the black engine and all the other black bits that makes it reek of performance. Whatever the case - different strokes...I hope you love your results. I'm definitely going to flash mine once it's out of warranty.

@@PeterLoweOne Ya I hear you man, I thought the same thing about keeping it stock. But the Hindle aftermarket pipe looks so good on it. Safe rides brother !

@@stratolestele7611 Oh, I don't fault anyone for tweaking their bikes to their liking! I love seeing how everyone wants to make it their own. I'm throwing on the rear grab rail for some practical reasons, but in part because it looks more like the original. Once I get my bike, I may put a call out for people to send me pictures and information on what they've done to their own bikes so that I can showcase some of them in a video. Thanks for sharing!

@@stratolestele7611 For sure, it's a good looking pipe, great sound too ! The first stock exhaust that I like the sound of on an in-line 4

My understanding is that the newest models don't have that issue. I'm waiting for the snow to melt to be able to get out on mine!

@@PeterLoweOne I hope for your sake not. It detracts a lot from an otherwise really good bike.😎😎

I didn't figure that you'd be up! To be honest, I should have been in bed too!

I just have to push back to say that Jim Gilbert's PowerSports is the number one volume Kawasaki Dealer in the country, and they literally have books written about their legendary customer service, so some of your complaints about dealers just aren't valid here. If you buy a Kawasaki here, you'll never pay over MSRP. It's why I love partnering with them! I can talk about the vehicles, and know that when people reach out to Jim Gilbert's that they'll be taken care of in the same way that I'd take care of my own family.

私はこのバイクが本当に好きです！

I'm not a fan of tank bags, but I have a luggage solution that I'll be showing in the coming weeks here. I think it's the perfect solution for me, and this bike. Stay tuned.

Nah, you can't tell other people how they should ride a bike they paid for. This is SUCH a comfortable bike with a great smooth engine with plenty of power, it's a great bike for taking long rides on and exploring. Cruise control would be great on a bike like this.

@@PeterLoweOne I see what you mean; it’s just that I don’t like CC on bikes, and for what the Z900RS SE is concerned I watched the video right because I’m into buying one next week 😉

Awesome! Thanks for watching! I'll have more reviews on this bike soon!

It's not going to be for everyone. I've been pretty open about there being better deals within the Kawasaki line-up. But I still bought it, and the next one coming is is already pre-sold so there's something about it that people do like. I can tell you that I have no regrets about buying mine.