I bought the standard 900RS in 2018 and I am still happy. I grew up with Toecutter and Bubba Zanetti so yes thanks to Kawasaki for this godess of a motorcycle!
I bought my cafe when they were first introduced in the U.S. in 2018. Took one look at it and had to have it. And now six years later and 11000 miles it's been a great bike. I Love it.
I’ve put 15k miles on my z900rs and absolutely love it. Sport riding, cruising, even some touring. And the older guys at gas stops want to know what model year it is.
Same on my cafe 2022, people asking what year it is. Some old people even told me that I kept this motorcycle in a very good shape meaning it's old. But I lovez900rs cafe. I will never sell it
This bike has such a timeless & purposeful design. A bike that looks like a bike in any era. Like a watch that looks like a watch in any era. I was 34 when I bought mine. I'm glad the design is coming back; the bug bikes, as performance oriented as they might be, have an industrial connection to them as modern-day "architecture".
Been riding Kawasaki's since 1976 with my KZ400, two Vulcan 1500's, and four Concours 14's, and riding a new 14 now. This Z900RS is gonna be my next bike.
I had an 09 Concours it was a great bike i could wheelie it anytime with a passenger and full bags to a just me and no bags on it. The ultimate sleeper some sportbike riders and lots of Harley guys asked me what is that bike after i smoked them. But it roasted me someone added high temp foam to keep heat off ankles but then the heat came between the tank and frame leaving red burns on my inner thighs. What year did you think was best?
Thought-provoking as usual, it all depends on whether you get the Kawasaki 4 cylinder heritage thang & don't care about QS etc. I had a Z1000J2 back in 1982 & it was the most fun bike I've ever owned & the list is very long. So imagine how delighted I was when my youngest boy rocked up on a grey & green Z900 RS Café? Looks like he was brought up properly! 😊
Back in the early noughties I had a Honda CB900 Hornet (known as the 919 in North America). All the things you say about this Kawasaki applied to my Honda. These are just a great bike for all around riding. I miss my Honda but today I would buy the standard Z900RS (non-café model) in a heart beat. Kawasaki should be congratulated for preserving this type of bike and its great riding feeling. Nice video, by the way 😆😁😀👍
I owned a 2002 CB900 Hornet a few years ago and loved that bike. By comparison, the Kawi is lighter and more powerful, also wilder. And the looks of the Cafe❤❤❤made me fell on the first sight. I bought a green 2018 model and use it for almost daily riding, long or short.
These days you have a hard time to find such bikes, except in same cases like with this Kawa. :) I completely agree about the Hornet. Rode the 600 and it was a wonderful bike. Can check it.
I have the 'normal' Z900RS. Everything you say about this lovely machine is true. Hahaha, when you say: 'Above 7000 rpm all hell breaks loose'😀 Soo true.. It is a fantastic motorcycle; you have a constant smile on your face while riding it.
I have the SE version. Had to wait 1 year for that specific trim. Totally and absolutely worth it. The brembo brakes and ohlin suspension are game changers 💚🖤
That bike almost makes me regret that I´ve given up sportbikes. Great looking, great sound, a real motorcycle that us oldtimers instantly recognize as the only right choice in that (and any other) segment. A motorcycle is more than transport and that Kawa would be enough bike for almost everybody. Including me.
Agree with you. There are means of transport, there are motorcycles, but there are also motorcycles that stands above and they transmit something unique and that is passion. Drop by when have time, you may like my content.
The Z900 RS a quick bike. However I have seen a RU-vid channel where they ride Kwak H2 and Honda Fireblade. They said the Z900 RS is not a fast bike, but they are idiots in my book. (YammieNoob channel. Saw a vid of Yammie Noob himself doing well over 120mph on the road, on a Fireblade.)
@@greenbow7888 when I started to ride the fastest bikes or superbikes of the day were Honda CB750 and Kawa Z1 900cc. Those had 68 and 82hp and they were fast. Every bike that is fast enough to kill the rider is fast, to say anything else just shows publicly the amount of grey matter between their ears. Glad to see that you´ve found a better channel. 🙂
My son and I were out looking at bikes the other day and I must say this bike really caught my eye based solely on looks. I’m hoping to test ride it sometime.
Because of cruise control I pick the xsr900! If the Kawi offered this feature the z would probably be my next bike! I don't know why these manufacturers don't understand how adding such a simple thing would earn them a lot of business!🤠
@@unclejj509same here. I actually prefer the looks of this Kawi over the XSR but Yamaha through in all those niceties.. for less money! I love it so much.
@@DifferentSpokesTV Not the fastest retro. My 2020 Yamaha XSR900 smokes these on public roads. Sounds a lot better too. The Kawasaki is simply too heavy and under powered.
$18,500 ride away in Australia for anybody thinking about getting one here. Best looking new bike in my opinion. I think it might be the look of it with the bikini fairing that does it.
I cannot wait for the 2024 GPz900R version! I have a fully restored 1984 GPz900R A1 and it still feels amazing on the road - not like a near 40 year old bike!
yeah its not mentioned. i believe that was a spoof. like when ppl claim chevy is going to remake the chevelle ten years ago. and most recently the el camino. all hoaxes bud
I bought mine when they first came out. I flashed the ECU and changed the velocity stacks. I also changed the headers to the akrapovic ones. It has made the bike so much meaner!!!! I would suggest ALL of these modifications to really unlock the bike.
@maddog7999 they are located underneath your airbox and ontop of the intake ports, think of them as a intake manifold on a v8 style engine. I shortened them to maked them streamline
I have several motorcycles. Absolutely love my Z 900 RS. It is a beautiful fast and fun machine. Not going to win any races anytime soon. But if you want to go for a rip on Sunday morning. You’ll have A smile on your face every minute.
Nice review! I was lucky enough to get a 2019 cafe for under 10k new. Feels faster than the ZRX1100 to me, or maybe cause I’m a lot older now. It’s my 4th Kawasaki and my only regret is selling the older ones. Ride safe!
Also, I've a 2003 Z1000, and it looks okay-Muzzy slip ons made a world of difference-and it's just under 500pounds, lots of poop,comfortable to California, so it's Japanese and unbreakable, and paid for. This z900 is the closest to luring me away form my "Itchy Boots"- stickered bike I have. Cheers. Yours and Ryan's are the best Canadian motorcycle channels.
I had a KZ900 in the mid-70s with after market bags & fairing. WoW! Been riding since 1974 and I think I need to downsize from the HD because of it's weight and my strength. The Kawy is bulleye in my sight picture.
I just bought a '78 KZ400 and I love it, I'm going to upgrade eventually but I didn't find anything I liked before the z900rs. I'll be saving up for that one now!!
Rode it. It has a great styling when you see it in person and it also rides very well. Great video mate. Enjoyable till the very end. p.s. My video goes out on Sunday June 18. :)
I'm getting the Z900 RS SE this year, as they totally capture the brutal elegance of the late 70's early 80's Kwaks. 1st thing to get replaced will be the stock headers and muffler. Getting rid of the weight of the Cat. Plus I don't like the Traffic Cone mufflers, so I'm going with a shorty 'side pipe' style end can. Also getting rid of all that plastic number plate hanger, and going for a minimalist fitting directly under the tail light. I might go as far as replacing the large crank case covers, for CNC'd billet covers, polished up, like on the older bikes. A couple of minor cosmetic mods, like under bar end mirrors and I'm good to go. I can't feckin wait!!
I think a pair of good quality shock absorbers would have completed the look,for me. An aftermarket 4 into 4 exhaust system is available...... at much expense, but do look and sound superb.
Just got a 2022 z900rs cafe with 3k on it for 9,500 (plus taxes and whatnot) feel like it was a pretty solid deal. It’s crazy how little justice the videos I watch do for the sound of this stock exhaust. Thing sounds and feels amazing. I was torn between this and the speed twin, but at 6 ft and 215 lbs the speed twin felt cramped, didn’t like the sound comparatively, and the fact that the suspension was not adjustable just sealed the deal for this bike. I have no regrets and I’m excited to see how many miles in can get out of it. Will soon be riding with a pillion and hoping with the rack and cargo box with the back pads we can get a little more comfort out of it for day trips with two. Nice video!
I hear you! My z900rs sounds so good! The gear whine, induction howl under load, grumbly exhaust, and mechanical racket create a fantastic symphony, especially when accelerating. I often step on it just to hear it.
You are spot on. Most modern bikes look like space ships. Not my thing. Had a ZRX1100. Great bike, but eventually sold it to move onto another bike. And I like the look of the Z900rs. Test rode one, but preferred the character of my Speed Twin's engine. But I totally get the appeal.
I bought the lime green and white stripe 2018 in January of 2019. I've got over 23,000 miles on it. It's been a blast. After 5 years of riding bone stock, I'm thinking about doing a full exhaust and ECU flash.
Thing is with the speed you referenced, it's still fast enough to put you in a cemetery. Can't drivers don't care whether you're on a retro Royal Enfield scrambler, or the latest Ducati or Aprilia race machine, they 'just didn't see you'!!!
Drop the front 12mm, raise the rear 14mm (180/60), add ohlins front, nitron rear, brembo M4s with a high compression Z9 motor and it becomes a relaxed scalpel. I suprise a lot of modern sports bikes. Totally different bike with TRC off and decent suspension.
I’m getting a new bike next year and keep cycling through this, the XSR900 and the Speed Twin 1200. I’m riding a Speed Twin 900 now and want to go faster, a sixth gear, dual discs. I love all three so we’ll see where I land in the spring.
in my opinion the kawasaki has the perfect look and is plenty fast i have been riding a triumph speed twin for several years but find i like the styling of the kawasaki more plus the inline four has about 10 more ponies under the tank
I love my t100 but I'd like to get this bike, I went to the mountains this past weekend and ground off my peg feelers,,,, and part of my brake pedal and gear shifter. I'd do it for the extra lean angle
The price is ok compared to competition but expensive. Actually, no new bike is affordable these days with our low average salaries (in my country) and inflation. Its a bike i would love to buy and keep for next generation. I already have a true classic, a sv650 2004 that i improve year after year and pretend to keep till i day but this inline 4 is beautiful and considering big fours are at the edge of extinction, it will be a classic for sure
I don't understand why people keep saying the regular Z 900 doesn't pull down low like the RS. I have a '22 Z and a '22 blue RS. To tell you the truth, I feel the Z will kick the RS's behind all the way through.The Z will take off in 4th without slipping the clutch. Super smooth, torquey 4 banger. Power everywhere. Love the RS, but wish it had the Z's engine and tranny. Almost nothing interchanges on these engines. Different head, rods.crankshaft, etc. Crankcases are the same and a few other parts. Z has much smoother tranny and engine. The RS gets more attention, but if I had to choose, it would be the Z. Love it.
Sounds "growly and menacing". Nope! 35-years riding and I never gave a rats ass about loud sounds. I want an honest, "just doing my job" exhaust. Not trolling. I wanted to note that not EVERYONE riding thinks the same. Yup, been a sub for a good long time :) Keep up the good work.
Agreed I rode one of these in the 70's when they were the first Super Bike, the next best thing was the Honda CB750, so I am definitely biased ........
For a tall guy, these fit really well. The standard RS with the thicker/taller comfort seat had lots of legroom and a very comfortable upright position. With that comfort and looks… one day…
And also about riding position - not quite neutral/upright seating position on KAWA Z900RS. Position of the body is little bit on the forward side, so i do not know how practically this would be for let say 5 days of Alps touring, or maybe doing Adriatic coast (Italy-Slovenia-Croatia-Monte Negro). GSX1400 Twin Exhaust model which i own (bought it because of retro look), well, that is true neutral position. Like on a touring motorcycle from Yamaha, BMW, etc. Fatigue sets-in only after a really long rides, 1000+ kilometers a day for few days in the row. I was doing approx. 800 kilometers a day when in Alps (across 4 countries) but had no cramps, no hurting back, arms or whatever. So for casual riding i agree, Z900RS looks and feels phenomenal. For my second bike i would buy it immediately! But for serious touring, no matter what motorcycle or brand you choose, just choose the real NEUTRAL/UPRIGHT SITTING POSITION bike. Very important thing for hitting the big-miles goals :-) Cheers!
I really like this bike, Z900, but fastest new retro bike? You should try GSX1400 (2001-2004 twin exhaust model), or maybe XJR1300 (also twin exhaust model). Than we discuss this matter further :-) Stay safe on the road! Cheers from Slovenia!
I like that you include your partners impressions in the reviews. Nice to get a different perspective. Bought the speed twin. Tried the z900rs. But the twin cylinder thumpiness spoke to me more than the inline 4. That being said, the z900rs is still on my list of bikes I want to own. Its a great looking bike. And the Yamaha, while capable, is flat out ugly in my opinion.
Had mine since 2018 - great bike, handles well, good power, comfy suspension but it is uncomfortable to ride - they seem to have got the proportions and angles all wrong and the seat is very hard. Had to make major modifications to make it reasonably comfortable. It is probably best a a cafe style bike, definitely not a tourer. Don't know where you got the fuel mileage from (your figures suggest around 18.8 klms per litre). I'm lucky to get 14klm per litre on a good day. The tank is way too small for the bike to be usable as a tourer. I have to carry fuel. The upside is that it looks great, especially custom painted in the original maroon strip - see pic logo.
Always have a few bikes of different styles, including a ZH2. Love the ZH2, but wish it had the style of the RS, such a great looking bike! But, Im a 50 something and sure Id be in the minority of ZH2 buyers.
The Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX comes with a great deal more tech and actually costs less; forgetting touring I think it might be a good daily driver; bigger motor; more comfort; admittedly heavier.
cafe's handle bar is lower than standard's one. i am considering using a handle riser about 1 inch. But i don't think it suits the nice exterior of the cafe model.
😎👍🇺🇲 Haven't ridden one but I can say it looks ok. I have an absolutely spotless Green ZRX12 and it looks so much better. It's other shortcomings fade quickly. It's my only standard. If you need a old school looking standard in your lineup. The ZRX just can't be beat. Especially for less than half the cost. Nevertheless. This was a pretty good review and video. Cheers from the PNW Seattle WA area 🤘
i hear the new xsr900 has better handling; allot different but decided on an old used xsr900 at half the price. the 2 up seat on the new xsr makes ya wonder !!
