Kawasaki Z900RS - Don’t ride just before Christmas - Orwell Motorcycles 

Pah - tells you when there’s ice on the road. My old Honda CD200 Benly (I bought another last year to restore) did that back in the ‘70’s. If you were looking up at the sky, on your back, it was warning you there was ice about ! 😂

So many motorbikes I want and at my age so little time.........lack of money is a problem as well. The smell of gunk on a hot engine.....ah the memories .

I’ve never been a big fan of the sound of straight fours, generally. But there’s always been something different about the big Kows. A deeper melodious growl that cuts right through the accumulated layers of self oppressing “maturity”, and makes me want to do naughty things. I’d love to have one in the bright green with stripes, and the cafe fairing. Edit: You seemed to take a particular pleasure in the…”FEEL” of those full, rounded instrument pods.

Ahhh! that sound Mate! There’s nothing like it.Brings a tear to my eye. Can’t beat the eighties can you..

After the bike is broken in, and after like 1000 miles...it doesn't rev high when its cold or when you start it. I noticed it on mine (2022 Cafe) but it went away once I started putting miles on the clock. Other little characteristics went away also, and smoother gear shifts also, after that first oil change. Absolutely LOVE the bike, never getting rid of it.

Love your videos , I had a Kawasaki Z1000st in 1979 , wow what a bike that was when you opened it up you couldn’t hear it but anyone following could hear a whistle. I was 21 then , I’m now 63 and buying a bike again next year after all these year’s.👍🏍

Another fantastic ride Mr. TAYM. Grin as wide as a Cheshire cat, we could tell. And why not. You said it all, Fanfare of a 4 cylinder turbine, quality build, looks "proper", Beautiful looks. Everything just right, by the way I always used Jizer on my bikes, for the smell. That`s the bike taken care of, but biking...as you`ve said before about Uncle Stu`s opinion, we don`t have to use ALL the available power, and I never cared about fuel economy at all, always came up with the cash, for fun days out, but that extra power, it`s great to have. But as you said in this clip, "We`re in a 50 now- Fun stopped." Governments attempt to make everyone the same, fun-less. Anyone know why cars do not have these power restrictions, is it because ALL bikers are seen as villains, criminals, just because they are on a bike, I think so. U.Stu would have everyone on 125 mopeds that can just touch 65 or 70 and by the way, how fast can his mini`s go, who stops them going faster.. He needs to watch Helmet head on Porlock hill to see what Hell that is for an underpowered bike to cope with, day 11 if you want to know Stu, on his UK tour. Not for me! I watch his videos but I don`t agree with his views on power and motorway speeds. Rant over, sorry, but I love the absolute joy in bike-riding, any bike, that oozes out of your video`s, much more enjoyable. Hope the big pear was enjoyable, for both of you. Merry Christmas both.

Growing up to a point then you grow old. Joy is the secret to life and a passion can bring you joy. I'm 69 now and I have an MT07 to give me that joy.

Love the kwaks it sounds great and looks great, brings back a few memories that me and the lads razing around on them. Keep up the the good work Mr Taym and ride safe.

It is a beautiful bike, especially in that colour. The joy in your voice tells it's own storey, another great TAYM review 👍

The sound of a big four as you say is splendiferous! What a great bike!

Hi Fella. Have one of these on orange & brown on an 18 plate. Have added: colour matched rear hugger, tail tidy, white badges on tank, retro style round indicators, original side panel badges, radiator grill, rear grab rail and a 4 into 4 Delkelvic chrome exhaust. I love this bike to bits and will NEVER part with it. Keep safe and have a great Christmas. Best, Old Bloke

“Top speed? Fast! Nought to 60? Fast!” I nearly spat my coffee out! 😂 I know exactly what you mean about how it’s hard not to twist the throttle, I have that problem too. The z900 is on my radar, along with a speed twin, but I’m hedging back to a T120, which is far from slow, but it doesn’t egg you on as much. Great video again!

“You saw me fondling the clocks!” 👀 I absolutely love your videos and reviews! Another entertaining and informative video, brilliant 😂👍🏻

Excellent video! A man that appreciates the Z900RS. Have a '22 in blue. It's in the house for a tail tidy and a few simple mods. Too cold and dark in the garage. This is one bike I won't change out the exhaust. Except if the bike goes over and takes out the secondary muffler. About 1200 USD. Ridiculous. Have had a blast on this. My friend has an '18 RS with 50k miles and not one issue. Happy New Year.

7°??....have you bloody emigrated? That's sub-tropical just now! Great video again TAYM, took me right back to the '70's did that, but definitely a naughty boy bike 😊. Cheers again.

A Z900rs in a gateway…I’ve seen that somewhere before 🤣 I almost didn’t watch this because I do miss mine. But like you, I wanted to retain my license and sooner or later the Zed would have landed me in trouble, it just invites you to be a bad boy. They are phenomenal bikes, and I have many fond memories of rides on mine , from posing around town, taking the Mrs out, and touring Snowdonia 😍

Oh, get back on that naughty step right now you young scaliwag ( your only as old as the bike that you ride). You really are pushing your luck bringing back memories of Mrs TAYM catching some air. 😂 I'm thinking now, you must have really reigned in your wrist when you both tried out the Rocket 🤔 Or perhaps Mrs TAYM secretly likes a bit of hair flying in the wind, as long as she's still on the bike at the time 😉. I came very close to buying one of these but opted for the bigger naughty boy ZZR 1400. I still would have bought one if the special edition hadn't sold out before any put rubber on showroom floors. Nostalgia, what a wonderful throwback to marvellous memories, I think that's why I went for the ZZR, fond memories of my mate's Z1300. He'd go through a back tyre once a month but then I don't remember the front wheel touching tarmac much 😂

I'm enjoying your videos. Your review of this 'naughty boy bike' made me keen to try one out ASAP. My wife now hates you! Safe roads. Keith

Without seeing your face I can just imagine the grin goes from ear to ear. What a lovely bike. Just looked to see what the original Z1/Z900 from the 70's go for, bloody hell £20-30k for a good one. Makes the new ones look like excellent value.

Great review 🙂,the view of the clocks reminded me of being pillion at 14 on the back of my dad's red Z650, brand new I even just remembered the reg no mfy696r. Very quick bike at the time especially when I was only used to the power of a garelli step through I rode round the garden driving all the neighbours mad 😅. Kawasaki should have made a smaller version of this engine for the Z650 that is currently on sale instead of using the twin 😀

just beautiful!!!!

Lovely looking bike

Yeah, you can get Gunk and it stills smells just as u remember on a hot engine. Luv this vid, entertaining and u always make me smile man. Ride safe Neil Edit: Gotta agree with your comments about the bike, pretty spot on. The high revs aren’t so much of an issue for me coz my 77 Honda 750 K7 revs straight to 3500 on full choke when first start it, so you ease the choke off a tad, the revs drop and start to rise again 30secs later. All part of the fun.

Thank you for the wonderful review. When I was a teenager back in 1970s, one of my oldest brother's friends had an original Z1 900s. It was the fastest motorcycle of its time.

Nice to see a video in my home town. I also had the Z900rs was a cracking bike. Also noticed that you rode past a Royal Enfield dealer on your route.

Good morning TAYM you cannot beat a big jap 4 cylinder bike the sound the naughty boy factor I mis my Z1000 SX I was looking at the exactly the same bike same colour same year but I don’t wanna get rid of he interceptor oh yes definitely remember Gunk in the metal tins 👍👍🙏

When I got the W800, the sales man was telling me, why would you buy that? When you could get that bike. I answered, I already own the Concours, I don't need a naughty boys bike, I already own a rocket 🚀 on two wheels, I want one that I can see the dashes on the highway. But seeing you on that makes me want to ride one. Hope you are enjoying the Pear 🍐 city. See you when you get back home.

Nice review TAYM! enjoyed it. Very entertaining 😂. I also was 'educated' by Royal Enfield on another way to ride... went from a Triumph Daytona 600 to a Meteor 350, 100bhp less 🤷

I looked at ine of these when I changed my bike a few months ago, I loved them the first time round. Then I rode an R9T and was smitten so the kwacker will have to wait!

I am happy with my two bikes for sure. I do think this bike looks utterly amazing, though. I confess to sitting on a z900rs se in gold and black in my local dealer and wondering if I could get away with owning one and not splatting myself across the front of a lorry. I decided I probably couldn't 😀. When I've got some more experience maybe. Lovely video....thanks very much.

What a sound and such a beautiful looking bike. Gee if I had the money maybe ??.The only thing is I'd ride it like the 500. Throttle wide open 😆. Wow I've been looking and dreaming for awhile actually. They are between 22 & 25k here. Loved the clip m8 👍

Gorgeous bike 🇬🇧👍🏍

How does the riding position and overall size of the bike compare to the Motoguzzi V100 Mandello that you recently reviewed? Thanks for all of the great reviews by the way!

Woooaaaaaahhh that sound🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 That’s really beyond splendiferous! I truly like this bike! More than the 600, but (!) I need to have way more experience before I take a seat on the saddle of the 900! I’m way to naughty🤣

Nothing like that Kawasaki howl. 😎

😂can't help but laugh when ya said about the rear the stuff up your back had a bike or two like that........

Awesome TAYM!! I remember the the Z's and the Z900 was my dream bike and the one that got away , I only managed to get the 650 four but had a lot of fun on it only came off that one a couple times and was fine .I still want one today so I have not grown up at all . I have the XJR 1200 now which is kinda for me Yamahas version . Would I have the new RS well in a heartbeat yes I would . 😉👌👍

I sincerely love naked Kawasaki big fours. I was seriously tempted with an Orange/Brown RS I saw at J&S. The only thing that stopped me, was the fear of losing my license. Would still like a blast on one sometime though 😃 Thanks for sharing.

I'd love one of these when i get my full licence but i think it would be to much bike for my first bike sadly! They look and sound great!

Funny - my fellow tennis coach Chris rides one and he’s a nutter.

The Kawasaki Z900 RS and W800 are my favorite of the Japanese modern classic. The older CB1000 and newer CB650 from Honda are close seconds. After owning the FZ6 I shy away from 4 cylinder engine just because I don't want to be doing valve adjustment on them especially with shim style. I can't be waiting months for a dealer to get to it, lol. Due to wait time I can't rely on others for service and my purchase decision is heavily swayed by that. That being said, the feel of the engine is awesome. I'd probably go for a W800 though.

I couldn't be happier with mine. The only thing to remember is that if you screw that right hand grip with intent, be sure you have a strong grip. Its a deceptively quick bike.

Yup, I get where you're coming from about having no self control on some bikes. I'm much the same with my XSR9, i'm always up in the rev range, the bike howling like a banshee, gotta overtake everything in front of me and a little devil is constantly whispering in my ear. It makes me ride in a way i really shouldn't be riding like at my age. Its going to have to go soon, but i cant as yet find anything i want to replace it with. Totally different attitude riding my Strom, i'm chilled out in a zen like calm.

Lovely sound to that Kawasaki. Have you ever had a ride on a Honda CB1100ex? Got a feeling you would love it. 👌

One of my all time favourite bikes. #Kerching 🙈🙉🙊

After 55 years, I still don't trust myself on one of these magnificent machines. Will stick with my Bonnie for now.

The clunky radiator takes away from its otherwise lovely look. Triumph does a good job of making radiators look less intrusive - Kawi could take note.

I can see why you like that bike. It looks good (apart from the radiator!) and sounds fantastic and would be especially good if you want to go faster than on a Royal Enfield. But, why would you want to go faster than on a Royal Enfield these days? 😁. I enjoyed that ride and have to agree with you about the sound!

they are a gorgeous, fabulous bike but even in this ride you can see how quickly that drug addiction kicks in of twisting the throttle. 66% of motorcycle accidents (2004-2020) occurred on rural roads and 58% of fatalities did not occur within 20m of a traffic juntion. It's so easy to out brake yourself, especially on something that does 0-60 faster than a scalded cat whilst actively egging you on with that symphony of power. 😁 Would I buy one? ............................................... probably 🤫

Another good review but the mention of Gunk made it for me 😃 when did we stop using that ? 😅

Marvellous bike, I can see why you no longer have one…. to save your licence😂😂😂 it has a bit of GO in it 😊

A 750 RS would be perfect 👌

What is it with mirrors on test bikes? I had major issue with the ones on the BSA. The LH one started to unswivel at speed and seemed to have been put on incorrectly, meaning I jogged it with my wrist every time I got on the bike so it was never right. Mind, you that wasn't the worst problem, but you'll have to watch the video when it comes out to find out....hehe

This is my old bandit 1200 water cooled and with modern eletronics. I want one but 13000eur is a lot in my country...

That would be the colour

Nice looking bike, not as pretty as the original but better. No complainers about water cooling and the radiator? 😉

Try and get a go on the Z650RS i would be Intrested in what your opinion....all Kawasakis Rev High from Cold all the ones ive had Anyway

Bonjours l'ami! Qu'elle belle façon de terminer l'année ! Je suis jaloux! Des chatouilles dans le cou que j'ai pas,une BSA qu'on attend toujours ici une si belle Météo.....heu non là c'est quand mieux ici😀 belle machine mais avouez à l'âge de la raison c'est plus raisonnable pour nous ces jouets la😉 la seul montée en gamme que je m'autorise serait un mono de 650........ou 500 si Royal Enfield serai aussi nostalgique que moi.......enfin on peut rêver croire au père Noël non? ✌️🇨🇵

I rode one this week and found it very jerky a low revs in town

Lovely bike my brother has the same tho he says he don’t like the cold start revs😮 It’s a big lump of a machine & fast Too fast for me tbh bloody kill myself on that Great review 😊😊😊

Some say he has teeth like 🌟 STARS and that they come out at night! And that he once had an affair with Milton Keynes. We only know he’s called the TAYM Stig.