Kawasaki Z900RS First Ride Review at RevZilla.com 

I got mine last Saturday...Metallic black...I am in heaven...Run, don't walk to your local Kawasaki dealer...

I rode one last weekend and that was a mistake...now I absolutely need to buy one.

I just bought a 2019 Z900RS Cafe and I have to say. Kawasaki nailed this retro bike as well as Dodge nailed the retro Challenger. I remember the original Z900's and this bike isnt exactly the mirror image of them but it is a sexier modern version that actually gives you a far better riding experience than the original.

In the candytone olive green especially, wow, they are gorgeous.

Watched a ton of reviews on this bike and this one is definitely one of the best! thanks man!

I just bought the cafe, Being a massive Triumph fan I was seriously looking at the Speed twin and Thrustie , But this Kawasaki feels lighter, and bigger than the Triumphs, and much better value, £8495 for a 0 mile per reg. No regrets so far, its great.

In '79' I got a '75' model Z900. After owning the S2 350 and 500 Mach III, the 900 was a rocket as far as I was concerned. This New Z900RS Absolutely makes me salivate at wanting to own one. Gosh, I can still feel the wind hitting my face at 150 MPH on that thing,... wait is that a piece of that bug still stuck in my teeth?

I am liking this bike the more I see it. Another great review Lemmy. Stay safe out there.

My boy Lemmy still killing it with the high quality content!!! 👌👍👌

I was seriously waiting for this!!!!!

Well, this is a bike for me. I like the Honda cb 1100 rs and the BMW R ninT. But this one hit the sweet spot between retro look and modern performence.

Awesome! Started on a '75 Kawasaki f11 and ever since I couldn't find a bike I liked as much as that. Love the UJM style, it's how a motorcycle should feel I think. And they did such a great job with this. If I were going to buy a new bike I'd be on my way to Kawasaki right now 😂

As always I enjoy watching your videos. Your ability to throughly review a motorcycle while riding at the same time never ceases to amaze me! Have you done a review yet of the CB1100 or CB1000r? I’ve tried looking on You Tube without much luck... keep up the great work!!

I was waiting for your video ! I read your review and couldn’t agree more that’s why I was the first person in the US to own one in black from what I’m told this is an awesome bike now I just need better weather so I could get out there and ride👍

terrific review as always, thank you Lemmy

Great overview! I really think Kawasaki killed it with this bike!

I like pretty much all of RevZilla videos but I wish this had a bit more going on except for simply cruising - would have been nice to get a feel for acceleration and braking, etc

Great video Lem!! I love that bike!

I'm a simple guy. I see Lemmy on a bike, I hit Like.

My Brother already HAS ONE in his Garage!! (-; His FIRST Bike was a 76 KZ900...in this same 'Root Beer' Brown... and ordered a new Z900RS back in December! My Brother added dual front brakes to his original KZ900...and he has mentioned some mild 'issues' with the front brakes on the new bike... As for the 'styling' I LOVE the general configuration of -- as you mentioned -- "The Standard Japanese Motorcycle"...!! NO, it is NOT the maximum design for a Race Bike... but it still allows plenty of 'aggressive' riding...but it is ALSO COMFORTABLE for a full day of FUN -- even comfortable for a passenger to ride along -- and similar to my FZ1, it can be completely at home with my Cruiser Friends and I can still keep up with all but the hardest riding, and somewhat Dangerous, Sport Bike friends. I am hoping to be able to add one to my own garage soon...but I will be looking for the Cafe Model, which I will immediately re-paint to a Candy Red metallic with custom gold and silver stripes... (-:

I’m really liking the look of this bike. I managed to destroy my Yamaha XJR1300sp 2001 recently, I loved that bike. It’s been real tough trying to find something comparable in styling, until I saw this bike. Nice review dude, I think you’ve sold me on it.

Awesome review brother, enjoyed the video

I ADORE this machine! I want one, I just wish it had longer mudguard/hugger... They go to all that trouble to make those sweet headers only to have a stubby muguard. I know it's not the end of the world and yes you can get aftermarket extenders but it wouldn't have broke the bank to fit full size ones. That's my only criticism. I ride all weathers and live in a very wet UK.

Great review! I really like the looks of that bike! Initial reviews commented on fueling being less than ideal when going through bumpy corners, how did you find it?

Lemmy is perhaps the best motorcycle reviewer on youtube

This bike so is beautiful in person - especially in black. I saw one when I went to buy a cb1000r and was very tempted to buy the z900rs

Great review lemmy looking at this bike in the future hope it's like the nighthawk 650 honda used to make.

Great review lemmy

I don't give a crap what anyone says, the bike looks awesome. Love it. This is coming from a guy who used to have a CB1100 and now has a XSR900.

Great review! I too agree that Kawasaki walked a very fine line with the looks. It evokes just enough of the classic Z-1 to rope in older (62!) guys like myself, while making it a thoroughly modern motorcycle. Kudos! However...! I do lust after a "new" Triumph...the Street Twin gives me a motoboner. But so does the Ducati Scrambler and (I can't believe I'm even saying this) the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber. Holy cow that's a good-looking bike (to my eye). So. Many. Good. Choices. At the end of the day I'll have to stick with my 1996 Sportster for now. We might call it a "retro" bike because it looks just like my 1986 version, which looked just like the 1958 version. Some designs are just timeless - like this new Z-900RS :)

Very nice review tganks thanks 👍

Lemmy, your beard doubles as a wicked microphone windshield in that helmet :)

I m big fan of your work, I would love to see a review on the new Indian scout bobber.

Hi Lemmy, I like the Yamaha xsr900 and the kawa z900rs. I'm not sure which one to go for. What is your recommendation on these two bikes? Cheers.

I like the Z900RS but I am melting away for the look of the cafe version... Looks so much like the Z1... Unbelievable what kind of magic Kawasaki has produced...

Very good review... the engine sounds soooo good... omg... that Japanese engine inline 4 cylinder engine sound..... just muah.

A match up with this, the XSR 900, and the rest of the "heritage" bikes you mentioned would be great. Make it happen.

Great review! Been looking at bikes for a while and love the look and seating position of this one the best. Its a little pricey compared to the rest I've looked at but adding a couple years onto the loan will help with that. Also my fiance likes this one the best and that's a big plus! :) Do you think someone will come out with a lower price center stand after the bikes been on the market for a while?

Good Points on The styling of the Z900 vs the XSR900. Both are excellent bikes nonetheless.

Liked this video and love the bike. It's got my attention.

Having owned a Z1000 and Z1R in the late 70s/80s I really appreciate this bikes looks, because it picks up many of the design cues from the Z900/Z1000. Whilst the styling of this bike looks great the main problem with it, like the current Z900, both bikes are somewhat undersized, scaled down if you will, which at first glance isn't that obvious until you have a pillion on board and then the bike looks very small. Having said all that I hope it does well, its just a pity they used a revised version of the Z900 chassis and not a full sized one.

I bought my 2019 back in June 2 years ago. I added a rack on the back with a Large box to carry things. I take it off when I go riding. I also put a center stand on. I love the use I get out of it. The bike rides incredible smooth and it has enough power to get out of it's own way. This bike reminds me of my 1979 KZ650. I truly loved that Bike. I will be glad to let anyone know what I don't like about it. Let me know.

It would be really interesting to have a comparison of the gsx s1000, the new gsx-s750, the mt 09, xsr 900, z900, and the z900rs. I know they aren’t all exactly in the same class, but they are all fun, affordable, and comfortable sport bikes. I am a big fan of more affordable comfy sport bikes that the mt 09 helped to popularize. The retro nakeds also add some variety and a different take on some of these newer naked sport bikes

Good to see Standard Bikes are making a comeback.

Lemmy, I am digging that jacket. Can you add a link for it?

Are you guys going to make a review on the new SV650X by any chance?

Dude you look cool on that bike. I want one

Kawasaki z900 is a Awesome Machine..❤️ May be in future will go for Any if the Kawasaki Series.. Like the review,Best As Usuall.🙏👍

One of the nicer new bikes to come out.

Ive put 23000 miles on my 2016 xsr900 love it no complaints. Now this thing is pulling at my gut and i want it. Some chrome spokes 4 chrome pipes. Now that would look old school big time. Man i need help really bad. 12 step for bikes. M.A. where are you?

Owner of a 77 Kz1000 here and I think this bike would pair well with my Kz. I wonder if they will make a Z1000RS.

Kawasaki really nailed this one. You can even fit a bikini fairing and panniers, position a pretty pillion, and commute or tour. A slightly bigger tank for more range wouldn’t hurt.

Hi Lem, what do you prefer riding the 900RS or the XSR900?

I like each bike review should be at least 30mins long. We would all watch it Lemmy. Come on, don't starve us of our Lemmy time haha :)

What a fantastic looking bike.

Perfect review except. I didn't hear you mention how it handles the curves and twisties. If I missed it, I'm sorry.

Dont forget the CBs! The new cb400s and 1000s still come with analog gauges but with small digital display for trip and gear info!

I want this bike so bad. Time to rethink keeping my Ducati Monster.

ok so im looking into getting a bike, aside from the actual course i have some riding experience on some offroad bikes, im 5'11" 240lbs~ i was looking at something like a suzuki boulevard m90, opinions?

Honestly, the pipe within the pipe thing for me is not as cool. I love the way headers blew up. My favorite are the titanium where they turn all crazy colors but stainless will turn some pretty cool colors too. I don't know why but I love it, but I could see the attraction of keeping them nice and shiny It might also insulate the pipe a little bit and have less heat that comes off of it for you as well as Maybe giving it a small boost in horsepower like wrapping the exhaust does

May we request a review of the new 2018 Kawasaki Ninja 400?

Had a kz650 and 750 way back. Looking at one of these. Wonder if anyone is going to make the Vetter fairing.

I am dyslexic, but I really like this ikasawaK.

Let's get some more retro standard bikes to compete with Triumph!!!! Would love a better price, though. Maybe a Twin 650 or 700. Not a fan of Yamaha's XSR, though. That huge radiator is awful.

2:07, I thought we’d have to call captain Scarlett because the Mysterons has come 😉

Growing up in India pretty much every bike on the road looked like 'classic style' so I disliked this immediately but I am a kawasaki fan boy sooo I'm not sure WHAT TO FEEL

I wish Quak would do a retake on the GT750 too.

I had a 80s Maxim 1100 XJS that had similar clocks

Great review Lemmy. A couple of points that I would love to hear your thoughts on. I don't get that first gear. Why did they lower it? The gearing makes the bike feel as if it lacked torque to be honest. And speaking of torque, yes, they may have changed the cams, but they kept the same oversquare engine as the Z900. I think they missed the mark here. What about the fuelling? I thought the throttle was not very smooth. More like an on/off switch (yes, I'm exaggerating a bit). Cheers

In 70's I was young and thought that Z900 is the most beautiful bike in the world. Same stands today. I am not really crazy about today's square styling of modern bikes, sharp angles, plastic panels giving a bike Transformers look. I don't want that. This is perfect. I wouldn't mind having 4 exhaust pipes either. Dream on old man, it is financially out of reach for me at this time.

I have a curious question. How big of a guy are you, Lemmy? I've had my eye on this bike since it's release (especially the cafe edition), but I wonder just how well a guy of my stature would fit. I'm 6'4 and around 290 lbs. Would this be an acceptable bike or do I have to get a big monstrous cruiser to be comfortable??

6:31 "Nobody is going to mistake this for an old bike." - You sure about that? 🤔

Lemmy = Like

miss Lemmy on RevZilla

How is the off-on throttle response compared to the base Z900? I keep hearing that the Z900 is extremely smooth, while the Z900RS is much more snatchy

It reminds me of our old 82 spectre 750

How about some performance information about this bike. The original Z's reputation was based on it's quarter mile E.T's. and top end, (as well as some of it's less positive performance issues, ie handling). I looked for this information for a while before finding it and was very disappointed to see 11.6 e.ts. which makes this version even more retro. Harley-Davidson's V-Rod out performs it. The original Z1's ran anything from 11.9 to 12.1 e.ts. Having owned a Z1B (1975) version, I fell in love with this newer version and will be purchasing one in the very near future. I guess being 65 yoa, I really don't need to be going as fast as I use to.

I really wish they had better integrated that front brake reservoir hanging on the bar like a sore thumb. I just sticks out on a naked bike like this. They needed to use a more sleek, black, low profile reservoir. I ALWAYS prefer analog tachs, everything else can be digital. Digital tachs are one of the worst inventions ever. The wheels are great. They invoke the looks of retro spokes, but they are high tech cast wheels. Nice touch.

how about compairing it to the honda

Uhhgg.. less compression and smaller cam.. plus LOWER first gear? Gears are short enough as is on the Z900. I paid $6700 brand new for my z900 and it’s a keeper for now

Burnt headers look good though.

Wish Kawi would bring back a modernized ZR1100 Zephyr....

I will buy this bike..I don't have to expend a money for a after market exhaust..the stock exhaust of this bike does sounds good..power..reliability..comfortably and money wise.

Likey the bikey but first thought is its priced a bit high. Looking at the bike and thinking its a UJM but actually its nicer than that isn't it?

Is the new cb 1000r coming?

Like it.Would love it if it were shaft drive.

Lemmy! Would love to hear your take on the Z900RS vs the XSR900.

How can Lem Lem ride with visor up?

Am I the only one who finds it crazy that Lem Lem always rides with his visor up?

A true muscle retro bike. Like the ZRX

How is heat machine in summer

God knows if anyone will see this post but I finally went to test drive bike and guess what. Well let me start by saying I'm about 6'2 235 lbs with size 13 shoes. Why am I telling you my shoe size? Well because the space between the peg and the shifter I couldn't get the toe of my boot through. I also found the sitting position less then comfortable besides the fact that I had to get my feet on a 90 degree angle to fit in the tiny space I had. I'm 52 and have been bodybuilding for years so squats and lunges have taken their toll on my hips. Basically I found this bike extremely uncomfortable even painful. I guess it's back to cruisers for me!

Bet that exhaust system is beastly heavy with the dual wall headers (although probably thinner dual sections).

With the lower compression ratio compared to the Z900, does this bike take regular gas instead of premium???

how many gallons is that tank tho?

Get your hands on a classic Zephyr 1100 while you still can, they just dont make them like they used to.

Price tag MSRP OTD? What about for a 5”6 height?

My dream bike. Sadly i cant even buy a scooter 😑

06:40 Lemmy confess that it's a copy of the Honda's CB1100EX (except for the tail light)

I've got a good job with good money, but I really want a job that pays me to ride and play with new parts!