Kawasaki Z900RS review - best retro motorcycle? Part 1 

Would’ve been nice to hear the engine above 3000rpm!

Loving the sound of that beautiful four cylinder engine

I got my Learners Permit (in Sydney- 1975) on a Honda 750 Four. I was watched outside the Registry Office and needed to show that i could do a u-turn with feet up. Also had to go round the block using indicators, mirrors etc while tester watched.. so easy back then!

Had a killer deal on another colour at my local dealer... but what can I say? the green and gold is indeed the most beautiful choice.

What a superlative review! Mighty fine job you did there sir. 👏 👏 👏 Absolutely concur with your every observation, thought & descriptive(s) of the bike, the sensations & feelings. In fact it's like you were reading my mind - I have the same model in the same colour scheme, so to all you said I say ditto that.... Cheers & thanks for the best review I've seen on the Z900rs.

Riding responsibly on a 900RS be like…thanks for the vid, the green n gold looks bloody amazing! To think that this thing moves from 0-100 in 3 seconds flat.

Can’t agree with you more…the root beer is attractive, the new blue is eye-catching, but that green is the best color the bike has had.

Thanks for the review, pretty accurate from my four years experience of the bike. It is a good bike. The throttle is easily fixed with an engine flash, while the fast idle is not necessary and can be fixed by rolling back the stop under the tank on the LH side (shop won't touch it though as they worry about warranty). You are right about it being best suited to mountain twisties, with lots of torque and the wind exposure not being an issue at those sort of speeds. Cheers.

G'day from Nth Queensland brother. I have just discovered your channel and honestly, its exactly the type of bike videos that I thoroughly enjoy. Just being along for the ride while you chat away about your early years, bikes you have been drawn to, and most importantly, the feeling of utter peace and relaxation that the bike affords you. I started riding legally in '75 and my second new road bike was a cb750kz? Same as what the cops had ridden earlier before changing to another model. I've owned a whole range of different bikes for the last 47 years, and no matter what style of bike it was, I always loved riding it. Currently have a 2017 fjr1300 as my ride, but as I have had to retire permanently due to medical reasons (veteran), my riding days are very limited in both distance and time in the saddle. Love the fjr1300, wonderful machine to ride, but the weight has become an important factor and I'm seriously looking at down sizing. The Trumpy T120 and the Kwaka Z900rs are the main contenders at this stage. Love the colour of your bike, and if I choose the Z9, I would get the same colour. Look forward to viewing your other videos mate, and consider me subscibed. Stay safe, and have fun.

Such a beautiful bike. I love the Z900RS. I have a W800. Kawasaki fit and finish is fantastic. And love that positive neutral. Cheers from NYC USA.

I have the red one. Love it. Can't wait for it to warm up so i can ride it. Its below freezing where i live.

Love the review and adore your bike. Best wishes from Dublin, Ireland...

Beautiful day on Cambewarra Mountain into Kangaroo Valley with almost no traffic in front of you... tempting, very tempting. 🙂

I love mine. Great review! We always look for others to appreciate what we have. That bridge at 30:03 is to die for. Mine does not overheat as I live in Texas and do not trundle around at 3000 rpm in 6th. I am usually riding around much harder and still no overheat problems. Folks have not learned how to use the digital gauge in combination with the red warning light to detect overheat. Rock On Dude!

Thoroughly enjoyed both this video and part 2. Had I known that I was going to spend an hour and a half watching these 2, I would have fired me up some popcorn. I really like your riding style as that's exactly how I drive both a bike and a stick shift car - change early 'n often! I really never go anywhere near the red end of the RPM range. That's why l love the torque. I was on 2 deposit paid waiting lists for a Rebel 1100 manual, and they both kept being pushed back by Honda and eventually just cancelled, so I finally gave up on getting a Rebel, and just this week bought a 2023 z900rs cafe instead. it's actually used - bought by original owner on Feb 11, 2023. He brought it in for his 600 mile service, saw a VersysLT1000, and decided that he wanted that instead. So I got this (freshly serviced) z900rs cafe with 560 miles for US$9,999. So I was very amused that your other bike happens to be a Rebel 1100. Seeing as I can only have 1 bike, I think I'd go with the z900rs due to the higher seat if I had to choose. Thanks again for the videos - great scenery.

New subscriber here, love your story, still a learner but ended up looking to this 900RS😂

Wonderful country, wonderful view and wonderful commentary! I have a 2018 retro Z and she is a real pisser as well. Thank you for sharing and best of luck!

Hi from Texas. This brought back Memories from 1979 when I had a Z1 900. I loved that Bike but Sold it when I went into the Military. I had a Kerker Four into One Header, with the Baffle out. When I would see the Police I would Shift way up and stick my Boot into the end of the Header. That way I could go by with low RPM,s and it sounded kinda Quiet. I would love to have one of these New Ones. Kawasaki did a Great Job bringing these back out. My dream Bike back in the early 80,s was the Kawasaki 900 Eliminator with the huge back Tire. Thanks for the Video, New Subscriber.👍👍

The sweet sound of that i4!

Wonderful video, Thanks so much!

I owned a 1976 KZ900 LTD back in 1978. Loved that bike. I wore a white Shoe full face helmet and road that bike everywhere.

Absolutely beautiful roads you have there.

I remember as a kid seeing guys riding cb750's. Then along came the z900 and a lot of guys got wiped out on them. I think they got intoxicated with the power and it caught up with them. The same thing happens today. People ride on public roads like they are doing a track day

I agree with you on the colour. That green is the best. Just wish they had used this green for the original z900rs cafe rather than that lime green they used. When looking at retro's I went with the speed twin. I just preferred the character of the Triumph twin. But I still want the z900rs at some point. Cheers from the east coast of Canada.

Great video, thank you

There are four perhaps four or five great looking classically styled bikes recently out there to me. Ducati had a silver GT a few years back, another I've owned for 7 years 2016 Thruxton R, another one I've had a 2020 BMW R9T/5 anniversaryedition, Kawasaki W800 and another one I'll probably buy tomorrow a Kawasaki Z900RS SE yellow ball.

Back in the day everyone got rid of the2 in 1 and put a Kerker 4 in 1 for the Formula 1 sound.

Hi there! What an excellent review on this beautiful bike. The best I have seen on the net! You are so lucky to live in Oz. I have been to your country 3 times, so beautiful! Enjoy the bike and good luck to you. Greetings from the Netherlands.

Great video ,the original z1 weighed 249 kg wet so this new one is much lighter. The south coast towns, and road are really something.

It is a great machine, will be my next bike!

IT'S SO DREAMY 😏, Seriously I'm kinda in love.

Always loved the sound of 4s got a gsx1400 but I do love the sound of the kawasaki I'd be so tempted if I could has t be that colour.

I bought one of these on 1st launch purely on the fantastic looks, big downside back then was the borderline dangerous fast idle from cold, did they ever iron it out?

Such a great story

Thank you for the review, love the bike, agreed on being the best retro out there!

😂 when you were overtaken by a hatchback I lol!

Great video - thank you. You may have already answered this question but what are your thoughts on the Z900RS SE? Value for money? Colour scheme? Gold wheels? Ohlins shock & Brembo brakes? Does it all stack up against a standard model? Are the gold elements “over the top”?

Great video and review! I was initially looking to get a Moto Guzzi V7 but proving near impossible to get or test ride one in Melbourne. I had initially ruled this out due to slightly higher seating position but resat on one day and think I was too quick to dismiss as seems very comfortable even not completely flat foot. How do you think this would go in Sydney/Melbourne peak hour traffic? I predominately commute but also want something with a soul. Cheers

Hello there great video.. when you say it doesn’t have riding mode, what you mean? I thought it comes with a wet option where traction control is switched for a more tamed ride.. is it the case?

The best motorbike in his class/type, sorry Triumph, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield, Norton but Im choosing Z900RS

What a fantastic video. I have to ask....... I owned a Z1B as a 23yo; I survived somehow; now I want another one but these RS models. Do they suit smaller riders? I'm 66yo, 5'7"/167cms, 65kgs. I forgot....... haven't ridden a bike in nearly 40yrs. Loved your video and the idle chat and the sound of the bike.

Has its own look! All 600/1000 at 40yards look basically the same.

41 minutes long. Part 1. Just getting started watching this but I already admire the ambition. Does YT need feature length bike reviews?? Dunno, maybe. 😉

Great review, lovely looking bike. Just curious to know how tall you are and how you find the riding position? Cheers

Bike should have cruise control. There's cope everywhere and it's so easy to go over the speed limit without even trying.

Yes yes, it is a dream bike, my dream bike too👊🏽😎🔥🔥🔥

Best looking bike since the gsx 1400

It runs hot because it runs lean or no extra fuel in the cylinder for lubrication and cooling. It's done for emitions control

h mae i had a 1977 kwaka 1000 maroon in colour. it was only 3yar old whe i got it . i paid $1800 for it. they had the twin shocks on the rear. they were incredibly fast back then.

What brand and model are the gloves; very impressive looking; same question about the jacket; writing from the States. Are they brands limited to Australia? Thank you in advance.

U can put in a brighter brake light ,ecu flash ,Oxford or kaw heater grips , ice for raditor ,slider guards , and a big windshield for freeway if u can find one that u can clamp on make Shure u put tape before u put on the clamps so as to not mark it from the clamps for windshield🧝⚡🌴

you made me laugh about when you see a bike in the bike shop. mate im about to do it again this why i try to keep out of the bike shops. i have a 1250 bandit now, a dr650 a drtz400e, and harley softail custom. i think im going to but a 2 stroke ktm 300 very soon,

Peak torque is at 7000 rpm.... Peak hp at 8600 rpm... you loved the power even though you were short-shifting it. Why? Because real wheel torque is 60 ft/lbs from 3000-8500 rpm (64 @ 7000) ... that is a broad powerband. I want one... Just need an ECU flash, evidently, if you want to smooth out the throttle response... several owners commented on other video reviews of this bike. Nice bike.... Peace

I’m a fan of debadging Kawasaki tank lettering

Does everyone in Australia have a pleasant disposition like you? If so I think Id like to visit.

Needs bar end mirrors to be perfect looking.

Honda CB1100RS or EX is a nice retro motorbike.

I notice that you drive yours in much higher gears than I do mine. For example, you're going around twisted roads in 5th or even 6th gear. Your tach is often reading mostly 2,000 to 3,000 rpm. Of course you are free to drive the bike that way. Perhaps it is even better for the life of the engine. But of course the engine does not deliver anywhere near it real power capability at such low rpm. If you suddenly decided you wanted to accelerate you'd have to gear down, maybe even two gears. I drive mine with tach reading between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. I find the bike to be much more responsive when driven in that manner. This is not a criticism of the way you drive. I just wondered why you do it. If you give me some good reasons, I may decide to do it also.

80!

C'mon man, the bike begs for higher RPM!

Beautiful machine, but I wish Kawasaki also did a 1200cc with round clocks but a little more modern with a very torque motor and very sporty and nimble chassis, a bit more sporty position, although not too much, it still has to be comfortable for a day riding, sometimes a too upright position gets tiresome at higher speeds. Honda has a 1300 cc retro (a bit) 😆but I don’t think they sell it abroad anymore, a problem with a lot of these naked bikes is it is all big eyes and transformers!!!! Why ? Are the designers kids, or are they on drugs?

Speed twin 1200 might be as good looking.

タイガーカラー🩷

When you ride the original from 1973 you won't come back :-)

The RS 900 has nothing to do with the Z1, yes it's the same color & it's a Kawasaki, that's about it. The RS900 is a much better bike.