The 2023 Kawasaki Z900 RS Is New & Classic 

More videos to come! I even made a playlist specifically for bike reviews :) ru-vid.com/group/PLC0dZgVosHtsxPvzkIDswjw2YjCVodY6Y

2 decades from now this bike will still be cool, team Green got it right with this model 😎

Says alot about the insanity of modern bikes when you can describe a 900cc over 100bhp as a middleweight bike for a beginner that won't get you in trouble 😂

After commuting around san diego on my 08 KLR650 for my first 8 months of riding. I picked up a kawi green 19 z900rs cafe with 700mi. Best. Decision.Ever. 4k miles into it and I love it more every day. The KLR still gets love for grocery runs though haha.

I bought my Z900RS (standard, not cafe) new 40.5 months ago, now have super enjoyed 42,700 miles. This bike after an ECU flash has a totally - and I mean huuuugely positive difference - different riding experience. Night and day. To ride the stock version is a giant bummer compared to what the bike really is. I had mine flashed as soon as I got it, like a week or two in, it's like 2 different bikes. Some bikes don't benefit much from a flash, this is the other end of the bell curve. Also the stock tires, while adequate, are nothing great. After my first tire change the handling noticeably improved. IMHO the looks and build quality on this bike are outstanding. It would be nice to have some more hi tech features but I've never felt anything but huge smiles and love. Does everything on pavement well - very good performance envelope, if you need more on the street you're really pushing it. Long days touring, very nice, comfortable, no vibration, big tq curve, no need to downshift much.... Excellent machine. My baby 😁

My dad's first bike was a Z900 back in the late '70s. I showed him this video and it brought him back to when he used to ride. Awesome. :)

Your observation on the brakes is spot on. I got my Z900RS from Del Amo 4 years ago and only recently put Spiegler Steel braided brake lines along with new EBC sintered brake pads. Much more feel at the lever now. It is the perfect bike for an old timer like me (64). Very balanced and nice rider triangle. Sits tall so you get a good view of the road too. UJM perfection...

Just got back from a work trip in El Paso TX where I rented a 2022 Z900 Naked bike and agreed that clutch is nice. No lack of power in the engine either. Handled great in the mountains and felt very stable 😊

LOVE my circle mirrors! When I had my Rebel 300, they were the first thing I took off, but it wasn't long before I realized that - hmmm, I guess these engineer folks maybe know what they're doing. The function of the circular mirrors is great! Now with my 1100, I know they're perfect just the way they are. 👍🏽 This is a sweet looking bike too!

It looks cool, love the round gauges, reminds me of my 919. It's a bit more retro than I would like.

An excellent and accurate report. I have a 2018 model. The sixth year of production for the Z900RS, and it hasn't been changed...didn't need to. I appreciate your respect for this machine. You didn't rev out a new engine like some people would. Wait until she IS broken in! Oh, Yahoooo! Also, please note: maintenance on this bike is really easy, totally user friendly.

Z900 RS is definitely at the top of the affordable Cafe racer list for me. The tuning going on with these and the exhaust noises with the right pipes...need in my life

Front has compression - its down the bottom on the side. The rear shock is ok but aimed for little people (70kg or so) and is soft out of the box. For any serious riding it needs a replacement. Bike takes a bit to open up - brakes and the gearbox etc. Clutch is a gripper/slipper and walks very well but if you are a reasonable rider you only really need it for 1st gear or if you are babying something. Everything else can be easily clutchess. Also its super easy to adjust brake/clutch/rear levers. On the naked version (no windscreen) the wind does land on your chest but its non turbulent. The windscreen really only works if you are "short". KTRC = normally leave it on 1. 1 will prevent wheelies and some anti slip. 2 prioritises grip over power delivery and kind of neuters the engine in a smooth way. Good way to start if its your first bigger bike. Either has very nice torque which makes it easy to ride.

I bought one of these as my first bike. I’m a bigger guy 6’ 200lbs. It’s a great bike to learn on if you can stay off the throttle 😊

Love the reviews! Nice addition to a great channel!

I have a 2022 Candytone blue z900rs it’s a very quick bike , I dialed in suspension and it’s a great bike . Looks great and it’s super fun to ride.

Headlight fairing is just mega, I love this bike, could be my next bike or the gsxs gt, both are great bikes for different roles, but kawi never disappoints and very reliable.

Props to the reviewer. Everything to the point and no BS. Please review all of the modern retros, I love them. And I think you missed a potential customer for this bike--the older rider looking to recreate the 70s experience.

Nice to see you making a video about this bike. I bought it as my first bike a couple months ago and absolutely loved my first season :-)

Used to own one of these. Great all-around bike. Exhaust looks and sounds great for stock. Great review.

Sweet! I definitely love that retro look. Nice video.

I still have my 1983 KZ 750 it’s the LTD model. Sweet bike.

Love it!! The ZZZZZZ900RS!! Super fun and fast! Motorcycles 🏍️ 💨 💨💨🔥🔥

This bike has some real bulk to it, The video or photos dont justify until you look at this bike in person. on the photos and videos it looks standard but in reality its bigger than the Indian FTRs and ducati monsters. Its visually magnificent!

I paid about the same price as a brand new Z900RS for a 2016 Harley Davidson Sportster with 5k miles on it…And now I am questioning my sanity.

Rode the Z900RS, great bike. Can’t go wrong. But I ended up getting a Speed Twin. I like the Speed Twin much better for aesthetic and feel.

Love the bike reviews, keep up the great videos.

The Kawie dealer down the street from me up here in BC has this bike in the green, which is the best paint I’ve seen on any of the new bikes by far

Been searching for one of these near me for a while but the snows coming now. Gonna have to wait till spring.

Thanks for your review. Very concise and accurate. You reviewed what I wanted. I wish this model had rev matching.

I have the same bike. That bike my friend is the RS café version not just the RS. i’m not one of those guys to split hairs however there are definite differences between the RS and the RS café. Also the front suspension does have compression. It’s on the other fork. by the way mine is gray with the silver pinstripes. Gorgeous. I also upgraded the tires to Michelin Road six and it made all the difference over the stock Dunlop GPR 300

Cool! When you get the chance, would love a review of the Thruxton RS or a speed triple RR. Keep these reviews coming! Really enjoying them

nice video... the screen and where it puts the wind is why i opted for the naked version although prefer the looks of the cafe. The dealer told me the downpipes are twin tubes to prevent them from turning blue, or brown and will stay nice shiny chrome. Nice colour, shame that version not available in the UK. Great bikes.

Outstanding motorcycle I love my 2022 Candytone Blue gold one ! Fast comfortable and good looking

The only bike on which i wouldn't change anything. Just looks gorgeous.

My XSR 125 is my first bike and brakes are like that, they don't grab but you get what you ask for as you increase pressure and are extremely linear. Unless a vehicle is aimed for the track and ultimate performance is key, then I feel this is a good thing. Allows one to use the front brake under all circumstances relaively safely, even during slow manouvers. I guess if you like to cover the brake with one or two fingers it may not be to your liking. Snatchy brakes aren't well suited to cruiser bikes and generally bikes that are aimed at the more relaxed crowd.

I have one and installed a Brock full exhaust system and ECU. It’s putting down over 100 hp to the rear wheel. Anyone that thinks this is a beginners bike needs to realize that this bike would have been the fastest Production motorcycle available until the Vmax came out in 1985. I had the V65 magna Honda, which was on the front page of Cycle Magazine as the fastest production motorcycle in the quarter mile. Right after I bought it, the Vmax put it on the shelf. Again, if anyone thinks a 10 second quarter mile Motorcycle is a beginners bike, I hope you are not the beginner that buys it.😂

"inline-four", the best sounding motorcycles!

Grab that brake if you need more its got abs. I have been riding for 50 years and have experienced all types. Harleys are the worse yet with todays modern linked systems they work well enough. Even a brake that is a bit soft initially works a heck of a lot better that anything I was riding in the 80’s and 90’s.

Just tried out my buddy’s today. Man that bike screams!!!

Circle mirrors are totally retro on this. My 1976 kz900 came with those.

Z900RS SE will be mine this spring. Love everything about these bikes.

I changed the tires from the Dunlops to the Michelin and it feels so much better. Always felt like it wanted to slip in the front when doing slow maneuvers.

This is why im having mine getting competion red orange and gloss white livery over the pearl gloss black. Its a rocket

I’ve been window shopping as I’m considering buying another bike, and this video has sold me on the RS. A buddy let me ride his z900 and I was considering it, but being a diesel guy I prefer torque over top end. Nice video, bruv, ride safe!

Excellent VDO, mate 👍 I'm riding (since a week) the version without the fairing in dark metallic green/yellow. It's pretty well handling, good throttle response, good enough brakes, very comfortable clutch, decent seat and riding position. The perfect bike for an old fart like myself 😊

I can confirm the exhaust comment. I have one with full titanium Akra exhaust and Akra slip on, sound incredible, always incites you for more

I loved my 1978 KZ1000A2, and am gonna get one of these babies.

I agree it does look good maybe you can revisit it in future when it has more miles but yeah it's a good look.

it's a small thing. but before you started riding, you did the little clutch scoot. such a simple but great safety type thing. One of the reasons I enjoy your content. Even though you do a lot of riding, have a lot of skill. Still do the sensible little things without pretense. great example of how to ride/treat a new bike.

Wow, it's a Kawasaki with a nice looking factory exhaust...Im amazed!!

A blast from the past, love its looks.

Loving these recent reviews.

The looks and the sound are absolutely top notch 👌🏼

Nice bike, had one, bit basic no technology, but that's not always a bad thing. suspension gets a bit loose when pushed, But a lovely retro bike,

Well done. This one looks wonderful.

One of the best sounding factory bikes. I dont think you even need aftermarket exhaust on this

Was at local dealership few days ago and saw the Kawi on showroom floor. Nice bike. If Kawasaki made the bike in race green with black I might of traded in my hyper 950.

For street riding, I actually like the brakes to be soft at the initial pull. Mainly because I like to squeeze the brake enough to get the brake light lit up (usually a double pump), but not enough to slow down too much that the car behind me doesn't have time to react. Like a warning sign that I am about to slow down.....

I had a '78 kz650 and '82 kz750. I would love one of these. I hope they are lighter than those old 4's.

Reminds me of riding to high school in 1980 on my 78 KZ 750. Man, where did the years go?

I have the root beer color one. Loooovvvveee this bike!

This Bike is on my list. I will be looking for a good used one in the future

Please do the new XSR900 if you can! :)

Not to pee in the Cheerios, but #2 TC is the most intrusive. Think "rain mode". Picked up my naked version Tuesday, and am busy installing shock, header, Road 6s, 16T counter sprocket, etc. Then off to the Twisted Sisters next weekend for more break in miles & suspension tuning. :)

Really agree with you about single rotor for heavier bike

Dude your going through my whole stable first the 1000 xr, now my 900rs.

Same color scheme as my 1978 KZ1000. If i can find one in this color scheme around here, i will likely buy it.

I bought the 2023 Kawasaki Z900RS in the Diablo Metallic Red and black color, and it is an awesome bike! This is the first bike that I bought, since I am a beginner, never did an msf course, but I will say, after watching your videos for an entire year, cuz I learn best through videos than in person instructors, I decided to pull the trigger, commit to this bike, to learn on it, and I have to say, just by watching your videos, and through trial and error, since that is the best way for me to learn, I've been doing really tight U-turns, figure eights, weaving, emergency braking, and even dropped my bike (slowly and on purpose) to see if I can lift it off, and it's light for me! Between you, Canyon Chaser, DanDan the Fireman, Revzilla, and FortNine, I built up the confidence to not be afraid of the fight, I'm not tipping it over, dropping it, or anything, and I've been riding for about a month, and so far so good. For a first bike, it is really tame, but then again, I did practice really good throttle and clutch control, and it also helps to that I have a class A, and drive semi trucks for a living, so I have a very good understanding of engine breaking and clutch control, and I have to say, I'm about 260lbs with gear at 31 years old, and I have to say, it is really user-friendly and nimble. I think it can get you in trouble if you aren't strict with your throttle control, but anyone who has been following you, will know the proper techniques, I will be sure not to be foolish, and to hammer down on the throttle, but it has plenty of passing power and acceleration. I think if someone is mature, who takes their safety seriously, as well as others on the road, I could definitely say this will be a good beginner bike for the middleweight class, especially for your bigger Riders like myself. It's all about discipline, and I have to thank you very much Greg, for helping myself and others through your videos. I bought this motorcycle in dedication to one of my favorite anime, GTO- Great Teacher Onizuka. I can definitely say for sure, since I have the non-Cafe version, and don't have the windscreen, I don't even really feel the wind at all, especially directly hitting my chest. I hit 85mph today and slowed it down to 65 through engine braking, and it doesn't jostle me at all. As far as braking, again, since I drive tractor trailers for a living, primarily use engine braking until 30mph, but I give the courteous rear brake light touch to let others know I'm slowing down lol Again, thank you very much, and you are right, frame slider does fit over the engine, and I put axle sliders on to be safe, and even put a cool chrome passenger grab bar. Going to upgrade suspension in a month, and maybe when I get more seasoned in a year, I'll get a flash tune

Why would anyone want on/off brakes? Race brakes are meant for race bikes. They provide linear braking from high speeds. They don't modulate worth a shit at street speeds. I'll take the brakes that come on progressively for public roads. I'll take the much lower costs too. Ditto back breaking race suspensions meant for gliding around finely manicured European circuits, not beat up American public roads. Glad to hear its throttle wasn't snatchy. That's been the common beef with these things over the years. Maybe they finally dialed that in?

Love to see you review some Triumphs

Really liking your bike reviews. Any chance you can do the trident 660?

I bought a brand new 1974 Kawasaki Z-1 in Feb 74. Came with one rotor on the front wheel and I immediately put a second rotor on it and moved the brake calipers from the front of the fork boots to the rear. Added ten pounds to the front end to help keep the wheel down. Braking force increased to almost 2g's. Had to fight to stay behind the handle bars but I sure did stop fast.

Hi from the Philippines. I always warch your vlogs. Can you do a review of the Yamaha Super Tenere 1200? Thank you and more power! Stay safe.

The factory break-in period on that bike is preeeettyyyy specific lol.. Like, you're not supposed to go over 4000 rpm for the first 400 miles.. Then 6000 rpm for the first 600 miles or something like that. Obvs it's not the end of the world but, definitely something I noticed and had to follow when I bought mine.

The black and gold paint scheme reminds me of the Norton Commando.

I love that bike in naked form!

Has all the air been bled from the brake lines? Have the rotors been cleaned real well? Just a couple things to check. I have had to bleed air from brake lines on brand new bikes in the past.

I have a 2018 900RS. EMU reflash, cat delete, 7 1/2 Motul in the forks, Battlax 22's. Kept the stock pipe and exhaust because the pipe is tuned for broad midrange torque and it's a quality piece. It's also a double walled pipe so it will not discolor. It's a blast in the twistys. I'm 5'8", 30" inseam, 180lb, the bike is about an inch too tall for me. I may replace the seat with the cafe piece and an Ohlins or Vitron shock. the Vitron will enable me to adjust the height, don't know if that is an option on the Ohlins. Appreciate the test.

It's an RS Cafe. I love my 2019. It says 900, but it is actually 948cc. Brakes are new...need to wear in.

Nice vid. You can easily get in trouble on that 900 if you spin it up. :)

Nice review...Love the bike. Perhaps a little more homework on the bike before filming the review. Good to see a review of this particular model. Good enough to make me subscribe

Just perfect 🎉

Hi, can you do a test ride on the 1290 Superduke GT and do a bit of a comparison to the s1000xr?

The Cafe windscreen was designed for the rider to lower his body down to the fuel tank and tuck behind the screen at high racing speeds. Of course it's going to let wind hit your face and chest in the upright position. I like the retro version of the bike.

I just bought my first bike, the 2024 Yamaha XSR700. In the future, I plan to upgrade to the Z900 =D

Hi teacher, i hope you can compare the triumph speed twin 1200 with this. Thank you

very honest reveiw.. may buy the yellow ball

I’m gonna have to stick with my Thrux 900.. but this looks great too!

I got mine in 2018 when came out. The GPR300 are a joke, not sure if they still wear those, but as soon as I was able to, changed to Sportsmarts. Now I'm wearing Pilot Road because I use the bike in a daily dose. Tje brakes, I'm not entirely happy with them, despite having radial pump. As of nowadays, still can't sort out the right suspension set-up (compression, extension, preload), at first being a bit stubborn and then gets the little rebounds...

Regarding the brakes changing out to steel braded with Teflon inserts will Dramatically increase the stopping power. I replaced mine on my 2018 z900rs along with the front springs to stiffer compression and a little thicker oil. BIG BIG Improvement especially in the corners at speed there's no unwanted dive. It tracks exactly where I aim the front end, finger tip braking, is "Reallll Nice Like" when entering a corner❤❤❤❤❤

Thanks for the review. I have been looking at the regular, non cafe version of this bike for a little more upright riding posture. It very well could be my next bike.

Newer ish rider ? No this bike is not for new riders this bike is very very quick not for newbies ….

Wait, did you run the whole review with traction at 2 aka rain mode?

Hi I’d appreciate your thoughts. Thinking of getting a bike with a screen ; trouble is I see so many reviews where buffeting and wind noise are more of a problem than naked. As I only pootle about do I really need a screen for short rides? Best 900ish bike with a screen? Best 700/900cc naked?

How would you compare the Kaw to the Triumph Speed Twin or BMW RnineT

Awesome bike.

I got the 2022 Cafe on a clearance deal for 10k. Couldn't be happier, its a head turner and the header delete makes the bike jump; tune is next and it will be more than enough for me. The 2023 color scheme is boss though. Edit: the first oil change evens out the clunky gears and throttle, I put a synthetic blend oil (Belray) Had the same thoughts on the brakes, good to get your take on it

I had a 83 Yamaha XJ650LK turbo and that is the exact reason I got rid of it was the brakes. Front discs rear drum. Braking did not inspire confidence. It was a very very fast bike with over 100hp at the back wheel as the bike was only 425 lbs.

are u talking about harley? break issues if so i completely agree with u