The MAM Journals- Paying Tribute . Kawasaki Z900RS & ZRX 

I didn't know what I was getting into with my Z900RS; 63,000 miles later, I got a pretty good idea, now.

For all my 50yrs of biking I have always acknowledged other riders and I'm still miffed by those who don't respond. Come on everybody, let's stick together 👍

They are both gorgeous and I'd like Z900RS in my life.

I will never give up my ZRX1200R. It's a total blast. The only negative is everybody wants to talk about it or buy it wherever I go! Have fun.

Man, those bikes bring up a lot of good memories from days gone by. Funny how even the fonts of the badges are spot on from that time evoke nostalgia.

The ZRX is still modern styling and that Kawasaki green is so beautiful.

“I find I ride it how it wants to be ridden.” That’s what she said.

I recently aquired a 2021 Z900RS in the candy brown/orange race colours originally sold by Graeme Crosby here in NZ. He restores the original Z1 bikes to a very high standard for customers around the world as well as creating replicas using the modern bike too. I also have a 2001 Suzuki GSX1400 retro muscle bike which also 6 pots on the front - obviously more the merrier was the thing in the day! They're different as chalk n cheese though!

Nice Video, Thank you, I prefer the ZRX since I own one as well. For me the Eddie Lawson replica just strikes a perfect blend of muscle bike and look at me bright colour.

Another great video with proper information and a balanced view. Straight talking no bull from a man who loves what he does. Keep up the good work.

I have an 05 model. I've kept her "out of the crate" stock. After almost 19 years of ownership I'd say it's it has anvil-like reliability. The old carbs fuel as well as any injected bike I've ridden. Better than most. Engine has more than enough power, especially down low. The bike just does everything with ease. It has enough heft so the wind doesn't bully it around and enough agility to keep a sane rider entertained. Without hesitation I would rate the engine as the best I've ever experienced. Great comparison video.

Thank you for the video and your observations. I rotate between the 6 bikes I have, and so the differences show up. The two ZRX1100s handle better than the ZRX1200, but I most enjoy the Ninja 1000 as a modern day UJM. The ZX10 and GPz550 are in different classes. The ZRXs get the most attention, depending on the crowd.

Thanks Michael for a bit of inspiration. My old ZRX is with Larry at PDQ. I am so much looking forward to getting her back in the road. In terms of comfort I have done an IronButt; Houston, Tx to Santa Fe, NM in less than 24 hours. That’s over 1000 miles😎

Wow the ZRX is gorgeous!

Great review..keep up the good work..👍👍

nice ZRX!!! if you want to save your carbs, shut off the fuel, and let it idle until it empties the bowls and sputters out. if you really want to love your bike use race or aviation gas without ethanol

An interesting comparison of two impressive looking bikes that I knew little about. Interesting and informative Thank you 😊

Great tip there regarding the 3 pot callipers ( how discontinued iterations demonstrate a possible flaw in a concept). I was impressed with the similarities yet nuanced differences you highlighted. Both, as you declared, handsome machines. 👍👌👏

Thank you for another enjoyable video Michael. I particularly appreciated seeing some modified versions of each bike at the biker gatherings,

What a wonderful comparison of two stunning bikes! Thanks for creating this video. I own the candytone blue RS and I love it. My friend owns a ZRX and I was curious of the differences in riding experience between the two bikes. I also really enjoyed the group bikes you included in this video, that had been tastefully customized.

enjoyed the comparison video. Thanks for posting

Great stuff MM! Well laid out and informative! You are my Retro Kawboy Hero!!!!!😆 Keep 'em coming!

I bought a ‘99 ZRX1100 in Z1R metallic baby blue…loved the bike but I wanted it green! So I got it painted in candy apple green a la Eddie Lawson style. I kept it for 5 years and I then had a brain fart and sold it, too many bikes in my garage! Seller’s remorse ever since…great motorcycle and I’d have another in a heartbeat but they were uber rare in South Africa as the 1200 arrived soon after I bought my 1100. I still prefer the gloss black motor of the 1100 to the dirty gold finish! Great video, thank you and ride safe! 🏍️👍🇿🇦😎🍺

As usual a brilliant vlog you are so knowledgeable and a really excellent communicater. Like both bikes but for me I'd love the RS in my garage to keep my GoldStar company for when i want a more spirited ride out

Awesome work my friend. Safe travels and enjoy those beautiful machines.

27:43 of pure genius there Michael. Very interesting and well narrated. I will get to watch this video again soon as I’m at work and have watched it on my phone screen. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and expertise on these two lovely machines. 👍

Well Michael, I have to say I consider this the best video to date! Thank you, keep up the good work. We will do the BMW comparison when the weather improves!

As always, a wonderfully informative and entertaining video. Your content, as I have mentioned before, is always top shelf. I have very much enjoyed my 2018 z900rs, but have sold it this week, as I’ve moved on to something a bit different.😎 Great job again Michael, and thank you for all you do.

Really enjoyed this video Michael....,your observations are honest.,unbiased and very informative. Excellent comparison.,beautifully communicated and presented. Well done... 👍 BG.

The ZRX is one of my dreambikes(only 4 of those). 20 Years old but still possible to scared todays, modern Bikes. Own a GPZ 1100 from 96, similar weight,motor and techncal standart. Even ABS. Love the power of the engine and topspeed. Not really many guys beat me at the german Autobahn.😄 But the ZRX is always in my mind and 2024 i grab one of this icons!

I loved my ZRX. Something that nobody mentions is the big storage area under the seat. Big enough for a couple o' litres of milk etc. Very handy!

A nicely done & efficient video my friend. Thanks for your time in putting this video together for us. Have beautiful day!! P. S. I would chose the green bike! Illinois, USA

What a gentleman, a good ambassador for motorcycling ✊🏻👏

Nice video and attitude! Subscribed. I had two Z1's in the early '70s. Now have moded ZRX (it is a great touring bike) and a KTM690r w dirt & SM wheels. Three bike in two.

Another excellent video of two brilliant bikes in their own way. I, like MM, are lucky to have both. Love them to bits and yes, the Yellowball is the fastest colour.

Enjoyed that video Michael it brings it all back to me , I had 1 of the first 2 Z900RS SE ,s brought in Ireland , changed it for an MT10sp regretting it now😢 I did keep the ZRX though😊keep up the videos love em👌

Very interesting; I saw a modified ZRX in Japan, green, Ohlins, muffler and cool bodywork. It was so impressive that I took a picture,. It is still hanging in my bedroom, even though I am a Honda guy :-) Cheers!

Great video thanks for making it. I'm with you on the choice, I have a 2000 REX 1100, black, and love it. It came about because I was using so many REX parts on my 1981 GPZ1100/S1 Replica build that I said why not just get one. I'm currently eyeing a yellow Ball R900RS as another bike in the stable, I've loved them since they came out, just stunning, and since I'm a 80's air-cooled Kawi nut it seems logical. I buy basket cases, and do nut and bolt frame off restorations, for myself in the beginning, but now some for others who don't have the time. Just finishing up a 81 GPZ550, which came out beautiful, I don't even want to ride for fear of getting it dirty! :) Next big bike collector trend is going to be mid sized vintage air-cooled Japanese sport bikes. All of the big bore stuff has been snatched up, 500 >> 750 I think is going to be big. Cheers from Sunny CO, USA!

Great review. The RS is a beautiful looking bike but I was initially deterred by the standard seat height and some stories of running a bit hot in Australian summer stop start traffic, which may be unfounded. I went with an XSR900 but traded this after a few months for a Moto Guzzi, however the Kawasaki still keeps calling. Maybe the lower seat is the way to go. Cheers

Nicely done!

Nice comparison Micheal. 👍

Nice Porsche @ 16:25… really appreciate your content. I relate to your views of all your bikes. I have an 2018 RS, substantially modified to my tastes. But that’s why we modify them. Some folks like what I’ve done with the bike, others look sideways at me. Still a much better bike than the KZ 900 I had in my youth. That was a very cool bike however, the RS is superior in handling, reliability and smell. From southern California, take care friend.

Great video!

Another cracking video Michael. I have an RS and up until recently a ZRX 1100 also. I find the RS very hard work with the wind blast (I'm only 5ft 4in) And I suspect the wind is being diverted from the clock surround directly to my face. The ZRX was much more civilized to ride fast in a straight line. I regret selling it!

Cannot forget the competition orange-red and white livery too!

This has stopped my Netflix viewing for the moment ❤ Sir Eddie for me.

Thank You Sir!!

I loved my 1999 Lawson zrx1100 and now loving my 2023 z900rs cafe, really wanted a green cafe as im partial to kawi green on many things, once my Diablo black starts showing age its getting the 99 green and Lawson treatment. I always wanted a 6sp gearbox from the zx1100 in my zrx and now having the z900rs cafe i find im looking for a 7th gear

Hello Michael, I was about to send a message to you and ask if all was well; hadn't seen a journals video for awhile. These are my 2 favorite "Zed 900" bikes; seriously thought about buying one instead of my Speed Twin 1200 but never struck a deal, the ST1200 was less than $10K and had 5 miles on it. Still racking miles on my 750INT. Really enjoyed this video my friend.

the problem inthe z900 is the seat its too small for 2 person ...what they was thinking ...so the zrx is the clear winner

Great video! I like your idea....get one of each :)

Lovely. Thank you

13:10 loved the wemoto keyfobs!

great bikes, great post, thanks

Here’s a difference I’ll add - I’m 6’4” - the stock Z900 and its tank/rider-triangle accommodate my long legs great - but the stock ZRX has those much sharper tank knee cutouts … and my legs are very cramped/uncomfortable on it.

2 stroke days, that's what I'm talking about I love my RD's and Triples. I sat through this whole vid to see what one you would pick the ZRX or the Z GRRRRRRRRRRRR you didn't Pick one lol. Great vid, great comparison. I also just finished watching the Recent BSA was wondering and I'm sure you will not pick, if you could only have one , Your RE 650 with out the big bore kit or the BSA, I wonder what one you would pic. hmmmmmmm ok I'll mind my own business. :-) Thanks so much for both the vids they were both great and interesting.

Thanks for a great video. 😃👍 Do you find the lower seat on the Yellow Ball comfortable, as it definitely looks a lot thinner? 🤗

Eddie Lawson was one of the best ever motorcycle racers. I just watched him beat Scott Russel at the 1993 Daytona 200 on youtube, fantastic race. I enjoyed my Zrx 1200 for the 10 years I owned it but looking back it was a big heavy lump with ponderous handling. Replacing the rear shocks with basic Ohlins and Ohlins fork springs gave some improvement.

Hi Michael could you possibly note the z900rs & ZRX clubs you mentioned in the video ,, I would be interested in having a look and maybe joining, another great video thanks 👍👍

Do you think Kawasaki will do a "Blue Balls" version of the 900RS????

Thank you for the excellent video. I take delivery of my RS SE on Saturday and am really looking forward to it, albeit very late in the year. It’s my 1st Kawasaki in over 45 years of riding. Your informative reviews have helped a lot. Been waiting years for Suzuki to release a new PE175 but can’t see that happening! Can I ask what radiator guard you fitted? Thank you

Hi Michael...you mention the 845 ml seat height being too high...may I ask how tall you are? I have an SE ordered from next year and I'm moving up from a Vulcan S, so trying to understand if it will be OK for me with the standard seat. I'm 5'10

Zrx best bikes ever

Sir I would love a video on the Speed Twin and your detailed opinion. I can't believe you haven't done the Speed Twin so far.

I agree about the "inertia" the z definitely is more free flowing revving

Sometime i think i will change my z1000 2003 for an zrx, somepeople agree about that or this is a stupid idea?

I’ve owned a ZRX for about four years and loved it. It is a substantial machine, I agree. Is it just me or does the Z900rs look tiny in comparison? I saw one in the dealer the other day and was surprised how small it looked. I’m 183cm and 95kg and think I’m too big for it.

lol, you'll be lucky to get a wave out of most harley rides imo. so it is horses for courses. love the 'inertia in the engine' phrase, sums it up nicely and applies to my old XJ900F for sure. I don't know, no fairing on the sportier one, does that really make sense? Ok you can put a fairing on no doubt but nevertheless - or am i stuck in a time warp, probably.

does z900rs SE come only in yellow?

Have you ridden the current XSR900? Curious how it compares with the Z900RS.

Another excellent video MM. That red RS is a bit tasty! 😍😍😉

I’m lucky to have booth, 2022 z900 50th anniversary, and 2005 ZRX, one it’s a fine ride and the other a muscle bike, Ps: add a Spock wheels and 4x4 exhaust on the rs

I'm not a fan of that jiggly reservoir on the SE right side handlebar

Isn’t it after the Z 900 ( not Z100 ) as it’s also a 900 - or close, a 948cc, back in the early 80s I rode with mates on “ Z900” one ☝️ also had a 80,s Eddie Lawson replica “ this in in Australia. An iconic Australian movie was Mad Max - with Mel Gibson it had Z900 and Z1000.( in Australia we called the 900 the Kawa 9

The z900rs is cool but to me, for just being a legendary and inspiring bike it can't touch the ZRX.

13:50 - I was under the understanding that the zrx1200 had a cat in the silencer which is why everyone pulled them out and rejeted

I find the zrx is a marmite bike you look at it and think beautiful then think I should really get a smaller bike I don't need one this big then you ride it and say nope I'm keeping it .

Zed9 (yellowball) all day every day,even over my 10rr.........

Japanese had them till much later

FLIPPIN EEEK I WANT TO CRY

@4.08 'Patishes'? Pastiche. @16.27 After the porker, left hand lane.....er..........mirror ......and.....er.....er.......no?...oh. The review though, was rather better.

Enjoy the video Thanks 😅