All in all, the 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS is fun motorcycle that has appeal to many different types of riders, both young and old.
The ABS is brilliant and I did some test emergency stops as I usually do and I was impressed but how far I had to push before I could get the tyre to break away and the ABS to kick in. Wheelies?
Wrong. Nailed the look; Comfy as your favorite chair; I knew I was smart to hang onto my bellbottoms – Sighs. 2020 NINJA 400 KRT SE . Bennetts Motorcycling Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Important. It is not as nimble as the Z900 but just as much fun and the brakes are better.Easy to use traction control switching, Levels 1, 2 and Off. The 17litre tank would give a range of up to 165 miles given the 45mpg I returned during the launch. The note is the best stock pipe for years. It could be a linkage design. Switchgear is all standard fare, they are good but I would like them to be chrome.Heading out of Sydney on the Z900RS was fun. NINJA 400 ABS LAMS Approved. If you don’t want attention or people approaching you and asking about it, then the RS isn’t for you – keep driving your Prius. At least, we reckon they have… The Z900RS is styling, comfortable, seriously well equipped and very good fun to ride.
The four-into-one was decided as performance was not to be compromised. I had a similar feel with the Z900, but more from a hooning point of view as it is in a much sportier, revvier state of tune than the RS.Now there is no point having an awesome engine and style with a bad chassis, but it has been done before and we all know that unfortunately. However, with a bit of finesse at the lever rather than jamming them on I was rewarded in the fast stuff by a more balanced bike.The rear end could get harsh over a series of bumps but overall worked really well in a wide range of punishing conditions from full throttle hairpin exits to top gear flat out roads.Braking is a strong point. I had two bikes give me a long look at lights and a nod.The sound of the bike idling away like an old-school superbike breaks up the monotony of Sydney traffic and stop start riding, so that was fun. This was a nice test to compile as my parents were recently out from Australia for my son’s first birthday. The first thing I noticed about the Z900RS when I picked it up from Kawasaki HQ for a week long test was the finish of the bike. I was impressed by this, as I am super fussy when it comes to finish and quality. And don’t expect authentic vintage shakey mirrors – while these have been designed to echo the Z1, Kawasaki’s engineers have also aimed to minimise vibration. “They don’t make ’em like they used to.” No, they don’t… and let’s celebrate that.Kawasaki’s new Z900RS is described as an homage to 1972’s Z1, the most powerful Japanese four-cylinder bike of its time. The Economical Riding Indicator on the dash never showed while I had control of the throttle. The clutch, as mentioned, slightly grabby off the line but not an issue once on the go. The suspension package has a good balance between firm and comfort, meaning fast riding on grippy smooth hotmix is not a problem yet the bike remains composed and comfy on bumpy roads.The high speed (sharp bumps) gave a bit of a jolt through the wide handlebars at times but I would not compromise the cornering ability for that comfort. Conceived as an homage to the legendary Z1, it is powered by a liquid-cooled 948cc-class In-Line Four cylinder – an engine choice that makes the Z900RS unique in this category. It could be a collector’s item one day but right now it is there to enjoy out on the road. The rear brake despite having excess lever travel still had good power.Cornering on the Z900RS is a matter of muscle, which is very fitting given the Z1 was the first true big capacity muscle bike. Initial bite is strong, there is loads of feel at the lever even though the lever is quite chunky, and unlimited power. The engine is a belter in town as it just has so much torque on tap and it pulls like a V8 with handlebars from 2000rpm onward in any gear. The 180 rear helps with the turning of the bike also, and changing direction from full lean to full lean is easy thanks to the big bars and narrower tyre. 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS clutch lever, adjustable The ECU will remember which mode the bike was in when you took the key out, though if the traction control was turned off, it’ll be in mode one when you fire the machine up again.They don’t make them like they used to. Still, it is a big bike to manhandle and for the experienced rider.The riding position is really relaxed, bolt upright, wide bars and a big seat that is supportive.
2018 Kawasaki Z900RS radiator and headers
This is not meant to be a copy, and for good reason, but I’d describe it as something more than an homage; I’d call it an evolution.The first 100 yards on this machine stuck with me – I was expecting a mild-mannered retro bike, not the instant, eager throttle response and light, fast steering I experienced as we sped away from the launch hotel. 2018 Kawasaki Z900RS right switchblock “They didn’t do that in the old days – our wrists were our traction control.” I actually like having quality ABS on a bike (it’s Nissin kit on here), and unlike the relatively sparse Z900, the RS also has two levels of traction control. Modern and retro done right and it rarely happens so well…So enough about the looks, and you’ve hopefully read the technical breakout I said to click on, so what is the beast like to ride?