KAWASAKI Z900 RS TEST REVIEW

There is something about the new Kawasaki Z900 RS which I cannot truly explain. Every time I get onto a Motorcycle, be it a moped, easy rider or a Dual-Purpose, The speed demon will take possession of my body, my right wrist will throw caution to the wind and the body will get an adrenalin rush whenever speed limits are broken.

But the moment I got on the Z900 RS, there is no speed demon within. Peace angel was upon me and I actually enjoyed taking it slow, savoring every moment, enjoying every scenery. I thought this was just a momentary thing, perhaps age has catch up or it is just one of those “emotional imbalance” days. But no, with the short 4-day test ride, every single one was an easy, slow and chill ride (other than once where I tried out how fast this retro looking babe can take me).

This new Z900 RS is everything I was looking for. It attracted not only the baby Boomers and the generation X but the Millennials and Generation Z as well. The young and the “ripe age” groups were both attracted to this classic looking on the outside but loaded with high technology on the inside Z900 RS. The new Z900 RS is an almost a replica of Kawasaki best-selling and “ageless” Z1000 of the 70s’. It was a dream motorcycle for most kids of that era and those who cannot afford one then will be able to have one sitting in their garage today.

Café racers are getting really popular with most motorcycle manufacturers jumping into the bandwagon to come up with at least one model that caters to the fast-growing market. Kawasaki got it easy by “reviving” its once popular Z1000 to this Z900 RS. Kawasaki designers got it right too by not overkilling the design of the Z900 RS. Maintaining a bare yet attractive look and where imagination is the limit of each owner on how they would like to customize their machine. Be it a Brat, Scrambler, a Tracker or just plain café racer, this Z900 RS is the bike to go for.

The modern fittings and technology that comes with the Kawasaki Z900 RS include an upside-down fork, a 2-steps KTEC or Kawasaki Electronic Traction Control, LED head light which is effective and bright for both day and night riding, ABS brakes and a combination of digital and analogue in the simple yet attractive double silver trim instrument panel.

Kawasaki has also improved on the transmission. It has almost been a “default” in almost all Kawasaki models to have the “I am still on 5^th gear feeling” when you are already in 6^th. There was no such feeling in this Z900 RS. Shifting gears up and down is a breeze and smooth as silk. The clutch is light, where even feminine riders can easily pull it without much effort. Don’t need to worry about having a bigger left forearm after constantly working out on some of those “Spring hand grip” clutch that you find in other motorcycle manufacturers. What makes it a joy to ride the Z900 RS is that there is no lagging or jerky feel when in low speed.

The bassy sound emitting from the Z900 RS standard exhaust is music to my ears. Enough to attract attention yet not loud enough to irritate the daylights out of you.

The down sides of this Retro-Classic are, the seat cushion is too thin for my comfort, or maybe my bottom fats have shrunk? Taking long distance rides were quite uncomfortable for me. The other issue is the cooling system. Temperature seems to go up rather quickly when I was stuck in heavy traffic and it raised my concern of 1. Bike braking down and 2. My thighs is going to fry. The Z900 RS tends to oversteer, but then it was not meant for you to ride it like you stole it. Just my 2 cents that this can be improve on.

The suspension is a bit hard on standard settings but not a big issue and I can live with it.  The ABS disc brakes are soft and progressive so do not expect to have the hard stopping power you get from those superbikes, sports class motorcycles. Wind resistance is felt at above 120km/h and could do with a wind shield. But then it may spoil the “image” of this modern-classic.

So, you decide what you want, customize it to your liking and be the talk of your regular group or neighborhood as one owning one of the coolest motorcycle around.

Credits : Photos and content courtesy of Justin Hong