In Feb. of '22, I purchased a Z900. I can't say enough good things about it. Last week I added a 900 RS to my garage. The level of quality of both is impressive. Will be keeping them for a long while. Power wise, the Z seems to have as much low end grunt. The other day , my brother pulled upside of me and I was distracted and didn't downshift the Z. The light turned green and I took off in 4th gear. These engines are superb.
I have two bikes....2002 W650 which is chopped, customized, cool but she's rough. A '94 Kawasaki Estrella 250 Custom. Bone stock, gorgeous little bike one of best Estrella model's front and rear disk, the good speedo, the two seater. It's too much to have two bikes, but now I have seen this. I can't stop myself. Re-entering middle-aged boy crisis? This is messin with me. This Z900RS is just the most perfect machine. Everything i wanted in one bike. I wouldn't change a thing. I am 55. Too old but I can't help it.
Nice review! Totally spot on in regards to the build quality. I first saw the bike in person indoors at the December NYC IMS show. This past Saturday, I finally got to ride the bike. You really notice the exceptional paint job when the sun hits the tank and you see the beautiful sparkling paint job. I loved the bike and thought the handling was excellent. However, there was one item that I did not like and it's a deal breaker. Unfortunately, I'm referring to what has been noticed by others which is the "snatchy" throttle response which to me had a very abrupt on/off feel. Kawi really needs to fix this one flaw. Otherwise the bike is perfect with the optional center stand and heated grips.
This is a beautifully designed bike made with top notch materials and attention to detail. The USA market gets a helmet lock but other markets miss out.
Nice job. Just found this. Had the early Z and finally traded it because I figured it, or I, would kill myself on it, since I couldn't get it to go slow. I've matured a lot since then and I love this new RS and have test ridden numerous times. What stinks is I like the BMW R9Tpure as well and can't make up my mind, but wow, what a nice machine this Kaw is.
Danny Deering interesting! The original Z was way before my day but for its time it was a rocket ship. I can’t speak for the Beemer but I did ride the cafe version of the Z900R and the Thruxton R (videos coming soon) and that made for an interesting comparison. I’m hoping to ride the R9T Urban GS and possibly the CB1100rs as well this year, would be a nice comparison between them all.
Nice review but seriously you should’ve muted the music especially running down through the hills with the “gang”!🤬😎 My mate here in Oz has just picked his up 2 weeks ago & loves it!!! 👍🏻
Good stuff. Miinor error spotted. Suspension is not the same as mentioned, the front suspension is upgraded + also it has more adjustability on the front than the regular Z900. Did he mention the brakes ? The brakes are better stuff on the RS, it has monoblock brakes, the Z900 does not.
Thanks! Regarding the suspension, I asked that exact question at the press launch and was told it's the same as the Z900 but with different factory presets. Their website and press material confirms this; 41mm USD forks with adjustable rebound, compression, and preload. Keep in mind the RS does have a different geometry and wheelbase and therefor feels quite different. Brakes were mentioned too ;-) I rode the Cafe version in Spain two weeks ago and those radial monoblocks are very powerful.
You are absolutely right. It would've finished it off perfectly. I hope they offer it as an accessory; then I'd buy one. I had one in '73 and if it had 4 pipes, I would buy one.
Nice bike but why does it cost a few thousand dollars more than the new Kawasaki Z900 ? is it just because it has retro styling ? that alone doesn't justify a higher price.
Speaking of "details", there is a HUGE air gap between the rear tire and the cowling underneath the seat. It just looks WRONG. If this were a street-trail bike, then such a large gap would be acceptable. If you compare this bike against the Z1 that it's emulating, then it's obvious that the designers messed up in that area.
Great review, cant believe you have less than 10k subscribers.
Gerhard Symons I only launched it a month ago, but I do like that number ;-)
TH-cam's algorithms can be hard. And still now only 1k subs 🤷♂️
@@jetstream454 Mans stopped uploading three years ago. Hope he's ok.
In Feb. of '22, I purchased a Z900. I can't say enough good things about it. Last week I added a 900 RS to my garage. The level of quality of both is impressive. Will be keeping them for a long while. Power wise, the Z seems to have as much low end grunt. The other day , my brother pulled upside of me and I was distracted and didn't downshift the Z. The light turned green and I took off in 4th gear. These engines are superb.
Beautiful bike ,I want one,takes me back to my youth on the back of my uncles Z9,happy days
Ride safe everyone. 😀🏍🇬🇧
I absolutely need this bike in my life! In one or two years baby!!!
I bought the 2022 in blue. Extremely happy. Have almost not ridden the 4 Eliminators I have since new baby came home.
Beautiful machine. Kawasaki has been absolutely killing it lately with their new designs.
One of the best reviews I've seen.
A very comprehensive review of an excellent bike,thank you.
Incredibly insightful review !
Good job and carry on.
I have two bikes....2002 W650 which is chopped, customized, cool but she's rough. A '94 Kawasaki Estrella 250 Custom. Bone stock, gorgeous little bike one of best Estrella model's front and rear disk, the good speedo, the two seater. It's too much to have two bikes, but now I have seen this. I can't stop myself. Re-entering middle-aged boy crisis? This is messin with me. This Z900RS is just the most perfect machine. Everything i wanted in one bike. I wouldn't change a thing. I am 55. Too old but I can't help it.
Keep em coming man. Wonderfully detailed and shot!!! Would Love ur take on some Guzzis!!!
Thanks man! No Guzzi's in the planning but they're very interesting bikes, will see what I can do.
Nice review! Totally spot on in regards to the build quality. I first saw the bike in person indoors at the December NYC IMS show. This past Saturday, I finally got to ride the bike. You really notice the exceptional paint job when the sun hits the tank and you see the beautiful sparkling paint job.
I loved the bike and thought the handling was excellent. However, there was one item that I did not like and it's a deal breaker. Unfortunately, I'm referring to what has been noticed by others which is the "snatchy" throttle response which to me had a very abrupt on/off feel. Kawi really needs to fix this one flaw. Otherwise the bike is perfect with the optional center stand and heated grips.
Great video, thanks for a very insightful detailed and articulate review! Just subscribed!
Great review and nice attention to all sorts of detail.
This is a beautifully designed bike made with top notch materials and attention to detail. The USA market gets a helmet lock but other markets miss out.
Great review just looking at this bike and is it worth paying the extra for the performance version?
Great review mate well done
Great review and by the way Kawasaki can,t make enough of them go to your local dealer three months waiting list for a new one. .....:)
Beautiful, now do the same with the 1970’s KZ650 !😎
Very gorgeous bike
Great review Daniel!
Excellent, thoughtful review. ...it seems to be a great bike! Steve
great review. this will help a lot of people. thanks a lot!
I want this Bike and I'm ready to upgrade. Wanted a Vaquero but this thing makes me want it.
Hugh Grant does bike reviews???? Actually a really informative and enjoyable review 👍
Captain Average agreed. Can one ride one’s two wheeler at Eton ?
Good intelligent review and a lovely bike.
Thanks!
the brake system already use ABS?
How tall are u my good man?
Great review thanks.
Nice job. Just found this. Had the early Z and finally traded it because I figured it, or I, would kill myself on it, since I couldn't get it to go slow. I've matured a lot since then and I love this new RS and have test ridden numerous times. What stinks is I like the BMW R9Tpure as well and can't make up my mind, but wow, what a nice machine this Kaw is.
Danny Deering interesting! The original Z was way before my day but for its time it was a rocket ship. I can’t speak for the Beemer but I did ride the cafe version of the Z900R and the Thruxton R (videos coming soon) and that made for an interesting comparison. I’m hoping to ride the R9T Urban GS and possibly the CB1100rs as well this year, would be a nice comparison between them all.
Nice review but seriously you should’ve muted the music especially running down through the hills with the “gang”!🤬😎 My mate here in Oz has just picked his up 2 weeks ago & loves it!!! 👍🏻
Excellent review mate, well done. BTW, how tall are you? Did she seem small?
Thanks! I'm 5'11" or 179cm, felt fine to me! I reckon both taller and shorter riders would be comfortable on it.
Very good review!
Hello my friend! Great video!!!!! Is this bike good for 1.88cm hight like me (6.2 I think)
I'm 1,79 but the taller journalists at the launch didn't have any trouble. Give it a try but I think you'll be fine.
Should have been no music. The exhaust note is music to my ears. Otherwise excellent review. I actually rode the original Z1 in Hawaii. Freaky fast.
Good stuff. Miinor error spotted. Suspension is not the same as mentioned, the front suspension is upgraded + also it has more adjustability on the front than the regular Z900. Did he mention the brakes ? The brakes are better stuff on the RS, it has monoblock brakes, the Z900 does not.
Thanks! Regarding the suspension, I asked that exact question at the press launch and was told it's the same as the Z900 but with different factory presets. Their website and press material confirms this; 41mm USD forks with adjustable rebound, compression, and preload. Keep in mind the RS does have a different geometry and wheelbase and therefor feels quite different. Brakes were mentioned too ;-) I rode the Cafe version in Spain two weeks ago and those radial monoblocks are very powerful.
Excellen review, quite enjoyed that. One comment though: It's A-lu-mi-ni-um. Please, I implore you.
sorry no its al oo min um in um
Question. How high was the seat on the Z1? I think they made the seat on the new one too high and you sit on top of the bike rather than within it.
Can't say, they didn't let us ride the Z1 :-(
Plus- Great bike. Minus- Price.
My favorite thing is the logo????
this or the Triumph Speed Twin ??
Wow I thought it was a Z1 !
...had a ten year break from bikes, looking to buy.....something.
I really really want this bike but only got a learners license damn it.
To finish it off it desperately needs a 4 into 4 exhaust imo.
Wong Fei Hung
Haha! That would look shit!
Glad they didn’t do that.
You are absolutely right. It would've finished it off perfectly. I hope they offer it as an accessory; then I'd buy one. I had one in '73 and if it had 4 pipes, I would buy one.
Nice bike but why does it cost a few thousand dollars more than the new Kawasaki Z900 ? is it just because it has retro styling ? that alone doesn't justify a higher price.
It's mudguard and aluminium son, remember?
La de daa!!!!!
Updated OLD SCHOOL is Cool School. Most bikes today look alien like, sad. My bike ZRX1100 Old school ELR
Exhaust silencers, mudguards and aluminium
Zed? That's my era and I've never heard anybody call it a Zed. But you do talk kind of funny already.
Fishead thank you for that insightful feedback
That’s because you’re American and also talk funny. Its my era too and It’s zed, not zee 😉 but you’re correct, Daniel sounds a bit funny too.
Subscriber #228
Welcome aboard!
Can somebody tell me what a zed 900 is?
Lazy? It has more torque than z900 from the bottom, through the mid range, up until 7-8k rpm.
Speaking of "details", there is a HUGE air gap between the rear tire and the cowling underneath the seat. It just looks WRONG. If this were a street-trail bike, then such a large gap would be acceptable. If you compare this bike against the Z1 that it's emulating, then it's obvious that the designers messed up in that area.
Most new bikes have that space now. Can’t get away from it. Just look at the Triumph Thruxton/T120 range.
Beautiful bike but they keep doing endless tails on bikes. Would look much better with a smaller tail (should end at the end of the seat)
Likely to be legislation related. Plently of aftermarket solutions.
Mustard
Why is the Z pronounced zed? Lol
whowell117 that’s how it’s pronounced in British English
Why is zed pronounced zee
To confuse the Colonials watching this!!!!
@@Kapitan_Kloss Just English not British English.
Looks like crap from the tank back
Great review just looking at this bike and is it worth paying the extra for the performance version?