Kawasaki Z900RS

Like a gentleman in a tuxedo, the Kawasaki Z900 RS looks as if it is designed to impress without overdoing anything. The motorcycle’s simple design lines are characterized by old school bits and components, which make it look very handsome.

At the front, the Kawasaki Z900 RS gets a simple round full LED headlamp. While the design is simple and harks from golden old days, the inclusion of LEDs is a modern touch. The sleek and thin strip of LED turn indicators is a nice touch too.

The Kawasaki Z900 RS has got a very simple looking sleek and rounded fuel tank, which though lacks and cuts and creases, still looks purposeful owing to its size. The sleek wedge-shaped side body cowls get a nice and premium looking silver finish panel to its side. The non-existent under-seat body panels, as well as small tail piece, adds to its minimalist appeal.

At the rear, the Z1 inspired petite LED tail lamp and a very short fender gives it an appeal of a modern roadster. The aluminium-finished spoke rims are absolutely gorgeous and suit the Z900 RS personality very much. However, we do wish that the single piece exhaust note looked and sounded a bit cooler.

The twin-pod all analogue instrument console looks very charming, owing to its simplicity yet comprehensive nature. The aluminium finished levers and single piece handlebar exude high quality, while the simple round turn indicators are functional as well as aesthetically good as well.

Like the engine, the suspension on the Z900 RS too has been lifted off from the Z900. At the front, there is a 41 mm inverted fork with compression and rebound damping and spring preload adjustability. While the horizontal back-link, gas-charged shock with rebound damping, and spring preload adjustability at the rear are set on a softer side to impart a more comfortable and city-friendly ride quality. The single piece seat is positioned bit low, and at the same time, is wide enough to seat two full-size adults with ease, making it a comfortable saddle for long hours. The dual 300 mm disc brakes at the front and a single 250 mm disc brake at the rear have a good feedback as well.

The Kawasaki Z900 RS shares its four-stroke, inline four, liquid-cooled, fuel injected, 948 cc engine with the ultra-modern and super snazzy Z900. This equalizes the fact that it is one of the most powerful and sensational retro roadsters available in the market right now.

The engine, here on the Z900 RS, has been reworked to pump out a maximum power output of 111 PS and a peak torque output of 98.5 Nm. The engine feels refined and is massively impressive in the bottom end as well as midrange. The linear power delivery makes it very friendly for urban riding conditions

Even after being a motorcycle with retrogenes, another example of Kawasaki Z900 RS’s modernity is its set of electronics. Apart from the necessary inclusion of ABS, the Z900 RS has Kawasaki’s 2-mode traction control and assist and slipper clutch for seamless and jerk free riding experience.

The Kawasaki Z900 RS might not be a value for money proposition owing to the lesser kit being offered for a much higher asking price. However, for those who keep heart over head, the Z900 RS in one massively impressive motorcycle just by the way it looks and feels. The sublime performance and handling make it a great and practical urban tool, however, we do wish that it offered a couple of more modern features and riding aids to justify its high asking price.