Motorcyclists love to moan about everything.And the quickest way to start moaning about premium bikes is to sell us a detuned naked bike. Because it's downright annoying when a manufacturer claims that because you don't want a race bike, you don't need the performance of a race bike. CB900 Hornet? A castrated CBRF. FZR? An R1 in the middle of a HRT course. For the first time in history, the word "naked" means "less exciting.".
Manufacturers believe it's cheaper to assemble naked bikes from parts ordered from ish.com. Flywheels and cranks are less machined and less expensive. Smaller throttle bodies are used. Valves are made of steel instead of titanium. And all this is done with a condescending wink, suggesting it's simply to make street riding easier. And every time, legions of Beemers nod approvingly and head to the dealership in sandals and socks. So, you can imagine the excitement surrounding the Kawasaki Z900RS when it was released with a seemingly Aldi-level Z900 engine. The new RS, by all accounts, is simply a nerfed Z900.
Yes, it has a new map. Yes, the compression has dropped. And as a result of this gut punch, the RS goes into battle with fifteen horses less than the fully loaded model. But they didn't do that because it's cheaper. This isn't a cost-cutting measure aimed at your grandpa. There's nothing cheap about the Z900RS, but we'll get to that.
Now, this drop in HP means reduced top-end acceleration. But it also means you'll find the power comes on earlier and more predictably. Heck, at sub-7,000 rpm, the retro-styled Z900RS is actually faster than the Z900.
The bike is undoubtedly more street-friendly. And that suit-and-tie look also perfectly complements the new frame. That's right, the Z900RS features a completely new trellis frame. The original looks like it's been kicked in the ass, with a sharp upward thrust under the rear seat. And it doesn't fit the retro design with its drop-tail and flat bench seat, so the frame has been flattened and narrowed. The new bones also helped accommodate a "slim" fuel tank.
And as if the all-new frame wasn't enough to convince you there's something special about the Z900RS, there are a thousand other changes that have been made to differentiate the retro throwback from its donor.
The instrument cluster is an analog design, not the original digital convertible display. The headlight is a gorgeous, rounded chrome piece. The seat is flatter and taller, reminiscent of old bench seats. Heck, even the wheels are different, their design even slightly resembling spokes.
Speaking of rims, the brake setup is interesting to note. The futuristic Z900 features wave-style discs, while the RS gets standard rounded, cross-drilled models. The RS also features radial brakes—a nice upgrade over the standard Z900 models.
There are also numerous smaller variations. The Z900RS has less modern-looking turn signals and mirrors, and the wing doesn't look like a cubist's wet dream. Even the engine cases are different: the RS has sports cooling fins, which perhaps convey more form than function.
The overall impression of the Z900RS is one of quality, timelessness, and a universal appeal the standard model couldn't even dream of. It looks better. It's better finished. It's made from the finest parts. Nothing about it feels cheap—because it doesn't. Even the stainless steel exhaust pipes are bent, polished, welded, and polished again, and the double-wall construction means you'll be able to see that drooling expression in your reflection for years to come.
And like every other Kawasaki motorcycle, the Z900RS will reliably deliver power on the road for generations to come. But it will do so with more grace, agility, and a more stylish feel than the standard Z900 (or any other naked bike) could ever hope to achieve.
And that includes the inspiration for the Z900RS, the original Z1. Elevated to a revered status somewhere between Jesus and a Corvette, the OG Z1 draws no criticism from any quarter. So it's interesting to compare the new bike to the old. The numbers are clear: the Z900RS is an incredible upgrade. The new bike makes thirty more horsepower and weighs thirty kilograms less. And that's without taking into account all the other factors that have influenced the development of the automobile over 48 years. The RS has a stiffer frame, it's more reliable and comfortable, and the brakes actually work. And it looks just as good as ever.
All was in place for the Z900RS to be a worthy successor to the original Z1 and as enjoyable to ride as its plastic-laden Z900 sibling.