Kawasaki Z900RS revealed

Z1-inspired naked debuts in Japan

Kawasaki Z900RS revealed

KAWASAKI has just unveiled its long-awaited entry into the booming retro bike class with this, the Z900RS, inspired by the 1970s Z1 and based on the Z900.

Rather than simply give the Z900 retro styling, Kawasaki has introduced a number of significant changes under the skin, including a retuned engine and redesigned chassis.

The 948cc in-line-four has been retuned for stronger low-to-mid-range torque, Kawasaki says. Peak power is down from 125hp to 111hp while peak torque drops very slighly from 72.7lbft to 72.6lbft, but Kawasaki says the pay-off is stronger torque below 7,000rpm.

First gear is also shorter than the Z900’s to make it more ‘difficult to stall when first starting to move’, while sixth is taller for reduced vibration at speed.

The steel trellis frame has been ‘completely redesigned’ to accommodate the new teardrop-style tank, and also helps deliver a more relaxed, upright riding position than the Z900’s, according to the firm.

Interestingly, the Z900RS also gets a higher-spec front brake and the addition of traction control, in what could be a sign that similar upgrades are on the way for the Z900.

As reported by Visordown earlier this month, the Z900RS has radial-mounted four-piston monobloc front calipers while the Z900 has a conventional twin four-piston set-up. 

Like the Z900, the Z900RS has an assist-and-slipper clutch but also benefits from traction control where the 2017 Z900 has none.

The KTRC system offers two riding modes, one for ‘enhanced sport riding performance’ and one for ‘peace of mind to negotiate slippery surfaces with confidence’.

Among the many new traditional styling elements are the Z1-inspired tail cowl and analogue-style speedometer and rev-counter.

The cylinder heads now have fins to mimic air-cooling and the new cast wheels have more spokes. 

Kawasaki says the note from the megaphone-style four-into-one exhaust has been specially tuned for a deep rumble at low revs.

Like the Z900, the Z900RS has 41mm inverted forks with compression and rebound damping and spring pre-load adjustability; and a horizontal back-link, gas-charged shock with rebound damping and spring pre-load adjustability.

It comes in brown and orange, black or matte green paint schemes.

The Kawasaki Z900RS was revealed early this morning at Japan’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Page 2.

Here are the specs of the new Z900RS, straight from Kawasaki. Scroll down for more pictures.

ENGINE

 
  

Type

Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke In-Line Four

Valve system

DOHC, 16 valves

Fuel system

Fuel injection: ø36 mm x 4 with sub-throttles

Ignition

Digital

Starting

Electric

Lubrication

Forced lubrication, wet sump

Bore x Stroke

73.4 x 56.0 mm

Displacement

948 cm3

Compression ratio

10.8:1

Ignition system

B&C (TCBI EL. ADV. D.)

  

DRIVETRAIN

 
  

Clutch

Wet multi-disc, manual

Driving system

Chain

Transmission

6-speed, return

Gear ratios: 1st

2.917 (35/12) [JPN: 2.916 (35/12)]

2nd

2.059 (35/17) [JPN: 2.058 (35/17)]

3rd

1.650 (33/20)

4th

1.409 (31/22)

5th

1.222 (33/27)

6th

0.967 (29/30) [JPN: 0.966 (29/30)]

Primary reduction ratio

1.627 (83/51)

Final reduction ratio

2.800 (42/15)

Clutch type (Primary)

Wet, multi-disc

  

FRAME

 
  

Type

Trellis, high-tensile steel

  

SUSPENSION

 
  

Front

ø41 mm inverted fork with compression and rebound

 

damping and spring preload adjustability

Rear

Horizontal Back-link, gas-charged shock with

 

rebound damping and spring preload adjustability

Wheel travel: Front

120 mm

Rear

140 mm

Caster (Rake angle)

25.0°

Trail

98 mm

Steering angle (left/right)

35° / 35°

  

BRAKES

 
  

Front: Type

Dual semi-floating ø300 mm discs

Caliper

Dual radial-mount, monobloc, opposed 4-piston

  

Rear: Type

Single ø250 mm

Caliper

Single-piston

  

TYRES

 
  

Tyre:    Front

120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)

Rear

180/55ZR17 M/C (73W)

  

DIMENSIONS

 
  

Overall length

2,100 mm

Overall width

865 mm

Overall height

1,150 mm

Wheelbase

1,470 mm

Road clearance

130 mm

Seat height

835 mm

Curb mass

215 kg

Fuel tank capacity

17 litres

  

PERFORMANCE

 
  

Max. power

111hp @ 8,500rpm (Z900 125)

Max. torque

53.5lbft @ 6,500rpm (Z900 72.7lbft)