Comparison test Kawasaki Z900, Suzuki GSX-S750 and Yamaha MT-09: Election of the best Japanese "maxi-mid-size" roadster
In 2017, Kawasaki further strengthens its bestseller and launches its Z900 in the three legs of the MT-09, updated by Yamaha. Suzuki stays true to its signature "seven-and-a-half" displacement with its new GSX-S750. MNC compares these three new Japanese roadsters … neither maxi, nor "mid-size" ?
Z900 Vs GSX-S750 Vs MT-09 page 2: Three new 2017 motorcycles at 9,000 euros
True to the Z750 philosophy, the Z900 continues to offer the largest engine in its segment: an inline 4-cylinder – "what else?" – 948 cc, 125 hp and 98.6 Nm (technical and commercial sheets on the last page). Compared to the predecessor Z800, the displacement rises to 140 cc, the maximum power and torque gain 12 horsepower and 15.6 Nm !
Compared to its two opponents of the day, the Kawasaki also imposes: it has on the one hand, 101 cc, 10 hp and 11.1 Nm more than the 3-cylinder Yamaha now Euro4 approved, and on the other, 199 cc, 9 hp and 17.6 Nm more than the Suzuki 4-legged which nevertheless gained 8 hp and 1 Nm in 2017 (Vs GSR750).
Derived from the Z1000 engine – to which it only returns a hundred cubic centimeters! -, the engine of the Z900 also dominates its rivals on the sound level: if the "small" 750 of the GSX-S expresses itself very well, the Z900 has the deepest tone at idle and generates more pronounced growls at gas opening.
But there are other areas where the Kawa is forced to tilt, such as equipment. In order to ensure a price placed – one hundred euros under the Yam! -, the Greens have chosen to equip it with a few rudimentary elements, like its axially fixed calipers (radial on the competitors).
The "Zed" also ignores the controls on the handlebars … which is not so serious or embarrassing, since unlike the Yamaha, the Kawasaki only offers one engine mapping ( ditto on the Suzuki, against three modes on the Yamaha, we will come back to this).
The Kawa, on the other hand, is the only one of the Japanese trio not to have traction control on board: with it, the pilot is the only master on board! Some bikers – the real, the tough ones – will welcome it. Others more modest or prudent will regret not benefiting from this parliamentary assistant electronic crutch. MNC will speak on the next page…
If the Greens had assured Site during the press launch of the Z900 that these summary aspects were dictated by its "raw" approach (the famous "Refined Raw" of commercial brochures), the Journal moto du Net still suspects them of having wanted leave some arguments to their "dear" Z1000…
All new Z900
Conversely, Kawasaki has put the package on the chassis of its new Z, giving it a new steel trellis frame, designed in the style of those of the Ninja H2 / R! It greatly participates in the impressive drop in weight between the "eight hundred" and the "nine": 19 kg lost … for 12 hp found! Nice operation.
From an aesthetic point of view, we can nevertheless blame the "Zed" for the side covers in light gray plastic which probably hide welds – too much? – coarse, but denote too much with the frame in dark gray … or metallic green on one of the three colors offered without price extension !
Much lighter than the Z800, the Z900 is also more accessible thanks to its saddle lowered by almost 4 cm, or 795 mm, against 820 mm on its two rivals of the day. Question weight, the Kawasaki remains far from Yamaha reference (193 kg all full facts) but it manages to make the Suzuki "green" with envy…
The GSX-S750 indeed weighs three kilograms more than the Z900: as for the GSR750, the Suzuki scale displays a TPF weight of 213 kg. Visually, moreover, the "Seven-and-a-half" seems more imposing than the two "Nine-cents", with its tank and its convoluted radiator scoops and its more rounded rear loop..
However, we must salute the work accomplished by Suz in terms of finishing: the GSX-S750 is notably the only one of "our" three machines to benefit from a large engine guard, matching the color of the machine please! It completely obscures the unsightly catalyst that could be seen under the GSR.
By copying the GSX-S1000, Suzuki’s new 750 roadster is more "upscale" than the previous one. Its lines gain in fluidity, its brake discs are machined "like" petals (like the Z), its front calipers are mounted "in" radial mode (not like the Z!) And its rims "slam its mother" (10 small branches against three big sticks on the GSR).
By pricking the "Thousand" its dashboard, the GSX-S750 gets the best handset of the trio: the compact, round model with a black background of the Z900 is a little less readable, while the off-center and flat version (therefore more sensitive to glare) of the MT-09 cannot be operated from the handlebars…
Sexier, the GSX-S750 wants to be more "gexy" also thanks to its 114 horses unhooked at 10,500 rev / min. The color that Suzuki France has reserved for us adds a sporty touch: it is a blue almost as electric as that of the GSX-RR, the Grand Prix prototype driven this season by Andrea Iannone and Aleix Espargaro. !
News GSR750 GSX-S750
The Suz is also available in red or matte black. But know that to benefit from the third color "Full Black", you will have to align 200 euros more! The smallest motorcycle in this comparison thus becomes the most expensive, crossing the psychological threshold of 9,000 euros: who would have believed it, especially from a Suzuki ?
For the same price as the Z900, the GSX-S750 (blue or red) features three-level adjustable and switchable traction control. An assistance that we find on "our" third machine, the best equipped since it benefits like the Kawasaki from an anti-dribble clutch … and also has a quickshifter !
The Blues of Iwata rightly point out: their new MT-09 "has become an even sharper and state-of-the-art Hyper Naked". Admittedly its suspensions are not those, electronic, of the exclusive MT-10 SP, but its fork is now fully adjustable (preload and rebound only before 2017).
If the "Aimete" retains its sublime aluminum frame as it is – devoid of any solder, wire or imperfection! -, it changes back loop. This may be shortened by 30 mm, it accommodates a saddle lengthened by 1.3 cm (!), Raised by 0.5 cm and redesigned.
The rear light of the MT-09 is completely revised, its now carefully integrated shell not unlike that of BMW’s S1000RR … It takes a lot more imagination to consider that its LEDs form an "M", like Yamaha suggests. The Kawasaki "Z" is more successful.
The new offset license plate holder significantly lightens the look of the MT-09 when viewed from the right, but it weighs down its left profile too much. Although perforated and in aluminum, the outgrowth is hardly convincing. On the Yamaha scale, the MT also takes 2 kg. However, it retains a comfortable margin over its competitors.
The MT-09 naturally renews its distinctive 3-cylinder, but this 2017 version of the "CP3" does not sacrifice a single horsepower or even a tenth of a newton-meter on the altar of the Euro4 standard. On the other hand, the Yamaha roadster loses its pretty exhaust tip…
Seen from a distance, the tiny – casing of – silencer of the new MT does not look very different from the old one. But leaning in a bit too close, Site realizes that the unfortunate exhaust pipe isn’t completely hidden. Pity.
MT-09 Update 2.0.17
Still, the Yamaha has the most discreet of exhausts. It fits under the pretty banana swing arm and lightens – again – the line of the motorcycle. On the Kawasaki, the pot is compact but massive, while the Suzuki makes the choice of a much larger element but without an ugly expansion chamber under the engine. Old fashioned, what !
At Yamaha, the only touch granted to nostalgic for the 90s is the color of "our" MT-09. Her gray dress is a bit dull for our taste, but her undersides are really alluring: neon yellow rims, we had to dare! Next to it, the black wheels of the Suz look very sad. Fortunately, those of the Kawa are highlighted with a … green border !
"The first impression is essential", observes Yamaha on the official page of its roadster 900. "However with its new front panel with double LED optics and its aggressive style, the MT-09 turns all heads" … which does not mean capsize all hearts, far from it.
The "front" of the MT-09 is more bare due to the thin "Full LED" lighting, and the four screws that go through it could have received, originally, a small windshield, right? This would have allowed a better integration of the counter, less high and less offset than on the old model however.
During an exclusive MNC poll carried out with a sample not at all representative of the French biker population, the MT-09 did not obtain any intention to vote on the "aesthetic" criterion. But beware of polls … And then, MNC like most bikers are not only interested in the physique of their partner. Their behaviors and inner beauties are worth more than their postures and promises, right ?! On the way.
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