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Kawasaki’s “Z” lineage is part of the motorcycle pantheon. The epic began in 1973, with the release of the legendary Z900 Z1. Heralding a new era and phenomenal commercial success, it was the brand’s very first large 4-cylinder 4-stroke.. The heyday of the line was of course made with the unmissable Kawasaki Z750. The best-selling model in France for five consecutive years, the recipe for its success was simple. A big mouth, a big engine, and a “bastard” displacement between 600 cm3 and 1000 cm3. Yes but here it is, since the advent of the Z750 in 2012, water has flowed under the bridges, taking with it the displacement references and the supremacy of the lineage.
The Z raises its head and conveys the torso, its design speaks for itself. Less picked up on the front, it seems to stand up proudly, invigorated by real developments. The heaviness is no longer legion, its line is fine and athletic. The shapes and their reliefs are very elaborate. The whole is both curved and sharp. Design has always been the major asset of the “Z”. Then it takes the crescent shape of the optics of its predecessor, which notably allowed it to sell like hot cakes … The rump is slender and very airy. Placed high, it shines and attracts the eye thanks to the design of its rear lights, illuminated by LEDs forming a “Z”. The counter is also a real success. There is a gear indicator, three display modes, a shiftlight and the usual Kawasaki eco-driving indicator. A digital hand indicates the speed on an analog barometer of the most beautiful effect.
The big evolution, not to say revolution, is the adoption of a tubular trellis frame. This structure surprised more than one, the first time that Kawa ‘used it on its sulphurous H2R. It seems that development costs have not been in vain (cousin Z650 also endorses it). This frame allows a significant weight gain. The frame weighs only 13.5 kilos and announces a much more rigid and rigorous chassis. It is supported by a new slender and basic swingarm, also lighter (3.9kg), as well as a good diameter fork, which retains its dimensions of 41 mm. (Like the Z1000 and Z800 before it).
In addition, the driving position is evolving towards less sportiness. Previously very worn on the front, the new flat and open handlebars, as well as the saddle / footrest / handlebar triangle, bring the torso back to the rear. Which is good news for our wrists as well as for handling. The rear part of the tank has been refined and also benefits him. The legs will be less apart, this will also allow the little ones among us to put our feet on the ground, aided by a saddle lowered to 795 mm.
So what about the engine? Well, we have taken a new step. Forget the rule of “bastard” displacement proposing a compromise between 600 and 1000cm3. The time is no longer for compromise! It is therefore natural that the Z900 takes the basics of its big sister Z1000, reducing it to 948 cm3. Small anecdote, the block of this average Z offers almost the same displacement as the first Z 1000 of 2003 (948cc / 953 cc) and barely 2 horses less. Today, between the Z 900 and the 1000, the gap has taken on another meaning. To her elder, she offers 142 horses for 221 kilos, and for her 125 foals for 210 kilos. This is quite honorable, because despite its displacement, it is not intended to go against the sharpest 1000 roadsters on the market (BMW S1000R, MT-10 and company). This task falls to the “Z 1000”, which for the moment (2017) … is being seriously molested. But that is not the question, she is fighting against the dissident MT-09 and her three-cylinder supercharged. The sound has been reworked to make it more intimidating, but also more captivating for the ears of its driver. The entry of the airbox having been mischievously turned towards the pilot. Enough to enjoy the symphony of the four-way organ in peace !
Z’s have never been a benchmark for dynamism. Willing but clumsy, the heaviness of their chassis required investment to be taken at a good pace. And the house didn’t give credit, if you didn’t put your money into it they were devilishly numb. This was also the case for the replacement for the 750, the Z800. Besides a very good bike, we cannot say that this passing of the torch was a sparkling success. The exchange of witnesses was done without any real ability, the Greens having dozed off a little on this relay. But the hour of the siesta is over, long live necromancy, here is the awakening of an antediluvian surname, with the Z900 !
Since 2018, there is a 70 kw version in order to provide the bridle to 35 kw and thus offer it to A2 licenses..
Update of November 19, 2017:
After a nice commercial start in 2017, the young career of the Kawazaki Z900 was marred by a recall campaign launched by the Japanese manufacturer. In question, a concern on the fixing of the shock absorber. Dixit Kawa: “On 2017 Z900 (ZR900B) and some 2018 models, the shock link mounting holes on the frame may become oval if the rear shock abuts abnormally. To remedy this problem, a recall campaign was launched to check the frame and add strut reinforcements. In rare cases, the frame will need to be replaced. “
Serial number range of affected machines:
ZR900BH: JKAZR900BBDA00111 to JKAZR900BBDA27835
ZR900BJ: JKAZR900BBA000002 to JKAZR900BBA001413
ZR900AH: JKAZR2A1? HDA11391 to JKAZR2A1? HDA25359
ZR900BH: JKAZR2B1? HDA01161 to JKAZR2B1? HDA27203
ZR900BH: JKAZR900BHDA11701 to JKAZR900BHDA27428
ZR900BJ: JKAZR2B1? JA000017 to JKAZR2B1? JA001415
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Replaces
Z 900 2017
Model marketed in
2017
2018
2019
Performances
-
Max speed:
about 220 km / h
The technical aspect
Kawasaki Z 900 2018
- Frame
- Frame: Tubular steel frame
- Tank: 17 liters
- Seat height: 795 mm
- Length: 2,070 mm
- Width: 820 mm
- Height: 1,065 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,450 mm
- Operating weight: 210 kg
- Train before
- Telehydraulic inverted fork Ø 41 mm, deb: 120 mm
- 2 discs Ø 300 mm, 4 piston calipers
- Front wheel:
120/70
– 17
- Transmission
- 6-speed gearbox
- secondary by chain
- Rear axle
- Mono-shock absorber, deb: 140 mm
- 1 disc Ø 250 mm, 1 piston caliper
- Rear wheel:
180/55
– 17
- Motor
- 4 Cylinders
in line
, 4 stroke - Cooling: by water
- Injection Ø 36 mm
- 2 ACT
- 4 valves per cylinder
-
948 cc
(73.4 x 56 mm) -
125
ch
at 9,500 rpm -
10 mkg
at 7,700 rpm - Compression: 11.8: 1
- Crit’air:
- Motorcycle accessible to A2 license or bridle at 47.5hp / 35 Kw
Detached pieces
exhaust
motor
fluid
electricity
filtration
braking
chain kit
Competitors
Ducati 821 Monster 2018
Yamaha 850 MT-09 2018
Suzuki GSX-S 750 2018
2018 BMW F 800 R
Aprilia 900 Shiver 2018
Triumph 800 STREET TRIPLE S 2018
2018 Honda CB 650 F
MV-Agusta 800 BRUTALE 2018
Gallery
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