Kawasaki Z 900 – first driving impressions
Quite sharp
Just arrived from the driving presentation, test editor Jens Moller-Tollner reveals his impression of the first test kilometers with the new Kawasaki Z 900.
Kawasaki sends the Z 800 to old age. From now on the Kawasaki Z 900 takes over. It’s not just a mere update. Rather, Kawasaki immediately nailed it and completely turned the naked bike inside out. It starts with the engine. Byebye Z 800, welcome Z 1000 drive. He was allowed to work as an organ donor. The stroke of 56 millimeters has remained the same as with the big four, only the bore is smaller. The pistons measure at Z 900 73.4 millimeters, with the big sister the diameter is 77 millimeters.
Kawasaki Ninja 650 in the driving report
Little fighter
Fine tubular mesh + aluminum swing arm
The cure was really good for the nudist. The performance data already show that. What used to be 113 hp at 10,200 rpm and a maximum of 83 Newton meters at 8,000 rpm has now become 125 horsepower at 9,500 rpm. The torque of almost 99 Nm at 7,700 turns is also impressive.
But the engine was just a big construction site, which the men from Akashi worked on with commitment. As field number two, they have devoted themselves very comprehensively to the chassis. The photos already show it: the previously invisible steel bridge frame has become a fine mesh tube on the Kawasaki Z 900, which ends in a light aluminum swing arm. And easy, it hits pretty well because the naked Kawa has lost massive weight with this update. As a little chubby, the Z 800 still dragged a massive 231 kilograms through world history. The Kawasaki Z 900 is said to have turned into a credible 210 double pounds.
Only the traction control is missing
The first rendezvous around Almeria in Spain left no doubt that this statement is close to the truth. Guided by the wide, only slightly cranked handlebar, the Kawasaki Z 900 wipes all kinds of radii – and with an ease that was alien to its predecessor. The significantly more potent motor willingly plays along with the joyful change from short straight lines to nimble inclines, pushing the naked bike forward with vehemence.
But be careful: there is no traction control as a safety feature. Otherwise there is not much that the Kawasaki Z 900 can be criticized for. At most, the engine hangs on the accelerator with a slight load change during very low tours in city traffic. However, these are no longer noticeable when swinging briskly over land.
The bottom line is that the Kawasaki Z 900 is a successful successor to the Z 800. It already makes you curious about the comparison with the new, strong middle class à la Yamaha MT-09, the new Street Triple and the current Suzuki GSX- S 750.
You can read the complete driving report in MOTORRAD 4/2017 or in PDF for download (see below).
Related articles
-
Kawasaki Z 650 in the driving report
Kawasaki Z 650 in the driving report Low entry motorcycle The Kawasaki Z 650 takes on the role of the entry-level motorcycle, the ER-6 is allowed to…
-
New Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R (2016) in the driving report
New Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R (2016) in the driving report In the heat of power The new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R was presented on the Sepang Grand Prix circuit…
-
2014 Kawasaki Z1000SX review: everything is under control ! The new version of the Kawasaki Z1000SX will be available in dealerships in December, but MNC…
-
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX in the driving report
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX (2017) in the driving report This is how the 2017 model drives Kawasaki brings fresh green into autumn: the revised Kawasaki Z 1000 SX…
-
Kawasaki Z 900 in the driving report
Kawasaki Z 900 in the driving report First contact with the new Kawa The old Kawasaki Z 800 now ekes out its existence as a retiree, the new Kawasaki Z…
-
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX in the driving report: Sports tourers evolve
Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX in the driving report The Greens have evolved the sports tourer Kawasaki has revised its sports tourer Ninja 1000 SX again for the…
-
Kawasaki Versys 1000 in the driving report
Kawasaki Versys 1000 in the driving report How sporty is the new Versys? Content of So far, the Kawasaki Versys 1000 has not been a hit, at least not in…
-
Kawasaki Z 650 first driving impressions
Kawasaki Z 650 first driving impressions 2-meter-man on a small kawa Our test editor Jens Moller-Tollner, who incidentally is exactly two meters tall,…
-
Kawasaki Z 650 PS driving report
Kawasaki Z 650 in the HP driving report Fair equivalent for 6,700 euros Content of The ER-6n is dead, long live the Kawasaki Z 650! Our first test drive…
-
Kawasaki Versys 1000 driving report
Driving report: Kawasaki Versys 1000 (with video) Kawasaki’s all-rounder now with a large four-cylinder No half measures: For the Versys there is now…
Related articles
-
The strongest motorcycle in the world Driving report: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 It’s like always. When someone is stronger or faster, the Kawasaki engineers get…
-
MotoGP – Statements and analysis of the GP of Aragon MotoGP – Results and standings
Kawasaki Z 900 RS (2018) in the test Real driving machine with a retro look The Kawasaki Z 900 RS is making a wave like no other motorcycle for a long…
-
MotoGP – Valencian GP statements and analysis MotoGP – Valencia GP MotoGP: statements and analysis
Concept comparison super sports car: Aprilia RS 250 / Kawasaki ZX 6R / Yamaha YZF R1 Bet that… … There is no substitute for power and the light 250cc…
-
MotoGP – Statements and Analysis of the Valencia GP MotoGP – A Breathtaking Final!
Concept comparison super athlete The first time Ebner, a staunch Harley fanatic, is in love? in super athletes. He just doesn’t know exactly which one…
-
MotoGP – Statements and analysis of the GP of Aragon MotoGP – Statements by MotoGP riders
Kawasaki Z 900 in the HP driving report Driving fun instead of wind protection Content of There has been a Kawasaki 900 Z before. But that was in the…
-
MotoGP – Statements and Analysis of the German GP MotoGP 2016 – Highs, lows and new circuits
Kawasaki Z 900 in the driving report First contact with the new Kawa The old Kawasaki Z 800 now ekes out its existence as a retiree, the new Kawasaki Z…
-
MotoGP – Australian GP Statements and Analysis MotoGP – Australian GP Statements and Analysis MotoGP
Kawasaki Z 1000 SX (2017) in the driving report This is how the 2017 model drives Kawasaki brings fresh green into autumn: the revised Kawasaki Z 1000 SX…
-
MotoGP – Statements from MotoGP riders after Sepang tests –
The new mid-range naked bike from Kawasaki Top test: Kawasaki Z 800 Four decades after the first Z 900, Kawasaki presents its youngest member of the Z…
-
Kawasaki Z 900 (2020) in the driving report Kawa bestseller just got better The Kawasaki Z 900 rolls out onto the streets in the 2020 model year with a…
-
Concept comparison Yamaha TDM vs. BMW R 1150 RT , Honda Hornet and Triumph Tiger Three in one? One for all ?? or all nothing? Yamaha has built a new TDM….