Duel Z900 Vs Street Triple S: one fight, two bosses
Displayed at 8,900 euros, the Z900 and the Street Triple S use very different arguments to appease bikers. However, is the match unbalanced? On the contrary, the Kawasaki and Triumph roadsters are fighting neck and neck in this battle of leaders. Test !
Z900 Vs Street Triple S: page 2 – Spirits, are you there ?
Placed next to each other, the Z900 and the Street Triple S do not seem to belong to the same category. The Kawasaki is bulkier and more impressive, its general line is much more rugged, its plastic covers are all choppy … Pure "Sugomi".
The Verte has a larger tank but its side scoops at the same time gives it the appearance of having more rusks than the Triumph. The Zed’s angular front mudguard overlooks aggressively cut discs. Those of the Street are perfectly round … and signed Brembo. "Ma que bonita" !
If the two machines do without radial fixing calipers – yet so trendy now – the little English stands out with its nicely milled elements, whose two pistons are actuated via braided hoses. The Japanese have basic hoses, but four pistons per caliper !
At the rear, the Zed does not cut corners: its 250 mm disc takes on the air of a circular saw, even of a series film chainsaw … Z, of course. Smaller (220), that of the Strroits is bitten by a cute single piston Brembo caliper, found on the Street R and RS.
Still stationary, the dynamism of the Z900 is suggested by the optical unit placed very low in front, and by the passenger seat – or jump seat rather! – which, on the contrary, goes back loud and clear behind. Although quite compact and short, the exhaust of the Kawasaki betrays its – more – large displacement.
The lines of the Triumph are much wiser, flat and low, generally inspired by the clean lines that the Speed Triple possesses. The Street Triple S also steals its headlights from the latest 1050 (less visually compatible with its slender silhouette), as well as its analog tachometer dashboard associated with a digital window…
Young people salivating in front of the 5-inch TFT color "whaou inside" instrumentation of the 2017 Street Triple R and RS will be hungry for more. But they will not jealous for all that their little comrades having fallen for the Z900, the latter serving them the counter of the "small" Z650 (complete incidentally).
Completely digital of course, the "Zed" block displays the information in black and white (white on a black background exactly). Devoid of traction control and different engine maps, the Kawa roadster "New without aids" can therefore allow itself to ignore the controls on the handlebars. The Street, no !
For 2017, the Street Triple also receives an all-new perforated swingarm and Triumph logo, whose shape evokes a seagull’s wing. The British speak of "Gullwing": this is the term used by Mercedes for the butterfly doors of its charismatic Mercedes SL! Nice reference, isn’t it ?
In comparison, the arm of the Zed seems much more basic … but the shock absorber to which it is connected is adjustable in preload and rebound. The interventions are also very easy thanks to its horizontal positioning! The rear suspension of the Street Triple S is only adjustable in preload..
It beats hard, even when stopped
At the front, Kawasaki scores new points with its fully adjustable Kayaba inverted fork, while that of the Street is not at all. We note in passing that Triumph has chosen to place the regulatory side reflectors on its sleeves. At MNC, we prefer the Kawa solution: far behind !
English engineers are forgiven for this last point thanks to the adoption of elbow valves on the rims, which avoid getting your hands or gloves dirty when checking the tire pressures. Yellow card in both camps as regards the maintenance of the chain, difficult to achieve without a central stand…
By detailing more deeply – again! – the two motorcycles, MNC identifies some subtleties … Kawasaki has for example placed the horn of the Zed under the steering column: when the Kawa is parked with the neiman, the ugly horn is completely uncovered. So-so.
On the Triumph, the horn is more discreet by hiding under the radiator, but is suddenly more exposed. Placed on its crutch – provided with a lug, miracle! – and handlebars in stop on the left, the Street S exposes the wires and cables coming from the handlebars. The Japanese engineers were right to make them transit on the left of the frame…
The chassis of the Kawasaki precisely … Shaped like that of the "Ninja H2", it may have a little thick welds. But we would have preferred that the Japanese did not hide them under a vulgar light gray plastic covering echoing the low engine. Ditto for the basic and small shoe…
On these points, the Triumph is more successful: its all-aluminum chassis is frankly sublime while the finish of the crankcases and its screws seem a little more noble than on its competitor of the day. We just regret that the full engine guard is reserved for the RS.
Color level, the Stritees was entrusted to us by Triumph France in its black livery. Hello sadness … Fortunately, the little Triumph is offered in a dapper red. But at MNC, we would have liked the brand to celebrate the 10 years of the model with the return of the original electric green. Not you ?
At Kawasaki, green is naturally de rigueur. Some stickers skillfully sculpt its front part and edging – as standard – decorate the rims, whatever the color selected: green and black (for our test), full black or gray with a green frame – our favorite, we must admit. !
At this stage of the confrontation, we realize that these two motorcycles, although very different, stand shoulder to shoulder … Aggressive attitude, minimal piloting assistance (compulsory ABS) and adjustable suspensions for the Kawa, look wise , impeccable finish and more advanced technology for the Triumph. Will the road test make it possible to decide between them? Discover it on the next page…
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