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. But 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 4 – The Triumph is no match ?
Akashi’s machine dominates Hinckley’s under acceleration. The recovery tests carried out on the 4th gear at the exit of small towns are unequivocal: the 4-cylinder pulls very hard from 3500 rpm – regime where the Street is rather lazy – and irresistibly moves away from the 3-cylinder, in a cheerful groan.
After 5500 rev / min however, the "Tripeul" begins to hiss like a competition engine … Moto2 riders will be enjoying themselves from 2019! The forward flight of the Z900 gradually slows down. Then the Street Triple S lengthens the stride even further when the counter needle exceeds 8000 rpm: the Triumph now accelerates as hard as the Kawasaki !
Better, the pilot of the "Strroits" takes advantage that his comrade changes speed when he collides with the breaker – placed 1000 rpm higher on the triple – to regain part of his lead … The latter does not exceed ten meters under these conditions. And the gap drops to zero when the Street is measured against the Zed with the right gear engaged !
On paper, the power / weight ratios of the two machines are comparable: very exactly 0.602 hp / kg for the Street and 0.592 for the Z. In fact, this results in identical high revs: after several checks, Site declares the two bikes tied.
Triumph must admit, however, that on the road, motorcyclists do not continuously keep their motorcycle high in laps. As a result, the Kawasaki imposes itself in the motorization department: the 4-legged works harder, continuously from idle to the red zone placed at 11,000 rpm.
The Z900 catapults its pilot at any speed, so he rarely feels the need to downshift. It is even possible to cheerfully arsenic while maintaining sixth gear! This is not the case on the Street Triple S whose engine is clearly less full in the low and mid revs..
The other side of the coin for the Kawa: it consumes a little more gasoline than its competitor: on all of our driving – dynamic on departmental and national roads, it must be admitted, but very wise on the motorway – the Z900 burned down 6.2 l / 100km, against 5.9 for the Street.
Taking into account these readings and the capacities of the tanks, the Motorcycle Journal of the Net estimates that the Triumph exceeds 300 km of autonomy without saving itself, while the Kawasaki should not be too stressed to cover more than 270 km of one go.
However, long journeys will not be easier on the Street Triple S. If it purrs peacefully at 3500 rpm on the Paris ring road (70 km / h), MNC feels vibrations rise in the hands while attacking the start of the A4 (90 km / h)…
On portions limited to 110 km / h, the crackling of the handlebars quickly becomes annoying and ends up being unbearable when you go up to 130 km / h! The Tripeul which takes 20 km / h at 1000 revolutions then grinds at 6500 rev / min.
At the same speed, also in sixth, the 4-legged shakes the frame of the Kawasaki. Except that the speedometer indicates more than 150 km / h … But by giving the gas up to 130 km / h (5500 rev / min approximately), the pilot feels the ants moving away which attacked him between the thighs and under the buttocks. Oops.
By staying within the speed limit, the Z900 user can survey the bollards without shaking. Only on condition that you don’t stick your heels to the quivering footplates. The soles of the feet are effectively insulated by the thick layer of rubber placed on the footrests..
The "Z948" does not get rid of the "S765" !
But no roadster, especially not these two, is designed to drag on expressways! The windshields are also of no use on the highway: that of the Street Triple S only protects the navel and the cap of the Z900 barely spills it..
No, what this kind of motorcycles particularly likes is attacking on winding national roads or better, on tortuous secondary roads … Which is very good, because the Site also has a soft spot for "mode" outings. Tourist Trophy…
The little Englishwoman shines particularly in this kind of exercise: her non-adjustable entry-level suspensions, but remarkably regulated, represent a master asset in her game! The comfort / rigor compromise is the best of this duel … even the best of the category ?
The Street Triple S feels riveted to the ground and doesn’t care about bumps. Its pilot also suddenly! Ultra precise when entering a bend, the Strroits absorb irregularities better than the Zed, which allows it to keep the desired trajectory as closely as possible. Once on the corner, the Triumph shows royal stability.
Conversely, the Kawasaki is more sensitive to the faults of the road: its handlebars wriggle on the bumpy, its front axle gives less confidence … But in return, the Green and its pilot are more able to improvise for tighten a traj ‘or dodge gravel.
On sections of recent and clean roads, the Z900 even takes the advantage: it is easier to lead in the winding, whether you attack or not. The Street Triple S requires more upper body engagement, especially if you’re looking to get a good – fat – rhythm…
Much lighter than the Z800, the Z900 is more at ease than its predecessor in fast sequences, especially those tackled on the brakes. However, the Kawasaki breaks up faster than the Triumph which benefits from an even lower weight..
And in each stretch, the 3-cylinder must be skilfully whipped to stay in contact with the 4-legged! Hounded by this Triumph moth and put under pressure in the turns, the Kawasaki rider is tempted to enter a gear and accelerate harder out of the turn.
By engaging the third report, the "Zedist" further tortures the rear end. However, a few wrinkles on the asphalt are enough to make the shock absorber "crack" – so to speak of course … If the pilot insists, his tire may momentarily lose contact with the ground and initiate a slip.
On the Stret Triple S, which is lighter, better suspended and less torquey, this phenomenon occurs later. But when such a case arises, its "traction control" regulates, finely moreover. The Z900, it leaves its user to manage alone…
Hopefully, future Z900 owners won’t have to regret the lack of traction control … Whether it is during bleeding arows (sic) or more simply during an early departure in winter, poorly awake and "to the fluff "for the job, because the Dunlop D214" Z "(specific) take longer to heat up than the Pirelli Diablo Rosso of the Triumph.
In the end, Le Journal moto du Net loved (badly) driving these two motorcycles on the small roads connecting Pitibon-sur-Sauldre and Corville in the heart of Bouchonois, this region dear to (good) gray gallinette hunters and a biker paradise where the speeds are not limited controlled !
Verdict: And the best roadster is…
What a step to make climb to seventh heaven the front wheel of the Z900 … With its engine full as an (b) egg, the Kawasaki requires only a little clutch to go "wheelie" and with a bang attacking a road, beautiful if possible to facilitate the work of the suspensions.
Surprisingly agile and easy, the Kawasaki also allows you to travel long distances without being hampered by vibrations. The owners of previous Zed will probably not come back! Too bad, however, that the saddle is so hard and that the ABS is not coupled with traction control..
Equipment and finish questions, the Triumph dominates its rival of the day. Less comfortable on fast tracks because of the vibrations which run through the handlebars – and therefore the rider’s forearms! -, the light and compact Strroite is appreciable in town and on the road, in particular thanks to its excellent suspensions.
What "fun" besides to probe the deep ground clearance of the Street on the road … Make the future Moto2 mill howl a little more when exiting a curve, further delay the braking at the entry: at this little game, which is the raison d’être of the roadsters, MNC considers that the Street Triple S is essential, of a short head. It’s up to you to confirm !
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