2020 Z900 test: Kawasaki returns to its "Nine-without-aids"
Successfully launched in 2017, the Kawasaki Z900 evolves in 2020: the roadster changes music and goes electro with color screen, Bluetooth connection, LED lighting and above all, power and traction control modes. MNC hits the road with the new Kawa … and its old K-way, too…
2020 Z900 test page 1: The very electro Kawa roadster
What is in 2019? Easy: the Yamaha. But behind the small "roadstar" we do not find the, because the silver and bronze medals are coveted by two other roadsters: "Zed" launched in 2017…
The size for the A2 licenses is also strongly competed with by the which exists in two versions: the standard model developing 125 hp and the one limited to 95 hp in order to be able to be "castrated" at 48 hp for two years for new holders of the Motorcycle licence.
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Aimed at experienced and demanding bikers on the one hand and A2 license holders wishing to ride a "big" motorcycle on the other hand, the Z900 is a central model in Kawasaki’s Z series: it is right between the, , and the / R, .
The Z900 therefore cast a wide net and amassed a lot for the Akashi firm: "since its launch, more than 32,000 copies have been sold in Europe", informs us the spokesperson for Kawasaki Europe, specifying that the two main competitors of the Greens in the segment – a European Orange and a Japanese Blue. – are largely dominated.
Readers – thank you for actively supporting their favorite motorcycle newspaper, its independence and its impertinence! – already know that in France, the Z900 will exceed 9,000 units at the end of its third year of marketing. A hell of a score for a roadster bordering on 1000 cc (948 exactly, read our Technical point).
The renewal of the Z900 for 2020 is therefore crucial for Kawasaki and the makers of the brand admit that it was not easy to evolve their bestseller. The engineers had for mission to modernize their motorcycle without disturbing its subtle balances…
Kawa considered it essential to add a dose of sophistication to the Z900 without complicating its use, to keep the roundness and the rage of its 4-cylinder while taking into account the future Euro 5 standard, to keep the sport / comfort compromise of the cycle part of the Z900 and increase its attractiveness without – too much – pushing up the bill. Sacred partition to respect !
When the Z900 was released, the project manager admitted to having hesitated about traction control: "we decided to do without" Traction Control "because we did not want to interfere in the relationship between the pilot and his rear wheel. ", justified Seiji Hagio.
Kawasaki changes music…
Three years later, the Japanese engineers reconsider their decision! This is the end of the "Nine-without-aids": the Z900 of the year 2020 is assisted by engine power modes (Full or Low) and KTRC traction control (levels 1, 2, 3 or Off) , both combined in driving modes: Sport, Road, Rain or Rider (read our Technical point again).
In doing so, the Greens raise their Z900 to the same level as its rivals almost designated by the managers of the brand during their press conference: the and the. But on the road, what is this new security argument worth? ?
By (bad) luck, our taxiing in the region of Girona in Spain was entirely done in the wet. So much so that by taking the controls of "his" Z900 test, Site realizes that the technical team has preselected the driving mode Rain ("rain").
During our first 18 km (!) Loop made on the first day to ensure a few pictures under a sad and penetrating drizzle, MNC realizes that the Z900 is still proving to be so pleasant to drive. It is even a little more so for adults, thanks to its new saddle 820 mm from the ground (795 previously).
By installing the high saddle as standard – and passing the optional low saddle – Kawasaki offers more comfort to European riders whose leg length, longer on average than those of the Japanese, will allow the majority to put both feet. simultaneously on the ground. Once installed on board, the knees are therefore less bent than before.
The additional 2 kg (due to the new exhaust and new electronics) go completely unnoticed. The pilot perfectly encloses the tank – with generous but well-designed shapes -, the handlebars offer a good lever arm … and adjustable levers, easy to operate !
The front axle is still as neutral and immediately gives confidence. The flexibility of the engine is in tuning forks (ahem) and the electronics provide real added value: in Rain mode, acceleration is considerably contained in mid and high revs, so that the KTRC is not awake.
During our second run (83 km), we engage the Road mode giving access to all the power and all the torque of the 4-cylinder. By opening wide in the straights, the Journal moto du Net sometimes feels the traction control regulating in order to give new grip to the new ones … but always feels safe !
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The Greens have an excellent reputation in electronics: ask Jonathan Rea’s rivals in World Superbike for their opinion! But all bikers can check it at the controls of this new Z900: the loss of traction is extremely limited..
Even if you stupidly remain with the handle screwed in the corner – and then it is our glove that we literally wring out! -, the motorcycle continues to accelerate despite short gas cuts on the most slippery sections of the road or when the engine demands too much of the rear tire … And what about in Sport mode? Answer on next page !
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