Z900 test: the new Kawasaki roadster without aids !
True to form, Kawasaki has decided to replace its popular Z800 with a beefier Z900: larger engine, lighter cycle part and more modern look. Electronics and some peripherals, on the other hand, are not more sophisticated. Is the "nine hundred Zed" on track? Test.
Page 3 – Technical update Kawasaki Z900
Engine
The successor to the Z800’s 4-cylinder is based on that of the … Z1000! It cube 948 cc, 140 more than the "eight hundred", and has the traditional liquid cooling, double overhead camshaft and 16 valves (29 mm on the intake side, 24 on the exhaust side). It responds as it should to the brand new Euro4 emissions standard.
According to Japanese engineers, the bore of 73.4 mm (ie 2.6 mm less than on the Z1000 of 1043 cc) and the stroke of 56 mm (therefore retained) "were selected to obtain the engine characteristics. desired ". Namely: distribute the 125 hp and 98.6 Nm in a linear and expressive manner, without a sudden drop in power at the top of the tachometer.
Side expression precisely, Kawasaki ensures to have particularly worked on the sound: "after the Z1000 of 2014, the Z900 is the second model of the range to benefit from a real sound research on the admission", underline the Greens whose engine roars rather well spent 7000 rpm.
The shape of the airbox, its inlet facing upwards – and therefore towards the pilot’s ears -, the presence of a dividing wall in the center of the upper casing, the 50 mm horns on the outer cylinders and 25 mm on both interiors: everything coincides to give the intake of the Z900 "a clear and balanced sound", distinct from the "powerful and nervous roar of the Z1000", illustrate the Japanese engineers.
The two horn lengths must also consolidate performance at low and medium revs (long version) and amplify the sound (short version). The intake diameter of 36 mm should mean "an ideal response at mid-speed, while the secondary butterflies guarantee flexibility and sensitivity of acceleration". Regarding mid-regimes, MNC is not fully convinced. For the rest, however, there is no deception !
Thanks to a specific casting process, initiated on the and, the weight of the Z900 pistons would be comparable to that of forged pistons. They are associated with a crankshaft whose lightness praised by Kawasaki allows – indeed – sharp revs. To increase performance at high rpm, channels have been added between the cylinders.
A secondary balance shaft, driven by a pinion mounted on the sixth crankshaft flyweight, is supposed to suppress the excessive vibrations and keep the good ones … Le Journal moto du Net must recognize that this "Zed" correctly stifles the crackling of the 4 – legs … except at the level of the footrest plates.
The exhaust gases are expelled in elbows connected two by two by pipes (1 and 4, 2 and 3). These couplings must strengthen the torque at mid-speed, while the diameter of the elbows (35 mm) "benefit high-speed performance as well as noise quiet at idle", says Kawa.
The 5.5-liter expansion chamber joined to the manifold – where the catalysts are located – "promotes environmental performance", although "naturally", but also allows the size of the silencer to be reduced. The latter takes up the compact and dark look of the Z800 pot, dressed in a stainless steel nozzle and cover..
Like its little sister Z650, the Z900 has an assisted anti-slip clutch. As a reminder, it incorporates two types of cam: an assistance and an antidribble, hence its name! The first cam appreciably softens the operation of the lever, the second prevents that the rear tire does not dribble or skid during a too abrupt or involuntary downshift.
More classic, the gearbox includes six reports: five rather close to promote acceleration and relaunching, and a sixth qualified as "overdrive" by the manufacturer which allows cruising on the motorway at 140 km / h (counter!) Without too much spin the machine (just above 6000 rpm).
Cycle part
The brand new frame of the Z900 weighs only 13.5 kg: for comparison, that of the little sister Z650 – which was also born in 2017 – weighs 15 kg … Nothing illogical, however: the 4-cylinder is a suspended element which actively participates in lightening the cycle part.
The engine is attached to the frame via five rigid supports: "at the front and rear of the cylinder head, behind the cylinder block as well as at the top and bottom of the crankcase," says Kawasaki. Designed with the methods developed in the manufacturing of the Ninja H2 / R, the steel trellis frame also supports a rear loop made of two other tubes.
Below, "the swingarm in extruded aluminum weighs only 3.9 kg, which reduces the unsprung masses and also promotes the agility of the bike, welcomes the manufacturer. Original Kayaba, the rear shock absorber fitted with connecting rods is adjustable in preload and relaxation.
Ditto for the inverted 41 mm fork whose adjustments are made only at the left tube, under the handlebars. This one, open and wide, significantly spreads the arms, as on the predecessor Z800. The lower saddle height (-39 mm!), On the other hand, limits the pressure on the wrists and facilitates access to the ground with both feet..
Installed on the new five-spoke rim, the two 300mm "petal" discs (310 on the Z800) are bitten by calipers – not even radial ?! – with four opposed pistons. The resin brake pads are responsible for providing "a progressive feeling which facilitates the dosage of braking, for beginners as well as for experienced riders". MNC confirms.
Behind, a single 250 mm "petal" disc is clamped by a single piston caliper. Obliagtoire in Europe since this year on motorcycles and scooters of more than 125 cc, the ABS of the Kawasaki is entrusted to the compatriot Nissin. The tires are supplied by Dunlop: specific D214 "Z" are fitted as standard on the Z900..
Instrumentation
Regarding the instrument cluster, Kawasaki has decided to make profitable: the rev counter with an analog look – but with a digital needle! – overlooking its LCD screen with negative display – white on a black background – is exactly the same as that of the Z650.
Devoid of mapping or traction control modes, the Z900 is fully satisfied – and its owner too – with the equipment of the new little "Zed". The commodos are also shared by the two new 2017 Kawasaki models (three if we count the Ninja 650).
"In addition to the digital speedometer and the gear indicator, the instrument panel indicates the total mileage, the partial mileage (two totalizers), the remaining range, the average and instantaneous consumption, the outside temperature, the temperature of the liquid cooling, time and fuel economy driving light, "list the Greens.
Compact, complete and easy to read, the instrumentation only fails, in a pinch, by the absence of control on the handlebars. Note on the left commodo the presence of the warning and on the right, the absence of engine modes or traction control adjustment: Kawasaki has ignored all electronic assistance, with the exception of regulatory ABS.
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