Z900RS test: the new neo-retro Kawasaki Zed, zen and zealous
Kawasaki is back in the neo-retro segment with a brand new motorcycle: the Z900RS! Site was able to take control of this novelty 2018 which pays tribute to the famous Z1 of the 70s. Direction Barcelona (Spain), its sun and its pretty roads … Test drive.
Z900RS test page 2 – Good retro, not bad in sports
By waking up the 4-cylinder of the Z900RS, Site discovers a melodious and serious sound, which gives the impression of starting a larger displacement. The outside temperature is around 5 ° C (thank you for the complete and practical instrumentation, see our smart-video) and the idle still remains high.
After a couple of minutes, the watermill stalls just above 1000 rpm. A few short rotations of the handle cause the revs to rise and fall less sharply than on the Z900: the Retro Sport engine is programmed, calibrated, machined for a more steady program than that of the roadster.
The tank imposes, by its beautiful paint – we have just seen it on the first page – but also in dimensions: long and wide enough, it does not however spread the thighs too far. It can carry 17 liters of gasoline, as much as the short but much more rounded tank of the Z900 in the Sugomi style..
The saddle is welcoming, as are the suspensions which gently sag under the weight of the pilot (72 kg in this case). The seat is high: 835 mm, which prevents those under 1.70 m from putting both feet on the ground simultaneously. For the smallest riders, the low saddle will be required.
All bikers will adopt the wide and high handlebars without any worries, as well as the fairly advanced and low footrests. The riding position is in keeping with the spirit of the bike: relaxed! The back is straight, the knees are not too bent, the arms just straight. Nickel, chrome.
With its 215 kg all full, the Kawa requires a little experience to be moved. Its weight nevertheless seems quite low: the pilot who lacks a little confidence, regains it very quickly by positioning himself on his machine. The correct turning radius also facilitates maneuvering on cafe terraces…
Like the Z900, the Z900RS has two levers adjustable in spacing: the Journal moto du Net has tested the different notches on the left and right, and can certify that small, medium or large hands will find a suitable setting..
The grip of the motorcycle as a whole is obvious, especially thanks to its front axle easy to tame. The bets on the angles are very progressive and the predictable reactions of the machine allow you to get into traffic without any apprehension.
The smoothness of the engine is another major asset: the big "nine hundred", which cubs 948 cc but seems a hundred more by the sound (we saw it previously and heard on the smart-video), also by its sound. appreciable flexibility and its energetic recoveries, low in the turns.
Whatever gear is engaged – which can be seen at a glance towards the central digital window – the Z900RS indeed accepts to flirt with slow motion then to start again without ever growling. The pickups become particularly effective past 3500 rpm. Good hairy 4-legged.
Only small problem encountered during the first kilometers: the hiccups sensitive to the go-around, especially on the first reports. By applying, the pilot manages to eliminate it. But we must underline this small inconvenience, without which our praise made elsewhere would no longer be flattering….
The clutch control – assisted and anti-slip – is very pleasant to use, but the gearbox, which is fast and fairly smooth, limits the use of the left lever to downshifting. As for the engine, it limits any gear shifting: you can do anything in sixth gear, including strolling around town. !
In urban areas precisely, the Z900RS makes life easier and safer for its pilot by offering very efficient mirrors, very functional handlebar controls, a very useful warning – more and more in big cities … – and a space of storage under the saddle to accommodate the regulatory yellow vest … but unfortunately not a lock worthy of the name.
Another strong point of Akashi’s novelty for 2018: its suspensions which perfectly absorb the speed bumps that the people of Barcelona are fond of – their authorities in any case … In this regard, the Kawasaki deserves a third suffix after Retro and Sport: Comfort !
Counterpart of the good reception and the sparing of the suspensions: the fork tilts a little quickly under a blow of energetic front brake. The modified attitude does not pose a problem in a straight line around a traffic light, but you should be more wary of the angle in a roundabout.
A new neo-retro sport and comfort
However, the front brake does not bite excessively and is easy to dose. The rear brake is its precious ally in the city since it allows the machine to be significantly seated and to limit mass transfers. This is also a good point for those who wish to ride a duo. Note in passing that the passenger is well received. It only needs a real handle to hold on.
Remaining solo throughout its initial contact, Site was able to drive at its own pace. Or rather at its own pace! Sometimes sunk, sometimes dynamic, sometimes lazy or abrupt, the piloting of the Journal moto du Net – the sun and the small roads of Catalonia! – helped to better understand this new Z900RS
On the road, MNC makes the needle climb in the second half of the tachometer: very solid on the first half, the engine gives a small layer of kW, Nm and dB around 6,500 rpm. By opening wide the – double throttle butterflies, the pilot is rewarded with a slight rattle from the air box. Cool !
By accelerating to the maximum on the first two reports, or on the two following ones by pulling a little on the handlebars in favor of slopes or bumps, the front wheel leaves the ground momentarily! This Z900RS is definitely in good health.
The Kawasaki’s front axle does not turn out to be frivolous, however: as long as the pilot moves forward a little in his saddle, it remains riveted to the road and makes it possible to cheerfully attack the small roads of the valleys of Barcelona and its surroundings. , by pulling on the 3rd gear or by winding on the 5th.
On the other hand, it is useless to make the 4-cylinder howl by dragging on beyond 8500 rpm: the high revs of the Retro Sport are less expressive than on the "straightforward" Z90 roadster. In this sense, the traction control available to Kawa’s neo-retor (absent on the roadster) does not seem essential..
On the other hand, the KTRC could well save the day of some bikers who are not sufficiently wary of the slippery white stripes – in Spain, they are real ice rinks! – or portions of roads that are suddenly very greasy. Set to 2, the traction control (disconnectable) prevents any loss of the rear. On 1, it allows small drifts and rear wheels.
Like ABS, traction control is a convenient tool for testing the level of grip offered by the tires and the road. Despite these frequent small tests, the Journal moto du Net was surprised a few times. The small slips seemed more related to the sometimes dirty and always fresh asphalt of the roads traveled, than the grip offered by the Dunlop GPR300, to be checked in summer.
The fitting of original tires has also made it possible to upset the balance of the machine by placing – very – strong accelerations at the exit of moderately coated curves. Under these conditions, the rear axle ends up oscillating, slightly, just enough to prevent the limit approaching….
Ditto when entering a turn, where the pilot perceives quickly enough that the Z900RS is not as rigorous as its Z900 sister. He must agree to take the brakes less hard, then release them less quickly in order to keep a trajectory as clean as possible..
Let them be reassured all the same: the good old men? – bikers who will acquire a Retro Sport from January 2018, will still have a machine capable of holding out to new – young people? – A2 license which will crack for a "restricted" Z900 and will take some time to use it correctly…
On several recently paved portions – and closed, thank you local police! -, Site has managed to maintain a very good pace … and without getting tired what is more! Thanks to its large handlebars and its 17-inch rims in particular, the neo-retro requires almost no effort to twirl in the winding..
On small, more bumpy roads, MNC was content to roll up, appreciating the work of properly tuned suspensions. Moreover, the driving position clearly invites more to wander between good friends than to arsouou between big nags.
Despite the total – and normal – lack of protection, motorway links are quite possible. The sixth gear really acts as an "overdrive": when the 4-legged purrs just below 5500 rpm, the bike is already spinning at 140 km / h (odometer).
On board, we do not feel any vibration in the hands, or in the buttocks resting on a saddle yet narrow and stylish, but not uncomfortable. The feet are spared any sizzling on the sole condition, however, not to press the ankles against the footrest supports.
At the end of our routes of 150 km then 127 km, as varied as the other, the on-board computer of our Z900RS showed average consumption of 5.3 and 5.8 l / 100km. With the 17 liters of tank capacity, a reasonable driver should therefore easily reach 340 km of autonomy..
Last figures to conclude: with its Z900RS available from January, Kawasaki France is targeting in 2018 2000 units … and 500 additional "Coffee". This model with fork crown and shorter handlebars, of which the Greens exhibited a single copy during this press launch, will arrive next March. Stay connected !
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