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 1 – A motorcycle more Z1 than Z900 ?
One year after the W800’s lap of honor in its "Final Edition", Kawasaki is reinvesting the neo-retro segment with a new Z900RS. Long awaited, this machine has spilled a lot of bytes on motorcycle sites and ink in specialized magazines…
"Many rumors have circulated about our Retro Sport", rejoices the spokesperson for Kawasaki Moto Europe, Martin Laurence, in introduction to the press conference for the European launch of the Z900RS, organized a few kilometers from Barcelona (Spain ).
Fueled by the enticing preparation of Z1000 exhibited at Eicma 2012 (!) On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Z saga, some photomontages were very relevant, others were much more bizarre. Still others were both at the same time, like the exciting version of Ninja H2 (!!) proposed in 2016.
Whether they are completely credible, rather improbable or completely perched, the rumors all presented the same virtue for Kawa: attesting to the tremendous enthusiasm that would arouse a modern motorcycle taking up the lines and codes of the famous Z1 900 Super four … traffic light turned green.
To create their reinterpretation of the first "Zed" unveiled in 1972 at the Cologne show, Akashi engineers chose to rely on their new roadster, the Z900. "But beware, the two projects were carried out in parallel, not one after the other", insists Norikuya Matsumura, the honorable designer of many and various Kawa (see photo below)
Also, the Z900RS claims loud and clear its status as a novelty in its own right: "we could have simply disguised the Z900 as a classic motorcycle, but this approach was not enough for us: we wanted to offer a real new model", testifies to Site the manager Kawasaki France marketing and communication, Antoine Coulon.
The name of the Retro Sport is therefore misleading: this news – great? – Akashi production and the "short" Z900 have only the engine base in common! The RS actually shares the cylinder capacity of 948 cc, but its mechanics and its aesthetics differ from the mill – water – inaugurated on the roadster in 2017 (read the technical point on page 3).
The 4-cylinder of the Z900RS addresses several nods to the big four-legged of the 70s (then 903 cc, with double overhead camshaft and developing 82 hp): shiny camshaft and crankshaft caps , – false – polished cooling fins, smooth housings, in particular.
Similarly, if the frame of the neo-retro is in the form of a tubular steel trellis, as on its sister with a much more modern look, it clearly differs because it was designed according to two key elements: the water drop tank and the two-seater saddle which scrupulously respect the flat line of the Z1.
Naturally, the Z900RS is equipped with a duck tail – the famous "Ducktail" – which overhangs an oval LED brake light but which the Japanese engineers have camouflaged in order to evoke the round bulb light of the "Zed" first of the last name. Well seen !
In front, the headlight optics – also LED – form a perfect circle when viewed from the front. But in describing it, Matsumura San also underlines its rounded profile, "like that of the 900 Super Four". Just above, we also find the two ogive-shaped dials.
At this point, Site only regrets one thing: the turn signals – LED again! – do not use the trick of the rear light and the shape of the headlight. The Japanese designer does not, however, be dismantled when asked about this by journalists. His answer is even straightforward: "we didn’t want the Z900RS to be too classic". Of which act.
This justification applies in part to the exhaust: instead of placing two pots on each side as was the case on their bike from the early 70s (1970!), The Japanese decided to fit only one. on the right side of their bike from the late ten’s (2010 …).
The Kawasaki Z900RS has no pot … too much
"The exhaust pipes were the subject of lively discussions at the start of the project", does not hide our Japanese interlocutor, who came to Barcelona with a few sketches in his suitcase. Some also represent a Z900RS with a double output (see photo below).
"We never thought of putting four escapements, but we hesitated a lot between two or only one," reveals Norikuya Matsumura. "In the end, we opted for the most modern, light and efficient solution". This answer will not console lovers of the "katpos" of the Z1. It won’t convince 2003 Z1000 fans anymore !
It is in the same concerns for performance and modernity that Kawasaki preferred to the good old pair of shocks, a "back-link" type mono-shock absorber mounted horizontally as on the Z900. Kawasaki officials insist: "The Z900RS is not a copy of the 1972 Z1, but a tribute in step with the times".
The rims of the Z900R have also been the subject of debate: stick or spoke? Neither one nor the other: it will ultimately be very thin! An alternative solution which fully convinces MNC, especially when the sides and rods are polished (orange color only). Small additional advantage delivered by Matsumura San: "the sticks are easier to clean than the shelves". And Bam !
Continuing its owner’s tour, MNC notes the presence of a fully adjustable fork and radial mount brake calipers. In comparison, the Z900 ignores the compression adjustment, and is content with axially fixed calipers: two choices that can be explained by Kawa’s desire to align with the price of the competition, the 9,000 euros. of the Yamaha MT-09 in the lead.
Kawasaki claims instead a "Premium" placement for its Z900RS. Its target, designated by the Kawasaki officials themselves, is none other than the German "best-zeller": the BMW R nineT offered from 16,050 euros (11,600 euros in its Pure version). The Japanese were therefore able to – du! – stock up on pretty pieces…
In addition to the fender, pedal, selector and aluminum trim supports, the Japanese Retro Sport is adorned, on our test model painted in brown and orange, with emblems with an irreproachable finish. Even purists will find nothing to complain about…
"Note the meticulously squared white background of the" Z900RS ", which takes the texture of the logo of the Z1 tank", ecstasies the earthy Mister Laurence. On the new tank, the embossed Kawasaki emblem respects the current graphic charter. But a "Vintage" version is already planned in the accessories catalog! These japs are strong.
Like the badges, the decoration of the Z900RS could not be ensured by simple stickers. The biton brown / orange color "Candytone" is very beautiful: the glitter paint offers a beautiful depth while the varnish gives a particularly qualitative character..
Another argument that must justify the high-end status of the Z900RS at Kawasaki: the presence in addition to the mandatory ABS, of traction control (KTRC) which is lacking on the Z900 roadster. "In terms of equipment, customers of this type of neo-retro motorcycles want the top", consider the men of Akashi, who have not, however, integrated electronic accelerator (no driving modes either).
From an aesthetic point of view, Kawasaki delivers a very tasty motorcycle, a worthy heir to the Z1. As for the bill, it seems a little salty: 11,999 euros for the black color, 12,199 for the green with more modern graphics, and 12,399 for the orange version … Or three thousand euros – well packed – of more than the Z900 with Sugomi style and less rich endowment.
"The Z900RS is not a variation of the Z900", repeat the managers of the green brand, implying that without a common platform, economies of scale are impossible. Or less obvious: the Kawasaki branded calipers installed on the neo-retro are the same as those of the Z1000 maxiroadster…
"For information, a Z1 in excellent condition is currently trading around 23,000 euros", relativizes Martin Laurence, amateur – very – informed of this bike. Question price therefore, the Z900RS would be much closer to the Z900 than to the Z1! What is the Z900RS worth on the road this time around? MNC invites you to discover it on the next page…
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