2018 Kawasaki Z900 RS | First Ride

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Today we’re taking the 2018 Kawasaki Z900 RS for its First Ride! This bike brings classic Z1 styling with modern performance. Is it all show or does it deliver on the road? Stick around to find out if it's a purchase or a pass!
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[@Twinspinner]

Got to demo the 900RS last year. Absolutely the best bike I've ever ridden. If only I wasn't a poor, I'd have my dream bike right now

[@theguitarhero898]

Keep working and saving, there are used ones that can be had for half the price.

[@tinotendamanjonjo6389]

Don't let the dream go, bro

[@Gamer-ade]

I did the same, and the amount of power it has is soooo good.

[@jimbobspov]

BIG same lmao. Demoed about 20 bikes last year & this one was by far my favorite. Absolutely incredible bike. Can't wait to own one some day.

[@benjammin4247]

Riding an '18 Z RS since 2020. Bought an 18 as a leftover, dealer about gave it away. I'm 57 and have owned more scoots than I can remember. Awesome bike, head turning style aside. Too many great aspects to list. Ride safe!

[@lindsayselby3647]

Just finished a 4,000 KLM ride on a 2024 Kawasaki Z900 RS SE over a period of 6 days of riding in a 2 week period . The bike has had a few mods , headers , handlebars , levers , rear sets , ECU flash , suspension set up by a Australian Super Bike suspension mechanic and a few other items . The bike ran flawlessly for the whole trip . There has been comments about the tires fitted to the bike from new , they are not the tires I would choose , they gave me no moments of concern in wet or dry , just stay away from the white lines . If I was going to add any other comment , get your suspension set up by some who knows what they are doing . The factory suspension settings are way off . The rear shock (ohlins) preload has to be adjusted out of the bike , you can't get enough adjustment from the preload knob . A very capable bike .

[@nathanhood2415]

KLM for Kilometre? That’s wild

[@jtwu8931]

Which ECU flash? Like it?

[@lindsayselby3647]

@@jtwu8931 BC Performance in Sydney Australia . They use Woolich and Rexxer equipment . Happy with the results .

[@walterwhite3189]

Finally a z900rs

[@JoeBleaux69]

He already did one

[@Srixxooooooooooooooo]

I have that same exact bike & I love it. It has lots of leg room for me at 6’2. Seat is comfy. It’s easy and enjoyable to ride daily lots of fun. It feels solid between your legs. There’s also a ridiculous amount of aftermarket parts you can get for it from webike to customize it to your liking. For me it’s perfect happy I found a bike that suits me 👍.

[@originalkontrol]

I also have this exact bike. I think it's my 8th. By far my favorite bike to date, don't see it going anywhere, ever. I think the suspension is actually pretty good (I'm no pro...) , it is fully adjustable up front, preload and rebound out back. I have a little fly screen, and it makes a huge difference at speed, all day long rides, no problem. I love it! Thanks for showing this overlooked bike a little love!

[@jimbobspov]

Happy 10 year anniversary of some of the best moto content on KZbin! This is easily my favorite bike that I've ridden so far & currently my dream sporty standard. All the fun of an inline 4 in a crazy comfy package. Can't say enough good things about this bike. You were right that the brakes may just be a bit worn cuz that front brake is quite punchy on a new one. I didn't single out the rear brake to test it but they definitely got the job done. I think my comment answers the OC question lol.

[@grantroberts8939]

Really considering this for my next bike! I feel like there aren’t enough z900rs reviews from big bike channels. Hopefully you can ride a 2025 soon to see if there’s any noticeable differences between the years. Excited for this video!

[@marcusgeorge1825]

As a proud Australian, I just love it each time I hear someone praise the entire QUAD LOCK products. As this brand was originally started by a couple of Australian motorbike enthusiasts and was kept just for the Australian consumers for years before they went global. Possibly some facts that most are not aware about. Plus, Oscar Piastri is an Australian F1 driver. 😎😎🇦🇺

[@JoeBleaux69]

They aren’t standing behind their products in the USA sadly. The cases are crap.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

@ How many cases have you had to come to your conclusion? Has one failed and not been resolved by them? 🤔

[@JoeBleaux69]

@@marcusgeorge1825 I work in the industry. I bought Quadlock, loved what I was seeing online. Only criticisms were the kinda cheap plastic mount build and the case was needlessly thick. I shared this input and by the time my first case started failing they had updated the case design to be slimmer without the bulge and offered a metal mount variant. Kudos to them for this, even if it admittedly allowed them to charge significantly higher prices, it was an improvement and much needed ones. I sent them positive feedback about the updates. Unfortunately the updated case didn’t fix the biggest flaw, namely that the cases themselves are extremely cheap units with a Quadlock mount pressed in, this wouldn’t be an issue if it was designed right but it’s designed like the old school super cheap flexible plubber case. The “sidewalls” (the part that covers the flat sides of your phone) has no reinforcement at all, it’s just that flexible plastic. Even the cheapest $12 cases from reputable brands reinforce this area. As a result if you use that case daily it will begin to develop stress cracks around the volume buttons and power button and those will radiate out to the very edge on both ends of the phone. Even if you don’t use the case daily it will develop similar stress fractures from repeated bending as you take your phone out and put it in. This is where people say “every case does that”. No. Any decent case avoids this. I had a cheap spigen case that was like 12$ vs $30 for the quad case and I had it for a year before I got the quad lock and I’ve used it for about a year or so after finally abandoning quad lock and it’s still perfectly fine without a single fracture (these crack make the case unusable eventually and it starts to fall apart, often the buttons themselves will fall off first but it just depends. They tried to convince me this is normal wear and tear and expected from all cases, and again I’ve worked in the industry since I was still a teenager so I know better. I sent emails to the executives and head of customer service team etc just sharing some open source info on case builds and why areas need reinforcement etc and they completely ignored it. It seems they just enjoy the high profit margins and don’t want to make changes that would add to the BoM and require a minor reworking of the design etc. Unfortunately until that’s fixed I won’t be using them anymore because I refuse to buy a new phone 1-2x a year even when I’m barely riding at all and therefore there’s zero additional stresses on the case due to riding. The solution is extremely simple, easy, and cheap, so I’ll keep an eye out but for now I need to look for an alternative.

[@giovannidicarlo9047]

inline 4, second gear and did this pull 40-80, kawasaki is pretty good

[@satishkoni6143]

I m from India. I m 28. I am getting fascinated by these modern retro bikes a lot. Don’t have the budget to own one though. 😂

[@mymysgaming6858]

10 years, no way! Congratulations, Chase, it’s been real! Can’t wait for more adventures in the future. :)

[@Rolilasx]

Your math skills are solid mate. 2018 bike is 8 years old now, little later it transforms into "almost a decade year old" lol

[@asdfghjkl1755]

lol

[@beingsolo80]

"Dude, this is a 900"... Chase is a funny guy for sure.

[@z-ro34]

This is my next bike. Working on getting good first.

[@pdbordelon]

Great video!...but the fact that you passed says a lot about your judgment! I have a 2018 z900rs in Jaffa! I didn't shorten the gear on mine, I lengthened it! With that mod, the bike is a beast in gears 1-5....admittedly gear 6 is now defunct and just an "overdrive" for highway use. BUT, 1st gear is longer, 2nd-4th gear really hit sweet spot. Change the front sprocket from 16 to 15 tooth and the bike becomes what it should have been. I also did an Ivans ECU flash. Bike is smooth as butter! Bike has "mojo" for days!

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

I love the brown paint..really adds to the retro style!!

[@Fokkleman]

It’s amazing how much this looks like my nighthawk. I really wanna ride the z900. It seems pretty amazing in comparison

[@grantroberts8939]

Try the 2025 Z900RS SE. it has ohlins suspension. I’d be curious to see how much better the cornering feels with that

[@SirLucien]

I love my 2022 Z900 RS

[@TameNaz]

Put clip on bars and bar end mirrors this bike would look sick

[@nugsy_mcb7920]

Dude you’re frickin crazy, the xsr900 might be THE fugliest bike ever made. I’ll take the 900rs any day of the week

[@goldengun9970]

I am having issues choosing. Xrs900 is ugly as you say but is more fun to ride

[@Short_Bus]

Wanted sporty and this engine profile. I got the z900 se. I'm super happy with it. MORE HP. And way better suspension.

[@hyedefinition1080]

Good choice, suspension-wise, the SE version of this bike also has great suspension

[@hyedefinition1080]

Good choice, suspension-wise, the SE version of this bike also has great suspension

[@petersymons7817]

Thank you

[@spartanx169x]

The Cafe version with the wind deflector is the one to have.

[@teej1987]

Bro said 2018 was 8 years ago and then said this bike is almost a decade old... lol come on bro

[@JoeBleaux69]

Also said 6

[@mathieuconstantin3356]

I have the Café version And this bike is fantastic my previous bike was the 2014 Mt09 and don’t miss it The only thing kawasaki should add add to this bike is power mode with IMU

[@marquesmcmillan283]

It's 6 years old, not 8 years, lol. What happened with the AI fact checker? 😆

[@teej1987]

Then he said "almost a decade old" lol

[@toofastnobrakes]

Should check out a newer SE model as well. Improvements are noticeable

[@Aastrov]

Hi mate, congratulations, great video! I also own this motorcycle and I’m very, very happy with it. However, I wanted to ask you about your beautiful grey gloves. What model are they, and where can I find them? Cheers! 3:35

[@darrylm79]

Hahhaha - the bike is SIX years old Chase. Not eight. Dude, I love that bike though. It looks so fun! Great color too.

[@hyedefinition1080]

Brakes are good on the bike. Looks like moisture in the brake fluid and/or air. A brake fush likely takes care of that 6.5 years, low mileage means the bike's been sitting a lot. Suspension is the minus for me...needs stiffer rears and heavier fork oil. The wooden seats flatten asses to make it worse... 🤣 But those are cons that can easily be addressed

[@alex.gallega]

What about switching the handlebar to clip-ons? I ride an SV650X, and I love the Z 900 RS. I see it as an evolution of my bike, but I like the clip-ons position when I'm on mountain roads (really common in Spain). Do you think it will improve the bike's agility in the twisties? I am also used to the position when commuting. The position is not too aggressive, so I don't mind having clip-ons on the city/highway.

[@Smallbore2wheels]

OC: Honda monkey is my favorite retro-style motorcycle. The dax 125 i feel kinda loses the essence with its larger dimensions

[@TheGorillaBiker]

You should come to NC and ride my slightly modified Z900RS :P

[@toofastnobrakes]

Love the bike, gotta say the suspension is not perfect, however the SE is much better. However the biggest issue with handling was the tires. The stock rubber is awful. Good tires makes it feel like and all new bike

[@sioneminoneti5627]

Can you do a first ride on a Harley Davidson Vrod?

[@hlpang1075]

How does thus compare with the Z900?

[@tjey379]

My favourite, XSR 700.though I wish there was an XSR 300.

[@Nostaljia12]

Can you get your hands on a cb1100rs?

[@joeplem5329]

It's nice but I like my 2020 "modern" version better!!! The new 2025 model has all the tech now but down a couple HP and QS.

[@pouyatorkiyan3258]

Nice 👍

[@andrewedmonds9347]

Georgia,! Wow .. the only place that you can’t see how many K’ or MILES ARE ON the clock. Don’t know how many ( because you can’t look ? )

[@after_midnight9592]

2022 in candytone blue, I'll have it one day if it's the last thing I do

[@JoeBleaux69]

What app is that on your phone screen??? 25:38

[@Gaboagz]

So this is technically a second ride (?).

[@ericbaumgartner5742]

You seemed surprised that everything is still working ? Its only 6 years old and has only 5k miles on it ? Its almost like new buddy ?

[@JevonThe]

Do 2025 XSR900!!😁

[@christianburger25]

Not a big change from the 22 he reviewed. It has the new MT09 screen and the new quick shifter. It also has the new switch gear. But that is the only difference. That being said. I just bought the 24 and I adore that bike. It is so much fun!

[@jadethompson5269]

I bought this exact bike, so my wife could ride pillion more comfortably. Then she got pregnant. That’s what happens. Now I’m going to sell the bike. Don’t want any more kids lol. Sums up the bike.

[@ellwoodwolf]

This is what I want, but they keep putting urine yellow or feces brown in the paint scheme... I'm looking for a 2018/19 acid Kawasaki green cafe to convert into a regular rs.

[@blaksword613]

It's Marietta so 4

[@ghostontwowheels]

hmm... doing more Kawasakis... interesting. ;-)

[@audir414]

of course it's a CRV. what else would it be

[@philipwhant1014]

Tesla drivers are to busy on their phones or eating carot & kale salad

[@Aussie_R6]

OC: It be a Pass for me, as the XSR900 is the better bike IMO. The CP3 is a better engine by comparison IMO. The styling of the Z900 RS is nice, as well as the XSR900. So it really comes down to the engines and I prefer the CP3 Triple. That said I could definitely see there sales numbers being very similar and completely splitting sales 50/50 on which is more preferred by riders.

[@EfferusZangetsu]

I really liked the looks and tech of the XSR900 so I tried it out (Tracer 9 also since I had free time), but that engine does nothing for me. And body position didn't work for me either. Kawi should give the RS the same updates they gave the Z for 2025. As it sits now, the RS is outdated by the XSR900, which is a real shame since aside from the lacking tech it is such a great bike.

[@burgash0t914]

2😭

[@82Bjarni]

6 years is not a decade and not classic