2022 Kawasaki Z900 Test and Review

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[@berttompkins9096]

Yes. The 900s are awesome. I'm 66 so I went for the RS. HP and torque are perfect for the street. Just like building a hot car engine for the street , you don't make them all out race engines. This 950 will take off wo using the throttle. Perfect manners but it will power out of corners and pass as fast as a sport bike. I don't like machines that want to kill you. That why I'm still here at 66! My 50th anniversary RS also matches my years since my 1st kawi. A 72 100 cc KE. So KAWI honored ME with this special bike. THANKYOU JAPAN.

[@stephenschwartz7402]

The z just looks so much better than the MT09. I think that may be a deciding factor for me

[@beresfordsinning9726]

Having owned a z900 since 2020, I can agree with everything said here. As for the seat, just wearing real leather pants (I wear Dainese) made a huge difference, that 3-4 mm of leather and lining really improved the comfort.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ribalderr6052]

wooo no buddy, Florida here. put a sargent on there, good for all day.

[@monkmoto1887]

@@ribalderr6052 leather riding pants in Florida.. I feel sticky thinking about it

[@darthtyranus7683]

Just did a trip from Texas to NM in my 2019 Zr900 absolutely enjoyed it only issue is there was a Harley that fared better in the high winds I'm too cautious so I'm sure it was my lack of 20mph+ winds

[@NickH94]

This is a great review! I just picked up a 2023 Z900 a couple months ago and couldn't be happier. It's definitely one of the best price to performance bikes out there.

[@albertsammut433]

This brings back many fond memories of my 1983 model fuel injected Kawasaki GPZ1100 with exactly that color scheme and a suicidal 120 HP output.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Except better brakes, thank goodness.

[@stevieneilson2451]

Great vid once again. Hats off to Brooke for the long drive🥰. I have Z900rs Cafe and is all the best bits plus more. With a comfy seat better bars and a great tune in the motor. It has more grunt lower down sacrifices a bit at the top but for real world riding perfect. Keep up the hard work both of you it's appreciated 💘🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇨🇦

[@streetsean]

Congrats on the new bike. It is a really nice looking bike. I think the ride modes still has the same HP but it comes on differently in each one...at least that's what the MT09 does. Great video!

[@kylemattatall]

Best review I've seen yet!!

[@arnohag1]

I sold me 2019 grey and red Z900 because of the seat. It is positively awful. I had the seat modified 2 times with no good result. It is the long open riding that gets to you. Mine offered terrific handling, great fuel economy and posture. Being the older model what you put in is what you got back. No modes, full power all the time with good throttle response. Keep up the great reviews.

[@cr4sher7]

I got Z650 for my first bike recently. Now just waiting for the weather to get better to ride at least a bit before the season ends. Z900 looks absolutely stunning!

[@luiz576]

I rode my Z650 for two years (22k km) and just got my Z900 a couple days ago. Z650 is an amazing bike. Enjoy It!!

[@ZediMaster]

Gr8 vid, bart. I had my z900 since 2019. It is not the best track bike (brakes a bit weak, shocks a bit too soft), nor the best for tall ppl (over 6 ft). Ergo wise, the best fit for 5ft 8in at abt 165lbs. I personally think it's the best street sport bike, $ for $. Not a gr8 touring bike, but a fantastic over nighter. Anyway, ride safe, god bless u two.

[@Snotroggel453]

I have the ‘21 model matte black with green. Great bike, very reliable and definitely a head turner.. but it became quite boring after a while with only an aftermarket slip on because the sound wasn’t that special. I did put an sc project titanium header on him and MAN what a difference😆 so if this bike becomes boring to most people, i really recommend aftermarket headers, it really opens the bike up!

[@luiz576]

Excellent review!!

[@paulvanhout9695]

Remember the days of my youth and when the jaw dropping Z1 was released.

[@TheSwellrider]

Before motorcycles started differentiating into sport bikes and cruisers and long haulers etc. there were just standard motorcycles like the Suzuki GS1000E or the Honda CB 550/4 or 750/4. There were no sport bikes available from the manufacturer ... people had to build them: cafe racer style, "Ton-Up" and the like. Not until the Kawasaki Ninja 900 and the original Suzuki Katana GS1000SZ did you start to see "sport bikes" in the late 70's and early 80's. So this class of bikes known as the "Naked" is, regardless of what they look like, really a retro standard style moto. The Naked motorcycle is not a new thing it is a renamed thing. You could argue that the Naked class is sport bike performance with a standard riding position which is partially true but performance has improved across the board with standard water cooling and disc brakes and tire technology and mass centralization all vastly improving the way motorcycles perform. Cornering a motorcycle 35 years ago was a different experience with bias ply tires and whippy steel tube backbone frames and drum brakes... night and day compared to even current entry level bikes.

[@robertlindstrom540]

That colour scheme looks very premium, Kawasaki makes great looking bikes.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Couldn't agree more! Their bikes are looking great, especially considering the prices.

[@ribalderr6052]

got seats on all my bikes, 1400 concours, 2012 Z1000, an KLX300. its sargent for me, their 'atomic' foam, but seat concepts on the KLX. on the Z1000 its fantastic over the stock, ride all day comfort no kidding. ATOMIC FOAM!. hahaaa. love this anniversary edition (in red). but its a 900rs cafe that might make me trade one in.

[@82macm]

Had the 2017 Z900. The stock tires were the worst part of it. Changed them for good rubber and adjusted the preload and it was transformed to something that would eat twisties for breakfast.

[@CMBDIA]

im jealous! i got a 2020 mt-09 but gosh darn it! the z900 50th anniversary is looking real nice! i thought kawis only look good in green but i'm wrong. i need to ride that bike.

[@JLRide]

That's a beautiful motorcycle!

[@RockstarVeganRecipes]

Wow, that's the 50th anniversary colour!! ;) Great video.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks! 😃

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

I love that you blurred out the speedometer on that straightaway 🤣🏍

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Speedometers are blurred to protect the guilty :)

[@ollieb2520]

Now that you’ve been riding and testing various styles of bikes, makes and models, and it’s been a while since you got your T7, have your thoughts about it changed? Would you choose it again knowing what you know now? Having had a taste of more off-road riding since then are you leaning more in that direction than before or has that itch been scratched?

[@monkmoto1887]

I own the old 2010 z1000. That was the first year of this newer engine (the 900 is the same motor as the old z1000 and it’s the same that’s in the ninja 1000 still with some minor tweaks) and hearing it described as one of the best engines in motorcycling 13 years later fills me with a little sense of pride! I always thought Kawasaki went the wrong way with the intake cam change in 2014 but from what I’ve seen both in videos and in dyno numbers the 900 revs a little better compared to the 2014+ z1000/ninja1000 and a well sorted 900 will definitely slay a stock 2014+ z1000. If I bought a new bike tomorrow this is one of the top 3 I’d actually spend money on

[@weemt07biker74]

Love the anniversary gpz colour.

[@joeplem5329]

I have the 2020 model in grey as a second bike next to my 2011 dyna street bob....best of both worlds \m/

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Had a 2017 for a while. Things I liked and disliked, but the engine was a butter-smooth torquey thing, so utterly controllable and didn't need any sort of traction control at all. Chassis was rock solid and confidence inspiring. Suspension was typical Japanese influenced, it lacked proper spring rate and proper quality damping control (fixable in the aftermarket as usual). I liked it. I traded on a '18 MT-09 and honestly have considered going back....or a new GSX-S1000. The MT/XSR is great, but there are some Yamaha things I wish they'd address and they haven't shown any sign of addressing since 2015... that is the fuel capacity. Suzuki and Kawasaki offer 4.5 and 5.0 gallon units. Both of these are smoother engines (the triple has some granular buzz to it). Honestly they are all so good at their individual roles, it's down to the person to decide what sort of bike in these categories will fit the bill at the time of purchase.

[@flmacphee1158]

Wow it looks really good in red

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

I like the red wheels.

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@gordonwallin2368]

( I've a 2003 Z1000, (dynoed at 131hp at Fred Deeley's), verually the same as the Z900, but an older gerneration. And it's paid for. The newer bikes are cool, but they're not cool enough to go into debt. This would be the replacement though.

[@88888888Rocket1]

I love my 2020 Z900.

[@mhoeij]

Which do you like best, Z900 or MT-09?

[@lovelessissimo]

Man, I love mine.

[@johnDukemaster]

Well made film, once again! 212kg wet weight, for those metric minded! Nice in that red colour, I must say. Thank you!

[@darylclifford]

I’d buy the Z900RS as I got my learners license on a Z900 (at 17 yrs old). Wish life was as easy as it was back then !!

[@snupermoto723]

Hallelujah brother, truer words were never spoken.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

That's quite the starter bike.

[@darylclifford]

@@DifferentSpokesTV If you made a tight U-Turn without putting a foot down, the observing officer would pass you (regardless of cc’s) back in 1976! I knew the street outside my local “Aussie DMV” and practised a few days leading up to my test.

[@terrigoddard3448]

It looks bloody lovely. And I would have one any day of the week. But at the moment I'll stick to my 2006 Z1000A6F. I can do loads of miles on that 1, so the seat his obviously a lot better.

[@halinabiegalski9509]

Pretty in red… Good review 👍

[@karengayle9331]

I saw the first z900 in the fall of 72 and have been in love ever since. Nice review.

[@andik.4235]

This thing looks so good in red. Kawa did hit the sweet spot with the Z 900: good engine, enough power, easy to use, good suspension, good breaks, good seating position, competitive pricing. For me personally, I would take a look at a GSX S 1000. Not much more expensive on the street than a Z 900, but you get the K 5 legend and this sweet quick shifter.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Yep, I remember when that engine firs appeared and blew everything else out of the water.

[@chrisw4215]

I'm torn between those two. Quickshifter is tempting plus I think that Suzuki looks slightly better.

[@sathishrao7926]

Bike which offers the best VFM (and quite popular here in India) with such a sweeeeeeeet in-line 4 exhaust note !! I’m not a big fan of Sugomi styling in all the Zs, so I like their retro variants.. It’s ironic that Team green decides to make a red bike on 50th Anniversary !

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Yep, the four is a dying breed these days. Hope Kawi keeps 'em around.

[@craigwood3498]

Best bike to sport ride with

[@zack8819]

I have had my 2023 Z900 for about 3.5 months now overall it is a good bike, I was kind of disappointed in the first gear top speed though. It handles great, I like the feeling of being "inside" the bike, and even the stock tires aren't terrible. I don't like the 12 false gears I encounter on a regular basis, some cheap plastic, and the TFT display scratched up when I tried to clean it. The fact that I can only go about 130 miles to a tank of gas means that my butt never has a chance to hurt on long days. There is a lot of engine braking and I don't know that it can be changed so a lot of the times I don't even need to use the brakes unless I am tapping them to let someone behind me know that I am slowing down. This is lots of random info but probably useful info. Oh, and the engine sounds really good stock.

[@daddio1954]

Help a brother out. 12 false gears?

[@zack8819]

@@daddio1954 when I shift up the bike sometimes doesn't go into the next gear.

[@dry509]

Did the super close gearing bother you?

[@2wheelsRnough]

Note: the RS's are slightly detuned to only 116 and 111 hp (the Euro 5). I would love to make my 2018 RS Cafe go to full power, if possible.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks for the info. I'm sure the aftermarket has a tuner and exhaust system to get that power up there.

[@paulconnell1309]

Great review. Lovely bike. That wide power curve! I found the gear box not as positive as Suzuki, Honda and Triumph. missed a couple of up shifts. Bought a Street Triple R. It was wrecked by a car so now own a GSX 8S. I think the 900 class is cool, but more power than you can legally or safely lay down on our average roads. And more CO2. So I prefer the under rated 750 class.

[@njohnson3331]

That 50th anniversary paint scheme is amazing. Here in the US we have too many grey and black bikes, where did all the bold colors go?

[@alneno9840]

Cool video good review..again how did you get a DEMO ride from Kawasaki?

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

They loan out press bikes to media so I just asked. Stay tuned for a run of Yamahas and Hondas this summer.

[@Mark-ee8be]

Kawi is sure kicking it up a notch..950 class...bore it out some more?? I'm sure..air shifter??oh ya.need one

[@tg8150]

If this bike was built in Japan, I’d buy one. But since Kawi cheapened up and sent production to Thailand, I can’t do it. The Yami MT is full fledge made in Japan, and for that reason, I’d buy the MT. Yes, there is a difference.

[@tHaH4x0r]

I believe the Z900 is the (by far) best selling motorcycle model in the Netherlands (among all sold motorcycles). I can see why.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Yep, perfect for Euro roads. You can rip around or even tour on it.

[@Zen0sa]

i want a z900 but only if it will have the quickshifter standard and if it will have optional oem heated grips. till then rocking my old bike :D

[@marsoelflaco5722]

Nice color scheme, very Canadian!

[@robertbelote5273]

Nice video , im into the rs over this , although it is a fantastic machine so my opinion is purely ascetic. Your wife , badass with class , my gf won't even pump her own gas .

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks 👍 Yep, she's awesome :)

[@dennismeurs9736]

Rain mode for sure...

[@frane8074]

Excellent review. I am looking to upgrade from my 650 so this review is very helpful. I got 2 questions for you 1. How does the z900 compare to yamaha mt09 in your honest opinion what would you pick? 2. You said you prefer z900rs is it just for the looks or is it different to ride?

[@lovelessissimo]

I went from a Ninja 650 to a Z900. It's a very easy transition.

[@MachoMadness69420]

The Z900 is dead easy to ride. Very stable and neutral handling. Engine is smooth and linear and it barely gives a fuck about which gear your in. I’ve tried the MT-09 about a year ago - didn’t feel quite as stable as the Z900. Great bike - I just prefered the Kawi’s handling characteristics.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Honestly I might go for the Yam on weight alone because I have all those tight twisties around. I like the looks of the Kawi better. As for engines, the Yam has so much low down torque that it has trouble keeping the front wheel down. The Kawi is more civilized but has more juice up top. It'll fly past 200kph and keep pulling when the Yam is running out of steam. Depends on what you prefer.

[@AO1YinYang]

I rode my Kawasaki 650 ninja for roughly 10 years, this z900 Naked-2022 is my upgrade bike, have not regret it as yet.

[@Ejai1]

How many are there in Canada? Fifty you say? Like that's 1 in 50 and there are only 50 in canada? How many>?

[@29madmangaud29]

Love you and your wife's show, if I may I should invite you to borrow someone's UJM, and do a review on one of them. I personally think you will fall inlove with the OLD BIKES!

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Sure! Drop us an email and maybe we'll set something up for the fall.

[@motobarberdad]

I have the 2021 Z900

[@AO1YinYang]

app doesn't work with the z900 2022, not sure how you got yours to work in the video, can you advise? I disagree with your statement: only younger generation love the z900, considering I am 51 and I have the bike a month now, I love it despite the obvious previous reviews by others on the shortfalls of the bike.

[@daddio1954]

Yes! I am older than you and am picking my Z900ABS up tomorrow.

[@markmcminn5100]

Thanks, rather see the review of the 650 :) More into the retro thing.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

That's the previous vid on the channel. This one also comes in retro.

[@jerryjensen9500]

Please comment on maintenance, valve adjustment, oil change cost and difficulty.

[@lovelessissimo]

It's a Japanese naked sportbike. No fairings, no problem. For valve checks, its 15000 in the US and Canada, but 25000 for everyone else, for some reason.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Maybe that's miles vs km. Though Canada is metric so it's a bit weird.

[@lovelessissimo]

@@DifferentSpokesTV believe it or not, it is actually 25k miles, or 42k kilometers.

[@AngelFaceMotoRider]

SUGGESTION: If you run out of Bike to Test & Review... I got fooled today by a video that I thought was going say the VERSYS 400x is coming out soon.! It's a Bike that I am waiting for, as my Versys 300x was too under powered. However, it was a video about WHY the Versys 400x should be built instead. I still watched all of it. You know there is lots of Hype when I New Model is being released. Imagine if there were videos about what SHOULD be Built Next. I think those could be exciting and interesting. Perhaps, it would spark lots of comments too. :-) P.S. - Way to go Brooke.!

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks Angel. Yep, I made a video like that about a CRF450L Rally. Maybe in the fall I'll make one because you're not the only one waiting for a Versys 400. I get that comment a lot.

[@AngelFaceMotoRider]

TRUE you did.! I seen that video. You could invent your own models and make video about them. LoL When you run out of real models, that is. :-) Like the T3 or WR 300r

[@snupermoto723]

Kawi makes some great bikes, with few exceptions, however they look like ass for the most part, with the exception of the RS line and the W800, opinion of course. love the channel.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks. I tend to like the styling better than the MTs, but these modern nakeds are an acquired taste.

[@joelg2751]

nice bike but mt09 sp smoke that thing and have good quickshifter up/down kawasaki dont have that

[@darthtyranus7683]

I'll have to disagree sport bikes aren't on the way out until all major countries ban the use of fossil fuels

[@motobarberdad]

honestly this dont doesn't even need more technology. It's perfect jist chamge the seat

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

I tend to like simple bikes myself. As the power climbs though you start to think about how fast those bends are coming at you :)

[@motobarberdad]

@@DifferentSpokesTV If Kawasaki adds all this tech then the Z900 is no longer a budget friendly Superbike. I would like to see 150hp

[@Nickbaldeagle02]

It's nice but that RS model is sexy AF.

[@henryorrego4977]

i wonder what the OTD price for this bike is

[@aronsullivan3266]

My Z900 50th anniversary was $12,003 USD out the door with no down payment or any add-ons. I ended up getting all the add-ons and did a $1k down-payment and my otd was $14,636 USD.

[@orientationandmobilitywith5902]

Those are some beautiful roads. I must say that bike is a little fast for me. :)

[@snupermoto723]

looked as if you were a little drained once you got home on the Z, physical or mental or both?

[@orientationandmobilitywith5902]

@@snupermoto723 Haha, definitely both. :)

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

It really is!

[@LTLT900]

I bet you did a short stint in sport mode just to see what it was like.

[@gerardmontgomery280]

My current Versys 1000 has a version of the same engine. It's super nice and smooth, I'd love to add a Z900RS Cafe to it as a stable mate.

[@2wheelsRnough]

I went the other way around and started with the RS CAFE, but would considere the Versys for a stable mate. Is just that NT1100 that really makes me think twice....

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Sounds great! That would be a nice pair of bikes. I could see this engine kicking butt in a touring bike.

[@gerardmontgomery280]

@@DifferentSpokesTV it can be a little thirsty at times if you're not careful.

[@99bablefish]

Champlain lookout glamour shot?

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

That's Lake Kamanasked just outside of Combermere, Ontario.

[@99bablefish]

@@DifferentSpokesTV ok thanks, I know that spot but it was under construction when I was there last. I'm up that way frequently and like the Wilno Tavern.

[@adv_rider]

Probably I am the biggest fan of your channel, I watch your videos as soon as they are released, even for the bikes which I don't like such as this ugly monstrosity :D Please more Adventure bikes and cruisers/modern classics and less of these. of course it's your channel and this is just a kind suggestion, but I think most of your viewers agree. By the way I liked the 650RS, that's a good looking bike.

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Thanks! I have the KLR650 this week so if you want to see that elephant tossed around on single track, stay tuned. Coming soon.

[@jamshedaslam1231]

Hi

[@posteroonie]

How does Z900 engine smoothness compare to the MT-09?

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

The Z is smoother and more linear. The MT tries to rip your arms off at low revs and is also quite smooth, but not as much. At high revs it switched. The MT starts to taper off and the Z starts to howl and does not want to quit. My nerve gave out before the motor did.

[@posteroonie]

@@DifferentSpokesTV Both sound fun. :)

[@jamshedaslam1231]

I.m looking for bike work

[@thelevelrider64]

I'm with you on preferring the Z900RS over this bike. Somehow, this thing makes me think of the Transformer toys my kids played with. Yammie Noob has been reviewing the RS version recently, and notes that it seems to be considerably more sedate in many ways. That works for me. Mind you, I'm just old. Meanwhile, you best give that rocket back and get back on a cruiser or ADV, before the Ontario Party Poopers stomp all over your production budget...

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

I'm on the KLR650 this week so not much danger of speeding. I blasted it on some single track today and man... it's not a dirt bike but it can still do it.

[@spacecoastz4026]

Those massive dents in the tank ruin the look.

[@AzTurboMini]

At 60 years old I really like the bike but my eyes are telling me my ass will hate the seat not matter what upgrade is done to it. For some reason the throw back model just doesn't float my boat. I had a KZ900, Z1-R and an 82 Eddie Lawson Replica. You'd think it would but 🤷

[@DifferentSpokesTV]

Those are some historic bikes. I like the RS cafe in green myself. that would be my pick.

[@terrellgarren7125]

You made me smile. I had the KZ900 in '76 as an 11th grader. I told my parents it was just a big dirt bike. I'm 65 now and have a '14 Monster 1200 for short thrills.