2023 KAWASAKI Z900RS Review

[@OM-sb2bd]

Not “cherry red” - “imperial red” per Kawasaki. And “diablo black.” I just bought the same bike ….. just breaking it in now …. holy smokes it’s terrific! Love the stock exhaust notes. Creamy linear powerband. Very flickable. Stock seat is actually comfortable. I think the stock fueling so far feels nicely sorted, too-though there are complaints about it from those who seek out the ECU flash … really you just need to blip a little extra throttle when you shift to smooth out any snatchiness ….. Only things I plan to add are a centerstand and the OEM Kawasaki radiator guard, which is designed to use those 4 exposed tab-brackets…pretty sure Kawasaki made it that way so that you’d have to buy their guard. And maybe add that rear grab rail that they offer on the 2022 50th edition. I think I’m going to call mine Big Butta’ … she’s a velvet hammer! Come to think of it, the red looks like a “velvet red” too. Ride safe Brotha. 🤘🏻🔥☮️

[@kawasaki2024]

My dream bike! And the next one I purchase. My neighbor had one in 1979 and was my first ride ever on a bike! That bike and ride got me into riding motorcycles! 40 years later, it will be the last bike i finish my riding years on! Next year! Ill buy a 2024 new and ride until I can't anymore! But never say never. More bikes could be in my future.

[@iansians6703]

Agree with your observations, very good analysis. Had mine now for 4 and a half years, done 20,000klm, very reliable and nice to ride around town. You are fully correct about the range, it is very poor. Quite a thirsty bike for the capacity and I too constantly nearly run out of fuel. I now carry ten litres with me in a side pannier, less stressful. The throttle snatch is not good, I find it dangerous in corners as the bike tends to jump forward when you don't expect it. An ECU flash will fix it, but that brings a richer mixture which makes your range issue even worse. I don't find it comfortable at all on longer rides, the riding position is too upright, the pegs are in the wrong place and the seat was hard (had it fixed). I say this having ridden an original Z1 for a few years and found it was fine. For some reason the Z900rs does not replicate the original riding position and, in turn, misses the comfort of the old bike. I put a bigger sprocket on the front for good results. Pretty much you experience except, I never noticed the nuetral issue, but that is very nice, will check it out. Very reliable bike and great fun around town. Not a touring bike though unless it's mountain twisties with lots of fuel stations evenly spaced. Cheers. Much appreciated.

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Very interesting to hear your additional comments and I totally agree with you too. I’ve avoided the flash for the same range reason you mention, but I have been considering the gearing change. I too find the seat a bit hard and it is strange Kawasaki haven’t addressed these few issues. I still very much enjoy the bike though, just a few minor frustrations. Thanks for watching 👍👍👍

[@gilesfarmer5953]

I had a 2021 version of this. It was slightly modded with a 4 into 4 exhaust. Probably the best bike I ever owned. Sadly though, it was written off by a bloke not paying attention whilst waiting at the lights in Belmont, he drove into the back of me, causing me to crash into the ute in front. Major damage to the lights, instruments, forks, engine casings and pipes. All fixable, but the cost of repairs exceeded the value of the bike. I was heartbroken. Anyway, looking at getting a replacement with the payout. I've thought about getting something else, but this bike is the pick of the bunch.

[@handlebarsandholidays]

Hi Giles, I see you live quite close to me and believe it or not that bike is actually for sale at the moment, it’s currently done 5500 km and is absolutely immaculate. Let me know if you’re interested.

[@frankstocker5475]

Nice review, keeping the stock exhaust was a good move, you chose the best color. I'm waiting for a second-hand one to arrive, with the savings from buying a new one I will install Battlax T32 tiers, powder coat the wheels bronze, install black bars & have the ECU flashed.

[@MichaelHoward-fr3hp]

Thank You Sir!!! Been looking at these for years! I came from the old stock 82-83 Suzuki GS1100E models.

[@thomasroberts1554]

Have this bike and I LOVE IT!

[@pipersall6761]

That seems like a great bike and the sound of it (kind of hard to hear) takes me back. I love inline fours. When you got on it a little, man it sounds so nice. I had a 1982 Kawasaki 1000 CSR that was a fabulous bike. I insanely sold it because I wasnt riding it for a good while. I sure wish I still had it. That Z900RS looks great but it still has the same issue the Rocket had, that open darned rear wheel. Id have to find a fender for it if it were mine. And that huge space between the bottom of the seat and the top of the wheel you could throw a cat through. I dont know why they do that. Does it need that much travel for the suspension? I'm sorry you had to get rid of the Rocket but I would imagine the Kaw is easier to get around on. You have a great respectful riding style. Thank you for another great review!

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Hi and thanks for your comments, the lack of a rear fender doesn't really bother me as we don't get much bad weather here in WA and funnily enough I've never even considered the gap between the bottom of the seat and the top of the wheel, (but you shouldn't be throwing cats around anyway ... LOL) Yes the the Rocket was a great bike (& I'd have kept it as well wife permitting) but the Zed is very easy to get on with and good fun. Thanks for watching 👍

[@pipersall6761]

@@Carlshandlebarsandholidays Yeah your moderate weather is something I didnt really consider. That makes my concerns pretty irrelevant and its a great sporty look. The Rocket is a tank and I have wondered if I could muscle such a huge bike around at my age. The Kawasakis are really great. No cats were harmed during the making of my commets. Lol. Happy riding!

[@luisibanez3600]

I want a z 900 have 66 years , i drive bikes since 14 years, i am in good shape, i have a iron 883 since 2012 but still thinking if i make a good move if i own a z900.

[@paulbarnes6124]

Test ride will confirm 😊

[@antoniovillar1729]

I am 67 and also ride since 14 years old, got a GS 1200 and S 1000 XR but this one is my dream as a kid. Life is short so I bought it last week and will ride this weekend ! Don't wait, go for it !

[@ninja1970fin]

great review! Thanks! I agree on the naked look! :) on the exhaust I think Kawi made like several tens of various models to make it a proper one so they really paid attention to it!

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Ye I believe they did, thanks for your comment and thanks for watching 👍

[@namledom]

Another great video.Quality sound and quality video. There's obviously a bit of a boy racer still left in you :) I'm intrigued by your cameras and sound set up. I see you have an Osmo Action to the collection. Have you made a video on your camera kit? It would be really helpful. Thanks for all your effort! BTW I'm 8 years your senior, so my boy racer days are definitely over :(

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Hi Ken, thanks for your comments, they are very much appreciated. As you’ve noticed I’ve moved over onto Osmo Action 3’s (too many failures with GoPros) and up to now its been a good move. But there’s many ways to do your sound, its a big subject. I decided to move that over to DJI too and recently bought their wireless microphone system. Funnily enough I’ve just done a short video on it this afternoon, which will be live on KZbin in less than 24hrs, it doesn’t go into too much detail really, it’s basically asking what people think of the quality. So let me know your thought please. Thanks for watching again 👍👍👍

[@mcveiaj]

Have a 23 yellow ball ….what a machine, they can fairly shift

[@jameshind6644]

If you didn't have the Gs, which bike would you pick between the Rocket and the Z900rs and why would you pick it.

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

That's a very good question and tricky to answer, the Rocket is a SUPERB piece of engineering, yet the Zed is great for nipping around on, so it very much depends on what you want a bike for. Taking performance & price out of the equation I suppose I'd have to say the Zed can do everything the Rocket can, but the Rocket's a bit too big (& gets too hot) to do what the Zed can, so I guess I's have to say the Zed. Having said that, knowing what I now know, the GS fills all requirements, so if I only had one bike it would definitely be the GS. Thanks for watching and your question.

[@SynapticGap]

Like yourself I too fitted a Delkevic system to my Z9rs & thought same thoughts too about the new sound. I was going to reinstate the Oem system, but took a gambel in flashing the Ecu (Woolich tune). And boy, I went from thinking "what have I done" to thinking "maan - this is great!!!" Bike now runs so, so much quieter (all backfires gone) & it also took away all the throttle issues around 2500rpm, BUT it also woke the engine right up. Goes like a stabbed rat now & is now the bike (I think) Kawasaki DESIGNED & NOT the chained & restricted bike the EU regs made it become. It does also sound mighty fine stock though.

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

That’s all very interesting, I’m very much teetering on the bring of flashing the ECU. Do Woolich just have one tune for the Zed, or did you have to specify what you wanted from them ?

[@SynapticGap]

@@Carlshandlebarsandholidays The 'Woolich' tune (Australian race tune system) is bespoke to your bike. They do a dyno run first to ascertain the base level stats. Then they remap everything - it takes 5 hours it's so detailed. The tech' told me if you brought in 3 brand new bikes all identical, all unridden & all right out of the crate, they'd each base line differently on the dyno. That's why you should never post off your ecu for a generic map based on make/model/mods done because you only get a remap from someonelse' bike. If you're going to do it, get The map specific for YOUR bike. Don't worry about details as they will adjust everything needed according to the dyno readings & they take many readings throughout the process to ensure your air fuel ratios are spot on in 500 rpm intervals in each gear to max, layred in they adjust timing too in same way, all the many, many variables (too many to list) will each be set specific to your bike. You see why its an all day job. As Woolich is Aus, you must have one in your neck o' the woods? Highly recommend!! I'll never go back, but if I wanted - they keep oem map in your own folder on system & will reinstate for free if ever so desired. Handy backstop right there for peace of mind. 👍

[@realbigtuna667]

@@Carlshandlebarsandholidays I'll second this. Even if you don't swap the header out, a tune is 1000% worth it. Gets rid of all the jerky throttle nonsense and a bit of extra poke to boot. The difference really is night and day.

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

@@realbigtuna667 good to know, so did you just have a generic flash, or a full dyno based tune ?

[@realbigtuna667]

@@Carlshandlebarsandholidays Just a flash will do. Highly recommend Ivan's performance. The tune is perfect, and was the best experience I've had with any shop to date. The guy is on top of his stuff.

[@boik3221]

Nice review as per...having reviewed both this and the T120 which do you rate more highly?

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Oh now that's a tricky question ! Very much pro's & cons, the only real downside "for me" is the slightly jerky throttle response on the Zed, (which a flash would probably sort), where the T120 is super buttery smooth. I'd have to say I prefer the look of the Zed, seems a bit more my "age group" somehow, (but I know that doesn't really make sense), but it does benefit from being a bit more comfy and has cruise control, so it's a 50/50 situation. I'm pretty sure I made the right decision "for me" this time, however I can see myself owning a T120 in a few years. Doesn't really answer your question that does it LOL ... horses for courses I'd say ! (Thanks for watching and hopefully you've subscribed, as it's FREE and it greatly helps the channel grow).

[@ericronan9984]

Picking my new one up tomorrow. Happy st. Patrick’s day from Ireland

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Excellent, enjoy the day 👍

[@Jim-su7en]

Except a quick shifter and. Decent rear shock

[@MotoPG]

Can you tell me the name of your Tail Bag? Looks Awesome !🙂

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

It’s a Nelson Rigg CL-1060-R, it’s very good, thanks for watching.

[@dmitryc760]

What is the brand and model of that luggage bag? I really need one on my cbr

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Hi it's a Nelson Rigg CL-1060-R, it's very good. Thanks for watching

[@samsara3694]

Same set up here - GS for extended rides and the Z900rs for day to day fun!

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Cool, they make an ideal pair don’t they 👍

[@realbigtuna667]

This is funny. I sold my GS because the wife had no interest in riding with me. Also, for whatever reason, the GS riding position would absolutely destroy my neck after a couple hours in the saddle. The Z900RS Cafe has a slightly more leaned over riding position than the base RS, which is far more comfortable for me. I've ridden 8 hours in a day on it and never got uncomfortable. Great bike.

[@thelindsayf]

just got my gs in january and as well i had a triumph t120 as love true retro style bikes. then got instead the z900rs and it was the 50th edition and loved it...but for one thing..its just that its so hard to ride slow to enjoy the views as you cant help opening it up and just going fast.. went back to a triumph t100 to slow down a bit and just chill. i do miss it though.

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

Hi, yes I can see where you’re coming from, the Z certainly isn’t as chilled as the Triumphs for sure. I did a review on the T120 a few months back and REALLY liked it myself, still wonder whether I made the right move. LOL

[@thelindsayf]

@@Carlshandlebarsandholidays I did have a 2017 t120 brought second hand and it was heavy to turn into roundabouts and you certainly need to lean hard to turn into bends. The t100 drives much lighter and easier and is plenty fast enough and good torque, except could do with a 6th gear for the hwy..got to say though it's good fun experiencing the different bikes. Glad I found your chanel. Bout time something good came from home..I'm in tassie and very jealous of your beautiful weather over there. Cheers.

[@Carlshandlebarsandholidays]

@@thelindsayf LOL .... maybe we could do a deal, I'll swap you some sunshine for your beautiful roads, they are all a bit long and straight in WA ! .. haha

[@xclent1975]

Good is the answer to your title’s question …. no brainer

[@chrisschepper9312]

Good. Very good.

[@JP-dw1fp]

Do you cover your license plate while riding? If not, why blur it on the video? Good video though.

[@johntheaccountant5594]

I guessed that you were English not Australian by that accent.

[@donaldstiles851]

It’s not Zed900, not even in the queens English!

[@priscillaebert]

"Promo sm"