Used Bike Review | Kawasaki Z900RS Cafe | What Next?

[@bxl1121]

This guy is my favorite motorcycle journalist

[@banestock]

He's definitely the best!

[@WeAreTheTrueMedia]

Completely agree. There's just something a little bit different that he brings but I can't work out what it is.

[@bxl1121]

@@WeAreTheTrueMedia Exactly 😃

[@banestock]

@@WeAreTheTrueMedia he's like your best mate who was born to ride a motorcycle and you go to for all your motorcycling advice!

[@Rufus-OG]

By a long long way 👍🏻

[@KB-yj5xp]

I’ve got almost 60,000 km on my 2018, modded and tuned constantly ridden hard, and never had an issue that I didn’t cause. I love this bike .

[@notafanatic]

I have a 2019 Z900RS. The review is spot on. It's an analogue motorcycle in the age of 200bhp, 6 axis, computer controlled superbikes, but it comes with modern reliability, brakes and suspension. It's absolutely great for a Sunday blast on country roads, fast enough, handles well enough, smooth engine, reasonable gearbox and most importantly, lots of smiles at speeds that won't result in instant disqualification.

[@brianjackson9801]

Whats fun about this bike is that it won't push you to do dirty stuff, it's very happy to follow the speed limit and just have a chill ride. It also has more than enough power to get you into trouble in more ways than one. You can ride this bike pretty hard if you adjust the suspension to your weight and style, and like mentioned, put on your preferred rubber. But it will be a choice you're making. Unlike if you're on a Tuono or Superduke... I've owned all three. I will say tho, if you prefer spirited riding, flash the ECU and swap out the headers. Front cartridge swap is next. Then rear shock. Then Brembo up front, and you will have a very special bike.

[@mrsilbo6499]

Great review, no BS, just quality observations. That engine looks as if it could've been lifted straight out of my old Z1000 J2.

[@banestock]

Best looking bike period! Especially in the green with the cafe racing faring.

[@granite676]

Mmm. . .something missing on that rs cafe . . Bikini fairing stripe that goes over the headlight ! 👍😉 luveerrlyy bike 👍

[@splodge57]

...and on the tail piece.

[@dleebox2268]

I like this bike alot, at 55yrs old, i could really rock this piece👊🏽

[@ഭിത്തിയിലിടിച്ച്വികലാംഗനായതു]

This guy and Sagar Sheldekar are the best in the business. Both of em really push these machines to their absolute limits. Both of em's narrations are so lively. Ofcourse sagar's reviews are much more cinematic and have spectacular frames from beginning to the end. But this one's also very enjoyable as its so simple yet informative with adequate quality

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Thanks, we could create more cinematic content but we’re too busy riding!

[@CharlesSmith-zt7vt]

I remember reading bike reviews back in the 1980s, and back then they would mention that all Kawasakis have cold idle at about 6000rpm. Amazing and rather wonderful that nothing has changed in over 30 years.

[@keithsada1380]

I think you got your number wrong. A 6000 RPM idle would be way too high. Mine idles at about 1200 RPM when cold.

[@jaredmotopnw]

Have my 2022 for 6 months now and it TRULY makes me happy every time I ride it! I call it a “muscle car.” Will be taking it to the track soon as well.

[@luishcoreia]

Got mine, new, in 2019. Already with 30.000 km/h, never had a problem. Did an ECU reflash that made the fueling and throttle more smooth. Brilliant bike, lots of power

[@davgb7904]

2018 Z900RS owner - good review. Absolutely brilliant bike. Ample power (as you imply) for public roads. Super smooth and reliable. And the build quality is very impressive. Not sure about lack of good second hand machines. There aren't enormous numbers, but the demand and ownership is not that high, hence the fewer numbers. If you're after one, plenty to choose from. That said, the supply of new ones has been hit, so people are looking to second hand at present.

[@elgar6743]

This is a fantastic, great performing 'street' motorcycle in the manner of the old 'UJM' and with all the great Kawasaki characteristics. A truly awesome old school cool motorcycle !!

[@TheBezaleel]

Beautiful machine with top notch Kawasaki build quality. I say this as an owner of 2018 Versys 650GT and three ZZR1100's from 1995, 1996 & 1997.

[@Porsche996driver]

Great bike. I prefer the standard look with the root beer brown and orange pinstripes. These are well-known in SoCal. Love any triple ha. ✊🏼🏁

[@thedarkknight1971]

Being 51 (so growing up with late 70's/80's/90's bikes), and a serious Kwak fan), I've loved the look of the Z1/900, Zephyr series (even owned a ZR-7 modded to look more like ZRX12R with cockpit fairing/square headlight), me personally, I would opt for the more Z1/900 looking 900RS. But great reviews as always. 👌👍 😎🇬🇧

[@MotoDude1967]

This guy's enthusiasm makes all his videos fun to watch.

[@justinhealy1364]

Good review, nailed it. I have a 2020, and for all the flashy looks, it's really just a good old standard UJM like my old CB650. I have been thrashing it a little, but no worries finding mine used, it's a keeper.

[@mikelohmeyer4140]

I just got the 2018 model used and I am loving it

[@jandetaeye4748]

I bought a new 2021 model last year after selling my vulcan s that i owned for 3 years and the more i ride with the RS the more i am loving it. I always have a big smile on my face when i open up the throttle on that inline four.

[@gregorylagrange]

That quarter fairing really looks good on it. Makes it an even harder choice between it and Triumph Speed Twin. But on used bikes. I was super surprised at how low the mileage is on so many used bikes in dealerships. People are buying bikes, putting new exhausts on them, and then after 3 to 5 years they're in a dealership for sale with 2000 miles on them on the high side. Makes me wonder if people are impulse buying them and then something happens that makes them scared to ride them. I guess it does help keep the industry going.

[@serhiy1237]

I just wish this particular one video had more POV footage and sound. Cool Bike. Nice Roads. Great attitude and skills.

[@zh4418]

I was so into this bike so I took one for a test ride. I really wanted one but I was so disappointed with the short gears and awkward riding positions… Went to a Yamaha dealer test rode the new MT09 SP and bought it instantly. No regret

[@jordanjoestar8839]

Unfortunately you have to look at it...

[@iivanforchune9666]

@@jordanjoestar8839 bikes are for riding not so much for looking at.

[@Nitroturbohead]

I had a 2003 Z1000 and it I would of described that bike nearly identically to this one in terms of feel, simplicity and outright fun. It has remained my favourite after V-twin sportsbikes, superbikes and adventure bikes.

[@DailyDrivenBikes_1]

Those are cool and I like the brownish color scheme, and it's like a modern martin frame kawasaki.

[@jhvfcvhgu66ujv]

I've got one of these things. 44 these days and have owned every bike under the sun from motards to a worked Busa. This is my favourite bike by far, but perhaps I'm getting old 😅

[@tasoss.1385]

this bad boy in stealth black would be awesome. I don't know about you guys but this thing brings me memories of the first terminator and toecutter in the first mad max.

[@trevormartin5459]

Great review and a beautiful bike.Thanks for taking the time.

[@michaelarchangel1163]

I was quite surprised, when this bike first appeared, that it wasn't given the same state of tune as the 'ordinary' Z900, particularly as it has a nosecone fairing, sportier handlebars and radial brake calipers.

[@michaeltrivette1728]

The tuning on these are a vast improvement over the basic z900.

[@PaoloD2R2]

SWANSEA.. MY hidden love, AND i own a z900rs ... so i'm looking forward to come over

[@dannycapaldi4795]

Thats was my 900rs that i part ex at M&P, great bike..

[@iodineclip]

not to mention how awesome the stock exhaust sounds.

[@soulrebelno1]

I love classic bikes and I always promised myself that one day I'd buy a Triumph Speed Twin. Then, I went into my local Kawasaki dealer and sat on an Z900RS - what a bike! It looked spectacular, especially in the Candy Tone Blue colour, and the overall feel and the quality of the bike was amazing. Being a tall rider at 6' 2" most naked bikes are a bit small for me, but this bike felt just right. It turns out the Z900RS could be the answer to my problem, because its wheelbase is 57mm (2¼") longer than the Triumph Speed Twin. I've just bought a new bike, and at the time I couldn't get a demo on the Z900RS, but it's definitely one for the future - I think I've had my head turned!

[@davgb7904]

Much the same as my experience - Demo'd the Speed Twin, but then the RS. I have a 2018 RS and would never trade it for the Speed Twin (although happily have both if I could!) Get an RS! Fabulous bike.

[@PaoloD2R2]

don't get a speed twin. I had both the speedy AND the RS.. in the end i sold the speedy. Gorgeous, great engine but too grunty to suit a really relaxed ride, AND horribly hot on summer for my my right ankle/calf. AND when you push hard, she clearly showed brake and suspension limitations, if not at chassis level. The RS is a more 360 bike, with better overall balance and refinement.

[@soulrebelno1]

@@davgb7904 The Triumph Speed Twin does tug at my heartstrings, but my head is saying Kawasaki Z900RS! The dealer is quite local to me as well, which makes a change. It means I don't have to travel nearly 30 miles just for a service! I'm in the process of selling my Yamaha Tenere 700, which is a great bike, it's just not the bike for me. The reason I was there was because I was buying a Suzuki SV650 to replace it which was on offer. Surprisingly, the Suzuki SV650 has a wheelbase of 1445mm because of its L-Twin engine, so felt bigger than it looks. I spent hours in there and that's when I had the chance to have a proper look at the Kawasaki Z900RS; basically I was blown away by the bike. In the meantime, the Suzuki SV650 has turned out to be such a great bike that I don't think I'll ever sell it. I haven't had it long, but it puts a smile on my face every time I get on it - it's the best bike Ducati never made! I think I'll end up buying a Kawasaki Z900RS and have the best of both worlds. A 90° V-Twin (L-Twin) and a four cylinder, both look and sound great in their own way, what could be better on a spring/summer's day! 😎 👍

[@davgb7904]

@@soulrebelno1 I haven't owned a Speed, only tested, but I have no doubts Silent MotoVlog's comments are right. If you do get to ride them, the Speed is an instant grin factor/heart string tugger, but it will always want to be ridden hard. I'd forgotten about the heat from the Speed engine! The RS is a slower burn to love - biiig smile to first ride, then it's character just grows and grows over more miles for it's 'can do anything' capability. Everything feels better built and finished. My own hanging around in bothe Speed and RS forums and groups bears out the Z-RS is a bullit proof bit of gorgeous engineering, where the Triumph has faults that I might find hard to live with. Also, Kawasaki after sales and dealers are much better and usually closer. The SV is a great machine as is the same-engine VStrom 650 - best bike Ducati never made is very true, just as the Kawa W800 is the best bike Triumph never made (or BSA as it was). Both reliable, well built and underrated for the lack of the respective badges - but better bikes to own.

[@soulrebelno1]

@@davgb7904 I've watched a few Stuart Fillingham videos about his four-year-saga with Triumph Customer Service and all the various problems he had with his T120, and it certainly doesn't put Triumph in a good light (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ3RpIyPrtV4ptU). I believe the Speed Twin 1200 doesn't suffer from the same gearbox problems as other water-cooled Bonneville's, where the gear selector fails. All the Triumph Bonneville's look great, but they aren't cheap, and it does make you wonder what you're paying all that money for if the overall quality isn't up to scratch. Is it just for the kudos of having a Triumph badge stuck on the side of the tank! I also noticed some bikers have said they've replaced their Triumph Bonneville with a Japanese bike - it's like the 1970s never happened! I can high recommend the Suzuki SV650, it's a cracking bike. For some reason it went off my radar, and I ended up buying a Yamaha Tenere 700 during lockdown, mainly due to supply problems. It also doesn't help when all the showrooms are closed, which meant I had to do everything over the phone, and a demo was out of the question. I also kept getting the same story of no bikes in stock and a very long wait if you want a new one. It's a pity, because buying an SV650 would've saved me a lot of cash, but at least I've had the experience of riding around on a adventure bike, and it's also made me a better rider. The Suzuki SV650 will suffice for now, but in a year or two I'll see what Kawasaki have on offer. I might even go for something like the Z900RS SE if that's available - it's worth it just for the gold wheels!

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

the rubber works well here in Asia can't fault them nice and sticky I wouldn't go changing them, where I live its a pretty steady 30℃ to 40℃ outside all year round the bike holds up well

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Z900/Z900RS/Z900RS Cafe.... the engine is based on the 1043cc Ninja 1000SX, but proprietary cylinders and heads keeping the stroke the same, just smaller bore. It's got a really meaty mid-range, it's a lot smoother overall than the bigger 1000SX engine, it's lighter. Gear ratios are just perfect, except the RS models have a goofy extended 6th gear for some reason. Otherwise, I think this 4-cylinder is one of the smoothest 4 cylinders that exists in modern times, at least that isn't running dual counterbalance shafts like some of the old school big bore of the late 90's.

[@heinschwartz7941]

Agree 100% - Quality moto journalism

[@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou]

Has it not got a stripe or two missing?

[@Ringer1982]

I own it two and a half years and the bike is now with 18k km on the clock, which is not much but I wouldn't say that it's a super low milage. Regarding reliability it's true, nothing happened with it at all yet. The only nuance my bike has is that it eats oil a bit. Between maintainance intervals I need to top up oil once. Basically when I change the oil I fill it to the top mark and after around 5k km the oil level is at the low mark.

[@desmondyang1018]

Bike fit, taste and budget are just like chalk and cheese Purchase a 2020 Z900RS Cafe in June 2021 and immediately regretted it….. I regretted not buying it 1 year earlier as I was still unsure when I should owned one….. Shit man…..I missed out 1 bloody year of joy and fun 🤩 Better late than never as they said I put in a 16T front sprocket and installed Rapid Bike Easy module with center stand and some usual protection parts and bike is perfect. Let the good times roll…..ride on

[@JesusIsLord7773]

I love this Bike! so classic!

[@vincentdavidson755]

I always use 90 weight gear oil On my chain and it works super Because it penetrats the rollers And stays on chain mAke Shure U clean chain with a good solvent And brush and dry then put on oil With a soak cloth

[@VAwait4itRF]

Wish I had such nice a shop in my country with used moto so good looking

[@creedm3040]

Awesome review. Beautiful bike! Motorcycles are amazing! Best!

[@PEZ1514]

Such a beautiful bike to have such a bottom barrel swing arm.

[@frankolwenda5128]

Motorbikes are awesome indeed! Which model of shoei helmet is Chris using?

[@aeror115]

The RS cafe looks interesting but I would prefer the normal rs900 Wish you a great one

[@mlow587]

so how do you know if they are reliable if most of them have low KMs?

[@woooster17]

Nice bike, my neighbour has one and he rates it. I have a couple of Kawasaki’s in my garage, a 4k mile ZX12R & ZXR750 H2.. Definitely a Kawasaki fan 💚

[@danielkeel9265]

I have an old Zephyr, I'd like a zrx1200 and a z900rs, maybe with a kz650 for sunny days...

[@dirtyversa3165]

This is what I actually wanted to experience when I had my ZRX1100. This is a much better bike.

[@Spartansrule118]

What’s wrong with the ZRX1100?

[@luishcoreia]

Cold idle speed can be adjusted ;)

[@Steve-motorcycles]

100% agreed, motorbikes are awesome 👏

[@stinkerdoodle1737]

Motorbikes are awesome....nuff said!!! 👍👍

[@patkawasaki771]

The 2002 z1000 was horrendous for vibrations, which gutted me when I tried one. As it hasn't been mentioned in reviews, is it now resolved?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

That was based on the old ZX-9R engine which didn't have any counter-balance shafts. They enlarged the capacity, added FI, slapped it in the Z naked chassis. Later revisions cleaned up the buzz somewhat (I had a 2008 a pearl white with orange accents), but it wasn't perfect. Mostly the handling was a mess in terms of a big lack of neutral leaning. The Z800 was an overweight bike with a lack of power. I'm glad that went to the dust bin. Z900 entirely new. Engine is a reduced capacity Z1000/Ninja1000 engine but with proprietary heads and cylinders. Same stroke, smaller bores. 948cc. It's a sublimely buzz-free engine, one of the smoothest modern i-4 period. It has one counterbalance shaft in it. Super controllable, super linear, very torquey mid range, exciting rip up top, chassis is VERY stable and confidence inspiring, handling is superbly neutral. I owned a 2017 and traded for an ADV, then went back to a MT-09. I still miss the Z. With a full exhaust and ECU flash (eliminate restrictions, in other words), you'll see about 125-127 HP and 73 ft-lb at the wheel. I got about 43 mpg (USA) on my 2017.

[@dukie1616]

Z900rs or 890r which bike would you own and or which bike would you want to ride?

[@chrisnorthover7582]

Can I have a Z900RS to look at and an 890R to ride please?

[@cpuuk]

I also like the style. Does it still have the low speed fuelling issues?

[@Justen1980]

I own the cafe version the fueling issues are thus: these bikes are designed to run as lean as possible to appease the emissions laws.. My experience with the stock bike was- if you are giving it a steady throttle, then slightly roll your throttle forwards, the ECU cuts off all fuel to the engine, so you experience sudden, full, engine braking... Carbs always fed fuel to the engine even when you let off the throttle and gave you a smoother feeling as you worked the throttle.. This bike and many others require an ecu flash at the minimum to correct the fueling settings..

[@tankshot3256]

This is still my fave color

[@nassosa]

Have you done one the speed twin? If not would love to see you on one

[@cliveomahoney4096]

Honestly, the way that some of you chaps talk about bikes really makes me question what world you're in. There seems to be this idea that bikes are solely for a hobby or a plaything. You buy the bike that you like the most: looks, certainly; noise, for some and functionality. But, to say that the RS is basically a Sunday funday bike is totally missing the point. It's a versatile bike that can do basically everything you want it too. It's how you feel with the bike you have that's the most important thing. For many people, bikes aren't toys or luxurires. For me, my CB650R is a replacement for cars (that I loathe), essential for travel and fun when I want it to be.

[@chrisnorthover7582]

I see your point but it’s more about what these bikes are typically used for - most will just get used for a fun bike rather than a sole means of transport. I’ve been on both sides of the road there and spent many years with an impractical sports bike as my daily transport because that’s what excites me. Now I’m fortunate enough to have the choice and I get to mix it up with a few different bikes of my own. CB650R is a great balance there - usable every day but still fun when you want it, how long you had it?

[@cliveomahoney4096]

@@chrisnorthover7582 Coming up to 3 years, Chris. The bike has been excellent. But it's time for a trade in. I'm not keen on doing MOTs. MT09?

[@chrisnorthover7582]

@@cliveomahoney4096 ah ha I know that feeling, I have my own tea cup at the local MOT garage now! MT09 a really solid bet, especially with the updated version. Tracer version worth a look too if you want a bit more weather protection and comfort without sacrificing too much of the crazy.

[@chriscourtenay2311]

More used bike reviews please. Maybe bikes in certain price ranges. I.e up to £5000

[@theflyingyetti_666]

Looks mint that

[@karlbratby4349]

Classic old junk from Chris's garage... love it LOL

[@Navyguy]

*what a beautiful beautiful bike...* 😍❤️

[@michaelhayward7572]

How is John? Not heard or seen from mr Hogan in a long while. My fave YT journo. I hope all is well.

[@chrisnorthover7582]

Keep you’re eyes on the TT coverage - John’s now a part of their presenting team, a dream gig for him!

[@michaelhayward7572]

@@chrisnorthover7582 cheers Chris. All the best to the pair of you.

[@vincentdavidson755]

Be careful in the mountains or Country I had a friend hit a deer And he survived so watch your Speed

[@vincentdavidson755]

Make Shure u run out the reserve gas in tank ever so often u don't want old gas to stay in your reserve gas tank

[@timmo3351]

Love the jacket, does it have armour?

[@chrisnorthover7582]

Yep, quite slim armour but CE approved.

[@timmo3351]

@@chrisnorthover7582 cheers Chris, what was the model name/number? Any chance you’ll ride the RC45 at Bike Specialists? We can hope!

[@chrisnorthover7582]

@@timmo3351 It's the Spidi Hoodie Armour Evo jacket. And yes, a ride of one of the RCs is on the cards and I can't wait either!

[@timmo3351]

@@chrisnorthover7582 RC30? Insert ‘excited’ gif here!

[@priasanubari]

Nice!

[@Boyko1996]

"they won't have been thrashed, ridden all winter and hammered" Me with my thrashed 30k+ mile '19 z900rs 😬

[@Budivedder]

Nice cafe and good review

[@shawnjoseph7522]

I like this guy

[@rideroll9609]

6:02 If you are thinking about to start riding motorcycles, JUST DO IT! :D

[@TheSweetasanut]

Love it

[@TTH77]

Got to laugh when he said the "old" Zrx 11& 1200 bit long in thetooth now which is true but try riding an original Z1/ Z1000 etc etc 😁😁

[@vincentdavidson755]

This is the all around bike for u And I have been driving bikes for Over 50 years u can run them Hard year after year after year after year after year after year👱⚡

[@stratolestele7611]

I drive cars and trucks. I ride bikes and motorcycles (wish my back allowed for horses).

[@vincentdavidson755]

@@stratolestele7611 yes I love horses had to ride the 6 days a week to bring in. Cows to the milkers

[@MrLunithy]

Sounds like my XJR SP😇

[@stefan23ish]

Just loves motorbikes this bloke doesn’t he..

[@Lighthousenation]

🌵 Harley Davidson in AZ làne splitting on a Bagger 🏜️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGq4eWhqd818Zqc

[@Juuul89]

I can´t really understand why reviewers are mostly so positive about this bike, to be fair they are generally positive about all bikes. I rode this bike and was severly unimpressed, snatchy throttle, bouncy suspension, mediocre fit&finish, wheezy lazy motor. I'm obviously the wrong customer for this bike but it's probably the worst modern bike I've ever ridden. It's definitely not ugly though!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Worst modern bike you've ridden. Well that makes you very inexperienced and spoiled.

[@Juuul89]

@@exothermal.sprocket Maybe, those are still my experiences though. Can't say I've ridden more than 20 different bikes in my life but the 900RS was by far the most disappointing, especially for the price.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@Juuul89 I've ridden over 60 different brands/types, owned 10 so far (1 at a time), wrenched and tuned on one, maintained the others, and I still go to demos when they are in town. The Z900 is a fantastic bike in the right perspective. Of course it doesn't compare to a GSX-R750 or R6. It wasn't supposed to. It doesn't cost the same as those either. But for the price point, it is a fantastic machine and has a lot of desirable qualities.

[@Juuul89]

@@exothermal.sprocket The regular Z900 I actually like lol, that's a better bike for less money than the RS.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@Juuul89 The RS is for those peeps who want more style over function. I wish Kawasaki would have done nothing to the engine and transmission but simply gave it this 'standard' chassis. Nope. Had to dumb it down. What I couldn't figure out is why Kawasaki kept using the Z800 forks on the Z900 while going more gucci with the RS forks and brakes. Now you have to buy the Z900SE to get those bits, which might be worth it for some. Honestly the suspension upgrades with the SE aren't good enough for me, I'd rather modify those parts myself with better final results. To regain power, Brock's Performance has the stuff to extract the same "stock" wheel power from the RS that a stock Z900 makes, about 115 whp and 69 ft-lb. Whereas the Z900 can make about 127 and 73 after restrictions come off.

[@suezix8689]

its best

[@thinkdunson]

not really a very balanced review. nowadays, just about anything from one of the major manufacturers is going to be great in all the categories mentioned. you only really find things to complain about when you compare it to others in its segment or price range.

[@zain670]

2nd

[@ianowens7519]

Another fool

[@zain670]

@@ianowens7519 lol ask your mom

[@arjunnair4023]

1st 🤣

[@ianowens7519]

What do you want, a medal?

[@raymondo162]

babbling brook, babbling bloke............... ;-)

[@Steve-motorcycles]

100% agreed, motorbikes are awesome 👏

[@dylanhedges5634]

Love it