Kawasaki Bar Swap! (Niks Z900rs Part 9)

In this vid Nik takes his Z900rs down to the dealers to have the bars swapped out for the version that comes with the Cafe Racer edition.
Lower, sleeker and most importantly...black!

[@soyaskywalker]

Thank you for uploading! The new handlebar looks nice. I like that style.

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

soyaskywalker Thanks for checking out the vid. 👍

[@KB-yj5xp]

Hey nic, liking the vids . I got a black Zrs and I just put a set of clip ons with the bikini walk cowl everything fit awesome except I had to fab up a brake reservoir bracket . Just ordered a hindle exhaust and now I’m waiting for spring!

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

Awesome!! I was back and forth on the clips-ons for a long time. If I ever slim the seat down I’ll probably swap over but for now this feels like a good ride position. Ride safe!

[@KB-yj5xp]

@@wrenchesbenches8792 looking forward to more videos. my black Z came with the lower seat and it seems like a good combo for the clip ons. You on the Z900rs forum?

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

@@KB-yj5xp Is your the cafe racer version of the 900rs? That has a lower and more scooped seat but I was unsure how it would if I was to swap it over to mine. No i'm not on the Z900rs forum...shoot me a link! :)

[@keithbrown4724]

@@wrenchesbenches8792 It was a stock black 2018 but in Canada they sold with the reduced reach ergo seat, I'm 6' so I didn't need it, but now I think I like it. Here is the link with the mods I'm doing over the winter, its still a work a in progress but you get the idea. www.z900rs.co.uk/index.php/topic,2327.20.html

[@Spang0G]

looking good , I saw a version with clip ons but this looks more comftable

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

Spang0G They look awesome with clip ons but I feel you need to slim the seat first. It’s a nice comfy seat but if I was to put clip ons on now, my face would be in the speedo! Haha But it feel really good now! It was a good choice to swap them over.

[@iansians6703]

Thanks for the vid on this mod - I have been meaning to do it myself as I have a nice after market Givi fairing on the naked version at the moment but the seat and bar combination is too upright - it definitely needs a more cafe pitch with lower bars. I can see it is an easy job, although mine has bar warmers on it (genuine Kawasaki) and I don't know if that is going to be a problem given some bar warmers are effectively glued on - we will see. However, I am a bit reluctant now having seen the black flatter bars on yours. Each to their own but I can't say they look great and I'd probably think about going with something simpler and flatter than the cafe bars. I'm not sure what the bending shape achieves really, you might have more insight into this but it creates a visual problem for me. Very interesting to see how that mod turned out and it saved me a lot of time making the decision, even if it meant not going with it. Thanks again - enjoy the bike - it is a great bike but I still prefer my Busa and old Ducati - The Kawi if too perfect if you know what I mean - so well engineered - too easy to ride, no challenges really - you can ride in your sleep almost.

[@mikemcclernon5784]

Dude, nice; Throw some carbon at the radiator covers...

[@fredschleter4702]

I have 2019 Z900RS Cafe. I want to change the stock pipe out but am worried about flashing the ecu or ecm thing. Any hints on what header to get? I liked the old Kerker ( black) but I don’t think they make them anymore. Worried about getting a bike that has flat spots or that won’t perform as well as stock thanks “ confused in Indiana lol

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

Hey buddy! Hmmmm so when I wanted to do the swap I talked with the dealer. He assured me that there was no need to mess with the eco as this system was specifically designed for the Z900rs. So far I can’t feel any issues. So find something you like the look and sound of and talk with a dealer to get their perspective. 👍

[@RickyJr46]

It's a shame that they couldn't integrate the front brake fluid reservoir into the master cylinder housing, as in the old days. It would look way cleaner on this motorcycle! Also, those silly front fender brackets, yuck.

[@luishcoreia]

Hi. Looks great with the cafe bars. I actually don’t have a problem with the original bars, but never tried the cafe bars, so no comparison factor. Are you less upright with the cafe bars? I noticed you took out the bar end weights. Any difference? Any extra vibrations? Thanks

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

Hey Luis. Yes I am a little less upright but I don’t have a my nose to the tank! Haha It just feels a bit more natural for me to be leaning a little more forward. The bar ends came off as I use bar end mirrors and did that pretty soon after getting the bike so it’s hard to say if there is a vibration difference as I can’t really compare.

[@dblr3000]

Vibration won’t be a big issue if you aren’t testosterone deficient. Mine feels unchanged after installing bar end mirrors.

[@treskilion-9690]

It looks excellent! How does one order these handlebars?

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

I went directly through the dealer who ordered them. You can however order them from Kawasaki via their web shop and put them on yourself.

[@luishcoreia]

Were do you bought the cafe handlebars? What was the cost? Thanks

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

Hey! I got them direct through the dealer where I got the bike. Had them swap the bars when she had a service. Parts and labour was about 3000dkk (you will have to convert Danish to your currency)

[@kirbylim121]

Hi nik. Was it a straight swap? Or u needed other stuff to put the cafe bars on?

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

kirby lim Hey! It was a straight swap. No extra parts needed.

[@01mrPIG]

Is it wider? Looks wider than before.

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

No. It’s actually a little slimmer as it’s meant to fit in and behind the fairing of the care racer model. I think it’s an optional illusion as the bars are so flat. Haha

[@richardheyworth1246]

The standard bars are too upright for me but I can't decide whether or not to get the cafe bars or something like a flat bar but I don't want there to be issues with the fitment. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

These bars a pretty flat to be honest...depending on how you angle them. I looked at other options but had the same worries as you so I would try these then you know there is no issue with the fit.

[@richardheyworth1246]

@@wrenchesbenches8792 Thanks for the reply. Have you noticed a big change in the riding position? Do you think it was worth it?

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

Richard Heyworth It feels more natural for me to lean a little forward, so this was a change worth doing. I just felt too uptight with the stock bars. It’s not as extreme as clip-ons but makes you feel a little more connected with the bike.

[@richardheyworth1246]

@@wrenchesbenches8792 I went to my local Kawasaki dealer and they quoted me around £260 to have the cafe bars bought and fitted. Seems expensive but if it changes the bike to how I want it then I think it's probably worth it because the bike is awesome

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

@@richardheyworth1246 Sounds about right. You could save some cash and put them on yourself but the bars have a lot going on with the levers and throttle...so I had the dealer do it to make sure all was working well. Good luck! :)

[@lgbadman]

Why not just get the cafe bike to start with. I have the cafe and hate the bars. Would like to swap for some taller bars but haven't found any yet.

[@wrenchesbenches8792]

I did try the Cafe version but overall I do prefer a ‘naked’ bike. Plus the seat position didn’t feel right for me. Original in my mind I was going for clip ons but once logged some time on the bike I knew I didn’t need to go that low. So these bars were the perfect swap.